News & Blog

  • Join WEARC for ARRL Field Day 2026

    West Essex Amateur Radio Club & ARC² American Red Cross 209 Fairfield RdFairfield, NJ 07004 Join WEARC and ARC² as we showcase our abilities to establish communications for emergencyoperations while making contacts all over the world. Open to the public and all amateur radiooperators. 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

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  • WEARC Zoom Presentation – 3D Printing and the Radio Amateur

    Join Mark Steele, W2MWS, for an introduction to the world of 3D printing and its many applications in amateur radio. Learn about common printing materials, printer types, design and slicing software, and how hams are using 3D printing to create everything from replacement knobs and radio accessories to antenna components and portable operating equipment. Whether you are curious about getting started or looking for new ideas for your shack, this presentation will provide a practical overview of the technology…

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  • WEARC and ARC2 Fox Hunt

    ARC Squared (ARC2) and WEARC radio clubs held a Fox Hunt today, June 14th at the Fairfield Red Cross facility. Jerry WB2GZL gave a short tutorial on how to use your HT in a Fox Hunt. He explained that finding the fox is better with a weaker signal by setting your radio off the frequency (about + or – 5 kHz). Also, if we take the antenna off the radio will help you to get a weaker signal. Once…

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  • Essex County ARES Participates in Exercise at Eagle Rock Reservation

    On Saturday, June 6, 2026, amateur radio operators across the region participated in an ARES rapid deployment exercise that included both repeater-based and simplex net operations. The Essex County portion of the activation was centered at Eagle Rock Reservation, providing an excellent elevated operating location for portable and mobile radio testing. Representing the Essex County effort at Eagle Rock were Stan, K2EXX; Maurice, KB2SUL; Mike, KC2NJ; and Rich, KD2WJR. Many additional operators participated from Essex County and beyond, including…

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  • South Mountain Reservation: Activation & Meet Up – May Edition

    On Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9 AM to 1 PM ET, members of WEARC, Roseland ARC, NPARC, and other local amateur radio operators returned to Bramhall Terrace in South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood, New Jersey, for another morning of portable operating, technical experimentation, and fellowship. Following the success of the April meetup, many of the same operators gathered again, joined by several new participants. The objective remained straightforward: get outside, get on the air, test portable station setups, and…

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  • Repeaters: What They Are and How to Use Them (v2)

    This article is an updated and modernized version of concepts presented in the ARRL document “Repeaters – what are they and how to use them”. The focus here remains traditional analog FM repeater operation. What Is an FM Repeater? VHF and UHF FM repeaters remain one of the easiest ways for new amateur radio operators to get on the air, meet local operators, participate in nets, and support public-service and emergency communications. Although newer digital and internet-linked systems are…

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  • South Mountain Reservation: Activation & Meet Up

    South Mountain Reservation: Activation & Meet Up On Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9 AM to 1 PM ET, members of WEARC, Roseland ARC, NPARC, and other local operators gathered at Bramhall Terrace in South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood, New Jersey, for a morning of radio, friendship, and portable HF operating. The goal of the meetup was simple: enjoy time together outdoors while practicing portable field HF operations. Two separate operating positions were set up, each with its own table,…

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  • FT8 Presentation

    Several WEARC members joined our seminar series on FT8, presented by N1UGK. The presentation was over zoom with lively discussion with participants. Whether you have never operated FT8 or have some experience with FT8, this presentation appeals to all audiences. If you are interested in viewing the presentation, the recording is posted below. Be sure to check our website often for updates on future presentations.

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  • Grover Cleveland Birthplace – WEARC Activation

    Signal and Presidency: Amateur Radio Marks a Birthday in Caldwell Grover Cleveland was born on March 18, 1837, in a small frame house on what is now Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, New Jersey. On Saturday, March 21st, a group of amateur radio operators will gather at that same address to mark the occasion — setting up two HF stations and spending the day in contact with stations across the country and beyond. The connection between a nineteenth-century president and…

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  • Our New Site is Live!

    We have migrated our site to a new host and new publishing platform. We are in the process of validating the content and features. If you have any issues with the site, check back soon and we will likely have it corrected.

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