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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 →

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.

Clement Alberts KM6OKZ has been elected as our President and Burt Auerbach KA6BJA has been elected as our At-large Board Member

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At the February 8th board meeting, the attendees were Secretary Alan AK6MF, Treasurer John W6JPG, At-large Board members Clement KM6OKZ, Jeremy KN6JMD and Robert KM6RSS. Also attending were Dave AI6VX and Burt KA6BJA. At our January club meeting, Clement indicated that he would like to volunteer to become our club President, so at last night’s meeting, he resigned his board position and was unanimously voted as our interim President. Since Clement’s board position was open, the directors asked for nominees and voted unanimously for Burt to become an interim at-large board member. At this time, the only unfilled director’s position is Vice President. If you are interested in being nominated to this office, you must be a licensed ham radio operator and a club member in good standing. The VP role is to “assume the duties of the President during any absence of the President. The Vice President shall be… Continue reading →

ZACHARY (Zak) Cohen, N6PK — A Heartfelt Farewell

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On January 27, 2026, surrounded by family, we lost Zak Cohen, N6PK — a quiet giant in our Amateur Radio family. Born in January 1942 and licensed in 1961 during his Navy service, Zak didn’t just operate a radio; he built trust, confidence, and community with every kind word and steady hand. He mentored countless new hams with endless patience — never rushing, always encouraging, always following up. In emergencies, his calm voice brought reassurance to the net. In everyday life, he reached out to families of Silent Keys, offered wisdom to the overwhelmed, and friendship to anyone who needed it. He was a member of K6MEP and was happy to provide county updates during our meetings. Zak’s legacy lives in the operators he steadied, the nets he strengthened, and the people who are better hams and better humans because he took the time to care. We miss you deeply,… Continue reading →

Pres Says December 2025

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Welcome to December! Today is December 5th.  Thanksgiving was just last week, and next week Friday December 12th is our Club’s Decemberfest celebration.  The weekend after that is the last weekend before Christmas, and 1 week later is Jan 1st, 2026 !  Crazy how time flies, but this is how it goes for me every year.  Does time go too fast for you too?  I’ve read that our brains mark the passage of time based on new things we do or encounter.  Change nothing and do the same thing over and over again, and time will whiz on by.  Change things up, do new stuff, experience new things – when you look back, it will feel like time didn’t go by so fast.  Based on my current perception of time, I need to change things up. Something new I am building is the same portable vertical antenna that Ben K6QV… Continue reading →

Pres Says – November 2025

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Welcome to November! Hopefully by now everyone has changed their clocks back 1 hour.  I sure enjoyed the extra hour of sleep Sunday.  Weather is trending cooler, thankfully.  The heat wave we had last week was amazing.  It was 80 degrees outside at my house at 11pm!  Ham radio wise, we had a few contests last month – CA QSO Party early in October and CQ World Wide SSB late in the month.  I hope everyone got a chance to participate in at least one of them, if not both.  You’ve heard me say it before, it’s a great way for folks with ‘mic fright’ to make contact with folks without needing to think of what to say.  The exchange is short, formal, and you don’t even need to worry about uploading your logs if you don’t want to.  You also don’t need to call out CQ – just cruise… Continue reading →

JOTA – Jamboree On The Air this weekend!

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From Seth NY6Z Dates: Some of our Scouts will be camping out all weekend beginning Friday, October 17, but the main JOTA activities will take place on Saturday, October 18. Scouts will be most active between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Attendance:We are expecting about 25 Scouts and 10 adults from across Ventura County to participate on Saturday. In addition, we have invited several city leaders to attend, including the mayor, members of the city council, and representatives from the police and fire departments. Stations and Modes:We will have three radio stations set up for the Scouts to operate and observe:• HF SSB station• HF digital (FT8)• VHF/UHF FM station We received permission from Paul Strauss (WD6EBY) to use his repeater on  449.660 (-) (88.5)  throughout Saturday. We will also be active on simplex at 147.540 MHz and 446.000 MHz depending on conditions.  (Note from Dave: Seth says they will have… Continue reading →

Pres Says Oct 2025

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Making Things Last We bought our refrigerator around 28 years ago, a no frills, top freezer, mechanical thermostat Admiral.  A simple fridge, with no ice maker or water dispenser, it did its job well, day after day without complaint.  Spacious inside, no matter how much we stuffed it, it was rare that the door wouldn’t close. We liked our fridge.  But in the past few years some issues were showing up – it seemed to run a lot, ice would build up on the ceiling in the fridge and then melt and drip on items, and the freezer temperature control was stuck.  Fixing it would require accessing the evaporator section, and that was a big job.  Was it time to replace it?  Thanks to the internet, I’ve known for many years that modern/new refrigerators do not last very long.  5-10 years is about all they’re good for if you’re lucky. … Continue reading →