Change of provider coming for QST announcements

Posted on May 31, 2026 by John Myers

Hi everyone,

We want to give you a quick heads-up about an upcoming change to our club QST system.

Over the next few days, we will be moving our email distribution list from Constant Contact to Groups.io. This change is being made to reduce operating costs while allowing us to continue providing timely club news, event information, meeting reminders, and other important announcements.

For a period of time, you may receive QSTs from both platforms while we make sure all is working properly.

As part of this transition, you should receive an email from our new email service notifying you that you have been added to our mailing list. This message is expected and is part of the migration process.

No action is required on your part. Your subscription preferences will remain the same, and you will continue to receive the same club announcements you receive today.

If you do not wish to receive club announcements, you will still have the option to unsubscribe using the link provided in future emails. However, we hope you’ll stay connected so you don’t miss important club news and activities.

If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please contact me at wg8x.radio@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued support of PCARS.

73,

John Myers, WG8X
Webmaster, PCARS

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ARRL “2026 the Year of the Club”

Posted on May 31, 2026 by John Myers

To all PCARS Members:

To all Amateur Radio Clubs:
The ARRL has officially declared 2026 the Year of the Club, and we’re answering that call with a brand‑new on‑the‑air event built specifically to energize your members and put your club front and center.
Introducing the Club QSO Party — the operating event designed FOR clubs, BY clubs.
Other than Field Day, there are very few true club‑focused operating activities. That changes now!
Your club’s station will operate using your call sign plus your club’s age — for example: K2AA/110 — instantly showcasing your club’s history and identity every time you hit the air.
Why your club will love this event
Every mode counts — Phone, CW, Digital
Every platform counts — Repeaters, DMR, EchoLink, and more
Every band counts — All amateur bands except WARC
Every member counts — The more members who contact your club station, the bigger your club multiplier

This is truly an all‑inclusive event. If it gets RF (or even VoIP) out into the world, it counts.
Event Dates – June 20th 00:00 UTC through June 21st 23:59 UTC
How to participate
Individual operators: Get on the air and work as many clubs and operators as possible.
Clubs: Put your club station on the air or allow members to operate using the club call with trustee permission. (Or both there are no geographical restraints)
Your mission:
Rally your members. Activate your club station. Show the amateur radio community who you are.
Full rules and details: www.clubqsoparty.org
Questions? Email info@clubqsoparty.org
73’s
Ken K2WB
Sponsored by the South Jersey Radio Association, Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club, Gloucester County Radio Club, South Jersey Radio Foundation, Kent Amateur Radio Society and the South Jersey Mountain Toppers ARC.
We will be discussing this at the next Contest SIG on the 26th of this month.

—
73 – Chuck W8PT

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Linux & Raspberry Pi SIG Meeting Tues 6/2/26 @7:00pm

Posted on May 28, 2026 by John Myers

Hi everyone,

The next Linux & Raspberry Pi SIG meeting will be held on Tuesday 6/2/26 @7:00pm in PCARS World Headquarters in Ravenna. The main topic will be dual booting Linux with another OS like Windows (or another instance of Linux). No Zoom – it will be hands-on! Also, any other topics are welcome.

Cya in Ravenna!

73 de W8NET Gene

Linux & Raspberry Pi SIG Coordinator

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PCARS Net Night at the Club 5/28/26 @6:00pm

Posted on May 28, 2026 by John Myers

Tempest Fugit – It’s that time of the month again! Thursday, May 27th, 8:00PM PLEASE join us for the PCARS weekly 2-meter net on the K8IV repeater; 146.895 Mhz with a PL of 118.8 (you can also check in via the K8BF-L Echolink node). Never checked in before? NOW’S the TIME! Been awhile since your last check-in? Get your callsign back in our log! It’s a GREAT NET for a GREAT CLUB!

As an added feature – once a month we gather at the clubsite for some good fellowship and usually some good food (usually pizza). Please consider this your personal invitation to show up and hang out with us! I’ll be there to open the doors at approximately 6:00PM. We’ll hang out till about 10 – or maybe just a bit earlier (hey – I’m getting old!). Bring a friend.

73, See you there, or on the air!

Tom WB8LCD

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DX/Contesting SIG 5/26/26 @7:00pm

Posted on May 25, 2026 by John Myers

Hello PCARS DXers & Contesters:

Here is a one more friendly reminder that the DX/Contesting Special Interest Group meeting will take place Tuesday evening, May 26th at 7PM at PCARS World Famous headquarters.

We will be discussing our participation in the ARRL International Digital Contest that is coming up on the weekend of June 6-7. We will also discuss the possibility of taking part in the newly added Club QSO Party that is scheduled to take place on June 20-21.

As always, the meeting will be available on ZOOM. So I hope to see a lot of members either in person or on ZOOM. If you have not come out for this Special Interest Group meeting, why not join us. You may find that not only will you enjoy it, but you may have some very good insights that will help the rest of us.
Event: DX/Contesting Special Interest Group meeting
Topic: Various topics as listed above
Time: May 26, 2026 at 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
PCARS K8BF is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96686108444?pwd=hN5hDgTGWwdLBLXkLSeAfVOfSa4nGq.1
Meeting ID: 966 8610 8444

Passcode: 915088

73 – Chuck W8PT

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