Category: WEARC Blog

On Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 9 AM to 1:30 PM ET, local amateur radio operators returned to Bramhall Terrace in South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood, New Jersey, for another morning of portable operating, experimentation, and time together outdoors.

The September meetup drew a solid turnout, with approximately 8 to 10 licensed amateur radio operators participating throughout the morning. Two HF stations and one VHF station were set up, giving the group several opportunities to operate, compare equipment, and experiment with different bands and modes.

HF conditions were favorable, with 15 meters in particularly good condition for longer-distance contacts. Activity during the morning included both voice and digital operation using FT8 and FT4.

Todd, KE2HPS, was active on SSB and completed approximately 15 voice contacts with stations in Wisconsin, Texas, Kansas, Minnesota, Alabama, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and other locations. Most of Todd’s contacts were made on 20 meters with Parks on the Air activation stations, providing a steady stream of stations to work throughout the morning.

Steve, KE2GVV, concentrated on 15-meter FT8 and made numerous digital contacts while conditions on the band were favorable. The digital station provided another good example of how portable HF operating can support a wide variety of operating styles and modes from the same field location.

Mike, KC2NJ, operated 2-meter FM simplex and made several VHF contacts. One of the more interesting contacts was with a mobile station traveling on Route 110 in Huntington, Suffolk County, Long Island, at a distance of approximately 45 miles. The contact provided another opportunity to see how well VHF simplex can perform from the elevated South Mountain location.

The primary HF/VHF voice station included a Yaesu FT-991A along with an Intellitron TA-1317 17-foot telescoping whip configured for 20 meters. The antenna was mounted on a portable POTA spike and used ground radials. VHF operation was supported by an Elk Antennas 2M/440L5 directional antenna.

Weather conditions were excellent once again, with clear skies and warm temperatures making for a comfortable morning in the park. Generous participants also provided water, tables, and chairs for the group.

As with the previous South Mountain gatherings, the event offered a good mix of operating, equipment experimentation, and informal technical discussion. Experienced operators had an opportunity to try different station configurations, while newer amateurs could see portable equipment in actual operation and ask questions about antennas, radios, propagation, and operating techniques.

Should we fit in one more South Mountain portable operating event in October before the weather turns colder? Let us know in the comments!

Maurice, KB2SUL, took many photographs throughout the morning, which appear below for everyone to enjoy.

Join Mike Luongo, K2NNN, as he presents on the topic of setting up your first HF station. WEARC members and guests are invited to join the presentation, either in-person at the American Red Cross facility in Fairfield NJ, or, on Zoom.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday September 16th at 7:30PM EST. For WEARC members, join on the regular “social” zoom link or in-person at the American Red Cross in Fairfield. If you are not currently a WEARC member, you can still join us as a guest – please email for the Zoom link and/or attending in-person.

The presentation will also be recorded and posted on the WEARC club web site for those that cannot attend.

Participants in the W2NJR 10 AM Friendly Chat Net took the conversation from the airwaves to Eagle Rock Reservation in Essex County on Monday morning, August 24. The informal gathering ran from about 9:30 AM until noon and brought together regular net participants along with net host Bill, K3CBI, for a morning of radio, conversation, and a chance to put some faces to familiar voices.

Conditions at Eagle Rock were excellent for the gathering, with pleasant late-summer weather and good visibility from the elevated location overlooking the surrounding area and New York City skyline.

Radio was naturally a big part of the morning. Bob, N2LMW, engineered an impressive long-haul UHF link between Eagle Rock and Manahawkin, New Jersey, approximately 70 miles away. While the social gathering was underway, Bill, K3CBI, used this link to host the regular W2NJR 10 AM Friendly Chat Net from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM ET. The 90-minute net sounded good on the air and provided a great practical demonstration of what can be accomplished on UHF from a well-situated location.

Just as important as the radio activity was the opportunity to get together in person. Much of the morning became an enjoyable meet-and-greet in the parking lot, with plenty of conversation and good company. Amateur radio has a way of creating friendships between people who may talk regularly for months or years without actually meeting face-to-face, and gatherings like this provide the opportunity to reconnect with old friends while meeting others previously known only by their call signs and voices.

Great weather, good propagation, and an enthusiastic group made for a very enjoyable morning at Eagle Rock. Thanks to Bill, K3CBI, Bob, N2LMW, and everyone from the W2NJR 10 AM Friendly Chat Net who came out and helped make the gathering a success.

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 9 AM to 12:30 PM ET, members of the West Essex Amateur Radio Club (WEARC), Roseland Amateur Radio Club, NPARC, Tri-County Radio Association, and other local amateur radio operators gathered at Bramhall Terrace in South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood, New Jersey, for another morning of portable radio operating and technical experimentation.

The August meetup drew an excellent turnout, with approximately 15 licensed amateur radio operators participating. A significant amount of equipment was brought to the site, including at least five HF radios and several antenna systems. The variety of stations and antennas gave operators multiple options for getting on the air and comparing different portable operating setups.

