Welcome

arrlAn ARRL Affiliated Special Service Club

The Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club is a general-purpose club with the goal of promoting and supporting the educational and operational aspects of ham radio through ham radio classes, on-the-air events, and hands-on activity. THE SATURDAY BREAKFAST MEETINGS ARE HELD  AT PERKINS IN GARDNER EACH SATURDAY. YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US 6:30 AM TO ~8:30AM.  The monthly business meeting is the 2nd Saturday of each month. This meeting is a hybrid meeting in which you can attend in person at Perkins in Gardner or you can attend via a Zoom connection. Additionally, the club holds a Tech Night presentation via Zoom the last Thursday evening of each month at 7:30 pm. Log in to the web site and select the "Links/Zoom Links" menu to find meeting links or contact a club officer. 

Member Survey

     "The Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club wants to better serve its members and strengthen the amateur radio community. Please share your opinions about club activities, meetings, communication, training, and future priorities by responding to the survey below.

     Your responses may be anonymous. Please answer honestly and constructively. The survey should take approximately 5–8 minutes. If you need any assistance in completing the survey please reach out to Trig - KC0RPY."

https://forms.gle/1ZBLnKUnKDF7f17i6

Upcoming Events

29 Oct 2026;
07:30PM - 08:30PM
Tech Night - PORTABLE  OPERATION
03 Nov 2026;
08:00PM -
SFTARC Net
10 Nov 2026;
08:00PM -
SFTARC Net
14 Nov 2026;
08:00AM -
SFTARC business meeting
14 Nov 2026;
08:00AM - 05:00PM
2026 Nixa ARC Hamfest - Saturday, November 14th, 8:00AM
17 Nov 2026;
08:00PM -
SFTARC Net
24 Nov 2026;
08:00PM -
SFTARC Net

sft-logo

Executive Summary:

      During the September 12, 2026 meeting there were two motions. One was to offer two classes in 2027: a Tech class and a CW class. The second motion was to cancel September's Tech Night. Both motions passed. The possibility of a life membership option was again discussed with the decision made to take no action on this at this time.  Upcoming events discussed included: Buying and testing equipment at Rob Rude's house on Sept 19th and Annual Business Meeting on November 14th. There is still a need for additional volunteers at Ensor in September.      

MEETING TO ORDER:

       President George, WBØCNK, called the meeting to order at 8:03 AM CST on September 12, 2026. A total of 23 members attended the meeting. There were 17 members in person and 6 attended via zoom.

SECRETARY-TREASURER REPORT:

      Marty provided an update on the club finances and the monthly financial report. Jason provided a Secretary's report including membership updates. There was no official club correspondence to report on.  

 AGENDA ITEMS:

Update: Equipment from Dave Cochran, KBØVRA [Ben – KC9MBC Jim – KØNK]

     September 19th from 9:30 am to 12 noon club members can gather at Rob Rude's house to test and buy equipment donated by Dave Cochran. See the club calendar for Rob's address and additional information.

Annual Business Meeting November 14th [George - WBØCNK]

     The club is planning to hold elections on November 14, 2026 during the monthly business meeting. If anyone is interested in being an officer (President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary) or for the two Board Members at Large, please contact George.  If there is anyone you would like to nominate, please talk with that person first to assure they are willing to serve. Nominations can occurr up to the day of the election.  

Kansas QSO Party, Aug 29th - 30th [Jeff KSØJD]

      Jeff gave a report on the results from the Kansas QSO Party on August 29th - 30th. There were 361 voice contacts and 170 FT8 contacts. There is another W1AW/0 event scheduled for the second week of November, Jeff is organizing this for the state of Kansas.    

Hollenberg Pony Express Festival, Aug 30th, Hanover, KS. KØASA [Jim-KØNK]  

     The club did not attend the Hollenberg Pony Express Festival this year. 

Volunteering Opportunities AT Ensor Park & Museum & Old Settlers [Rick Nichols]  

     There are two volunteer opportunities for Ensor Park and Museum. The museum needs people to help with tours in September. Also Ensor Park & Museum would like help with a booth at the Old Settlers event. The last day of the event was September 12th.   

