Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club

08/20/2026

📡 AntSDR T510 AI: Wideband SDR Meets Edge AI

What could you build with direct RF input coverage from 1 MHz to 6 GHz, up to 2 GHz of baseband bandwidth per channel, eight synchronized ADC channels, eight DAC channels, an AMD RFSoC, and an integrated NVIDIA Jetson computing module? The pre-launch AntSDR T510 AI is designed for high-speed signal capture, multichannel processing, spectrum analysis, recording, and AI-assisted wireless experiments.

SARC’s new article explains how the RFSoC and GPU divide the work, what tools such as GNU Radio, SoapySDR, WaveSight, Python, and C++ may bring to the platform, and how members could explore synchronized receivers, antenna comparisons, signal classification, timing experiments, FPGA processing, and receive-only spectrum demonstrations.

The project is still listed as “Coming Soon,” with no confirmed price, campaign date, or shipping schedule. Published details may change. Also, wide frequency coverage does not authorize transmission throughout that range—begin with receive-only experiments, and test any transmit work into a suitable dummy load under the control of a properly licensed operator.

How would you use the ANTSDR T510?
https://www.n9rjv.org/2026/08/antsdr-t510-1-mhz-to-6-ghz-and-up-to-2-ghz-baseband-bandwidth/

08/16/2026

💻🔧 Ready to move from writing code to controlling real hardware?

An STM32 microcontroller can read switches and sensors, control LEDs and displays, measure voltages, keep time, and exchange data with other equipment. Those same skills can become the foundation for future amateur-radio projects.

SARC’s new article introduces “Learn STM32 Microcontroller Programming—Full Course for EE/CS Students and Beginners Version 3.”

You do not need to be an electrical engineering or computer science student to begin. This self-paced YouTube course includes approximately 11 hours of instruction and 34 projects, starting with the development environment and basic programming before moving into practical hardware work.

The course explores:

🔹 STM32CubeIDE setup and project creation
🔹 Programming, debugging, and troubleshooting
🔹 LEDs, push buttons, and GPIO
🔹 LCD displays and formatted data
🔹 Analog-to-digital conversion
🔹 Timers, counters, PWM, and interrupts
🔹 I²C and USART communications
🔹 KiCad printed-circuit-board development
🔹 Comparisons involving AI-generated code

For amateur-radio builders, these skills could eventually support projects such as a station-status display, battery monitor, environmental sensor, practice keyer, telemetry display, rotator interface, antenna-switch controller, or test fixture.

Start small. Flash a known program that blinks one LED. Then read a push button or send a short serial message. Change one item at a time, test the result, and record what you learn.

One important reminder: STM32 is a large family of chips and boards—not one interchangeable device. Confirm the exact board, microcontroller, programmer, pinout, voltage limits, parts, and software required for each lesson.

Keep beginner projects separate from your radio equipment.
Never connect a microcontroller pin directly to an antenna feed line, push-to-talk circuit, keying line, or transceiver accessory port without the correct buffering, protection, level conversion, or isolation.

Read the complete SARC guide and begin your first verified STM32 project:
https://www.n9rjv.org/2026/08/learn-stm32-microcontroller-programming/

What amateur-radio accessory would you like to build with a microcontroller?

Explore a project-based STM32 programming course and learn how embedded-system skills can support practical amateur-radio experiments. SARC

08/12/2026

📻⚡ What actually leaves an antenna when you press the push-to-talk button?

It is not sound traveling through the air, and the radio signal does not follow a wavy, snake-like path toward the receiving station.
A transmitter creates a rapidly alternating radio-frequency current. That current moves electric charges in the antenna, producing changing electric and magnetic fields. Those fields travel outward as an electromagnetic wave until a receiving antenna develops a small electrical signal that the radio can select and demodulate.

SARC’s new article, “The Physics Behind Amateur Radio,” explains that complete journey in practical terms:

🔹 How an antenna launches radio energy
🔹 Why electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular
🔹 What electromagnetic-wave diagrams really represent
🔹 How frequency and wavelength are connected
🔹 Why lower-frequency antennas are generally longer
🔹 How polarization affects communication
🔹 How a receiving antenna turns the passing field back into a usable signal

For example, a signal at 3.75 MHz has a free-space wavelength of approximately 80 meters, while a signal at 28.40 MHz has a wavelength of about 10.6 meters. Higher frequency means shorter wavelength—and that relationship helps explain many practical antenna dimensions.

