Whether you’re brand new to amateur radio, curious about emergency communications, studying for your license, or already licensed and just looking for a fun outdoor radio outing — come hang out with us!

What to Expect

• Hands-on radio operating

• HF, VHF, and portable radio setups

• Antenna setup and field operations

• Learning opportunities for beginners

• Casual camping and outdoor fun

• Emergency communications discussion and practice

• A relaxed atmosphere to ask questions and get on the air

We will also have MURS radios available for unlicensed users so anyone can try radio communications and participate.

Friends, families, neighbors, coworkers, and curious community members are all welcome.

Not Into Radio? Still Come Out!

Spring Valley Reservoir is a great spot to enjoy the outdoors. There are opportunities for:

• Swimming

• Fishing

• Hiking

• Relaxing by the reservoir

• Camping and hanging out with the community

This is meant to be both a radio learning event and a fun outdoor community gathering.

Location

Spring Valley Reservoir – RV Area
Outside of Troy, Idaho

Map / Directions:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eecLUQvkC3igt2wY8

Bring

• Camping gear if staying overnight

• A chair

• Snacks/food/drinks

• Swim or fishing gear if desired

• Your radio gear if you have it

• Curiosity and a willingness to learn

Even if you can only stop by for part of the day, we’d love to see you.

Additional event details:
https://dsarc.us/events/2026/newbie-training-overnight-hangout

73 and hope to see you out there!

📍 2370 N Polk Extension, Moscow, ID

🌐 Also on Discord

🔗 https://tinyurl.com/dsarc-discord-020425

💬 Tonight’s Topics:

1. PHARC Parks on the Air / 7th Area QSO Party Recap

Mike – N7ID opens with a recap of the recent PHARC Parks on the Air and 7th Area QSO Party event.

2. 2026 World Championship Jetboat Races – Volunteer Briefing

The Jetboat Races run 2026-05-08 through 2026-05-17, with venues spanning Black Canyon Reservoir, the Payette River, Salmon River, Snake River, and St. Joe River. Ham radio operators are needed as safety boat communicators. A safety meeting is scheduled for 2026-05-08 at 18:00 MDT at the Roadhouse at the Mill (520 W. Main St., Emmett). Key discussion points include frequency assignments (VHF/UHF repeaters plus simplex on 146.52, 146.54, 146.56, 146.58, and 146.40), equipment requirements (mobile radios with independent power supply strongly encouraged), tactical call procedures, and checklist documentation for race boat tracking. Contact Tim – N7UBO, Communications Director, for full details.

🎉 2026 Membership Drive is open!

👉 https://dsarc.us/membership

📡 Reminder: Latah AuxComm/ARES Net @ 1830

146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)

🎙️ Net Control volunteers needed!

See @everyone at 1900 for the meeting! 🎙️📡

🗓️ Meeting Details

📅 Date: This week (3rd Tuesday)
🕖 Time: 1900
🌐 Where: Discord Only
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/dsarc-discord-020425

💬 Tonight’s Topics

🎪 Public Event Support

We’ll discuss how we can support public events with communications:

• What roles we can fill

• Equipment and planning considerations

• Opportunities to get involved

🤝 Latah County CERT Integration Discussion

We’re exploring the idea of bringing Latah County CERT into the group in some capacity.

Tonight we’ll:

• Present an overview of what CERT is

• Gather feedback and sentiment from members

• Discuss how integration could work

• Explore opportunities for collaboration

Your input is important here — this helps shape the future direction of the group.

🏕️ Field Day Planning – Getting Started

Field Day is coming up fast!

We’ll begin discussing:

• Initial logistics and planning

• Site considerations

• Participation and roles

🎒 Newbie Field Day Planning

We want to continue building a strong on-ramp for new operators.

Tonight we’ll discuss:

• When and where to host Newbie Field Day

• Whether to combine it into a fun radio weekend outing

• What we currently include:

  • Radio programming basics

  • Phonetic alphabet use

  • Clear and concise communications

  • Proper mic technique

• What we should add, improve, or change

If you’ve attended before (or want to), your input is especially valuable!

💻 Field Day Logging Software Discussion

Let’s talk about:

• What logging software people are using

• Pros/cons of different options

• What we might standardize on for events

📡 AuxComm Equipment Planning

AuxComm is looking at purchasing a new radio.

We’ll discuss:

• Requirements and use cases

• Recommendations and options

• Budget considerations

🛠️ Antenna Build – Lessons Learned

We’ll revisit our recent antenna build:

• What worked well

• What could be improved

• Ideas for refining the design

📓 And yes… build notes are still coming! 😄

🎉 2026 Membership Drive Is Open!

Support everything we’re building this year:

👉 https://dsarc.us/membership

Your membership helps fund:

• Equipment and infrastructure

• Training and education

• STEM programs

• Emergency communications readiness

• Community outreach

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
📡 WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater
• 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)
🧾 Prompt: https://dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

🎙️ Net Control Volunteers Needed!
Great opportunity to build confidence and operating skills.

📰 Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributors Wanted

Share your projects, lessons learned, or ideas!

📧 contact@dsarc.us

📱 Social Media Coordinator Wanted

Help us grow and share what we’re doing with the community.

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted

Have something you want to teach or demo? We’d love to have you!

