Announcement – Page 2 – PARC

PARC at the Okaloosa County Hurricane Expo!

On May 31, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events, Excitement!, Meetings!, Technical

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

Learn about storm preparation before hurricane season ramps up.
Gather supplies or information for emergency kits.
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!

ATAS 120A tripod for use with POTA or home use with a HOA

By DJ Stewart

On May 24, 2026

In Announcement, Excitement!, Pile-Up, POTA, Technical

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.

YOUTUBE

Tripod!

Llama [FOX] Transmitter Hunt!

By DJ Stewart

On May 24, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events, Excitement!, Fox Hunting

Area Hams! Are you ready for the Llama [FOX] Hunt?

146.565 simplex.

Fort Walton Beach Area!

Beacon starts at 1200!

Good luck!

FREE GENERAL CLASS!

By DJ Stewart

On May 23, 2026

In Announcement, Classes, Community, Events, Excitement!, Meetings!, Technical, Testing

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!

Enhancing Amateur Radio

By DJ Stewart

On May 21, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events, Excitement!, Technical

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!

Llama [FOX] Transmitter Hunt – May 24, 2026 @ 1200pm!

By DJ Stewart

On May 18, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events, Excitement!, Fox Hunting, Pile-Up, Technical

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.

By DJ Stewart

On May 5, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events

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

Pile-Up Action!

By DJ Stewart

On May 3, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events, Excitement!, Pile-Up, Technical

What a great Sunday Pile-Up at PARC! Projects abound from solar battery recharge kits, radio programming, power supply options, equipment recommendations, radio programming, system upgrades, and item sorting! The Playground Amateur Radio Club certainly dives in on full scope! If you’re planning on joining the ranks of a great Amateur Radio Club then Playground is the place to be with the experience to help you navigate the airwaves! Be sure to check our club calendar and participate so that you may catch the RF!

The ARRL NFL QST is published!

By DJ Stewart

On May 1, 2026

In Announcement, Events, Excitement!, QST, Uncategorized

The ARRL NFL QST is published! You’re going to want to read this!

https://arrl-nfl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/01-QST-NFL-May-2026.pdf

Saturday, in the Park, not on the 4th of July!

By DJ Stewart

On April 26, 2026

In Announcement, Community, Events, Excitement!

Team PARC united in droves for the Florida QSO Party despite the rain. Covering multiple bands and operating methods, the day featured plenty of mentoring, instruction, and live demonstrations. Public visitors, local officials, event coordinators, and passersby all got to experience the fun and energy of amateur radio firsthand! Be sure to watch the Club Calendar and participate with and at the Club and get your Ham On!