Category: Announcement Page 1 of 17
Are you interested in Amateur Radio Nets? Do you like to just check in or do you like to share? Here in the Panhandle of Florida and beyond, there are plenty of versions that YOU can take part in! Nets occur on more than just VHF and UHF! There are formal nets, informal nets, rag chew sessions, digital nets, SSB Nets, and more! The point being, nets are immersive and allow for interaction! Just as in person, you never know who you will meet on the airwaves that could benefit your passion for all things communication. Ideas exchange, processes improve, interests peak, and the best part, you get to make some new friends and contacts! Join in via our nets page!
We recently updated our Nets Page with an additional net for an APRS check in! Simple, quick, easy to do! Using your APRS enable equipment, the app on your phone, an HT, mobile, base, or computer, set it up and send “Net” to KM4DYR-10 via APRS messages on Sundays and check in to the APRS net! This fast an easy form of a Net requires only a fraction of time and satisfaction is guaranteed!
For the better part of a year, we have ben Fox, rather “Llama” Hunting! What? Why? This one time, at a holiday party, a llama key chain inspired a series of events that has driven the airwaves into a frenzy and flurry of activity! No we’re not talking about snow, we are talking about uniting over a simple pun that has turned into a motivator for all to enjoy and drive focus on “hoe to be an amateur radio operator”. Communities have grown, people are taking action, contests and contacts are being made along with systems upgrades and communications modes and processes improved!
Come celebrate it with the Playground Amateur radio Club as we welcome you to a free tailgate with our partners at The Hangar sponsored by the Panhandle United Roller Derby and the Fort Walton Beach Junior Bombers Market! Saturday 21 November 2026 from 8 am to 1200 pm! Drop your tailgates, open your trunks, come for the gear, stay for the food, and enjoy each others company! We are bursting with Joy as we have Rise and Swine returning once again as the food truck! Great food, wonderful pricing, and an awesome supporter of Amateur Radio!
https://www.w4ryz.org/2026/09/the-panama-city-arc-fall-tailgate-is.html?m=1
Panama City Amateur Radio Club
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Tuesday, September 22, 2026
The Panama City ARC Fall Tailgate is Oct 24th, 2026
Please join us as we celebrate 70 years of our club. Bring gear to sell, your wallet to buy gear, or just join in conversation and share stories with your local hams. Food will be available for a small fee. We are planning to have a fox hunt in the area.
Location: PCARC Clubhouse
130 N. Church Ave.
Panama City, FL 32401
Date/Time: October 24, 2026
9am to 1pm
Be there for an amazing journey into high frequency communications! 17 First St SE Fwb Fl for all your interests in one place!
Thursday Oct 1 2026 at 730pm
What in the heck?! Yup! PARC supports our community! Today we had the honor of being guests at the Fort Walton Beach Junior Bombers Market! This takes place at the Hanger at 41 Windham Ave SE in Beautiful Downtown Fort Walton Beach! The Panhandle United Roller Derby puts this show on once a month and we at PARC are happy participants to showcase Amateur Radio and discuss what this is all about! Be sure to watch the Club Calendar for more future events like this and others!
First, some history:
PARC has always had a long-time schedule of License exam sessions: Every second Saturday of every odd month at 9am. Operators from counties over will plan trips to Fort Walton Beach just to upgrade their licenses. Unlicensed folks from all walks of life will ask where they can test for their Technician, and Playground Amateur Radio is usually in the top 3 suggestions. The club has always been proud to present a robust VE team, with many of their membership carrying Volunteer Examiner and/or Instructor Credentials.
Over the years, sessions have been typically registered via email, or by walk-in on the morning of the session (these days the email is the primary registration). Some Saturdays, the VE team would end up meeting with no candidates, but most of the time they could count on at least one to attend.
In October of 2025, PARC embarked into the wide world of Amateur Radio Licensing Instruction. They decided, with the support of its Executive Board, that the classes they offered would be free of charge to students. Books optional, the instructors encouraged the use of free resources from the ARRL, phone Apps, and websites available online. Their goal was to cut the initial “start-up” fees associated with becoming a licensed operator with the FCC. The first class garnered two students, and as they navigated the holidays, school and work schedules, both students achieved their Technician ticket and one upgraded to General almost immediately after. With one successful class in the books, membership began asking if PARC would offer any General License classes. At PARC, if there is an interest, they take action! Instructors planned to teach one Technician course before the question pool renewed, followed immediately by a General course. By the start of the General course, the group had grown to about 9 Techs looking to upgrade and 3 or 4 beginners who took on studying for both Tech and General, all prepping to test on the regularly scheduled Exam session of September 12th.
On that fateful day, Playground Amateur Radio Club hosted what could have possibly been their largest group of examinees in club history!
Here is the final result:
1 new Technician, callsign pending
1 General license reinstated, new callsign pending
4 upgrades to General: KR4ETE/AG; KR4IUU/AG; K4HNY/AG; KJ4ECP/AG
2 upgrades to Extra: KF0ASK/AE, K4MAM/AE
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL FOR A JOB WELL DONE!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS WHO CAME OUT TO PROCTOR EXAMS, AS NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ANY OF YOUR DEDICATION!
Playground ARC is currently preparing for our Annual Swampfest in November, the area-wide Holiday Party in December, and of course our Hamfest in March, and we hope to have another series of classes beginning again in April! Please keep an eye on the website www.w4zbb.org and our socials for updates on upcoming events and classes, and as always, email the Executive Board and their committees with questions, comments, or to register for exams at parcfwb@gmail.com
Until next time, be safe and enjoy Amateur Radio!
73 de KQ4FRB
This week on where is Larry?! See if you can find him!
Yo! CQ CQ from Huntsville! Thanks KR4FWK for the pics and including N8JDD!
For those that knew Michelle, an obituary has been shared. Details for visitation and celebration of life can be found here:
https://www.clary-glenn.com/obituaries/lisa-canterbury