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
Amateur radio operators are often called upon to support public events like marathons, bike races, and parades — providing reliable communications when other systems get overloaded.

Pro Tip:
For event communications, always have a simplex fallback plan. Repeaters are great — but direct radio-to-radio communication can save the day when infrastructure is unavailable or congested.

✨ Join us tonight for a productive planning session and help shape how DSARC grows and supports our community.

See you at 1900 on Discord! 🎙️📡

We’re improving the DSARC website and want your input.

👉 Check it out:

https://dsarc.us

👉 Take the 2-minute survey:

🔘 Take the Survey

As DSARC continues to grow, we’ve been working on building out resources to make it easier for everyone to stay informed, get involved, and explore what we’re doing.

One of those resources is our website:
👉

https://dsarc.us

Whether you’re a long-time member or just getting started, the website is meant to be a central place for things like:

• Nets and meeting information

• Events and activities

• Club updates and announcements

• Resources for learning and getting involved

But here’s the thing—we want to make sure it actually works well for you.

🛠️ Help Us Improve It

We’re asking all members (and especially newer members) to take a few minutes to check out the site and share your thoughts.

If you can, try viewing it on both:

• 💻 Computer

• 📱 Mobile

We’re looking for honest feedback on things like:

• Is it easy to navigate?

• Is anything confusing or hard to find?

• Did anything not work correctly?

• What would you like to see added?

📝 Quick 2-Minute Survey

We’ve put together a short survey to make it easy to give feedback:

👉 Take the Survey

It only takes about 2 minutes, and your input will directly help shape improvements to the site.

🚀 Why This Matters

Our goal is to make DSARC as accessible and useful as possible—for current members, new members, and anyone interested in getting involved.

A good website helps us:

• Onboard new members more easily

• Share information more effectively

• Support training, events, and emergency communications

Your feedback is a big part of making that happen.

🙌 Thank You

We appreciate you taking the time to help improve DSARC.

If you have additional thoughts beyond the survey, feel free to drop them in Discord or Telegram as well.

73, and see you on the air! 📡

Whether you’re brand new to ham radio or have years of experience, tonight is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and help others.

🗓️ Meeting Details

📅 Date: Tonight
🕖 Meeting Time: 1900
📍 Location: 2370 N Polk Extension, Moscow, ID
🌐 Virtual Option: DSARC Discord
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/dsarc-discord-020425

📋 Test Session – Before the Meeting

Thinking about getting licensed or upgrading?

🕕 Test Session Starts at 1800

👉 View upcoming sessions & register:
https://dsarc.us/resources/testing

Pre-registration is encouraged, but we’ll do our best to accommodate walk-ins.

If you’ve been studying, this is a great chance to take the next step!

💬 Tonight’s Topic

Ham Radio Q&A Roundtable

Tonight is all about open discussion and shared learning.

We’ll be hosting an informal Q&A roundtable, where you can:

• Ask questions about radios, programming, antennas, or operating

• Get help troubleshooting issues

• Share your experiences and lessons learned

• Talk about projects you’re working on

• Learn from others in a relaxed, no-pressure environment

There’s no formal presentation — just good conversation and helpful discussion.

🎉 2026 Membership Drive Is Open!

Help support everything we’re building this year.

👉 Join or renew here: https://dsarc.us/membership

Your membership supports:

• Equipment and infrastructure

• Training and education

• STEM programs

• Emergency communications readiness

• Community outreach

Thank you for helping keep DSARC active and growing!

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
📡 WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater
• 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)
🧾 Prompt: https://dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

🎙️ Net Control Operators Needed!
A great way to build confidence and operating skills — reach out on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.

📰 Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributors Wanted

We’re always looking for:

• Technical write-ups

• Project builds

• Event recaps

• How-to guides

📧 contact@dsarc.us

📱 Social Media Coordinator Wanted

Help us:

• Share updates

• Promote events

• Grow the community

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted

Have something you’d like to teach or demo?
We’d love to have you present at a future meeting!

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
The very first amateur radio operators helped develop many of the communication techniques still used today — including early voice transmission experiments that paved the way for modern radio.

Pro Tip:
If you’re troubleshooting a radio issue, start simple — check power, connections, and settings first. Many problems are solved before you ever need advanced tools.

✨ Join us tonight for a laid-back, helpful, and engaging session. Bring your questions, your radios, and your curiosity.

See you at 1800 for testing and 1900 for the meeting! 🎙️📡

This is a great opportunity to learn, build, test, and get on the air together!

🗓️ Event Details

📅 Date: This Saturday 03/21/2026
🕙 Time: 1000 – 1400
📍 Location: 2370 N Polk Extension, Moscow, ID

🛠️ What We’re Building

We’ll be building a portable NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) antenna, ideal for:

• Local and regional HF communications

• Emergency communications (EmComm) scenarios

• Field deployments and portable operations

This antenna design is:

• Lightweight

• Packable

• Easy to deploy in the field

Perfect for go-kits, field day, and real-world response situations.

🎒 What to Expect

👷 Hands-on building and learning
📡 Discussion on NVIS theory and use cases
🧪 Testing and tuning the antenna after the build
🎙️ Getting on the air (conditions permitting!)

💡 Bring your gear!
This is also a great time to:

• Bring radios, batteries, and portable setups

• Ask questions

• Experiment and learn from others

Whether you’re brand new or experienced, this is a great environment to learn by doing.

