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SARC 2026 Summer Picnic

SARC Members — It’s Time to Celebrate!

What a year it has been for SARC. Our members have stepped up again and again to support our community, providing communications assistance for events like the Chicagoland Marathon, the MS Society, the Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Parade, and many others.

When our community called, SARC answered — and we did a fantastic job.

Now it’s time to take a break, enjoy some good company, and celebrate the work we’ve done together.

Please join us for the SARC Picnic on Sunday, August 30th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at our reserved cabin in Bartlett. We’ll have plenty of room to eat, relax, catch up with friends, and enjoy the afternoon — rain or shine.

The cabin includes indoor bathrooms, tables, chairs, and even air conditioning. It is located in a park with slides, swings, and plenty to keep the kids busy, so bring the whole family.

WHEN: Sunday, August 30th, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
WHERE: 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett

We’ll also have a fox hunt demonstration by Don KD9NJR, which promises to be both interesting and fun. Plus, club members in attendance will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card.

SARC has spent the year helping others. Now it’s our turn to sit back, relax, and enjoy an afternoon together.

Please confirm your attendance by emailing Paul KE9EJX by August 15th with the number of adults and children in your group. You can find Paul’s email address in the Member Roster.

Thanks, and we hope to see you at the picnic!

SARC Attendance Policy

News

Is 430 MHz Getting Crowded?

A major satellite-to-phone network has just been given FCC approval to expand its low-Earth-orbit constellation — and part of the decision touches a band every 70 cm operator should care about.
The company is AST SpaceMobile, and its planned constellation is designed to provide direct-to-device cellular coverage from space. In plain English, that means ordinary mobile phones connecting through satellites where normal ground-based coverage is poor or unavailable.
That part is impressive technology. But here is the radio angle.
The FCC authorization also allows limited use of the 430–440 MHz amateur band for satellite telemetry, tracking and command — often shortened to TT&C.
That does not mean normal mobile phone traffic is being carried on 430 MHz.

The main direct-to-device service is based around commercial cellular spectrum, including 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands in the United States. The 430–440 MHz use is listed for emergency satellite control and tracking, using narrow 50 kHz channels centered on:

  • 430.5 MHz
  • 432.3 MHz
  • 434.1 MHz
  • 435.9 MHz
  • 439.5 MHz
The FCC wording limits this use to emergency/non-earth-pointing TT&C, and for the additional satellites the use is limited to a period not exceeding 24 hours.
So why are radio amateurs concerned? Read full post
Events

Field Day 2026

Join us for the world’s largest on-air operating event: Field Day.

Just look for the GOTA (Get On The Air! tent)

Learn More About Field Day | Getting Started | Signup Now!

Events RHG RHG Articles

Upgrade to a General License with our Class

The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club offers a free upgrade class for those already holding a technician-level license looking to upgrade to a general-level license beginning January 10, 2026. This class is intended for those already holding their technician-level license and who are looking to upgrade their privileges and bands that they can operate on to general class. This upgrade opens up a significant portion of the HF bands, including SSB (voice modes) for the operator.

This course is offered at no charge. The class is held from 09:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays from January 10 through March 14.

The class uses the American Radio Relay League General Class License Manual Fifth Edition (ISBN: 978-1625951717) as a study guide and students are encouraged to get their own copy.

Register at: https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/events?id=14718372

Location

News

VE Testing Cancelled 11/1/2026

VE testing (License Exams) for 11/1/2026 has been cancelled. There is a backlog of new licensees waiting to be processed by the FCC and supporting groups and we have decided to cancel our testing until the backlog begins moving.