K6AGL – Page 2 – Ventura County ACS/ARES Communications

Tim Wheeler-K6POI, SK

ACS member and past CVARC President 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.

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. 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.”

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.

µField Day Set for Sunday, July 16th

We’ve all survived ARRL Field Day, so it’s time for…another field day! The next µField Day will be this Sunday, July 16th, from 1100 to 1500 as usual, at the Rancho Potrero West parking lot again. CVARC is currently holding a General License class, and the students will be there to get a taste of HF radio and start deciding what will be going into their shacks. I’m hoping for a good turnout with a lot of equipment to show off.

We’ve had a mild spring and early summer, but this weekend will probably be hot. Bring plenty of water and, if you can, something to provide some shade. On maps it’s the “Rancho Potrero West Entrance”. This is next to the horse rental/boarding facility on Potrero Road in Dos Vientos, up the hill from Cal State Channel Islands. The GPS location is 34.155935, -118.982024. If you’re familiar with what3words.com, it’s barbershop.state.ribbing.

Don’t pull into the horse facility — it’s one more driveway to the west, with the large yellow gate. There are restrooms at the site, but no electricity so bring those batteries. Hope to see you all there!

Keith Elliott-W6KME

ACS-ARES Meeting Set for July 10

The next ACS-ARES meeting will be held Monday July 10^th at the Camarillo EOC 3701 Las Posas Rd, Camarillo, CA .

The meeting will start promptly at 7:30 P.M. You are encouraged to arrive at 7:00 P.M. for a bit of social time before the meeting. Yellow shirts are appropriate, either the county one or ARES shirts. Wearing your ACS ID is suggested. I will have ACS-ARES patches if you want to add them to your clothing or gear. Bill Boyd will have the new ACS badges. Be sure to bring your current badge, as getting the new one is by exchange only.

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 20^th 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, ham radio club members and other amateurs from throughout the county.

2023 Mountains 2 Beach Marathon

ARRL and FEMA Sign Agreement: Ham Radio is as Relevant as Ever (via arrl.org)

The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio Operators in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within the emergency communications space.

May 13 µField Day

Another special edition of µField Day is coming with the Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, at their wonderful home digs at the Dudley House in Ventura. It was a fantastic location last year, with plenty of room plus all mod cons like restrooms and a kitchen. Lots of trees for antennas, lots of really great people. And this year is special. VCARC is holding a VE session at the same location just before µFD, so all those new hams and new upgrades will be able to step right out the door and get on the air! The club is also firing up the barbecue on the site, so bring your own food and have it cooked up in style. As always, everyone is welcome…come rub elbows with hams from all over the county.

ACS-ARES Meeting May 1 in Camarillo

Our next ACS-ARES meeting will be held May 1st at 3701 Las Posas Rd Camarillo CA 93010. The meeting will start promptly at 7:30. You are encouraged to arrive at 7:00 for a bit of social time before the meeting.

There are no mask, testing, or vax requirements, but you are welcome to take any precautions that you wish.

March µField Day

The February µField Day was a surprise…despite rain (and being just one day after a historic downpour), 30 people showed up at Freedom Park at the Camarillo Airport. A lot of good operating, but the highlight had to be AI6YR’s torchiere lamp antenna on 15m. I’d love to see someone model that.

This month – March 19th we’re back at Rancho Potrero from 11:00 to 3:00pm.

It looks like we’ll have neither rain nor wind for a change! The Point Mugu Airshow will be going on at the same time, so we’ll be likely to get a bit of an airshow ourselves. ARRL Field Day is approaching. If you’re planning to participate in that, THIS is the time to be hauling all that gear out.

But as always, it will be fun whether you bring a rig or not.

On maps it’s the “Rancho Potrero West Entrance” This is next to the horse rental/boarding facility on Potrero Road in Dos Vientos, up the hill from Cal State Channel Islands. The GPS location is 34.155935, -118.982024. If you’re familiar with what3words.com, it’s barbershop.state.ribbing. Bring your own refreshments. There are restrooms at the site, but no electricity-so bring those batteries. Hope to see you there!

Keith Elliott-W6KME

ACS-ARES District Meeting Monday

The next ACS-ARES District Meeting with be held Monday, November 7^th at 7:30 P.M. in Camarillo at 3701 East Las Posas Road. The meeting will start promptly at 7:30. You are welcome to arrive at 7:00 for a bit of social time before the meeting. There are no mask, testing, or vax requirements, but you are welcome to take any precautions that you wish.

Yellow shirts are appropriate. Either the County one or ARES shirts. I will have ACS-ARES patches if you want to add them to your clothing or gear. Wearing your ACS ID is suggested. The meeting is open to all, members, non-members, and the curious. Anyone interested in what we do is encouraged to attend. Feel free to pass on this information to others you believe might be interested.