The Best Amateur Radio Club in Florida

Category: Hamfest/Tailgate! Page 1 of 2

It’s Hamfest, Tailgate, & Swapmeet Season!!!

What the What What?!!! You read that tagline correct! 

Listen, we all love the routine events that we do with meetings, tech nights, Club improvement schedules, local and area events aiding the public, but WHAT, is one thing we love more than all the rest besides the DX?! Hamfests, Tailgates, & Swapmeets!

Hamfests, Tailgates, & Swapmeets offer us a chance to travel to areas not normally visited and meet people from all walks of life that enjoy the love of radio communications! They may be developed around the chance to buy, sell, swap or trade the day away, but the events are more geared toward the social aspect and interaction. Besides, you can’t sell a pancake to a steakhouse (ok yes you can and I have done it! (True story. The year was 1998 and I was in New Orleans [rabbit trail, saved for a later date])). Anyhow, Relaxed atmospheres bring people in! A warm cup of joe or a cool lemonade and sometimes a good ‘ol fashioned BBQ keeps them around. Not that all Hamfests and Tailgates have food but don’t base it on that! I have met some of the most ingenious Hams at events such as Hamfests and Tailgates!

Ideas of how to do things are vastly different depending upon the area you are in or go to! Be open to people that do something you do in a different way! The experiments others are performing can and will inspire you and your way of transmitting and receiving! Inspiration can come in all forms and why not go visit an area outside of your spectrum! Events come and go and we sure like to make the ones we can! Coming up this weekend on April the 12th is the Panama City Florida Tailgate at 130 N Church Ave in Panama City Florida! Some of us have attended this event in years past and we are always impressed with their welcoming nature and innovation! If you have a list of gear your are looking for will you find it here? Maybe, maybe not, and that’s just the chance you take when making things work! You will also gain knowledge and learn! ~ Plus you might make a few new contacts or put the face to a callsign! This event runs from 0900 – 1300 with lunch served around 1200! Click the “this Event link above to read the PCARC’s webpage with all of the information! Talk-in Frequency: W4RYZ Repeater, 145.210MHz PL 100Hz

So load up fellow operators and radio enthusiasts! Because we are hitting the road and heading East to visit those that have in turn visited us and paid us just as much homage as we are dishing out! Support in the Amateur Radio Community is paramount for the hobby’s longevity! Be a part of it, promote it, encourage development, and foster a positive relationship over the air, and in person! We will see you there!

Want to know where and when PARC plans to have it’s members? Check out the Playground Amateur Radio Club Calendar!

Not in our immediate area (or maybe you are) but want to know how to find a Hamfest, Tailgate, or Swapmeet?! Click this and search your area or search nationally! Be sure to check it regularly as additions are constantly published!

-.– — ..- / -.- -. — .– / -.– — ..- / .– .- -. – / – — / -… . / – …. . .-. . / … — / –. . – / .. -. / – …. . / -.-. .- .-. –..– / – .-. ..- -.-. -.- –..– / — .-. / …- .- -. / .- -. -.. / — .- -.- . / -.– — ..- .-. / .– .- -.– / – — / .-. . .–. .-. . … . -. – / .- — .- – . ..- .-. / .-. .- -.. .. — -.-.–

 

 

 

Playground Pile-Ups are packed with action!

The sign is back! Thanks to Flamingo Graphics on Hollywood Blvd in Fort Walton Beach for redoing this! Hanging the sign is Mike, Bill, Shane and others! It sure brings us great joy to have it back in full color!

Did you know the Playground Amateur Radio Club has WIRES-X, LOG#4OM, WSJTX with JS8 Call? Mark has been busy each weekend and during certain weeks enhancing out digital status on station 2 in the Clubhouse!

WIRES-X freq is 146.400 under the call AA0EU, room 091172 node 01172.

The rest is call W4ZBB!

Multiple other projects were going on with wire trouble shooting with Tony and radio programming with DJ and Steve! Guess what else, a tour of the attic to see about removing old RG8 to allow for more room through the connection point to enhance the signal coverage of WIRES-X!

Queenie started planning for our Annual Swampfest on Nov 15 2025! You are not going to want to miss that!

All this and more at the best Amateur Radio Club in Florida!

Thank You for Attending!

A very heartfelt recognition goes out to all! Vendors, Patrons, Guests, Visitors, Support Staff, Members, Volunteers, and all who made the Playground Hamfest successful! We cannot engage with the community the way we do without your support and dedication!

It’s HAMFEST Week!

Do you need to test?! We got you!

Are you hungry?! We got you!

Do you want to buy, swap, trade, sell, or barter Ham gear and more?! We got You!

Come one, come all to the 55th Annual Playground ARC Hamfest!

1958 Lewis Turner Blvd Fort Walton Beach Florida
Friday 3pm to 6pm
Saturday 8am to 1pm
Vendors set up Friday starting 8am. No public show until 3pm.
Vendors set up Saturday 6am. No public show until 8am.
The show closes at 1pm.
We offer:
Testing, must pre-register must have FRN (Federal Registration Number)
PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM
Testing will be at 10:00 AM CST
Indoor Booths
Food Concessions
National Vendors
Local Ham Radio Dealers
Area Club Tables
ARRL Representatives
Camping
Rv’s Welcome
Reserve your tables and spots: PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM
$8.00 admission
$15.00 per table/spot
Boy Scouts in Uniform Free
12 and Under Free
90 and Above Free
Contact Information: PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM,
or the NWFL Hamfest Hotline at 850-359-9186.
All voicemails will be returned if no answer.

WE ARE HAVING A HAMFEST!

