Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club Bulletin

April 2026

We Will Be Doing A Zoom Meeting April 4

Members To Get Email Invite Visitors Will Need To Contact Webmaster For Zoom Login Information.

[email protected]


The Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club normally meet at 3:00 PM on the first Saturday of the month.


This Months Meeting Agenda

  • Avocado Festival, Briefing.

Fallbrook Amateur Radio Renewals


NameCallDate Expires
Second Notice



Seals, Kenneth K6KT 2/28/2026
First Notice



Stubbs, Charles KK6OBH 3/31/2026

Rotondi, John W6JBR 3/31/2026

Rasp, Frederick KN6YDQ 3/31/2026

Elliott, Dwayne K6PLS 3/31/2026

Member Renew


Upcoming Local & Community Events 

  • Sunday, April 19, 2026, Avocado Festival
  • May 30, 2026, ARES Activity Day 
  • June 27 – 28, 2026, Field Day

Upcoming ARES & Community Events 

Join ARES or, more information. www.sdgares.net/

  • April 10-12 DX Convention @ Santa Maria https://www.socalcontestclub.org/SantaMaria2026/ 
  • April 11, 2026 ARES In-Person Meeting at Sharp Spectrum (hospital drill prep) 
  • April 11, 2026 Hams support Oriflamme Canyon 50K near Mt Laguna 
  • April 15, 2026 (Wednesday) ARES members support SD County FSE Earthquake & Hospital Exercise 
  • May 1, 2026 (Friday) Hams support SD100 Mile Run near Mt Laguna 
  • May 9, 2026 ARES In-Person Meeting at Sharp Spectrum (hospital drill recap) 
  • May 16, 2026 General Upgrade Class (contact [email protected] for info) 
  • May 30, 2026 ARES Activity Day 

Cram Classes: the 2026 schedule of Technician Class License and General Class License Workshops will be published after details such as room reservations and VE teams are locked in. To inquire about the 2026 cram class schedule, contact [email protected] for info or to be placed on the “notify” list. If you are ready to test and do not need a cram class, browse hamstudy.org/sessions to find a remote exam or in-person exam near you. 


News & Views


de KC6MIE

FALLBROOK 10 METER NET Every Wednesday evening 7:30pm 28.340 USB Ruben KD6CWI Net control Join the group for a good rag chew.


de KJ6UMY

Could a vaccine prevent dementia? Shingles shot data only getting stronger.

arstechnica.com

The Floppotron

wimp.com

America Had No Radio Crystals in 1941

The End of Landlines: What We’re Losing

Battleborn Battery Investigation


de KC6MIE

SDGARES ACTIVITY DAY MAY 30, 2026

Put the date on your calendar, location has not been determined yet. I would like to get feedback on our last location. I thought it worked out well and the only thing I would recommend would be to do a site plan or at least discuss where the antennas will be set up. Wire antennas along the perimeter, verticals more toward center for parking lot safety. So it’s a good time to think about what you may want to try. I would love to have GTRC and the Valley Center Club participate in their areas as well. A lot to think about and let’s hear some thoughts about our last location etc. 73 de Kc6mie


de WF6L

Article in the latest ARRL National Contest Journal

My son, Phil Leonelli JR (WM6Y), published an article in the latest ARRL National Contest Journal available to ARRL members online:
arrl.org

The article titled “From FT8 to CW: A Modern Path Back To Morse Code” tells the story of Phil’s introduction to the digital mode FT8, and his journey back to learning the operating techniques of CW during his SOTA/POTA expedition to the Channel Islands off the coast of LA. The article can also be found in the February 2026 issue of CW OPS newsletter (https://cwops.org/solid-copy-2026/)
Phil Leonelli Jr. (WM6Y) is the son of Phil WF6L. He was originally from Fallbrook, but now lives and works in the Mission Hills area of San Diego. Occasionally operates CW and FT8 remote from his father’s ham shack in Fallbrook.


de W6VR

Canada to Shut Down Its VHF Weather Radio Service – Radio World

radioworld.com



de KG6HSQ

The Hidden Reason Screwdriver Handles Look Like This

How to Crimp Open Barrel Terminals (Step by Step, Close Up)

What Are Supercapacitors and Why They Matter?

AD7LN – “Elmer Time” Let’s build a 2 Meter VHF Quagi- High gain directional antenna.

Why Are Almost All Circuit Boards Green?

The Psychology of People Who Know How To Work On Cars

The Psychology of People Who Would Rather Fix Than Replace



Meeting Minutes

Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club
Zoom Online
March 7, 2026

President Ron Patten, KG6HSQ, called the meeting to order at 1504 hrs.

The pledge of allegiance was conducted by Ron, KG6HSQ.

The following financial report was presented by Brent, KJ6UMY:

Checking Balance January 31, 2026 $8,041.49
Petty Cash Balance January 31, 2026 $434.81
Total 8,476.30

FEBRUARY INCOME
Membership Dues $100.00
Total $100.00

FEBRUARY EXPENSES
DMV Trailer Renewal $10.00
Club Insurance $200.00
Total $210.00

PETTY CASH
Petty Cash Balance January 31, 2026 $434.81
February Additions $0.00
Total $434.81

Checking Balance February 28, 2026 $7,931.49
Petty Cash Balance February 28, 2026 $434.81
Total $8,366.30

Ron, KG6HSQ, commented that he has expenses to submit.

Ron, KG6HSQ, advised that the Fallbrook Avocado Festival is coming up next month. He display an AI generated poster for the event.

Ron, KG6HSQ, displayed the results to the last simplex text on 145.555. The next test will use the 2M repeater output frequency. For those on HTs, outside is better and location may determine who you can talk to.

Ron, KG6HSQ, gave a presentation on equipment need for emergency preparedness. A discussion followed on the advantages of various equipments. Have equipment, know how to operate it, study Fallbrook for navigation, communicate using Nato phonetic alphabet and use ABC, accuracy, brevity,
clarity, prepare with gas tank half-full, a GoBag, writing paper, pens and pencils. Ron showed an ICS-213 message form and took a tour of local HPWREN and ALERTCalifornia cameras.

President Ron Patten, KG6HSQ, adjourned that meeting at 1625 hrs.

Brent Dussia, KJ6UMY
Secretary/Treasurer
Fallbrook Amateur Radio ClubY
Secretary/Treasurer
Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club