Welcome to the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club

On May 19, 2025, KA6KEN and I joined The Explorers Club expedition to Santa Barbara Island. It’s the smallest and most remote in Channel Islands National Park.

There’s no dock, no cell service, and landings are only possible by skiff when the weather cooperates. We brought along a VHF handheld and a directional antenna and made simplex contact with KK6SXA and KN6ZZI from the island’s summit, Signal Peak. It was a quick turnaround. We had less than 90 minutes on shore. But we made it work.

I documented the trip and put together a short film that tells the story, with some help from fellow explorers we met along the way.

📺 Watch the video below:

—Levi, K6LCM

Wayne AF6GX, Michael K6RQV, and Bill W1UUQ made a trip to Channel Islands Harbor this week to troubleshoot and repair a radio problem on the National Park Service Park Ranger patrol boat. The were able to locate and fix the problem which was due to an improperly installed and damaged antenna connector. This is a perfect example how the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation provides valuable public services. Thanks Wayne, Michael and Bill!

Post expires at 6:23am on Monday June 16th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.

March 29, 2024 – Members of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club had a fun and successful day activating a number of H.F. radio stations at Mountain View School’s playing field. We accomplished our objectives for the day, and more!

The event was primarily focused on practicing set-up and use of the club’s new, portable radio stations. We activated two stations that included a “BuddiHex”, two element beam antenna and a “CrankIR”, 1/4 wave vertical antenna using tuned, elevated radials. Both antenna systems performed well with many K6TZ operators logging QSOs with USA, South American and European stations! A couple of our members also brought their own radio gear including Larry – WA6MVJ’s QRP rig (see photo below). DIY stations are definitely welcomed!

Importantly, SBARC purchased and deployed for the first time, a solar-battery DC power system. This power system will not only avoid the need for a generator during field activations, it will also support our club station at the RedCross in the event of extended power outages. Our experience at the event showed that the system produced more power than we consumed during our radio operations.

We also sought to give club members and visitors a chance to operate HF radios. We were fortunate that our activation occurred during the CQ World Wide WPX SSB contest and during a time of excellent signal propagation. As a result, everyone with an interest was able to work some DX!

Perhaps as important as our technical experiences, we happily welcomed club members that don’t often attend field events, as well as members of the public. John – AG6LJ, Larry – WA6MVJ, Greg – WW6T, Steve – AC6T, and others joined for the fun. We also greeted a number public inquirers – most had questions about what we were doing. And, two indicated an interest in becoming licensed. All were greeted warmly, offered a bagel & cream cheese, and a Prospective HAM interest card.

Looking ahead, we have secured the same exceptional site for Field Day that we had last year – “Chase Palm Field”. Based on the practice event, we are confident that the club’s stations will perform well, perhaps even better given CPF is one hundred feet from the Pacific Ocean! We will begin operating at 9:00 AM on Saturday. And, like last year, we will have a donations accepted breakfast and bar-b-que lunch on Sunday.

In conclusion, we hope that you are feeling the positive energy that these events bring to our club. And, we hope that if you missed the event last year, you will join us in preparing and, or attending the event this year. Field Day is really just plain fun!

Post expires at 11:57am on Monday June 30th, 2025 but will still be available in the archives.

Wayne, AF6GX, tilting the 145.18 tower back up into service. Photo: Michael, K6RQV

The antenna for the K6TZ Santa Ynez Peak repeater on 145.18 was replaced today. As a result, its coverage is now vastly improved!

If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to test your signal into this repeater and the new 446.400 repeater on La Cumbre Peak West. Both are standard negative offset, same PL 131.8.

Together, these two repeaters have increased our systemwide coverage tremendously.

Wayne, AF6GX and Levi, K6LCM installing the new BridgeCom repeater at La Cumbre Peak West. Photo: Michael, K6RQV

It was a foggy, cool day at La Cumbre Peak when SBARC members Levi, K6LCM; Wayne, AF6GX; and Michael, K6RQV, headed up to the site to install the club’s new BridgeCom FM repeater on 446.400 MHz. Despite the low visibility and brisk weather, the team successfully completed the installation, bringing a significant upgrade to the repeater system.

The new repeater offers excellent coverage and is now linked to the club’s wider system, ensuring even greater range for members and improving communications across the region. This installation is part of SBARC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability and reach of its network for amateur radio operators in Santa Barbara and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates and make sure to give the new repeater a try on 446.400- PL 131.8.