Author Archives: Robert Shank

K6MEP Club Meeting September 11 2026 Summary

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## Overview This transcript covers a meeting featuring presentations on amateur radio contesting and an educational program called Contest University, by Tim Duffy, K3LR, from DX Engineering, followed by a detailed discussion by Dave Schmidt club treasurer, AI6VX, on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, particularly Claude, with microcontrollers like the ESP32 for various projects, including amateur radio applications. The core message highlights accessibility in contesting, educational resources, and the power of AI in simplifying hardware and software development. ## Key Points – Amateur radio contesting is accessible to operators with small stations, offering fun, skill improvement, and preparation for emergency operations. – Contest University provides comprehensive training and resources for amateur radio contesters, with materials available online and scholarships for youth. – AI tools like Claude can generate code for microcontrollers (e.g., ESP32) for projects such as traffic monitors, weather displays, and ham radio dashboards, reducing the need for extensive… Continue reading →

Club Picnic, Portable Operations and Help Session 09/19/26

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Come join us at Grace Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 6190 Telephone Rd, Ventura, CA 93003 on Saturday, September 19th at 11AM for the K6MEP Club Picnic. It is potluck-style so remember to bring your favorite side dish (no beans or potato chips, as they already have been provided). The club will provide hot dogs and hambugers. We passed the sign-up sheet at our September 11 meeting and several people have signed up. If you have special dietary requirements, bring whatever you enjoy. Water will be provided and the outdoor BBQ at the church will be used. Bathrooms will also be available and there is a shaded seating area. Additionally, there will be an Amateur Radio Test held at 8:30 AM in one of the rooms; see https://k6mep.org/licensing-2/ or to reserve your spot, email licensing@vcarc.club.

4 Storms Head to Earth & Flare Risk Rises as Regions Grow Fast | Solar Storm Forecast 27 August 2026 from Tamitha Skov

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Update 27 August 2026: Newly updated forecast with Full Sun Map and GEOCHRON current conditions segments! I have also included the 5-Day Outlooks below. Now open to the public. Original Post: 26 August 2026: Hi All! Solar activity is getting more interesting by the moment! It is clear we are in the middle of a Rossby surge, which has caused multiple new regions to emerge quite quickly over the past few days. This is why we now have 4 partially Earth-directed solar storms headed our way, with a promise of more! All of these storms thus far have launched at or near Region 4513, which is by far the most active of the big flare players on the disk right now. However, new Regions 4518 and 4519 are not far behind and are already firing low-level flares. I go over all of this and more in my new Solar Storm… Continue reading →

Summary of July 10, 2026 Club Meeting

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Overview This transcript documents our July 10th club meeting, featuring opening remarks, a moment of silence for a deceased member, club business including the absence of a raffle, and a presentation by Rob Hansen W6RH on emergency communications through ACS and ARES. The meeting also included an extensive recap of a recent Field Day event, detailing activities, results, volunteers, and future plans. Key Points Takeaways

Summary of August 14th, 2026 Club Meeting

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Overview This transcript covers a meeting or presentation discussing the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club (K6MEP) and broader American Radio Relay League (ARRL) topics. Key discussions include the club’s recent ARRL website contest award, ARRL financial health, operational challenges, membership trends, cybersecurity issues, and future initiatives. The presentation also highlights the role of the ARRL as a representative body for amateur radio operators and its support for the hobby. Key Points Takeaways

K6MEP.org wins Third Place in ARRL Website Contest

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ARRL Year of the Club Contests Celebrate Outstanding Club Websites and Newsletters As ARRL’s 2026 Year of the Club spotlight, Affiliated Clubs were invited to show how they use two important communications tools — their websites and newsletters — to engage members, strengthen their organizations, and promote amateur radio. The response was enthusiastic, with more than 80 entries submitted in each contest from clubs across the country.   The contests were designed not simply to identify the “best-looking” website or newsletter, but to recognize radio clubs that are using these tools effectively to serve their members. A good club website can make it easy for prospective and current members to find information, learn about activities, and get involved. A good newsletter can keep members connected between meetings, share technical knowledge and operating opportunities, celebrate club accomplishments, and give members another reason to stay engaged.   “The goal was to highlight… Continue reading →

2026 Field Day at Oxnard College “Duck Pond” Area; Results Received by the ARRL

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“CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day; this is Kilo Six Mike Echo Papa, Seventeen Alpha,  Sierra Bravo Section” was the radio communication made by our club operators from 11 AM Saturday June 27th to 11 AM Sunday June 28th at the Oxnard College Parking Lot “A” near the Duck Pond. Thanks to all who assisted with Friday June 26th’s set-up (20 people),  operated Saturday and/or Sunday, visited and had a great time whether making Field Day contacts or eating the wonderful food purchased, donated, and “pot lucked”; which was prepared and/or cooked by Mark Ortega, Dave Schmidt and/or Burt Auerbach (and some others). We have now gathered your information and added it to the N3FJP logging program. We extracted the data and loaded the appropriate files electronically to the ARRL, as well as the other accomplishments (Bonus Points) that the members completed as listed in the ARRL FD 2026 packet. Here… Continue reading →

FIELD DAY JUNE 27-28 WITH SET-UP THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 26 AT OXNARD COLLEGE’S DUCK POND

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VCARC Field Day 2026 at Oxnard CollegeJune 27–28, 2026 with set-up after noon on June 26 The Ventura County Amateur Radio Club (VCARC, K6MEP) invites hams, families, and the public to join its annual ARRL Field Day operation on the beautiful Oxnard College campus. The event will take place in the grassy area west of Parking Lot B (near East Bard Road and South Rose Avenue) from approximately 11:00 AM Saturday through 11:00 AM Sunday (local time), aligning with the official ARRL Field Day period of 1800 UTC Saturday to 2059 UTC Sunday. Field Day is amateur radio’s largest annual emergency preparedness exercise. VCARC will set up portable stations powered by emergency sources (generators, batteries, etc.) to simulate real-world disaster communications. Visitors can watch operators make contacts across HF, VHF, and other bands, learn about ham radio, and see live demonstrations of emergency messaging. The public is warmly welcome —… Continue reading →

Silent Key – John Gartman, W6JPG Longtime Treasurer, Ventura County Amateur Radio Club

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It is with deep sadness that the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club announces the passing of our longtime Treasurer, John Gartman, W6JPG. This morning, John returned home with honors. As his wife, Peggy, lovingly shared: “My wonderful husband John returned home with honors this morning.Thank you to all who’ve been with us during this horrible time.He loved us well and will always be with us.” John served our club faithfully for many years, quietly and reliably handling the treasurer’s duties with care and dedication. He was a valued member of our ham radio community and a man who loved his family deeply. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife and all his family. Our club and the airwaves will be a little quieter without him. Rest easy, John.73, old friend — you are now Silent Key.