The audio archive of this net can best be followed by downloading the .mp3 file for the appropriate date here and listening with the media player of your choice. You can move the progress slider forward or backward to the subject of interest to you.

We had another interesting net tonight with 9 check-ins plus net control Frank, K6FLD. Tonight’s topics included:

• Logging/Logging software.
• Should I go straight to DMR and forget HF since I can talk all over the world on DMR?

Tune in to the SBARC TM&E Net every Thursday at 8:00 PM local (2000 Hrs) and see what interesting ham radio questions might arise or ask some of your own! All club members and visitors are encouraged to check in to the net each week.

With in-person gatherings out of the question for most of this year, we have been holding General Club Meetings online using Zoom and YouTube Live Streaming since April. While most of us miss being able to see our amateur radio colleagues, remote technologies have enabled more members than ever to gather virtually. In May we welcomed Andy Seybold – W6AMS, SBARC member and acclaimed wireless communications guru. Andy gave a fantastic presentation on AT&T FirstNet and the future of interoperable digital and 5G cellular communications in the public safety sector from his home station in Arizona!

We have been able to archive monthly meeting presentations on the SBARC YouTube channel, thanks to our virtual gatherings. Since April, monthly membership participation in our meetings has risen considerably with members, like Andy, joining our local crew from far and wide.  Meanwhile, YouTube recordings of the meeting archives have generated nearly 1,000 views.

We are proud to celebrate the creation of the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation (SBWF). The Foundation is part of our 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation dedicated to developing and supporting wireless telecommunications technologies for public safety, emergency communications, community service and scientific research in the Santa Barbara region. For years, SBARC members have donated their skills and time to support partner organizations throughout Santa Barbara County. This outreach is an important part of maintaining important relationships for SBARC, allowing us continued access to coveted mountaintop communications sites and strengthening our community ties to ensure our organization’s relevance in a new era of advanced digital communications.

SBARC remains an amateur radio membership organization with SBWF as a part of the Club’s strategic outreach. SBARC members are invited to contribute to SBWF’s efforts.  The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation name and logos were designed to maximize our ability to attract funding and support from outside of the amateur radio community. This initiative will ensure the Club’s continued ability to serve those interested in the art and science of radio communications while supporting new and existing relationships for  public service and emergency communications in our community.

Diablo Peak (or Devil’s Peak) on Santa Cruz Island is one of the most inaccessible places in California. At 2,429 feet above sea level, it is the tallest mountain on an ocean island in the contiguous 48 states. The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation and SBARC maintain public safety and amateur radio telecommunications facilities at Diablo Peak on Santa Cruz Island. A crew of volunteer amateur radio operators set out with the help of the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit (and its newly acquired Blackhawk “Firehawk” Helicopter) to perform maintenance at the site on December 2, 2020.