🎉 Powered by Our Community

Projects like this are made possible by DSARC memberships and generous support from our community.

Your support helps fund:

• Build materials and shared equipment

• Training opportunities

• STEM and outreach programs

• Emergency communications readiness

👉 Support the mission / Join DSARC:
https://dsarc.us/membership

Thank you for helping us make hands-on learning like this possible!

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
📡 WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater
• 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)
🧾 Prompt: https://dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

🎙️ Net Control Volunteers Needed!
Great opportunity to build confidence and on-air skills — reach out on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.

📰 Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributors Wanted

Have a project, build, or lesson learned? Share it with the club!

📧 contact@dsarc.us

📱 Social Media Coordinator Wanted

Help us share events like this and grow our community!

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted

Want to teach or demo something? We’d love to have you!

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
NVIS antennas are commonly used by military and emergency services because they allow reliable regional communication without relying on repeaters or infrastructure.

Pro Tip:
When setting up an NVIS antenna, height matters — typically 0.1–0.25 wavelength above ground gives the best high-angle radiation for local coverage.

✨ Come build, learn, and get on the air with us this Saturday!
Whether you’re building your first antenna or adding to your go-kit, this is a great opportunity to grow your skills and connect with the group.

See you from 1000–1400! 🎙️📡

🗓️ Meeting Details

📅 Date: Tonight (3rd Tuesday)
🕖 Time: 1900
🌐 Where: Discord Only (no in-person meeting tonight)
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/dsarc-discord-020425

📋 Test Sessions

Looking to get licensed or upgrade?

👉 View upcoming sessions & register:
https://dsarc.us/resources/testing

We regularly host test sessions — keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities!

🎙️ Tonight’s Topic

Remote Ham Shack – Live Demo & Roundtable

Tonight will be a relaxed, interactive session focused on remote radio operation.

We’ll cover:

• A live demo of a remote ham shack setup

• How remote access works (software, networking, hardware)

• Practical use cases (home station access, travel, emergency use)

• Setup ideas ranging from simple to more advanced

💬 Roundtable Discussion

We’ll open it up for:

• Questions and answers

• Ideas for improvements

• Lessons learned

• Sharing your own setups or future plans

If anyone else has a remote setup, we may even try to make a contact live during the meeting.

This is meant to be informal and interactive — ask questions anytime!

💬 Looking Ahead

We’re always working to improve and grow the club.

Have ideas for:

• Future presentations

• Hands-on workshops

• Events or activities

Bring them up tonight — we want to hear them!

🎉 2026 Membership Drive Is Open!

Help support everything we’re building this year.

👉 Join or renew here: https://dsarc.us/membership

Your membership supports:

• Equipment and infrastructure

• Training and education

• STEM programs

• Emergency communications readiness

• Community outreach

Thank you for being part of DSARC!

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
📡 WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater
• 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)
🧾 Prompt: https://dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

🎙️ Net Control Volunteers Needed!
A great way to build confidence and operating skills. Reach out on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.

📰 Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributors Wanted

We’re always looking for:

• Technical write-ups

• Project builds

• Event recaps

• How-to guides

📧 contact@dsarc.us

📱 Social Media Coordinator Wanted

Help us:

• Share updates

• Promote events

• Grow our community

If you’re interested, reach out!

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted

Have something to teach or demo?
We’re always looking for presenters of all experience levels.

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
Remote ham radio operation has become so advanced that operators can control stations across the world with minimal delay — making it possible to operate from locations with far better antennas and conditions than your home QTH.

Pro Tip:
When setting up remote access, prioritize reliable networking and security (VPNs, strong passwords, limited port exposure). A stable connection matters just as much as your radio.

✨ Join us tonight at 1900 on Discord for a relaxed, interactive demo and discussion.

Bring your questions, your ideas, and your curiosity — and let’s explore what’s possible with remote ham radio.

See you tonight! 🎙️📡

🗓️ Meeting Details

📅 Date: Tonight
🕖 Time: 1900
📍 In Person: 2370 N Polk Extension, Moscow, ID
🌐 Online: DSARC Discord Voice Channel
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/dsarc-discord-020425

📋 Test Session – 1800 Tonight

Thinking about getting licensed or upgrading?

🕕 Test Session Starts at 1800 (before the meeting)

You can view upcoming sessions and register here:
👉 https://dsarc.us/resources/testing

Pre-registration is encouraged for all sessions — including tonight’s.

If you’ve been on the fence about testing, this is your sign.

🗒️ Club Business & Planning Topics

📆 Upcoming Events

We’ll review what’s on the calendar and what’s coming next. Now’s the time to plug in and help shape the schedule.

📡 Antenna Build Planning

• Finalizing designs

• Materials and logistics

• Scheduling build sessions

🏢 AuxComm Communications Room Planning

• Layout ideas

• Equipment needs

• Long-term infrastructure goals

🚛 Trailer Clean-Out Day

Let’s pick a date and get it scheduled!

📣 AuxComm / ARES Recruitment

How do we grow participation and engagement? We’ll discuss outreach strategies and opportunities.

🏥 North Idaho Healthcare Coalition – Hospital Comms Team

Discussion about developing and supporting a regional ham radio hospital communications capability.

