"I Gotta Do That GOTA Thing"
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
Fortunately, the buzz in the air the middle of the day on Saturday, June 27 wasn't the sound of bloodthirsty mosquitoes but rather the collective enthusiasm of members of the Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club and visitors to Ensor Park and Museum as Field Day 2026 was about to begin.
Someone Had a Birthday
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
I have been on hand for at least one Field Day that began on Marshall Ensor's birthday, June 22, but this year Field Day got going on the birthday of yours truly and my first one without my mother, Margaret "Peg" Nichols, KDØVQO, SK.
Up Next for Club Hams - Field Day
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- Written by: Rick Nichols
Historic Ensor Park and Museum in Olathe will once again provide the setting when members of the Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club participate in Field Day, the annual emergency preparedness exercise sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, later this month. Check out the club calendar for Field Day details.
Preparations for Field Day will bring some club members to the 40-acre site at 18995 W. 183rd Street on Thursday, June 25 and again on Friday, June 26 (think morning when the weather should be cooler), with the event itself set for Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28. Licensed operators can begin to attempt making contact with other operators far and wide at 1 p.m. on the 27th, and keep going up until 1 p.m. on the 28th.
Parks on the Air -- Tallgrass Style
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- Written by: Jim Andera
Adam, WU0M, and Kim work the 20m band after lunch using the Go-Kit Joe, KR0UT, SK, fabricated
Listening to the weather forecast, it sounded like the SFTARC’s 2026 annual POTA operation at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was going to have the feel of a winter Field Day. However, the Tallgrass team was pleasantly surprised to find the weather quite agreeable outdoors when they arrived at about 9:15 am on Saturday, April 18th. With the sun out and a row of buildings providing a wind shelter to our north, it was quickly decided to set up operation outdoors on the north side of the three-story limestone barn, rather than indoors as had previously been planned. That proved to be a good decision. It turned out to be a very nice day for outdoor operating.
Field Trip: Tallgrass Prairie Operation
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- Written by: J Andera (KØNK)
Once again, the SFTARC is planning an operating event from the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, KS. This year we are planning on a Saturday, April 18th, POTA (Parks on the Air) activation with two HF SSB stations and one CW station.