Welcome

arrlAn ARRL Affiliated Special Service Club

The Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club is a general-purpose club with the goal of promoting and supporting the educational and operational aspects of ham radio through ham radio classes, on-the-air events, and hands-on activity. THE SATURDAY BREAKFAST MEETINGS ARE HELD  AT PERKINS IN GARDNER EACH SATURDAY. YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US 6:30 AM TO ~8:30AMThe monthly business meeting is the 2nd Saturday of each month. This meeting is a hybrid meeting in which you can attend in person at Perkins in Gardner or you can attend via a Zoom connection. Additionally, the club holds a Tech Night presentation via Zoom the last Thursday evening of each month at 7:30 pm. Log in to the web site and select the "Links/Zoom Links" menu to find meeting links or contact a club officer.

HF Propagation

Upcoming Events

14 Dec 2024;
08:00AM -
SFTARC business meeting
21 Dec 2024;
06:00PM - 08:30PM
Club Christmas Party
26 Dec 2024;
07:30PM - 08:30PM
Tech Night
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     The summer months are approaching, so take advantage of the numerous club activities (most of which will be outdoors) that various club members have arranged. Enjoy the company of members while you search for bargains at Hambash on April 20th.   At the Tallgrass on the Prairie POTA Event on April 27th, learn about portable stations, battery supplies, and antennas, all while experiencing the largest expanse of tallgrass prairie left in the world.   Be sure, especially, to tell your friends and neighbors to experience Ensorfest, which will have events for the entire family on May 11th.   Then, later in June (June 22nd and 23rd), the club will gather for Field Day, filled with casual visits and more opportunities to learn about portable stations.   

     We've just formed a new fund-raising committee to gather the best ideas, and all members are not only welcome but encouraged to contact one of the officers with their suggestions. 

Trail Bytes

Tech Night - Cybersecurity Safety
01 Nov 2024

The featured presenter for the October 2024 Tech Night was Tom Brittain - KFØNPE. Tom's presentation was on Information Security. October is Cyber Security Month. The...

Tech Night (Sept 2024) - Propagation Changes
27 Sep 2024

     Larry Hall - KD0RIU gave a presentation about: Propagation Changes for the Ham Bands During the 24-hour Sun Cycle. The propagation presentation uses...

Half Wave Antennas
06 Sep 2024

( YouTube Video) Larry Hall KDØRIU discussed the theory and use of Half Wave Dipoles at the SFTARC August 2024 Tech Night.

10 Best Portable HF Antennas
05 Sep 2024

Walt, K4OGO, does a nice job of comparing ten different HF antennas he has used in portable setups.  It is certainly worth the 16 minutes it takes to view it.  The...

GMKtec Mini PC N97 Review
14 Aug 2024

I purchased one of the new GTKtec Mini PCs about two weeks ago to replace the laptop I have been using in my ham shack. I was impressed by its capabilities and small...

Yaesu APRS MSG Goups
30 Jul 2024

YouTube by - KM4ACK... This video provides instructions on how to setup and use APRS Group messaging on Yaesu FT5, FTM500 and FTM400 radios. My FT2D has the function menu....

Santa Fe Trail ARC Field Day - 2024
13 Jul 2024

Tom, WA2IVD published on his YouTube channel, Ham Radio A2Z, video clips of the Santa Fe Trail ARC (SFTARC) Field Day event. Also included are clips about the new crank up...

HamClock as an Operating Aid
17 Mar 2024

HamClock is a Linux based application that provides more than a clock for you Ham station. HamClock also provides several operating aids that can be selected by the...