🎙️ Main Presentation

“Let’s Get Hands-On with Digital – Part 1”

Tonight we’re diving into the world of digital radio operations — beginner-friendly and practical.

We’ll cover:

• Easy entry points into digital modes

• Different hardware levels (simple to advanced setups)

• Sound card interfaces, hotspots, and digital-capable radios

• Live demos of various equipment types

If you’ve been curious about FT8, Winlink, JS8Call, packet, or other digital modes — this is your starting point.

No experience required. Just curiosity.

🎉 2026 Membership Drive Is Open!

We’re building an even bigger year for DSARC, and membership makes it possible.

👉 Join or renew here: https://dsarc.us/membership

Your dues support:

• Shared equipment and infrastructure

• Training materials

• STEM programs

• Emergency communications readiness

• Community outreach

• Insurance and nonprofit operations

Thank you for helping power what we’re building together.

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
📡 WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater
• 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)
🧾 Prompt: https://dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

🎙️ Net Control Operators Needed!
It’s a great way to build confidence and emergency communications skills. Reach out on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us if you’d like to run a net.

📰 Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributors Wanted

We’re looking for:

• Technical write-ups

• Event recaps

• Project builds

• Educational content

Have something cool to share? Let us know!

📧 contact@dsarc.us

📱 Social Media Coordinator Wanted

We’re looking for someone to help:

• Share meeting updates

• Post event reminders

• Promote activities

• Grow awareness in the community

If you enjoy social media and want to support the club — this is a great way to contribute.

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted

Have a topic you’d like to teach?
Beginner or advanced — we’re always looking for presenters.

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
Many popular digital modes like FT8 can decode signals that are far below human hearing levels — sometimes down to -20 dB or lower — meaning you can make contacts when voice would be impossible.

Pro Tip:
When starting digital modes, keep it simple. A basic interface cable and free software can get you on the air faster than waiting for the “perfect” setup.

✨ Whether you’re brand new, returning, or deeply experienced — tonight is a great chance to plug in, learn something new, and help shape what DSARC becomes next.

See you at 1800 for testing and 1900 for the meeting — in person or on Discord! 🎙️📡

📍 Location

2370 N Polk Extension
Moscow, ID

🗓 Dates

Saturday–Sunday, January 24–25, 2026

📡 Club Callsign & Class

K7DSC — 2I (Indoor)

⏱ Club Schedule & Operating Plan

The Do Something Amateur Radio Club (DSARC) will be hosting Winter Field Day from our normal meeting location on Polk Extension and operating for the full event window defined in the official rules.

🔧 Setup

• Friday — January 23

  • 1800 local: Initial setup begins

  • Focus will be computers, logging, and networking

  • Setup will remain within the 12-hour cumulative setup limit

📻 Operating Period (per WFD Rules)

• Start: Saturday, January 24 @ 0800 PST 1600 (UTC)

• End: Sunday, January 25 @ 1359 PST (2159 UTC)

• We will operate from this location for the duration of the official operational period (staffing permitting).

🍽 Food & Comfort

• Lunch and Dinner provided on Saturday

• Please bring:

  • Snacks

  • Drinks

  • Any personal comfort items you’d like for a long operating day

📡 Equipment & Operating

• Club radios and antennas will be available

• Feel free to bring your own radios, antennas, or equipment

• Great opportunity to:

  • Test portable or experimental setups

  • Try new antennas or modes

  • Work digital, voice, or CW

🛠 Projects & Collaboration

Winter Field Day is also a great time to collaborate.

If you have:

• A project you’re working on

• A radio, antenna, or electronics build

• Networking, digital, or emergency-comms ideas

👉 Bring it!
This is a relaxed, hands-on weekend to share knowledge and help each other.

👥 Everyone Is Welcome

You do not need to be licensed to attend.

• Licensed operators can get on the air and mentor

• Unlicensed participants can:

  • Sit with operators

  • Learn how stations work

  • Get on the air under supervision

• Amateur radio testing will be available throughout the day on Saturday

This is one of the best learning and operating events of the year.

ℹ️ Learn More

Official rules and details:
👉 https://winterfieldday.org/

Come operate, learn, experiment, or just hang out — we’d love to have you join us.

If have any questions feel free to reach out on discord or at https://dsarc.us/contact.

⚠️ Weather Update:
Due to potential weather-related safety concerns, we are canceling the in-person option tonight. The meeting will be held online only.

🗓️ Meeting Details

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
🕖 Time: 1900
🌐 Where: DSARC Discord (voice channel only)
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/dsarc-discord-020425

❄️ Tonight’s Topics

🏕️ Winter Field Day – Planning & Preparation

Winter Field Day is coming up quickly, and tonight we’ll focus on getting organized and answering questions.

We’ll discuss:

• Goals and operating styles for Winter Field Day

• Equipment, power, and shelter considerations

• Cold-weather operating tips

• Ways to participate — operating, logging, setup, support, or remote help

Whether this is your first Winter Field Day or you’ve been doing it for years, this is a great chance to jump in and help shape how we approach it as a club.

🏁 Contesting for Noobs – Roundtable Q&A

Ever been curious about contesting but felt intimidated? This session is for you.

This will be an informal, roundtable discussion covering:

• What contesting actually is (and isn’t)

• How to get started with basic gear

• Logging, calling CQ, and common contest exchanges

• How contesting helps improve operating skills

No pressure. No jargon. No experience required — just questions, discussion, and shared experiences.

