General Class at PARC has the bandwidth! Lessons are being taught and the energy is enthusiastic!
Category: Announcement Page 1 of 14
…And Boy Howdy!
Hope your Sunday is a hamtastic day! PARC started off at the Panhandle United Roller Derby Junior Bombers Market! We demonstrated the ease and use of Amateur Radio while also continuing the public role of representing Amateur Radio!
This was followed by a site sur4vey for the Field Day event at the end of this month! Multiple Hams gathered to goc over last Thursday’s presentation and see the property at Liz Jackson in person to map out the extensive and exciting antenna field!
Be sure to tune tune your RF to the Playground Amateur Radio Club!
What the what?! That’s right…
Not one, but two chances this coming weekend to enjoy some awesome RF challenges!
First up, From the original post:
RAWNY will be joining over 100 other museum ships, June 6-7, for the annual Museum Ships Weekend – Amateur Radio Event! We will be on the air making contacts over ham radio from each of these vessels at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park:
USS Little Rock – W2PE
USS The Sullivans – W2S
USS Croaker – W2C
USS Boston – W2B
The USS Boston SSN-703 is new for us this year. We will be operating from her memorial/sail, in front of the main museum building.
Look for each of these call signs spotted on POTA.app at US-6532 Erie Canalway, and the DX Cluster.
Second, New Month, New Challenges! Explore the US via the Lewis and Clark Trail! Get on the air and contact the stations along the route Lewis and Clark took to explore, map and record the Louisiana Purchase.
How many stations can you bag?
Good Luck and ham on!
Okaloosa County’s Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo is a free public event focused on hurricane readiness, disaster kits, and preparedness resources. For 2026, it was scheduled for Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway in Shalimar.
The county described it as an opportunity to pick up free items for disaster kits, and local posts also mentioned food trucks and giveaways. Multiple county commissioners may attend, but the notice says it is not an official board meeting.
What it’s for
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Learn about storm preparation before hurricane season ramps up.
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Gather supplies or information for emergency kits.
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Connect with county and community resources
PARC Teamed up with the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club, Eglin Amateur Radio Society, the ARRL and others to promote Ham Radio! They all hosted live demonstrations of Radio and its usefulness!
From the desk of KR4YXX!
For POTA operations, the Yaesu ATAS-120A is best mounted on a tripod using a BuddiPole Vertical Antenna Clamp or a Gabil antenna tripod, which often includes thumbscrews for attaching ground radials. Operators frequently use the large TIA tripod or modified mini-tripods, ensuring the legs are extended and angled to provide stability against wind. A critical requirement for tripod use is adding a ground plane system; this typically involves installing 4 to 8 radials (often 1/4 wavelength for lower bands like 40m and 20m) to achieve acceptable SWR, as the antenna performs poorly without them.
For home use with HOA restrictions, the ATAS-120A can be mounted on a balcony rail using a Diamond CRM mount or a Vice Grip, or elevated on a 6-foot mast positioned at rain gutter height to remain unobtrusive. To maintain low SWR in these elevated setups, users have successfully run counterpoise wires inside rain gutters or along the structure, though this requires testing for electrical continuity. Alternatively, mounting the antenna on a ground spike with a robust radial system is an option, though it may be less aesthetically pleasing for some HOA environments compared to elevated, hidden counterpoises.
Area Hams! Are you ready for the Llama [FOX] Hunt?
146.565 simplex.
Fort Walton Beach Area!
Beacon starts at 1200!
Good luck!
Interested in taking a FREE amateur radio license class for a general class operators license? Of course you are! Sign up at PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM
Classes start 3 June 2026 630 pm CDT at 17 First St SE Fort Walton Beach Florida.
Class Details
Cost: Free
Start Date: June 3, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM CDT
Location: 17 First St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
How to Register: Email PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM
Tip: If you are planning to attend, it’s usually a good idea to grab the current ARRL General Class License Manual ahead of time so you can follow along with the weekly chapters!