The article also points readers to the educational physics videos from Rich Behiel, which offer another way to explore electromagnetic fields, waves and the science behind radio.

You do not need an engineering degree to understand what your station is doing. Start with the signal path, connect the physics to the equipment on your desk, and keep learning one concept at a time.

Read the complete article:
https://www.n9rjv.org/2026/08/the-physics-behind-amateur-radio/

Which radio concept would you like SARC to explain next?

Learn how changing electric and magnetic fields carry radio energy, and why these ideas matter at an amateur radio station.

08/09/2026

SARC Septemberfest 2026 Public Service

📡 Put your amateur-radio skills to work for the Schaumburg community this Labor Day weekend.

SARC volunteers are needed to support communication at Septemberfest from Saturday, September 5, through Monday, September 7. Assignments may include maintaining contact with Net Control, relaying clear status reports, recording important traffic and helping event officials stay connected across the busy festival grounds.

First-time public-service volunteers are welcome, and experienced operators can make the team even stronger by helping newer members prepare.

SARC members can review the available assignments, equipment checklist, operating guidance and member-only sign-up
instructions here:
https://www.n9rjv.org/septemberfest-volunteer-sign-up/

Choose an assignment you can cover completely and watch for coordinator instructions after signing up.

Please Provide Your Full Name & Cell Phone SARC Septemberfest 2026 Volunteer Responsibilities and Opportunities Howard Mitchell, KD9WSV SARC EmCom Chairman / Septemberfest Coordinator For anyone who did not participate last year, the information below provides a summary of the basic responsibilities...

08/09/2026

SARC members are invited to volunteer for public service communication assignments during Schaumburg Septemberfest, September 5–7, 2026. Review the available positions and join the club’s community-service team.

08/09/2026

☀️🛰️ What if scientists could create a total solar eclipse whenever they needed one?

ESA’s Proba-3 mission is doing exactly that in space.

Two spacecraft fly in exceptionally precise formation. The Occulter spacecraft blocks the Sun’s brilliant disk like an artificial Moon, while the Coronagraph spacecraft uses its ASPIICS instrument to photograph the much fainter inner corona.

Each artificial eclipse can provide roughly five hours of observation—far longer than the few minutes available during a natural total eclipse. By April 2026, ESA reported that Proba-3 had created 57 artificial eclipses and collected more than 250 hours of high-resolution coronal video.

Those observations are already producing surprising results. Researchers tracked structures in the slow solar wind moving at approximately 250–500 kilometers per second, three to four times faster than expected near the Sun.

SARC’s new article explains:

🔹 How two satellites create an eclipse in orbit
🔹 Why the inner corona is so difficult to observe
🔹 What Proba-3 discovered about the solar wind
🔹 How the mission may improve our understanding of coronal mass ejections and space weather
🔹 Why better solar observations matter to amateur-radio operators

Space weather can alter the ionosphere, disrupt HF propagation and affect signals traveling to and from satellites. Understanding what happens close to the Sun may ultimately help scientists improve space-weather forecasting.

Read the complete article:
https://www.n9rjv.org/2026/08/proba-3-reveals-the-suns-inner-corona/

How often do you check solar and geomagnetic conditions before getting on the air?

Two spacecraft are creating artificial eclipses so scientists can track motion in the Sun’s inner corona and improve our understanding of space weather.

08/06/2026

📻🍿 Amateur radio, emergency communications, solar power—and approximately 300 cups of popcorn!

SARC and SATERN volunteers had a busy evening at Hoffman Estates National Night Out on August 4 at Fabbrini Park.

Despite the hot and humid weather, the team deployed a portable communications setup that included the SATERN communications vehicle, a radio go-box, solar panels, EcoFlow power stations, cooling fans and a 10-by-20-foot canopy.

The operators also joined the SARC Tech Net live from the event, giving visitors a practical look at how amateur radio equipment can be deployed away from a permanent station.

Radio was only part of the evening. The volunteers served approximately 300 large cups of hot, fresh popcorn during the three-hour event. The popcorn line created another great opportunity to meet local families and talk about amateur radio, public service and emergency preparedness.