💬 Looking Ahead to a Great Year

As we start a new year, now is the perfect time to help shape what DSARC does in 2026.

We’d love your input on:

• Activities, outings, and operating events

• Training topics or hands-on workshops

• Improvements to meetings and club operations

If you’ve ever thought “It’d be cool if the club did…” — tonight is the time to speak up.

🎉 2026 Membership Drive – Join Us for Another Big Year

As we kick off a brand new year, it’s also time to start our 2026 DSARC Membership Drive.

2025 was an incredible year for the club — and it only happened because of the people in this community. Your participation, ideas, and support helped make possible:

• Fun meetups and social gatherings

• Ham radio events and communications exercises

• STEM, maker, and hands-on learning activities

• Community preparedness and volunteer efforts

• A stronger foundation for everything we’re building moving forward

🌟 Membership for 2026 Is Now Open

Whether you’re renewing or joining for the first time, you can sign up here:

👉 https://dsarc.us/membership

Your membership directly supports:

• Program supplies and shared equipment

• Training materials and educational resources

• Radio and communications infrastructure

• STEM and youth initiatives

• Community outreach and preparedness

• Insurance and nonprofit operations

Every year we grow a little more — and every year we’re able to do more because of members like you. Thank you for supporting DSARC and helping move our mission forward.

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
🎙️ Repeater: WA7HWD Moscow Mountain
📡 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz PL)
🧾 Net Prompt: https://dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

🗣️ Net Control Volunteers Needed

Running net control is a great way to build confidence and emergency communications skills.
A prompt is provided and no prior experience is required.

📧 Contact Austin (KF7SIW) on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us if you’re interested.

📰 Contribute & Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributions

We’re always looking for:

• Technical write-ups and how-tos

• Project recaps and lessons learned

• Event summaries and field reports

If you’ve built something, tried a new mode, or learned something useful — consider writing it up and sharing it with the club.

📧 Reach out via Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted

Have a topic you’re passionate about?
Beginner or advanced, formal or casual — presenters are always welcome at future meetings.

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
📬 QSL cards have been exchanged by amateur radio operators for over a century, and some hams maintain collections with tens of thousands of confirmed contacts from around the world.

Pro Tip:
❄️ Cold weather significantly reduces battery capacity. For winter operations, plan extra power and keep batteries insulated or warm whenever possible.

✨ Join us tonight at 1900 on Discord as we welcome the new year, plan for Winter Field Day, and talk contesting in a relaxed, beginner-friendly way.

Here’s to a fun, busy, and adventure-filled 2026 with DSARC — see you tonight! 🎙️📡

Hello everyone,

As we close out another amazing year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve built together. 2025 was incredible — full of growth, new friendships, hands-on learning, and more momentum than ever before.

Thanks to your involvement and support, our organization enjoyed:

• Fun meetups and social gatherings

• Exciting ham radio events and communications exercises

• STEM and maker-space activities

• Community preparedness and volunteer projects

• A stronger foundation for everything we’re building moving forward

Every one of these successes happened because you showed up, supported your club, and believed in what we’re building together.

🌟 2026 Membership Dues Are Now Open

We’re kicking off our 2026 Membership Dues Drive, and you can renew or join here:

👉 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/46985406-4d97-478c-a945-b06715b516d2

Your membership dues help support:

• Program supplies and equipment

• Training materials and certifications

• Makerspace tools

• Radio infrastructure

• Youth STEM initiatives

• Community outreach

• Insurance and nonprofit operations

Because we use Zeffy, 100% of your dues go directly to supporting our mission — no fees taken out.

🚀 Looking Ahead to 2026

I’m genuinely excited for what’s coming in 2026. We’re planning:

• More social meetups

• Additional emergency communications training

• Fun and engaging projects

• Upgrades to our equipment and infrastructure

• New STEM programs

• More opportunities to learn, build, and make cool things together

Every year, we grow a little more — and every year, we get to do even more great work because of members like you.

Thank you for being part of this community.
Thank you for helping us move our mission forward.
And thank you for supporting our 2026 dues drive.

Here’s to an amazing year ahead!

— Austin Cole
President, CommUnity Nexus, Inc.
DSARC / Latah Aux Comm

🦃 Tonight’s Meeting Is Cancelled

Tonight’s regular meeting was exchanged for the Thanksgiving Potluck we held last Sunday.
To everyone who attended: thank you. The food was excellent, the conversations were engaging, and I had a wonderful time spending the afternoon with all of you.

🎄 Christmas Potluck — December 14, 2025

Our December meetings will also be cancelled in favor of our annual Christmas Potluck.

📅 Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
📍 Location: TBD, but we are planning for it to be in Palouse

More details will be shared once the venue is finalized.

❄️ Winter Field Day Planning

With Winter Field Day coming up at the end of January, we’ll be starting planning sessions soon.
Expect discussions about gear, location, operations, logging, and supporting both new and experienced operators.

📡 Testing Sessions Available

If anyone would like to practice, test, or get help with their setup, just let us know — we’re happy to set up a session.

💬 Stay Connected on Discord

Remember that the Discord talk channels are always open.
If you feel like talking ham, sharing a project, or seeing who’s on, just drop a message — you might find someone ready to hop on frequency or voice chat.

