Southern Peninsula Emergency Communications System

Begun in the 80s the Wednesday memorial luncheon is held in memory of Arv, WA6UUT, who started the 9am Talk Net as a way to help new Hams. The luncheon is a group of hams with over 600 years of experience, and topics range over just about anything related to ham radio.
The event is hosted by Dave, K6WA.

# Join us on Mora Hill for Field Day in June!

We’re making plans for WVARA’s Field Day operation on Mora Hill June 27-29. Feel free to fill out our on-line participant survey so that we can include you.
Here’s the URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PN83HTN

And if you need further encouragement, here is a little appetizer to join us: 2024 WVARA Field Day

PAARA will again be holding its annual Field Day event at Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park on June 28 & 29 this year.
PAARA- Field Day

In an expansion from last year’s effort, we will be competing in Class 3A, with 3 primary HF stations, adding a dedicated digital mode station running FT4/8 on 20 Meters. Marty, W6NEV will captain this station.
In addition, we will have 2 other HF stations, running amplifiers to increase transmit power following last year’s rule change allowing up to 500 watts, captained by Ric, N6AJS primarily our CW station and Harry K4YR, running mostly phone.
We have always had a BIG signal from our excellent location, featuring sloping terrain angled down to the saltwater marsh at the edge of the bay giving us the “saltwater amp” effect, increasing our signals even more.
Our intention is to keep these stations staffed and operating for the entire 24 hours of the event. That means there will be ample opportunities to work the biggest operating event of the year, from excellent stations in an outstanding location. Please sign up for some seat time. Advance sign-ups can be made at tinyurl.com/FieldDaySchedule.
As always, we will have our excellent GOTA station to give interested visitors who have never been on HF the opportunity to operate under the guidance of one of our coaches.
Returning to the mix this year will be UHF/VHF/satellite operations, captained by Justin, AI6YM, featuring his impressive home-brewed azimuth/elevation rotor system for the satellite antenna array he has designed and built.
Advance preparation for Field Day will include several (likely 3) antenna work parties at KG6LWE’s San Martin QTH, and Network Day to connect all the radios and logging computers on a couple of tables in Marty’s garage to work out any connection or communication issues before getting to the park.
We have always enjoyed these “work parties” and have found them to be good team-building opportunities, as well as good practice in assembling the antennas and getting them up in the air. If you’re interested in coming out for a couple of fun days in the sun with the team, please let Doug, KG6LWE know. Planning for these is already under way.
We will be returning to our previous practice of beginning setup at the park on Thursday afternoon, with the erection of one of our AB-621 military mast systems with our big triband KT-34XA beam antenna on top. Work will continue Friday morning with the erection of another AB621, with another beam, the 20 Meter monobander for Marty’s digital station, followed by the assembly and erection of the monster 4 element 40 Meter beam on the tower trailer. An 80 Meter dipole will also be strung up for nighttime operations. GOTA’s Buddihex antenna will likely go up Saturday morning.
We will again set up the food and socializing area at the usual spot at the fork of the road leading up to the ridge. This entails setting up the big red canopy, anchoring it against the wind and dragging tables and chairs out of the box trailer and setting them up
With the step up to 3A, there will be even more to do at the park, so we’re looking for volunteers to help with setup and teardown too. Many hands make light work of all of this, so please bring yours out to the park to join the big team effort.
As always, the “You work, we feed” rule will be observed, staring with burgers, hot off the grill at the San Martin work parties, with make-it-yourself sandwiches for lunch at the park on Friday and Saturday, and hot soup and hot dogs for dinner Saturday night. Thanks to Rob for feeding us so well.
For questions about Field Day or to volunteer to help, you can contact Doug, KG6LWE PAARA’s Field Day Coordinator at his new PAARA e-mail address, kg6lwe@paara.org (Thanks Sorin).

The Foothills Amateur Radio Society is participating in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) 2025 Field Day event on Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th.
This event is open to the public and visitors are welcome from 11 AM until 9 PM on Saturday, June 28th. Also on Sunday June 29th from 7 AM until 11 AM. Field Day is an opportunity to see Amateur Radio in action and even participate. Learn about ham radio by participating.
We shall have a Get On The Air (GOTA) station where new hams and unlicensed people may operate an amateur radio station.
Field Day Rules and FAQs:

• Field Day Rules (online version)
• Field Day Rules (brief) [PDF] [92K/7pgs]
• 2025 Field Day Packet [PDF] [1.2M/40pgs].

Or visit the ARRL Field Day site.
Here's an Article on the FARS 2007 Field Day from “100 Watts Magazine” a Thai HAM radio magazine. Thanks Nimit, HS1IFU/K6XOX.
John L. Gaffey, WS1EA has written a helpful primer for organizing your own Field Day event.
FARS operated in the 3A category, with two primary HF radio stations on emergency power at a temporary location. We had four (total) operating radio stations:

• HF High Band station operating Single Sideband (SSB) voice on 10/15/20 meters;
• HF Mid Band station operating Single Sideband (SSB) voice, and CW on 10/15/20/40 meters;
• HF Low Band station operating Single Sideband (SSB) voice, and CW on 40 meters during the day, and 80/160 meters at night;

Plus bonus stations:

• VHF/UHF station;
• Get On The Air (GOTA) station (for visitors);