Connecting Hams in Pasco County, Florida

The Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club (GCARC) is located in Pasco County, Florida, just northwest of Tampa. Dedicated to promoting and expanding the amateur radio hobby, the club actively serves the West Central Florida community. GCARC provides vital emergency and public service communications assistance for major local events, including the "Rap River Run" and "Tunnels to Towers" road races.

The club holds its monthly membership meetings on the fourth Monday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Millennium Academy, located at 10005 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. Meetings are entirely open to the public, and everyone from licensed operators to those simply curious about radio communications is welcome to attend.

Throughout the year, GCARC hosts a diverse lineup of interactive activities and social events. Members regularly participate in ARRL Summer and Winter Field Days, monthly community luncheons, club picnics, fox hunts, and an annual club hamfest. These events offer excellent opportunities for technical education, disaster preparedness training, and fostering local friendships.

Whether you want to upgrade your license, learn about emergency radio capabilities, or just see what amateur radio is all about, come join the next meeting.

Please contact us with any suggestions, content (especially upcoming events), photos, or Ham related items of interest.

Annual BOD Election

At the NOVEMBER membership meeting we will hold our annual election. This year the positions up for elections are: Vice President, Secretary and one Director. In addition, due to the “special election” held in January, President and Treasurer may need to be elected. Florida Statestatute supersedes our by laws and may require us to hold an election for those seats. AJ4JA Al is investigating that and we will inform the membership when we have a definitive answer. In order for the club to grow and flourish we need new ideas from new people to be involved in the process. We encourage new participation in the process. A turnover of leadership is healthy for everyone.

Lisa Mechkowski KC2YPH will be overseeing nominations for this years election. You may submit your name for nomination for any of the offices by emailing Lisa at amechkowski@gmail.com

Duties of Officers and Directors.

Vice President - In the temporary absence of the president, the vice president shall perform the President's duties. At other times, the vice president shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the President.

Treasurer - Shall be authorized to collect all monies payable to the Corporation, shall be charged with keeping the funds of the Corporation, and from such funds shall make the necessary disbursements. The treasurer shall keep the Corporation's financial accounts and shall enter in detail all receipts and disbursements. Additional duties: (1) Provide financial report at each scheduled General and Board meeting, as of the end of the preceding month. (2) Provide Secretary with copies of financial reports prior to each scheduled General and Board meeting. (3) Be responsible for filing any required federal, state, and local forms and tax forms. Unless otherwise required by law all filings shall use the club post office box as the official address.

Director - Shall provide advice and counsel to the officers of the Corporation on

matters pertaining to the proper operation of the Corporation.

How to become a VE!

Check out this article!

ASK an ELMER!

The Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS)—often linked with modern AUXCOMM initiatives—is an organized program of licensed amateur ("ham") radio operators who volunteer to support government agencies, police, fire departments, and emergency operations centers (EOCs) during disasters, severe weather, or large-scale public events.

Next Test Session will be held on Saturday,

November 14th, 10:00 am!

Our testing location is:

Millennium Academy

10005 Ridge Rd. New Port Richey

Contact AL AJ4JA@ICLOUD.COM

Amateur Radio License Exams - At No Cost

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club

Port Richey, Florida

The Laurel VEC

Administering FREE Amateur Radio License exams since 1984

Check out our Youtube Channels

Channel 1

Channel 2

Are you interested in learning more about how to POTA?

Click on the POTA logo below to view an excellent presentation on "HOW TO POTA"!

Click on the links below for more info on "WIRES X"

https://youtu.be/kUjWjHmMbHs?si=BZD13siNS5e13bt_

https://youtu.be/QlK-1lYMJhw?si=HtSk7YXy2wGsMAvM

Tuesday Night Information & Trader's Net

7:30pm

146.670 PL 146.2

PASCO COUNTY SKYWARN NET

Monthly, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays

More frequently when weather conditions warrent!

7:30pm 146.670 PL 146.2

“Skywarn® and the Skywarn® logo are registered trademarks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, used with permission.”

Pasco County Skywarn Website

Skywarn net pre-amble

CLUB REPEATERS

New Port Richey

2 Meter, FM & C4FM

146.670/146.070 MHz

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

Echolink WA4GDN-R

Allstar 49112

Former WA4T Suncoast ARC

Land-O-Lakes

2 Meter, FM & C4FM

145.330/144.730 MHz

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

Echolink WA4GDN-R

Allstar 49112

Dade City

2 Meter, FM & C4FM

147.135/147.735 MHz

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

Echolink WA4GDN-R

Allstar 49112

New Port Richey

2 Meter, FM & C4FM

145.350/144.750 MHz

PL Tone – 146.2 Hz

Wires-X room #43516

Room name WA4GDN-R

W4PEM Pasco County ACS

WA4GDN

Would you like to become a licensed Amateur Ham Radio Operator?

For more than 100 years men and women , including many young persons, have made their amateur radio dreams come true by learning about amateur radio, and becoming a licensed operator. The term “Ham Radio,” a popular term for amateur radio, is derived from "ham" as an informal name for an amateur radio operator in the early 1900’s.

To become a licensed amateur radio operator you must pass an FCC test. Like other Amateur Radio Clubs the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club assists those who wish to take the exams by holding exam sessions at the Millennium Academy, 10005 County Road 524 (Ridge Road), New Port Richey, FL. usually the second Saturday of each month. Check out our calendar of events or the about us page for testing info and studying assistance. The classes of licenses are as follows : Technician, General and Extra!

We are always ready to help anyone who wants to partake in this great hobby.