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a warm, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving.
Enjoy the time with your family, friends, and community — and thank you for being part of DSARC.

73!

Join us for the DSARC Thanksgiving Potluck — a relaxed, family-friendly get-together to celebrate our community and everything we’ve accomplished this year.

🍽️ Event Details

📅 Date: Sunday, November 16th, 2025
🕐 Time: 1300 (1:00 PM) – until whenever we wrap up!
📍 Location: Latah County Emergency Management Building
Address: 2370 N Polk Extension, Moscow, ID

🧺 What to Bring

Bring your favorite dish, dessert, or side to share!
Whether it’s a family recipe or something simple from the store, all are welcome.

We’ll have tables set up for food and plenty of room for conversation — and maybe a few radios on display (because it wouldn’t be DSARC without them!).

🗣️ RSVP & Coordination

To help with planning, please let us know if you’ll be attending and what you might bring.
You can reply on Discord, Substack, or email contact@dsarc.us.

🎙️ What to Expect

🦃 Good food & relaxed conversation
📻 Informal radio talk and project sharing
🎉 A chance to unwind and connect outside of meeting mode

Let’s celebrate friendship, community, and another great year of DSARC together.
We’re thankful for each and every one of you — your energy, service, and love for radio make this club what it is.

📡 73,
The DSARC Team

We’re taking a break from our regular meeting schedule to celebrate the season together.
🎉 Tonight’s DSARC meeting is canceled in place of a Thanksgiving Potluck Gathering later this month!

📅 Date & Time: TBD (coming soon!)
📍 Location: To be announced

We’ll share the final details soon — so keep an eye on Substack, Discord, and our social media pages for updates!

This will be a relaxed, fun get-together to share food, friendship, and conversation.
It’s a chance to take a breather, enjoy the company of fellow hams, and be thankful for the amazing community we’ve built this year.

🎙️ What to Expect:

• Great food & better company 🍽️

• Informal radio talk & planning for the months ahead

• A chance to relax and celebrate another great year of DSARC

We hope to see everyone there — and as always, family and friends are welcome!

Stay tuned for more details soon.

📡 73,
The DSARC Team

💬 Tonight’s Topic

Off-Grid Communications — What Happens When the Internet Dies

When the power’s out, cell towers are down, and the Internet’s gone silent… how do we stay connected?

Join us for a round-table discussion on:
🔋 Backup power options for radios and devices
📡 Simplex and local repeater fallback plans
📨 Using Winlink and JS8Call when the net goes dark
🧭 Strategies for keeping our local and regional nets alive

Our goal tonight: Start building DSARC’s Off-Grid Communications Plan — a living document to guide how we operate when everything else stops working.

Bring your ideas, your setups, and maybe your apocalypse coffee ☕️ — because when the grid goes dark, we’re the ones who still talk.

📡 Weekly Net Reminder

🗓️ Latah AuxComm/ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830
🎙️ Repeater: WA7HWD Moscow Mountain, 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz tone)
🧾 Net Prompt: dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

We need Net Control Operators!
Running the net is easy with the prompt and a great way to practice leadership and emergency communications skills.
Contact Austin (KF7SIW) on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us to volunteer.

📰 Contribute & Get Involved

📝 Newsletter & Website Contributions
We’re always looking for articles, project recaps, and technical write-ups!
If you’ve built something cool, learned something new, or want to write about a radio topic — we’d love to feature it.
📧 Send your ideas to contact@dsarc.us or reach out on Discord.

🎤 Training Topics & Presenters Wanted
Do you have a favorite mode, radio, or skill to share? Presenters are always welcome at future meetings!

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
📶 In 1962, astronaut John Glenn used amateur radio to talk with hams on Earth from orbit — making ham radio part of space exploration history!

Pro Tip:
🔋 Keep a small solar panel or hand-crank charger in your go-kit. Power is the first link to fail — but with renewable charging, you’ll never truly go dark.

✨ Join us tonight at 1900 PDT on Discord for an open, practical, and fun session on off-grid communications.
Let’s plan, prepare, and make sure that when everything else goes silent… DSARC stays on the air.

This Sunday, October 12, from 10 AM – 4 PM, CommUnity Nexus and the Do Something Amateur Radio Club (DSARC) are hosting an AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED/First Aid with Stop the Bleed class at the Genesee Fire Station.

We’re offering a special discounted rate of $50 (regularly $75) to encourage more of our members and the public to get certified.

👉 Register now: Sign Up for the Class

Why this training matters to the preparedness community

As amateur radio operators and emergency communicators, we often find ourselves helping during public events, disasters, and emergencies. Knowing how to perform CPR or stop life-threatening bleeding could make all the difference before professional help arrives.

This class reinforces the “Amateur Radio in Service to the Community” spirit — blending radio preparedness with real-world lifesaving readiness.

Don’t just be ready to communicate — be ready to respond.

—
Austin Cole, KF7SIW
President, Do Something Amateur Radio Club
ARES County EC / AuxComm Unit Leader

📻 Stay connected for more training opportunities and emcomm updates:
👉 dsarc.substack.com
📬 Follow our community partners at CommUnity Nexus:
👉 communitynexus.substack.com

🎙️ Tonight’s Presentation

🌲 Wilderness Protocol & Enhanced Wilderness Protocol

• Learn how hams can effectively monitor and call for help in the backcountry.

