Friday, July 10th
Speaker: David Haycock, KI6AWR
Topic: Using an Antenna Analyzer

EBARC holds regular VE testing sessions in conjunction with the Oakland Radio Communications Association (ORCA) and the Amateur Radio Club of Alameda (ARCA) for anyone who wants to take an initial exam or upgrade their license at:

Media Room (Oakland Fire Dept.)
1605 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Oakland, CA 94612

All VE Sessions are held on Sundays at 9am local time on the following dates:
January 25th
April 26th
July 26th
October 25th

Cost is $15 cash or check (to ARRL-VEC) to take any or all of the three possible exams. An additional $14 is required to re-take a failed test (time permitting).

Bring a government issued photo ID, and either your Social Security Number or FCC Registration Number (FRN). For upgrades, bring your original license and a photocopy of it or a valid CSCE from a prior exam and a photocopy of it. Also bring a pen and pencil and calculator (optional).

For further information please call or email David Otey, WB6NER: (510) 846-1587

Ham license classes are taught periodically by EBARC, ORCA, and ARCA members. Stay tuned to this page for future announcements. There will likely be a Technician class held in the Fall of 2009.

Saturday, June 6 --- Fages II Boy Scout Hike
EBARC is looking for amateur volunteers for communications support for a 20 mile hike in the East Bay Hills (Wildcat and Tilden Parks). Please contact John Wood at

The following upcoming events are all located in nearby Marin County. If you'd like to volunteer to help staff a communications team for one or more of these events please contact Randy Jenkins, KA6BQF at
(510) 526-4089 or via email at :

Sunday, June 14 --- The Dipsea Race
Time: 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM
12 to 15 volunteers needed.

(1500 runners, 7.2 miles, Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. One of the oldest foot races in California, first run in 1905, the Dipsea has been supported by amateur radio for over 40 years.)

Saturday, June 27 --- The Double Dipsea.
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
6 to 10 volunteers needed.

(350 runners, 13.8 miles, Stinson Beach to Mill Valley, and back. Shorter shifts available.)

Saturday, August 01 --- Marin Century / Mt. Tam Double Century
Time: 4:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
25 to 35 volunteers needed.

(2700 cyclists over 200 miles of Marin and Sonoma Counties. Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts available.)

Saturday, August 15 --- The Holstein 100.
Time: 7 AM to 7 PM
12 to 15 volunteers needed.

(500 cyclists over 100 miles of Marin and Sonoma Counties. Morning and afternoon shifts available. This event benefits the West Marin Senior Center.)

EBARC has participated in the annual ARRL Field Day event for many, many years. This is one of the biggest and most enjoyed club events of the year. While it's mainly about having a good time outdoors on the radio, Field Day is also an opportunity to give Ham Radio some exposure to the general public, practice emergency communications preparedness, and participate in a radio contest that's not quite as intense and competitive as most.

Field Day is also a lot of work (enjoyable as the tasks may be). We need people to transport and set up radio equipment and tents, keep everyone well-fed, provide security, interface with the public, and last but not least, get on the air and make as many contacts as you can.

It's also a great opportunity to hone your radio skills, whether it's setting up and tuning antennas or operating at break-neck contest speeds. And there are plenty of club members willing and able to help mentor these skills. But the main goal at an EBARC Field Day is fun for all!

For more information please contact Peter Hoffman (w6dei), Field Day Chairperson at:

The annual Pacific Division Convention, Pacificon, will be held at Emcommwest, on May 1-3, 2009, at the Circus Circus Hotel in Reno, Nevada. For more information visit the Pacificon website.