Category Archives: Club News

News Release: SBARC and SBWF announce annual scholarship winner

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Brian Milburn, organization president (right) and Levi C. Maaia, chair of the scholarship committee (left), presented Mateo Olin Ferreira (center) with a scholarship award on behalf of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club & Wireless Foundation at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on Monday June 4, 2024 – SANTA BARBARA, Calif. The Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club and the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation are pleased to announce the recipient of their annual scholarship, awarded to an outstanding local high school graduate who plans to pursue higher education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). Mateo Olin Ferreira, a graduating senior at Orcutt Academy Charter High School, was awarded the 2024 scholarship at Santa Barbara Courthouse on Monday, June 3. Ferreira is set to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Allan Hancock College for initial credits before transferring to California State University, Long Beach to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Business. Ferreira is an Eagle Scout in Troop 87, a tenor saxophone section leader, a football player and referee, and a Catholic altar server. He plans to continue his education with summer internships to gain practical experience in his field and aims to contribute to the advancement of green energy production. Brian Milburn, the president of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club and Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation, and Levi C. Maaia, Ph.D., a board member and the chair of the scholarship committee, presented Ferreira with a certificate and a financial award to support his college expenses. “Our goal is to ensure that more students choose academic and career paths in science and technology,” said Milburn. “Mateo has set himself up for success with his plan to attend community college and then Cal State Long Beach.” Ferreira is the latest recipient of this scholarship, which is awarded annually in June. Applicants must be high school seniors in Santa Barbara, Ventura or San Luis Obispo Counties who plan to study Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics in higher education. Applicants should have an excellent academic record. While not requirements, preference is given to applicants who hold an active FCC amateur radio license. Donations to the scholarship fund and applications by members of the class of 2025 may be submitted at scholarships.sbwireless.org. The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation, together with the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, forms a nonprofit, public benefit organization that develops and… Continue reading →

QST QST QST

By | |
Leave a comment

We have been alerted that someone is broadcasting on the output of SBCO Sheriff’s Office Yellow frequency 460.325. They are not using PL. This is happening in the area of Mountain View School and may be kids using Baofeng type radios that have transmit capabilities in that frequency range. If you are in the area, you might try monitoring this frequency and keeping your eyes and ears open. Obviously, we don’t want kids interfering with public safety frequencies.

General Club Meeting – May 17, 2024

By | |
Leave a comment

Lots of things have been happening with the Vic Trace Reservoir / TCF situation we’re sure you will want to hear about. We have some new video to show you as well as picture of the progress at the site. Field Day is only a month away and the team is making good progress in making this Field Day SBARCs best event in a long time. We’ll be bringing you up to date and let you know what’s coming up. If you are planning on attending Field Day this year, please complete the survey via the link below indicating your participation preferences. Survey Link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VV3CC8S If you haven’t subscribed to the special SBARC Field Day mailing list, simply send a blank email to fieldday24+subscribe@sbarc.org  No subject or message is necessary, and you can unsubscribe any time you want. SBARC General Club Meeting Friday, May 17, 2024 at 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7pm) Goleta Union School District Board Room 401 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta Zoom Details: Topic: General Club Meeting – May 17, 2024 Time: May 17, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89318082804?pwd=RUEwZUN5Ukd3dlBIY3BvaVFoNEV2Zz09   Post expires at 1:00am on Saturday May 18th, 2024 but will still be available in the archives.

Field Day Update

By | | ,
Leave a comment

With just over a month until the Field Day, excitement is growing. Not only does SBARC have an excellent site at Chase Palm Field, but the solar cycle is surely approaching its peak! And, over twenty five people have expressed interest in attending Field Day in some capacity. It is sure to be a fun event! Since the last Field Day update, several individuals have graciously volunteered to prepare food and beverages for the event. JoAnne – KA6RPN, has kindly agreed to prepare a special treat for Sunday breakfast, Steve – AK6CE, has volunteered to grill burgers & hotdogs for a club picnic on Sunday and Les – W6CGE will arrange a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. Donations for food & beverage will be gratefully accepted at the time of the event. To aid in final preparations, we need your input once again. Please complete the survey via the link below indicating your participation preferences. This will enable us to purchase the right amount of food & beverages, and also to be prepared from a radio operations perspective. We realize that plans change, and so your response here will not preclude you from adjusting your plans to suit your needs as Field Day draws near. Survey Link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VV3CC8S If you haven’t subscribed to the special SBARC Field Day mailing list, simply send a blank email to fieldday24+subscribe@sbarc.org  No subject or message is necessary, and you can unsubscribe any time you want. 73s from the SBARC Field Day Team Post expires at 2:27pm on Friday May 31st, 2024 but will still be available in the archives.

We need your help!

By | |
Leave a comment

As we all know, we are losing our primary repeater site on the Mesa. We have received no help from the city thus far in finding a new location. It’s time to show support for SBARC and let the Mayor and City Council members know how we feel. We would like to get SBARC members and friends of SBARC to send an email to the City Council so we show them how we feel. I prepared a sample email that you can copy and paste or you can write your own. Emails need to be sent to the following email address: sbcitycouncil@santabarbaraca.gov The sample email is below: Dear Council members, I am writing in support of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club. Over the years, they have provided communications support for dozens of parades, marathons and bicycle races, entirely on a voluntary basis. They have made their availability a priority in many of our worst disasters and have been instrumental in helping many neighborhood groups develop emergency communications programs. I am aware that the City has ordered them to vacate the location they have used for 50 years for their primary communications systems. I would urge City officials to do everything possible to help this non-profit organization find an alternate suitable communications site so the community can continue to depend on this valuable resource.

Digital Communications Net

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Tonight , April 30, we are doing something different for the regular Tuesday night Digital Net. We’ll be doing a demo of Fusion 360 and how we use it to design things to print on our 3D printers. Anyone is welcome to attend at 8:00pm. Topic: SBARC Digital Net Time: Apr 30, 2024 08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86032520380?pwd=WmtlZ2o2WXBYV2loWUlGM3VDN1lxdz09 See you then! Post expires at 1:00am on Wednesday May 1st, 2024 but will still be available in the archives.

Chase Palm Field Secured for Field Day 2024

By | | ,
Leave a comment

The SBARC Field Day team has secured permission from City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation to hold our Field Day activities at Chase Palm Field in Santa Barbara. This site offers many advantages over others considered including overnight use, favorable radio operation conditions, accessibility to all of our members, and visibility to the general public. Please take a moment to read the following, brief  summary of our plans for the SBARC Field Day event:   Field Day Plan We are now organizing teams to support Operations, Food & Entertainment and Administration & Safety aspects of Field Day. We will be in touch with those of you that expressed willingness to help via the Field Day survey. In the mean time, f you have questions or suggestions about Field Day 2024 feel free to send an email to the team at fieldday@sbarc.org 73s from the 2024 SBARC Field Day team!