Links
Here are some amateur radio and electronics websites you need to know about.
What is Ham Radio?
- What is HAM Radio? Get answers to questions like "Why are Amateur Radio Operators also called Hams?", "How Do I Get Started?" and more....
- Here is a Guide to Amateur Radio for New Hams on the eHam.net website. It is geared for towards New Hams and describes many different aspects Ham Radio.
- Here is a list of 65 Great Things About Ham Radio on the CQ-Amateur-Radio.com website.
- Here is a New Ham's Guide about How to Use Amateur (Ham Radio) Repeaters on the Hamuniverse.com website.
- Read the History of Amateur Radio on Wikipedia.
- View this short video titled Amateur Radio Today and narrated by Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD (SK).
Amateur Radio Clubs
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), with approximately 152,000 members, is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the United States. The ARRL is a not-for-profit organization that:
- promotes interest in Amateur Radio communications and experimentation
- represents US radio amateurs in legislative matters, and
- maintains fraternalism and a high standard of conduct among Amateur Radio operators.
- The ARRL East Bay Section (EB) Resources page has many East Bay Area Amateur Radio Clubs listed here. There are also a lot of other resources here, such as: VE Test Sessions, NTS Traffic Nets, Local VHF Nets, Division HamFests/Conventions. Also, check out the ARRL East Bay Section News for current information in our area.
The Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club (MDARC) was founded in 1946. Today it has a membership of over 300 dedicated hams and is one of the largest amateur radio clubs in California. MDARC's purpose is to encourage innovation in amateur radio, provide public service and educational opportunities, foster good will within our community, and have fun in the process. Click here to Join the MDARC Yahoo Group.
- The Contra Costa Repeater Association (CCRA) was established in 1977 and operates the WA6HAM repeater system. The CCRA is dedicated to providing the amateur radio community in Contra Costa County and surrounding areas, repeaters that can be used for public service activities.
The Livermore Amateur Radio Klub (LARK) is a nonprofit association of persons commonly interested in amateur radio. LARK serves the communities of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin California, and the surrounding Tri-Valley area. LARK is also affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The East Bay Amateur Radio Club (EBARC) in Richmond, California was founded over 50 years ago by a group of local amateur radio operators. While our purpose is mainly social, club members provide a variety of services to the community. Services include Teaching ham radio and electronics classes, Conducting ham radio license examinations, Providing emergency communications services, Providing radio communications for public events (e.g., walk-a-thons).
- The Contra Costa Communications Club (Four Cs) runs an open repeater located in San Pablo, California. It is not unusual to get stations checking-in from as far west as the Sierras, up north well into Sonoma County, and decent coverage throughout San Francisco and the North Bay.
The Oakland Radio Communication Association
(ORCA) is an amateur radio organization dedicated to furthering the amateur radio hobby. It consists of members from Oakland, Alameda, Piedmont and other cities in the immediate area. ORCA strongly supports and is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The K6ORI: Lamorinda Community
Emergency Communications Team (CECT) is a volunteer emergency communications team based in the Lamorinda Region of California. People from Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette, and Canyon are teaming up to create a radio auxiliary team serving these communities. Anyone in the community with an interest in Emergency Communications is welcome to participate in our meetings, training, and drills. Trained and qualified volunteers are always of value in times of distress.
The Valley of the Moon Amateur Radio Club (VOMARC) club meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and begin at 7:30pm. Club breakfasts are held the 1st Saturday of every month at Palms at 9:30am.
The Benicia Citizen Corps Council (BCCC) was formed in June 2002 and brings together leadership from the business, education and religious communities to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers who wish to help maintain public safety in general and also be trained to respond effectively in the event of a disaster.
Other Delta Amateur Radio Clubs
Stockton Delta Amateur Radio Club (Stockton, CA) - The Stockton-Delta Amateur Radio Club was founded in 1931, with more than 75 years of tradition in helping fellow amateurs and the community. The club carries the call sign W6SF.
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Delta Amateur Radio Club (Memphis, TN) - Delta is an ARRL Special Services Club of approximately 200 members located in Memphis, TN. The club is also affiliated with the National Traffic System (NTS) and holds a nightly traffic and information net on the 146.82 repeater.
Delta Amateur Radio Society (Delta, BC) - The Delta Amateur Radio Society is an informal group of amateur radio operators who as a club meet every Thursday of the month at 7pm, alternating between the North Delta Public Safety Building and the Tsawwassen Community Police Station.
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Other Organizations
Salvation Army Concord Corps - Emergency Disaster Team Calendar. The Salvation Army helps with many disasters throughout the year. They can do this because they are highly trained and dedicated to serving. Recently, they have been offering Amateur Radio License Training Classes in Concord. These classes are open to the public. Check out their calendar of events. More information about SATERN is available at www.SATERN.org.
East Contra Costa County CERT - The East County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
- Contra Costa CERT - This is the official website of the Contra Costa County Cities Citizen Corps/CERT Committee (C8). "C8" is the committee formed by and for all Community Emergency Response Team program managers and coordinators in Contra Costa County. The primary goals of the committee are to promote the development, coordination, and advancement of all CERT programs in our area.
- CERT (National) - The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
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Merchandise
- AnythingWeatherStore.com - A full array of Skywarn, RACES, ARES and associated merchandise.
- ProPac Disaster Supplies Online - A full array of CERT, American Red Cross, and Salvation Army merchandise.
- Emergency Disaster Systems - CERT Kits & Supplies (and much, much more).
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Member Websites
- www.ac6zz.com - Don Lyles AC6ZZ - Oakley, CA
Hints & Kinks
- PL-259 Installation Made Easy for RG8X - Here is a short video posted on YouTube by TenTec. The video demonstrates how to put a PL-259 connector on RG8X coax cable. They have posted many other videos that you may find useful.
Online Scanning
(Warning - Listening to Police and Fire can be addicting)
- Contra Costa County Online Scanners - Choose from the following:
- Concord and Clayton Police
- Contra Costa County Fire and Antioch/Brentwood Police
- Contra Costra County Sheriff
- Martinez Police
- San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District
- Special Events Feed
- S-Meter Website Receivers - You can listen to these receivers at the S-Meter site. We recomend the Salt Lake City S-Meter, a Remotely-Controllable Kenwood R-5000 13-Miles North of Salt Lake City. Many other resources are available on SMeter.net.
E-Waste & Other
Hazardous Waste Disposal
(Recycling is easy - Do your part to Protect our Environment)
- Contra Costa County:
- Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Antioch)
- Central Contra Costa HHW Collection Program (Martinez)
- West County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (Richmond)
- Bay Area Recycling Center (Pacheco)
- Statewide Electronic Product Management Directory:
- Pharmaceutical Collection Sites:
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