• Discover the expanded methods for improving your chance of making contact when cell service is unavailable.

• A valuable tool for hikers, hunters, campers, and emergency responders alike.

📝 Reminders

📡 Latah AuxComm / ARES Net – Tuesdays at 1830

• Frequency: WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater, 146.820 MHz (– offset, 127.3 Hz tone)

• Net Control Volunteers Needed! Contact Austin (KF7SIW) on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.

• Prompt available here: dsarc.us/nets/auxcomm_ares

📰 Call for Articles & Presentations

• Do you have a project, technical write-up, or story to share?

• We’re also seeking volunteers to present at future meetings.
  Reach out to Austin (KF7SIW) or email contact@dsarc.us.

📻 Fun Fact & Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
🛰️ Did you know that the International Space Station regularly makes contact with schools using ham radio? It’s part of the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program, inspiring the next generation of explorers.

Pro Tip:
🎒 When outdoors, program local repeaters and national simplex frequencies into your radio before you leave. This prep ensures you’re ready to use the Wilderness Protocol if you need it.

✨ Join us tonight for an important and practical session—let’s get radio-ready for the great outdoors!

Event Lowdown

📅 When’s the Party?

• Friday, June 27, 2025, 12:00 PM PDT: Roll in, set up camp, and get ready to geek out. Tents, vans, or trailers—bring your vibe!

• Saturday, June 28, 11:00 AM PDT – Sunday, June 29, 11:00 AM PDT: It’s go-time! We’ll be blasting signals worldwide, showing off ham radio’s awesomeness.

• Sunday, June 29, ~12:00 PM PDT: Pack up, swap stories, and head home with a head full of radio dreams.

📍 Where’s the Action?

Redtail Campground, McCroskey State Park, Potlatch, ID (3374+4H, Potlatch, ID 83855) Hot Tip: Cruise in via Skyline Drive, just north of the rest stop, for smooth, all-vehicle-friendly roads. Whether you’re in a sedan or a tricked-out camper, you’re golden!

Park Info & Rules

Google Maps

What’s This Field Day Thing Anyway?

ARRL Field Day is like the Super Bowl of ham radio—a massive, continent-wide “open house” where over 31,000 operators set up pop-up stations to flex their radio skills. Held every fourth full weekend in June, it’s part emergency drill, part tech showcase, and all fun. Here’s why it’s a blast:

• Emergency prep vibes: Test how we’d communicate when the grid goes kaput.

• Portable station swagger: Build antennas and stations from scratch in the wild.

• Show off to the world: Invite newbies to see (and try!) ham radio.

• Squad goals: Team up, learn tricks, and make friends who geek out as hard as you do.

Never touched a radio? No worries! Our crew will guide you to make your first contact—imagine chatting with someone across the globe using just a radio and some wire. How cool is that? 😎

What’s Going Down?

Picture this: radios buzzing, antennas soaring, and a campground buzzing with energy. We’ll have stations for voice, digital modes (think space-age texting), and even Morse code for the old-school cool. Here’s the scoop:

• Get on the air: Licensed or not, you’ll get to operate with our help. Say “CQ Field Day” and make friends worldwide!

• Learn the ropes: From setting up antennas to logging contacts, we’ll show you the ham radio ropes.

• Campfire vibes: Hang out in the scenic McCroskey State Park, swap stories, and soak up the summer sun.

• Bring your crew: Friends, family, or curious neighbors—everyone’s welcome to see ham radio in action!

Pack Your Bags

To rock Field Day like a pro, bring:

• Radio gear (if you’ve got it): Handhelds, mobile rigs, batteries, headsets, or mics. No gear? We’ve got plenty to share!

• Logging stuff: Notebook and pencils to track your radio conquests.

• Camping swag: Camp chair, shade canopy, water, snacks, and personal items. The campground’s rustic, so pack a tent or overnight gear. Camper vans, trucks, and trailers? Totally welcome!

• Good energy: Bring your curiosity and a smile—ready to dive into the ham radio adventure?

DSARC’s Got You Covered

We’re bringing the big guns to make this a blast:

• HF radios: For those long-distance DX contacts (but bring your own if you want to show off).

• Antennas & masts: All the skyward gear, plus coax cables (feel free to bring your faves).

• Power: Generators and power distribution to keep the radios humming.

• Tech toys: Logging computers, software, and digital modems for modes like FT8.

• Munchies: Snacks and refreshments to fuel our radio marathon.

How to Jump In

Don’t miss out—let’s make some radio waves together! RSVP to help us plan antennas and snacks:

• Hit up our contact page

• Join our Discord crew

Got questions? Ping Austin (KF7SIW) on 146.820 MHz or via email/Discord. He’s got the answers!

Resources

Curious for more? Check out:

• ARRL Field Day Overview

• 2025 Field Day Rules & Packet

• DSARC Event Page

Why You Gotta Be There

ARRL Field Day 2025 isn’t just about radios—it’s about adventure, tech, and connecting with awesome people. Whether you’re a ham radio guru, a tech nerd, or just love a good camping weekend, DSARC’s Field Day is your ticket to fun. Come sling signals across the planet, learn some rad skills, and make memories under the Idaho stars. Let’s crank up the radios and make some noise! 🚀

See you at Redtail Campground for the ultimate ham radio party! 🌟

#ARRLFieldDay #HamRadio #DSARC #FieldDay2025

🚨 Pre‑Meeting Call‑outs

🗣️ Latah AuxComm/ARES Net – Tonight at 1830

• Frequency: WA7HWD Moscow Mountain Repeater, 146.820 MHz (– Offset, 127.3 Hz PL)

• Net Control rotates weekly – Volunteers needed!
  If you can run tonight’s net (or any future week), ping Austin (KF7SIW) on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.

