July 2026
President’s Corner
Dear Members,
Wow July is on the way out and what a month we had in June and several events and classes coming up in the months ahead. I want to thank all those involved in making JCARC Field Day such a success. We had so many club members come out and participate and visit and so many who spent time setting up and tearing down. I want to take a special moment to thank Ed KJ5JQD for doing most of the heavy lifting on this event. His planning and orchestrating the event made it the success it was. Look forward to other events which he is involved with.
Now that Summer Field Day has passed, we start looking for school starting and looking to fall events we can do, less hot. We have a Fox Hunt on August 1st, coming up and details below. What other events would you, the club members like to see? This is your club and I as your President would love to hear from you.
Upcoming Events:
Monthly Club Meeting
Date: August 8, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Johnson County Emergency Operations Center
Agenda:
· Discussing how the Fox Hunt event went and improvements and take aways to increase the fun factor.
· Discussing what is next, how we will grow our club and be more active in the community.
· Ways club members can get involved in events, working together to include the community.
· Bringing new enthusiast into the hobby. Keeping the momentum of Summer Field Day alive.
JCARC Fox Hunt
Date: August 1, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Somewhere in Johnson County, Texas
Details: The JCARC will be hosting a fox Hunt in Johnson County this Saturday. See the events page on our website for the specifics: https://www.w5jcr.com/jcarc-events/.
Technician Cram and Test
Date: August 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Johnson County Emergency Operations Center
Details: JCARC is hosting a Technician LCC License Cram and Test to promote and help those who are looking for their FCC Technician License. This was very successful last class and so if you know people interested in obtaining their license let them know the information. See the events page on our website for more details: https://www.w5jcr.com/jcarc-events/.
I have my license, now what?
Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Johnson County Emergency Operations Center
Details: This get together is to bring newly licensed HAMs with experienced HAMs to help you guide the way and answer your questions about the hobby. We will have some equipment to show and a lot of experience to get you started and help you with your ideas. Amateur radio has so many paths to take and we want to help you with your path, least provide some information or even guide you to other HAMs which can help you. See the events page on our website for more details: https://www.w5jcr.com/jcarc-events/.
Technical Corner:
Technical proficiency in amateur radio includes understanding radio frequency propagation, utilizing different antenna configurations (e.g., dipole, Yagi, and vertical antennas), and implementing appropriate transmission power levels to optimize signal reach while minimizing interference. Operators often engage in radio contesting, weak signal propagation, and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to refine their communication skills. Additionally, software-defined radios (SDRs) have revolutionized the hobby by enabling greater flexibility and capabilities in signal processing, allowing users to manipulate waveforms and protocols digitally, enhancing their operational versatility in varying communication scenarios. Understanding the technical intricacies of amateur radio not only fosters better communication but also contributes to advancements in radio technology and emergency response coordination.
Get Involved!
Looking for more people to be involved in the club. We are doing some fun things and to be able to do these things needs people who want to help out and be part of the fun. If you are interested in helping with the planning and initiating of the fun, let me know at k5yiv@w5jcr.com.
· Club Photographer: Help us capture the fun at meetings and events!
Stay Connected:
Visit our website www.w5jcr.com for more information and to sign up for our mailing list. Follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates. The website is updated, and the calendar reflects all our events as well as the event page. Check it out!
Thank you for being part of the Johnson County Amateur Radio Club. And remember, communication is key—keep connecting!
73,
Ted Jagen
President, Johnson County Amateur Radio Club