PARC | Ham Radio

The Best Amateur Radio Club in Florida

Category: Meetings!

PARC at the Okaloosa County Hurricane Expo!

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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!

FREE GENERAL CLASS!

By

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!

PARC GOES dIGiTaL!

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On February 6, 2026

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

PARC Goes Digital! Great Tech Night at the Playground Amateur Radio Club Technical Night! Mark NC4MR took the reins and taught us a thing or two about digital modes in ham radio. Starting with a great presentation followed up with some time at Station 2 to demonstrate using WSJT-X and GridTracker on FT8.

 

Thanks, Mark for the great presentation and the work you have put into making PARC a digital powerhouse.

 

Thanks to everyone who showed up

 

73, KQ4ATC

Ready to unlock a world of voices from across the globe? 

By

On February 1, 2026

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

📻✨

Amateur radio isn’t just a hobby—it’s a passport to connecting with fellow enthusiasts from every corner of the planet, all without needing the internet! Whether you’re chatting with someone across town or bouncing signals off the atmosphere to reach another continent, every conversation is an adventure.

What makes ham radio so incredible? You’re part of a community that values skill-building, emergency preparedness, and the pure joy of making contact. From learning Morse code to experimenting with digital modes, there’s always something new to explore. Plus, when disasters strike and modern communication fails, amateur radio operators become lifelines for their communities.

Getting started is easier than you think! Study for your license, grab a starter radio, and suddenly you’re part of a global network of operators who share your passion. The thrill of making your first contact, hearing that voice crackle through the static, and exchanging call signs—it never gets old.

Whether you’re interested in contesting, satellite communication, or just making new friends worldwide, amateur radio offers endless possibilities. It’s technology, community, and adventure all rolled into one. 🌍⚡

Ready to get on the air? The frequencies are waiting!

#AmateurRadio #HamRadio #RadioHobby

 

Ham of the Year 2025!

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On December 19, 2025

In Announcement, Events, Excitement!, Ham of the Year!, Holiday Party!, Meetings!

The Playground Amateur Radio Club is proud to announce this years winner for Ham of The Year! Traditionally awarded at the famed Holiday Party, The winner this year will be traveling for the holidays. So we made the decision to award and present at the Business Meeting!

Meet Zach, KR4FWK!

Zach recently joined the Playground Amateur Radio Club and ever since, he, just like many others, keyed the mic from the start! Zach is an avid experimenter in communications! He consistently strives to improve his station and share his experiences with others! Zach also participates in multiple Club functions and leads by example often teaching his lessons to other new operators and those interested in amateur radio! Zach also has been a regular on a multitude of frequencies, answering the call while testing out his experiments for other operators to advise on signal reports and offering insight on what to do to improve communications capabilities in the area! If you are at the Playground, on the repeaters, on the air or even an event, be sure to congratulate Zach on his achievement!

Zach’s selection was as a result of polling in the club and recording the votes. This year a large thank you goes out to Rey, KM4DYA for his contribution to transform a Eimac Tube into a desk lamp! Thank you Rey for taking an idea, and making it a reality setting the standard to be followed for years to come!

Honorable mentions that were close in the running this year include (in no particular order):

KQ4FRB, KQ4ATC, AA0EU, NC4MR, KK4SSM, and KQ4YXY.

Happy Thurs-YAY!

By

On October 16, 2025

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

TODAY! October 16th! 2025! At 730 pm CDT! 

Come one, come all, participate with PARC and “Feel the ENERGY”! 

17 First St SE Fort Walton Beach Florida 32548! 

Oh you think it’s just another Ham Radio Meeting?! WRONG! Unkey that mic and come see us in action! You will be hard pressed to find another organization like us! 

Did we mention ENERGETIC?! How about MOTIVATED! If you are not at PARC, YOU, are missing out! 

Go to our Calendar for more information or how to join online! 

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