San Bruno Amateur Radio Club

First pardon our dust. After several years, we've decided to do a little remodeling on the website to bring it up to more modern standards. We've asked our new buddy Claude to help out and he's been very helpful. Right now not everything is working right but shortly we expect things to not only be working but working better than ever. So stay tuned as they say and again pardon our dust.

The SBARC is open to all licensed Amateur Radio Operators, and those with an interest in Amateur Radio. Part of our mission is to provide radio communications to the City of San Bruno in a time of need. We operate the radio room at City Hall, and other designated locations. We have monthly meetings, where we discuss Amateur Radio topics and other related items. We participate in training exercises and drills. Occasionally, we have social dinner meetings with other clubs.

Our Weekly Nets

Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Pacific (1930 HRS), the club conducts nets on:

1. K6PVJ 440.550 +5.0 MHz 114.8 Hz
2. 146.595 Simplex

Wednesdays* at 8:30 p.m. Pacific (2030 HRS), the club conducts an HF net on:

1. 40m net on 7.270 MHz lower sideband
2. 146.595 Simplex as a backup communications frequency

The purpose of these nets is to test equipment and locations around San Bruno, as well as to stay in touch with other club members. Visitors are always welcome to check in.

San Bruno, Calif. — Members of the San Bruno Amateur Radio Club voted Tuesday night to begin charging membership dues for the first time in years, ending a lengthy and at times pointed debate over how to fund an organization that has relied almost entirely on voluntary donations since its founding.

By a show of hands, members approved a $25 annual fee for individuals and $35 for households, with the new schedule set to take effect alongside separate bylaws changes that will come up for a formal vote next month. The tally was close to unanimous — one member voted no.

Club President Dave Dornlas, KN6KOO, opened the meeting with a financial accounting that framed the rest of the evening's discussion. Last year the club brought in $2,180, including $1,518 in donations, plus interest from what he described as a roughly $10,000 "semi-endowment" — $5,000 raised from the eBay sale of a deceased member's radio equipment, and another $5,000 gifted from Dornlas's brother's estate. Expenses ran about $2,037, leaving a $143 surplus on paper. But he noted the real cost of running the club is higher, since items like web hosting and AI tools have been paid for out of pocket rather than through club accounts — an unreimbursed gap he estimated at roughly $800 a year.

Read Full Article →

Amateur Radio is a very rewarding hobby, but it's also one of the few hobbies that require a license. Every Ham operating today has passed a license exam that allows them to be granted a license from the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC).

The good news is it's very doable and particularly since the requirement to learn Morse code was dropped in 2007. And it's a hobby for all ages. The youngest known Ham in the United States was a young lady of 5 1/2. That's amazing, but it should be reassuring that all the family can join in this hobby.

Today, there are three license classes: The Technician, General and the Amateur Extra Class. With each class the operator gains more privileges in using the available airwaves. Read more

We've put together a great library of resources to help you find just what you're looking for.