Area Hams! Are you ready for the Llama [FOX] Hunt?
146.565 simplex.
Fort Walton Beach Area!
Beacon starts at 1200!
Good luck!
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!
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!
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 Sunday Pile-Up is always a great place to gather! Multiple projects abound along with soldering, modification, QRP experiments, Digital Modes, Llama printing projects, Fox Hunt Planning (check the calendar for next weeks event), and even mobile radio installations and troubleshooting!
If you are looking for a place to call Ham Radio home, the Playground Amateur Radio Club is the place to be!
What a great Playground Amateur Radio Club Technical Night! Thanks Rey Ruiz for the soldering instruction! Whats more?! Two of our younger members experimenting with FLdigi after the tech night!
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
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! You’re going to want to read this!
https://arrl-nfl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/01-QST-NFL-May-2026.pdf
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!
