Technical – PARC

Check out KF Zero ASK’s mobile install! Inventive on a 2025 Toyota Tacoma! Newer Vehicles sure have their hang ups but Scott didn’t let that stop him! Using the false outer panel over the rear windshield and drilling in through the plastic [of course sealing everything after], Scott was able to make entry and connect resulting in a 1:1.8 VNA tested SWR on 2M / 2.1 on 70cm. See the photos of the install below while Scott finishes up his work!

Tech Night Coming this Week!

By DJ Stewart

On August 2, 2026

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

Come one down to 17 First St SE in Beautiful Downtown Fort Walton Beach Florida for an overview on HAMDASH!

What? Hamdash? Yes! Hamdash! So bring your tablet, your laptop, your phone and let’s get started!

HamDash is a free, browser-based real-time dashboard for amateur radio operators. It provides an always-on display for the radio shack, combining live solar and space weather data, DX cluster spots, POTA/SOTA activations, propagation maps, and a browser-based SDR receiver interface without requiring an account or software installation.

HamDash Briefing

W4zbb/K4FWB

Digital Demo!

By DJ Stewart

On July 22, 2026

In Announcement, Classes, Excitement!, Technical

During break at the Playground Amateur Radio Club General Class we took some time out to show off the Digital Station at the Clubhouse!

Field Day off to a roaring start with PARC!

By DJ Stewart

On June 27, 2026

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

Wow the ENERGY!

By DJ Stewart

On June 10, 2026

In Announcement, Classes, Events, Excitement!, Technical

General Class at PARC has the bandwidth! Lessons are being taught and the energy is enthusiastic!

By DJ Stewart

On June 7, 2026

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

…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!

PARC at the Okaloosa County Hurricane Expo!

By DJ Stewart

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] Hunt Success!

By DJ Stewart

On May 24, 2026

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

WOW! #BLEEP! What a fun hunt! Thanks to all that played and let me tell you, we had an unexpected assist from KQ4ACS adding in a point of distraction from the hunters as they got closer! LOL Not a joke! Stay tuned to our socials and website for more PARC fun!