📰 Call for Newsletter Articles & Website Content
We’re always on the lookout for:

• Technical write‑ups & how‑tos

• Project recaps & event stories

• Community spotlights & member interviews
  If you’ve got something to share, reach out to Austin (KF7SIW) or email contact@dsarc.us.

🎤 Call for Training Topics & Presenters
Have expertise or a passion project? We need fresh voices for:

• Hands‑on workshops

• Tech deep‑dives

• Emergency comms demos
  Let us know what you’d like to present and when—email or DM today!

🗒️ Tonight’s Agenda

1️⃣ Newbie Training Check‑In & Course Planning

• Review advertising efforts & finalize dates

• Brainstorm new hands‑on exercises (radio programming, phonetics, mic technique)

2️⃣ Last Call for Antenna Build Designs

• Share and vote on designs

3️⃣ Fire Net Logistics

• Draft SOPs based on LEPC interest
  Equipment checklist & scheduling

4️⃣ Grant Money Update

• Status report and next funding steps

5️⃣ Rocket Kits & Program Logistics

• Set date for the Summer Rocket Program

• Plan outreach & advertising

6️⃣ “STEM in a Day” Plan

• Discuss the plan

• Outline schedule, activities, and volunteer roles

• Plan on date

• Plan on advertising

7️⃣ Upcoming Events

• Field Day prep

• Jetboat Races in August
  

📻 Fun Fact & Ham Radio Tip

Fun Fact:
📬 Did you know that ham radio operators exchange “QSL cards” to confirm contacts? These postcards date back to the early 1900s, and some hams have collections of over 100,000 cards from around the world!

Pro Tip:
🔋 Always pack 25 % extra battery capacity for portable ops. That buffer compensates for inefficiency, cold weather, and unexpected use—keeping your station on the air longer when it matters most.

Let’s make this meeting productive, engaging, and fun—see you tonight at 1900! 🎙️📡

🔗 More info about DSARC: dsarc.us
📢 Follow us for updates!

• Facebook: DoSomethingARC

• Twitter (X): @DoSomethingARC

• Substack Newsletter: Read the full meeting announcement

📝 Net Details

Every Tuesday at 1830
🎙️ Net Control rotates weekly
🧾 Net Prompt: Click here to view it

📋 Exam Registration

Sign up for our test session starting at 1815:
Register Here
💵 Cost: Free!

📝 Call for Newsletter Contributions

🚀 Want to contribute to the DSARC newsletter?
We’re always looking for articles, stories, technical write-ups, and club member contributions!
If you have something to share, reach out to Austin (KF7SIW) on Discord or email contact@dsarc.us.
Your knowledge and experience could be a valuable addition to our community!

🎉 Meeting Agenda1. Welcome & Announcements

• A warm hello and quick recap from our previous adventures.

• Reminder: Our Latah AuxComm/ARES Net is tonight at 1830—we need volunteers for Net Control!

2. Training & Field Activity Planning

Newbie Training Field Activity

• What: A hands-on session for new hams covering radio programming, using the phonetic alphabet, clear communications, proper mic technique, and more.

• Discussion: Let’s schedule the session and brainstorm new activity ideas to make it even more engaging!

Field Day Planning

• Brainstorm exciting activities, discuss essential gear, and plan logistics for an informative and fun field day.

Next Winlink Exercise

• Review lessons from past exercises and plan improvements for our next digital communications challenge.

3. Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• Hams in the Park (Starting in May):

  • We need to choose a Saturday date for this outdoor event!

• STEM Activities & Summer Rocket Program:

  • Calling for volunteers to lead STEM sessions and help with the summer rocket program.

4. Wildfire Season & Emergency Preparedness

• Our Role:

  • Discuss our critical role during wildfire season, including emergency procedures and equipment needs.

• Joint Training:

  • Plan training sessions with local emergency services.

• Presentation:

  • Develop a presentation of our capabilities for the Genesee Fire Department.

• Fire Watch Net

  • Discuss plans for the net

  • Discuss possible SOP’s

5. Contributions & Ideas

• Call for Presentation Contributors:

  • Share your expertise by presenting at future meetings!

• Open Discussion:

  • Let us know your ideas for topics or upcoming events in the community.

📻 Fun Fact & Ham Radio Pro Tip

Fun Fact:
🎙️ Early ham radio operators were pioneers of emergency communications—long before modern systems existed, they relayed critical information during disasters!

Ham Radio Pro Tip:
🔋 When planning field activities or emergency exercises, always size your portable battery with at least 25% extra capacity. This buffer ensures you have a reliable power source even in tough conditions.

Let's come together to make DSARC a vibrant community of lifelong learners and prepared communicators. Your ideas, energy, and volunteer spirit are what make our club amazing!

See you at the meeting – let’s plan for success and have fun along the way!