Turlock Amateur Radio Club

08/15/2026

SES K7F Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe

The Sin City Repeater Group, Inc. will activate the special event call sign K7F from August 9 through August 17, 2026, to commemorate the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Conv., was a Polish Roman Catholic priest, Conventual Franciscan friar, missionary, publisher, and amateur radio operator. Licensed under the call sign SP3RN, he used radio and the communications media of his time to spread messages of faith and devotion to Mary Immaculate.

He is recognized as the patron saint of amateur radio operators.

08/15/2026

07/23/2026

https://youtu.be/gy5XcLu_Occ?is=QyUEBPiO-71dx-bB

Radioddity just announced a new 100 watt base station ham radio fro...

07/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1678508430942861&id=100063511604320&post_id=100063511604320_1678508430942861&mibextid=CDWPTG

KRYZ Radio will be presenting the workshop at the Mariposa County Library. It will be on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 3:30-5 p.m.

The workshop will give participants hands-on experience in everything from creating a show to doing station IDs to seeing how programming works. It is free to participants and no registration is required.

For more information, email [email protected] or call the library at (209) 966-2140.

07/10/2026

Every antenna works best when its physical length matches the wavelength of the radio signal it is designed to transmit or receive. This chart provides quick reference lengths for the most common amateur radio bands, making antenna construction much easier. A ¼-wave vertical is compact and works well for omnidirectional communication. A ½-wave dipole is one of the simplest and most efficient wire antennas for HF operation. A 1-wave dipole offers additional gain and a different radiation pattern, while a 90° inverted V provides dipole performance with less horizontal space.

The listed dimensions are theoretical starting points. After installation, most antennas need slight trimming because wire diameter, antenna height, nearby objects, and ground conditions affect the resonant frequency. Always measure the antenna with an SWR meter or antenna analyzer and make small adjustments for the lowest SWR. Using the correct antenna length improves signal strength, transmission efficiency, and overall communication range.