HF band conditions were good, allowing the group to make many contacts throughout the morning. Activity included three operating modes: voice, CW, and digital communications using FT8 and FT4. The range of equipment and operating modes provided opportunities for experienced operators to experiment while also giving newer amateurs a close look at several aspects of field operation.

VHF activity produced one of the morning’s most notable contacts. Using FM simplex, 50 watts, and a vertically polarized Yagi antenna, the group completed a contact approximately 80 miles east-northeast into Connecticut. The extended range may have been aided by light tropospheric ducting during the early morning, resulting in better-than-usual VHF propagation.

The equipment and hands-on opportunities were enjoyed by experienced operators and newcomers alike. Those newer to amateur radio found particular value in seeing the stations and antennas operating in the field, while having the opportunity to ask technical and operational questions directly of more experienced participants.

Weather conditions were excellent, with clear skies and warm temperatures throughout the event. Generous participants also provided plenty of bottled water and snacks for the group.

Overall, the August gathering was another successful morning of operating, experimentation, and time spent with fellow amateur radio operators. With strong attendance, favorable band conditions, and a wide selection of equipment available, the event offered something of interest for operators at every experience level.

The group is already looking forward to another weekend portable operating meetup, possibly in early September. Maurice, KB2SUL, took many photographs throughout the morning, which appear below for everyone to enjoy.

Special Event – Roseland and other Local Clubs On-The-Air, Saturday, August 1st – South Mountain Reservation

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Portable HF/VHF/UHF operations from Bramhall Terrace in South Mountain Reservation — Maplewood, NJ

Event questions or talk-in: KC2TXA Repeater, 146.595 +1 MHz, 100.0 Hz PL | EchoLink: KC2TXA-R

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cpQqpdH1YsPKEe7x6

DL2MAN is working on a major firmware update for the popular (tr)uSDX HF transceiver.

The new firmware adds a significant calibration process, which helps remove the guesswork for setting the PA bias, frequency adjustment, and other settings.

In addition, some help of AI tools are being used to help make some of these enhancements possible.

Lastly, a true fix for the notably poor SSB phone quality (on transmit) might be addressed as a hardware fix. Effectively, there is no firmware fix for the transmitted audio issues we have all likely observed with the (tr)uSDX in SSB phone mode.

The fix is to utilize more of the A/D converter range/steps by boosting the gain a bit on the microphone.

Although no promises can be made yet on a release date, it is great to see active progress on the (tr)uSDX addressing some of the minor issues that we have observed over the years.

The annual Sussex Hamfest is a longstanding New Jersey amateur radio tradition. Hosted by the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, it brings together radio amateurs from across the region for a day of equipment sales, club activity and conversation.

For WEARC members and friends, the hamfest is also a chance to spend time together away from regular meetings and on-air activity. Some attend to look for radios, antennas, parts or test equipment. Others come mainly to catch up with friends and see what other clubs and vendors are doing.

Hamfests have always served both a technical and social role in amateur radio. They give newer operators a chance to see equipment in person and ask questions, while experienced operators can exchange ideas, discuss projects and reconnect with people they know from the hobby.

The Sussex Hamfest’s mix of outdoor tailgating, indoor vendors and club participation reflects the traditional hamfest format. The equipment may be the reason for the event, but the opportunity to meet and spend time with other radio amateurs remains an important part of the day.

WEARC members and friends enjoyed another morning together at this annual gathering and look forward to returning in the future.

The West Essex Amateur Radio Club gathered at the Fairfield NJ American Red Cross site for Field Day 2026.

We operated SSB (phone) and FT8 (digital mode) on 20M and 40M throughout the weekend.  Antennas were raised and feedline was run a few days prior to the start of Field Day. The HF rigs used were IC 7300’s. Power was commercial, operating in an EOC as 2F.  We had some scouts visit us as well, and we hope we have sparked some interest in radio.

Over 800 contacts were made during the 24 hour event!

Thank you to all of those who helped set up, tear down, and to those who participated and joined us. Also, thanks to the Fairfield American Red Cross for hosting us again this summer!

Preparation for ARRL Field Day 2026 have commenced! Antennas are being raised, feedlines routed, and other preparations for this year’s summer field day. Join WEARC and ARC² at the American Red Cross grounds at 209 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield NJ, Saturday June 27th – Sunday June 28th.

West Essex Amateur Radio Club & ARC²

American Red Cross

209 Fairfield Rd
Fairfield, NJ 07004

Join WEARC and ARC² as we showcase our abilities to establish communications for emergency
operations while making contacts all over the world. Open to the public and all amateur radio
operators. There will be a GOTA Station allowing visitors who do not have a license to “Get on the Air”.

For Licenesed Hams: Talk-in 146.595 PL 100.0 +1.000

Questions: E-Mail