Thank you to:

📡 Tommy, K9EKE
📡 Don, KD9NJR
📡 Ken, W9KMP
📡 Bill, W9ZCL
📡 John, KD9VZJ
📡 Keith, KD9WDU

Keith also helped with shutdown and cleanup, even though he was not included in the event photographs.

See the portable station, communications equipment, live Tech Net operation and popcorn crew in the complete photo recap:
https://www.n9rjv.org/2026/08/sarc-satern-hoffman-estates-national-night-out-2026/

Interested in combining amateur radio with community service? Join SARC and get involved in a future activity.

SARC and SATERN volunteers brought portable amateur radio, communications equipment, the SARC Tech Net. Hoffman Estates National Night Out

08/05/2026

🎧 A Fun New Way to Learn Morse Code

If Morse code has ever felt intimidating, the Long Island CW Club offers a more welcoming approach.

In this Dayton Hamvention presentation, club members share practical and enjoyable ways to learn CW, build confidence, and improve on-air proficiency. They also discuss how activities such as Summits on the Air (SOTA) and Parks on the Air (POTA) give operators exciting reasons to develop their skills.

The goal goes beyond copying individual characters. With steady practice, operators can work toward conversational “head copy”—understanding Morse code as they hear it without writing down every letter.

Whether you are completely new to CW or looking to improve your speed and confidence, this presentation is worth watching.

▶️ Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMtUCuNZoGo

What helped you learn Morse code? Share your tips with other SARC members in the comments!

LICW Presentation to Dayton Hamvention May-2024

08/02/2026

8/3/26: Troop 401

SARC and the Scouts on the Air program are partnering to put a Glendale Heights scout troop on the air from 6:50 pm to 7:50 pm CDT on Monday, August 3rd. In addition to learning CW, exploring beacon hunting, and practicing emergency communications, the scouts and their leaders & families will also be calling CQ on HF SSB on 14.328 and FT8 on 21.074.

Details are also posted at Scouts on the Air and will be updated, if needed, before and during the event.

Mark your calendar to get on the air to give our guests a QSO, a smile, and a lasting memory.

For ages 12-14 in Glendale Heights, IL (22 miles W of Chicago in EN51xv)

15-meters: FT8 on 21.074 as N9XP
20-meters: SSB on 14.328 (alt 14.332) as KD9FMN

Discover Scouts-on-the-Air events and help give a Scout a QSO and a smile! Give the Scouts a Ham Radio contact! Scouts on the Air helps Scouts and their leaders and families become familiar with ham radio and assists interested scouts in pursuit of the Radio Merit Badge.

08/01/2026

📻💻 Two digital-mode programs. One radio. Which operating experience fits your station?

WSJT-X 3.0.2 and DECODIUM 4.0 “Shannon” can both put an amateur-radio station on popular weak-signal digital modes, but they take different approaches.

WSJT-X is the official, established reference platform behind FT8 and a broad collection of weak-signal modes. Its familiar operating workflow makes it a dependable starting point for everyday FT8, FT4, Q65, WSPR, meteor scatter and even Earth–Moon–Earth experimentation.

DECODIUM 4.0 presents a newer, dashboard-style station environment. It combines decoding and radio control with features such as an integrated waterfall, live map, DX Cluster, PSK Reporter, logging, station diagnostics and clock-synchronization tools. It also includes FT2, a fast digital mode using 3.75-second transmit-and-receive periods.

SARC’s new comparison looks at:

🔹 Supported modes and intended uses
🔹 Interface and operating workflow
🔹 CAT control, USB audio and time synchronization
🔹 Logging and reporting options
🔹 FT8 weak-signal operation versus FT2 speed
🔹 Computer and setup considerations
🔹 A controlled way to test both programs at the same station

There is no universal winner. An operator focused on the established FT-mode ecosystem may prefer WSJT-X. Someone interested in an integrated dashboard and experimenting with FT2 may want to evaluate DECODIUM.

Read the complete comparison:
https://www.n9rjv.org/2026/07/wsjt-x-3-vs-decodium-4-shannon/

Begin with a receive-only test. Use the same radio, antenna, band, audio path and clock source so you can compare the results fairly before transmitting.

Which digital-mode program are you using—and what feature matters most to you?

Compare WSJT-X 3.0.2 with DECODIUM 4.0 “Shannon,” including supported modes, station tools, FT2, operating differences SARC.