Education and Public Relations Committee Report [Jim – KØNK]  

     There was a proposal to have two classes in 2027:  one Tech class and one CW class.  Each class would be for eight weeks in January and February.  The classes are contingent on confirming the location and sufficient signups. The motion passed.  Once the location is confirmed, the classes could be advertised starting in October.   

TECH NIGHT [George - WBØCNK]

      There is an ARRL meeting scheduled the same night as the September Tech Night.  A motion was proposed to cancel Tech Night for September so that club members could attend the ARRL meeting.  The motion was approved.  See calendar for details on the ARRL meeting.   

Conventions/Hamfests [George - WBØCNK]

      Upcoming events include the list below. Provide your name to George if you are interested in attending any of these events. Sign up can be done either on the list circulated at breakfasts/meetings or by viewing the event on the club's website calendar.

  • Wichita Area Hamfest  & KS ARRL Convention Oct. 3rd, Wichita, KS.
  • SPARKCON -  Oct. 9th &10th, Sedalia, MO
  • Nixa, MO. Hamfest - Nov 14th 

      Howard reported on the Huntsvile Hamfest. The hamfest was well attended.  Tom presented a kit building workshop at Huntsville.

REPEATER UPDATE [Jim – KØNK]

     Jim provided a repeater update. 

Life Membership - Discussion & Ideas For Possible New Category [Trig – KCØRPY]

     George received feedback on the idea of a life membership for the club.  There was not support to offer this as an option and George recommended that this not be considered right now. There was no disagreement from those attending.  

SFTARC WEBSITE UPDATES / Clothing & Badges orders: [Greg – KIØKK]

     The online ordering for shirts, hats, and name badges, Club Store Menu, is now active for anyone interested in placing orders.  It is required that you log in to the club website when placing an order.  Greg was thanked for all his work on getting this setup. 

Members Who Would Enjoy a Card or a Visit: 

  • Mike Lane -KEØCIS at: Good Samaritan Olathe Medical Campus

ADJOURN:

      The meeting was adjourned around 9:00 am. 

Trail Bytes

Midwest Division Town Hall Sept 24. 2026
01 Oct 2026

The Santa Fe Trails Amateur Radio club hosts a monthly virtual Tech Night.  For the September Tech Night we asked members to join in an ARRL Midwest Division...

B-25 Project and Miltary Radios
29 Aug 2026

Mike Laney (KEØGHU) presented a talk on the B-25 Project and the radios used in the WW II bomber. Mike included several stories about the B-25 in WW II and the airmen who...

Field Day at Lake Olathe (Mid 1990s)
26 Aug 2026

This newspaper article about Field Day at Lake Olathe is from the mid 1990's. I found it in some of my old storage boxes. Some interesting old memories. The following...

Military Radio - Pat, KFØOYS
13 Aug 2026

Pat, KFØOYS presented a talk on Military Radios for the SFTARC July 2026 Tech Night.He presented details for a simple radio made from readily available parts.

Kansas QSO Party Signup
08 Aug 2026

       Good Day to the Santa Fe Trail Amateur Radio Club.  It is that time of year again for the Kansas QSO party.  I am Jeff...

FD in Clolorado - Ex Honeywell-Olathe Hams
12 Jul 2026

Several retired Honeywell-Olathe employees now live in Colorado and belong to their local Chaffee Lake Amateur Radio Association.  The local paper wrote up this very...

Field Day at a Ham Radio Landmark
03 Jul 2026

Brian, WQØA, presented a video on his YouTube channel titled "Field Day at a Ham Radio Landmark | Ensor Museum, Santa Fe Trail ARC & More". The video started with an...

Introduction to Grounding for Ham Radio
02 May 2026

At our April 30th, 2026, tech night, George McCarville, WB0CNK, covered essential grounding techniques for ham radio, focusing on safety, lightning, and RF grounding. Key...