Category: News

Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff and Thousand Oaks Police Chief Jeremy Paris honored Zak Cohen-N6PK, on Thursday, January 15, for his years of dedicated service supporting emergency communications in Ventura County.

Sheriff Fryhoff announced that the radio room at the East County Sheriff’s Station will be renamed the “Zak Cohen Emergency Communications Center.” As he presented Zak with a large plaque to be placed in the newly named center, Chief Paris said the honor was “really fitting” for all Zak has done for “the communications team and especially for all of us” at the sheriff’s station.

The presentation took place before a packed room just prior to the CVARC meeting. Several ranking Sheriff’s officers attended, along with members of the office team Zak worked with during his years with ACS, including his service as Area 2 Emergency Coordinator. Zak’s sons, Aaron and Sam, were also present.

In response to the honor, Zak said, “One thing that’s very important is that we help each other, that’s why I love doing emergency communications…if we help each other everyone wins. If we’re nice to each other, everyone wins double.”

Ventura County hams were recognized for their community service by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday, June 18. The board issued a proclamation at the televised event declaring the month of June as Amateur Radio month in Ventura County.  Read the entire proclamation here.

Please plan to attend the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, June 18, where all Ventura County Amateur Radio operators will be recognized with a proclamation honoring their service to the community.

This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our presence and to receive recognition for the many activities we engage in throughout the year. The meeting is televised and it’s also a great way to promote our Field Day activities later that week.  Call sign badges and tasteful ham-related apparel would be good to wear if you have them.

The meeting will be held at: 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura CA 93009  on June 18 – Please plan to arrive by 10 A.M.

Thank you!

Jeff Reinhardt-AA6JR  

On Wednesday, April 3, Congresswoman Brownley presented $963,000 to the County of Ventura to upgrade the region’s 15-year-old analog simulcast radio communications system. The funds will go toward establishing a state-of-the-art digital radio communication system which will utilize 700MHz frequencies. The upgraded radio system will be used by all public safety entities throughout the county to improve communications interoperability for public safety and first responder individuals as they respond to incidents and disasters.

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.

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.

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.