Get YOUR Spot, while it’s hot! The PARC 55th Hamfest is a foot on March 14/15 2025! We are ready to host and serve YOU!

https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/playground-arc-55th-annual-hamfest

Join us for the 55th Annual Playground Amateur Radio Club Hamfest!
1958 Lewis Turner Blvd Fort Walton Beach Florida
Friday 3pm to 6pm
Saturday 8am to 1pm
Vendors set up Friday starting 8am. No public show until 3pm.
Vendors set up Saturday 6am. No public show until 8am.
The show closes at 1pm.
We offer:
Testing, must pre-register must have FRN (Federal Registration Number)
PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM
Testing will be at 10:00 AM CST
Indoor Booths
Food Concessions
National Vendors
Local Ham Radio Dealers
Area Club Tables
ARRL Representatives
Camping
Rv’s Welcome
Reserve your tables and spots: PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM
$8.00 admission
$15.00 per table/spot
Boy Scouts in Uniform Free
12 and Under Free
90 and Above Free
Contact Information: PARCFWB@GMAIL.COM,
or the NWFL Hamfest Hotline at 850-359-9186.

SWAMPFEST SUCCESS!

WOW what a wonderful day for a Tailgate! If you missed the Swampfest, YOU missed a great opportunity to get great Ham items at an even better price! Below are some pictures and be looking forward to the next Major Hamfest in March 2025 (hint hint) official details to be released soon!

 

Amateur Radio Satellite Communications Special Event Station

Playground Amateur radio Club member KC5RFU showcased his capability with Amateur Radio Satellites and demonstrated to multiple guests at the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club’s Annual Hamfest in Crestview Florida!

AMSAT is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering Amateur Radio’s participation in space research and communication. As a Special Event Station, AMSAT designs, builds, and manages communication satellites to operate in space, ensuring they are available for public use. Their mission promotes space education, brings space-based STEM initiatives to life, and provides opportunities for students to communicate with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Key Activities:

  1. Satellite Design and Development: AMSAT designs and builds communication satellites to operate in the harsh environment of space, utilizing volunteer effort and donated resources.
  2. Satellite Operations: Once in orbit, AMSAT manages the satellites, ensuring they are available for public use.
  3. Space Education and STEM Initiatives: AMSAT promotes space education and brings space-based STEM initiatives to life, providing opportunities for students to engage with space-related activities.
  4. International Collaboration: AMSAT works in partnership with government, industry, educational institutions, and fellow amateur radio societies to advance Amateur Radio’s participation in space research and communication.

Summary: AMSAT’s Amateur Radio Satellite Communications Special Event Station is a unique platform for amateur radio operators to engage with space-based communication, while promoting space education and STEM initiatives.

 

PARC Pile Up Sunday Oct 6 will take place at the NOARC Hamfest!

PARC will be supporting the NOARC Hamfest at 1446 Commerce Drive Crestview Florida. So the Pile-Up for OCT 6 is canceled.

Please come visit us at the Hamfest!

What: NOARC’s Annual Amateur Radio Hamfest

When (Day 1): Saturday October 5th, 2024. VENDOR ONLY set up @ 0800. Soft show opening at 3pm until 6PM.

Amateur Radio Liscense Testing: Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at 1PM CST. Details below!

When (Day 2): Sunday October 6th, 2024. VENDORS ONLY set up @ 0600. Full show opens @ 0800.

Admittance for Visitors and guests: $7.00 each person. Ages 12 and under FREE, ages 90 and above, FREE, Scouts in uniform, FREE!

Prices: Vendor Tables/Table Spots: $10.00 each spot/space/table (good for the entire show). First reserve first served. If you are a walk-in the day of the show, tables may be limited as this show typically sells-out.

Food: Meal and bake sale services provided by the Playground Amateur Radio Club of Fort Walton Beach Florida.

TALK IN: 147.360, +, 0.6, 100 Hz Tone

Contact Information:

Hamfest Hotline 850.359.9186 or email KI4ZER@ARRL.Net

Liscense Testing: Saturday 5 October, 2024 @ 1pm CST. Cost is $10.00. Pre-registration is required at: https://w4aaz.org/exams-contact-form/. Only FRN’s will be accepted and must be obtained prior to the show. FRN’s may be obtained HERE or got to https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do. You must provide a printed copy to test. Current Liscense holders must provide a copy of their license as part of the testing. This can be done by following this LINK. or go to https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/how-obtain-official . Click HERE or got to  https://w4aaz.org/noarc/testing-contact/ for more information on testing.

Mariana Tailgate Aug 31 2024!

Hello all
    It is time for our annual tailgate, and we are so excited to once again send you guys an invatation. Attached you will find the flyer for the tailgate, and a menu for the food truck that will be on site. We hope to see you for some Fun, Food and Fellowship. Please announce this to your club and on your NET and round tables.
73
Darvin Owens WB4DLX
President CARC
Labor Day Tailgate

Sponsored by the 

Chipola Amateur Radio Club

Saturday August 31st

9 am until

2691 Endeavor Blvd, Marianna Fl.

Indoor tables available on a limited basis.  So bring your tables, pop-up shelters, or just your tailgate. We have plenty of room outdoors. There is no cost for indoor or outdoor spaces. Just show up with your sale items!!

Door Prizes!!   50/50 Drawing

Food Truck on Site

talk in   146.670   -0.6mhz    no tone

Jackson County Amateur Radio Association

Fresh off the heels of the Milton Hamfest and it’s quaint stability we learned from one of our traveling friends that there is an awesome show coming up in Biloxi! We were invited of course and are working plans to CQ and DX our way over to support those that continue to support us!

 

The Jackson County folks have been coming to our events for a long time! Be it our annual full blown Hamfest or be it our tailgate! So why Not! Let’s show them what PARC is all about and participate with them! See the flyer and the web link below for more details!

HamFest

Page 1 of 2

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén