Goal Surpassed in Repeater Building Fundraiser 

CVARC members responded to the call for help and raised $1,000 towards painting and upkeep at the Sulphur Mountain repeater site operated by the Pleasant Valley Amateur Radio Club.

With the fantastic response by CVARC members, we significantly exceeded our goal of raising $700 for the project. The building that houses the repeaters on Sulphur Mountain hadn’t been painted since it was installed there years ago and was in desperate need of a paint job.

Thank you for your help and generosity!

Big Raffle Winner

Big Raffle winner Shannon Porter-KO6BSK being presented the gift certificate by Past President Ed Zimmermann-N6XEW at the January club meeting.

Shannon Porter-KO6BSK was the winner of the 2023 CVARC “Big Raffle.” Shannon now has the pleasant task of deciding how to spend the $300 DX Engineering gift certificate.

AJ6CL Winner of the 2023 Bosma Award

CVARC President Ed Zimmermann-N6XEW presenting the Bosma Award plaque to Martin Hickey-AJ6CL.

Martin Hickey-AJ6CL has been selected by the CVARC Board of Directors as the recipient of the 2023 Hugh Bosma Legacy Award. Martin was recognized not only for his leadership with club operations and Filed Days, but also for his efforts to foster interest in the club’s MORSE Group and portable operations such as Summits on the Air.

NEW PHOTOS FROM THE PARTY

CVARC Members in Action

April Taylor-KN6QQW volunteering at the Camarillo Christmas Parade.
David Arata-KA9WMI recently upgraded his battery box with the addition of two lithium batteries.

Book Recommendation: Ham Radio Boost by Lucien Koch-DH7LM

James Smith-KK6YAM recently picked up a copy of Ham Radio Boost written by a German ham Lucien Koch-DH7LM.

James said “although it is a non-technical book, I think many hams can find it helpful to get some pointers on ham radio, keep motivated to make contacts, and not get drawn down into the nuts and bolts of the hobby. I found that I picked up some great ideas on focusing on enjoying ham radio and not over engineering things.”

James added that “if you find yourself buried in projects and parts as I have, this book can be your way back to being a ham station operator.”

Whether you are an experienced ham or just beginning your amateur radio journey, this book encourages you to try new things, and think differently about the hobby. Koch reflects on his own radio lessons and provides tips and tricks to overcome your stumbling blocks – and bring your ham radio experience to a new level.

The book is available in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon.

2024 CVARC Board of Directors Elected

The 2024 CVARC Board of Directors was elected by acclamation at the November 16, 2023, General Meeting. Board members serve for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2024.

President: Daphne Vandervalk – KN6TXX

Vice President: Ed Zimmermann – N6XEW

Secretary: Craig Grimm – KD6NFD – (Keith as backup)

Treasurer: Christian Ylagan – K6CAY

Operations: Martin Hickey – AJ6CL

Technical: James Smith – KK6YAM

Publisher: Andy Ludlum – K6AGL

Social: Mike Felio – K6MJF

Education: Keith Elliott-W6KME

Public Relations: April Taylor – KN6QQW

Member at Large: Zak Cohen-N6PK

Member at Large: Warren Wegerer-K6WKW

Member at Large: Huston Herman-KK6WT  

Member at Large: Ron Topolinski-K6CPR

Tim Wheeler-K6POI, SK

Tim Wheeler-K6POI, SK

CVARC past president and longtime club member Tim Wheeler-K6POI has passed away. For the last several years he has been living with increasing problems due to Parkinson’s disease. He was 81.

Tim is remembered by Norm Campbell-AB6ET as a friend, mentor, and “all around good guy” both in person and on the air. James Smith-KK6YAM recalled, “Tim was the first person I met when I joined the club. He saw I was new and came over and welcomed me.” Wendy Joffe-WB6ADC, who attended the ham radio classes he taught remembered Tim’s “kind smile and the twinkle in his eyes when he’d share a joke.”  ACS Area 2 Emergency Coordinator Zak Cohen-N6PK described Tim as a good friend and regular dinner companion who was knowledgeable and helpful in his role as an Assistant Emergency Coordinator.

Memorial plans have not been announced. Tim’s family has created a tribute page on the Michael J. Fox Foundation website. Contributions in honor of Tim to the foundation’s Parkinson’s research would be welcome.

June is Amateur Radio Month in Ventura County

Rob Hanson-W6RH received the proclamation from Board Chair Matt LaVere.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 2023 as Amateur Radio Month in Ventura County. The June 20th presentation was held in the supervisors’ hearing room in the Hall of Administration at the County Government Center in Ventura. The event was well attended by ACS volunteers, CVARC and other ham radio club members, and amateurs from throughout the county.

Local Hams Visit Visalia DX Convention

David Arata-KA9WMI and Casey Cryer-KJ6GCV attended the 74th International DX Convention April 21-23 in Visalia. They enjoyed a number of events including the Contest Forum and the DX Forum and enjoyed looking at the latest ham radio equipment in the exhibit hall.

Visit to a German Ham Radio Club

By James Smith-KK6YAM

I visited the city of Mainz, Germany last summer and wanted to share my wonderful experience with everyone in the club. While in Mainz, I met a local ham, Rudolf “Rudi” Klos-DK7PE. Rudi is a professional communications engineer with Lufthansa Airlines. He is an avid traveler and DX-er and uses his company sponsored travel to visit many countries. Rudi has been with the local radio club for over 50 years. Like so many CVARC hams, he started with an interest at a young age and was fascinated with being able to communicate with others all over the world.

Rudi Klos-DK7PE

The local ham club, which is very similar to the CVARC, had a ham booth at the “Rheinland Pflaz-Tag.” This is a yearly festival in the region complete with satellite links and digital mode demonstrations! The local ham club also invited me to their weekend restaurant event. It was great to talk to the other local hams about their interests and activities.

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