Welcome – We’re PCARS

PCARS is an ARRL Affiliated, Special Services Club. We are a group of Amateur Radio hobbyists located in Portage County, Ohio who believe that the whole point of being in the hobby of Amateur Radio is to have fun with it. Whether you are a new ham or an “old timer”, PCARS has something to offer you. The PCARS monthly meeting is held the second Monday of each month and the meetings start at 7:00 PM. We meet at The American Legion Post 496 – 1945 Mogadore Rd, in Kent. Click for more info!!

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New PCARS Members

Welcome to the latest members of PCARS!

Raymond KA8WCVRootstown, OH
Eric KF8CUAStow, Ohio
Walter W8ARStow, OH
Josh W8HRFAkron, OH
If you meet these people on the street, in a meeting, or on the air, be sure to say Hi and introduce yourself. Let's make our new members feel welcome!

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Birthdays this Month

Vince AC8XOBen AD8FQKevin AD8MO
Jack K8HGXPhil K8PJWGary KB8VJO
Steve KC8YSURandall KD8JNJennifer KD8LIR
Richard KD8WCKBernadette KE8LWOKeith KE8TQR
Mark N8NHColetta W8CDLBob WB8OVQ
Dan WD8DAU

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Latest News

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Hurricane Watch Net 60th Anniversary

Greetings all,

This is an excerpt from Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Manager of HWN. I will be NCS for this event from 1700-1900z on 20m. We will have a rotating schedule of ops all around the country – your chance to contact the club is very good, even if the propagation gets wonky (technical term):

“HWN 60th Anniversary On-Air Special Event – June 7–8 – UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This coming weekend marks a very special occasion—our 60th Anniversary On-Air Special Event, taking place on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. Based on the excitement I’ve seen via email and social media, this promises to be a fun and memorable celebration.

Operating Schedule Overview

Saturday, June 7

Start: 10:00 AM EDT / 1400 UTC

Dual Band: Begins 5:00 PM EDT / 2100 UTC on 20m & 40m

End: 10:00 PM EDT / 0200 UTC

⚠️ Be prepared to shift 40m frequency around 0000 UTC to accommodate the “Century Club” Net on 7.2675 MHz.

Sunday, June 8

Resume: 10:00 AM EDT / 1400 UTC on 20m & 40m

40m Ends: 3:00 PM EDT / 1900 UTC (to avoid net conflict)

Final Shutdown: 5:00 PM EDT / 2100 UTC

Event Operations

Our net control stations will be active on:

14.325 MHz (±)

7.268 MHz (±)

We will be using our club callsign WX5HWN exclusively for this special event.

Certificates

All confirmed stations that email wx5hwn@hwn.org will receive a commemorative certificate by email.”

Cya on the air!

73 de W8NET, Gene


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PCARS 20th anniversary net award

The 20th Anniversary Net Award will be unveiled at next Monday’s meeting. It starts early July. However, net check-ins in June could have a bonus value for you! This will be a tough one, but having a couple “June check in” bonuses bankrolled could make a difference! See you on the Thursday net!

73,

Tom wb8lcd

Field Day Chairman


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Field Day – 20/80 Meter Station – Operators Needed

Operators are still needed for two overnight time slots: 4 am to 6 am and 6 am to 8 am. These time slots are typically very productive on 80 meters The station is designed to easily switch between 20 meters and 80 meters (voice only). If you want to operate for either of those time slots please contact Station Captain, Mike N8WCP: n8wcp.us@gmail.com.

Tony Romito WA8AR

Field Day Chairman


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Field Day 2025 – Snacks and Drinks

PCARS will be supplying plenty of cold water on Field Day, along with coolers and ice. For the days leading up to Field Day, temperatures are forecast (long range) to be in the high 80’s; creeping to the low 90’s so please stay hydrated and be careful to get enough electrolytes (salt) . Regardless of the daytime temperatures, the nights can get very cool, so operators need to come prepared. Rain is always a possibility! The Club will also have Coffee and a coffee maker in the picnic shelter. There will also be a microwave setup for heating food as needed.

The Club, as usual, will not be supplying Soft Drinks; please bring your own and if possible a some extra for sharing with others. There will be plenty of extra coolers and Ice supplied by PCARS.

Also please donate chips, pretzels or other snacks for sharing. Those operators work up an appetite burning up the airwaves; making all those Q’s!!!

Tony WA8AR,

Field Day Chairman


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Field Day – Volunteers needed for Setup/Teardown

Volunteers Needed for Setup/Tear Down

As we have done in recent years I will need at least 14 volunteers to assist the Field Day team with Setup and Tear down of antennas and station equipment. If you have done this before, great, but you do not need any experience to volunteer. The Captain for each station will direct all work for their station. If you are a new Ham this is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience putting up a variety of antennas. Setup has normally been completed in about 2 to 3 hours (more or less). Teardown after Field Day has been done in less than 2 hours. If you cannot volunteer for both, no problem, just let me know which task(s) you are volunteering for (Tony WA8AR tromito99@gmail.com) . The Club will supply coffee and water plus sandwiches/pizza for lunch(s).

Here are the Field Day setup/teardown schedules:

Prior to Field Day, a detailed Safety Plan will be distributed to all volunteers. Each Volunteer must read and be familiar with the safety plan. Each Volunteer must sign, date and return a copy of the plan to the Safety Officer. Distribution of the safety plan will be accomplished at least two weeks prior to FD.

SETUP Saturday June 28th

8:30am Arrive on site (meet at the picnic shelter of the Freedom Township Park) PLEASE BE PROMPT

8:40am Assignment of work tasks

8:45am Begin Work

12:30pm Antennas up and ready for testing; generators setup and energized [Sandwich/Pizza Lunch]

2.00pm Field Day Stations On-The-Air

TEARDOWN Sunday June 29th

2:00pm Stations Off-The-Air Work begins immediately [Lunch served before 2:00]

3:30pm All antennas down and stowed for transport. Field Day over and done.

The only equipment the volunteers need to bring are gloves and safety glasses (REQUIRED). Steel toe shoes are always a good idea. Rain gear is essential (just in case). If shoes/boots are not waterproof an extra pair of dry shoes and socks are a good idea. The club will supply a dozen basic hardhats, but I encourage you to bring your own hardhat if you own one. Hardhats must be worn whenever you are working in an area where there is any equipment (antenna components) or any hardware above your head. Remember that even a medium size bolt falling from 25 or 30 feet can cause serious injuries (or worse).

To volunteer for the PCARS Field Day Setup/Teardown crew just send an email to me at tromito99@gmail.com, Specify if you are volunteering for Setup, Teardown or Both as soon as you can. I will confirm by email.

Come out and help make 2025 another successful PCARS Field Day! Email me with any questions.

Tony WA8AR,

PCARS Field Day Chairman


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