Best of luck to everyone taking the class and getting ready to upgrade!
The Playground Amateur Radio Club Fort Walton Beach Florida has come a long way in just a few short years! We have expanded Amateur Radio capabilities, functions, events, community participation, engaged with new partnerships, and assisted those with interest in the communications hobby with technical expertise and advice while volunteering a hands-on on approach!
Keep this news post bookmarked as a wonderful worldwide capability is soon to be announced!
Ever played a high-tech game of hide-and-seek? Known as “T-hunting” or “bunny hunting,” a Fox Hunt involves tracking down a hidden, battery-powered radio transmitter using directional antennas and portable radios. While it’s a favorite hobby for amateur radio enthusiasts, it also builds critical skills for search and rescue and locating signal interference. The Playground Team is inviting you to a Llama Hunt!
You might be wondering: Why the Llama? It started as an “in the moment” joke at a local ham event when someone lost a llama keychain. In true ham fashion, everyone jumped in to help “rescue” the lost llama, and the tradition stuck! Today, our 3D printing team keeps the legend alive with custom llamas to remind us all to take a break, share a laugh, and stay kind.
Ready to join the hunt? The Playground Amateur Radio Club invites you to grab your gear and see if you can find the Llama [FOX] first!
24 May at 1200 pm 17 First ST SE Fort Walton Beach is the starting point! We will see you at the start and welcome you back to the Clubhouse for the results!
THE PARADE AND EVENT ARE POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. THE MAKE UP DATE IS IN SEPTEMBER ON THE 12TH.
We are excited to host the BIGGEST AMERICA 250 EVENT in Okaloosa County this Saturday, May 9! Join us in celebrating the USA’s 250th birthday and making history right in the heart of Crestview!
EVENT SCHEDULE:
🎸 America 250 Celebration 🎶
Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Steps of the Courthouse, 101 E James Lee Blvd
Country Music Star Coffey Anderson will headline the celebration, along with performances by local school bands. Official remarks will be made to kick off the patriotic Grand Parade.
🇺🇸 Grand Parade 🦅
Start Time: 4:00 p.m.
Route: From S Main St to W Cedar Ave
Mia Manganello a Crestview native and three-time Olympic medalist, will be our Grand Marshal for the parade!
⚠️ ROAD CLOSURES 🚧
Please be aware that roads in the vicinity will begin closing at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, to facilitate event preparations. We encourage attendees to refer to the event map and plan their travel routes accordingly.
📍 PUBLIC PARKING & TRANSPORTATION 🚍
For your convenience, designated public parking will be available at the following locations.
Transportation will be available at select* parking lots from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The buses will run every 15 minutes.
– Twin Hills Park Parking Lots* (including Children’s Park and Bark Park)
– Twin Hills Gymnasium Parking Lot
– NWF State College Parking Lot
– Lifepoint Church Overflow Parking Lot (S Main St/Griffith Ave E)
– First Baptist Church Parking Lot (Mapoles St/E Hickory Ave)
– Tractor Supply Parking Lot* (Hwy 90/N Lloyd St)
– New Beginnings Church Parking Lot* (Hwy 90, near Animal Health Center)
📧 Points of Contact 💬
Hon. Graham W. Fountain, Okaloosa County America 250 Commission Chairman | america250@myokaloosa.com
Melissa Carter, City of Crestview Special Events Coordinator | carterc@cityofcrestview.org
Shae Bonifacio, City of Crestview Public Information Officer | pio@cityofcrestview.org
For more countywide America 250 events throughout the year, visit GetTheCoast.com/America250 or follow us on Facebook at Okaloosa County America 250!
We look forward to celebrating America’s 250th together as a community! Thank you for your cooperation and participation.
Crestview Bulletin WAAZ FM – The Good Country Get The Coast Northwest Florida Daily News Mid Bay News WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola WKRG #America250 #OkaloosaCounty #CityofCrestview
