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Desert RATS Newsletter
January 2026
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Presidents Message
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Happy 2026 RATS! I trust everyone has a delightful and safe holiday season. Wasn’t that a great holiday party at the Old Spaghetti Factory? Let’s make that an annual tradition.
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We have a busy January! Our monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 20 via ZOOM at 7pm will be featuring John Kruk, who is the national sales manager for Yaesu. He is always a good time, full of information about Yaesu products but also his fascinating history in amateur radio. We also have Winter Field Day this month, on Saturday January 24th. See elsewhere in this newsletter for more information on that.
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For our February meeting, we will be gathering in-person on Saturday, February 21st at 10am for an Antenna Building Workshop led by Earl KJ6DQR at his business in Cathedral City. We will be needing a head count for this meeting so Earl can buy all the supplies we need. Everyone will get to build a new wire antenna for 20-40 meters!
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I don’t have a lot to report on regarding ARES this month, but when I do, I will write that separately from my President’s Message. I can say that there has been a lively discussion online and on YouTube recently about the future of ARES and RACES. I went to post a quick comment and ended up writing a 1800-word article. You can read that article here.
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Finally, its an honor to take the reins from Glenn WB6RLC as the new club president. My goal for 2026 is to listen. I want to listen to the things you asked for in the 2025 Membership Survey and make them happen. I want to listen to any barriers you may have to becoming a more active RAT. I want to find some new volunteers to lead activities you have asked for, like POTA. I want to continue to build a club that works for our members.
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Until next time, keep your batteries charged, and I will see you on the radio.
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January Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 20th 7:00 p.m.
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It will be a Zoom meeting. Zoom details will be sent out on the Monday prior to the meeting. If you are new to Zoom, please log on a few minutes early and check your settings
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John Kruk N9UPC from Yaesu will be providing an update on their products and services.
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John Kruk N9UPC is the National Sales Manager for Yaesu USA, one of the most recognized voices behind Yaesu’s System Fusion and WIRES X technologies. Licensed since the 1990s, John brings decades of experience in amateur radio, commercial two way communications, and public safety.
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He is also trained in emergency communications, including AUXCOMM, COM L, and COM T. John travels nationwide representing Yaesu, supporting repeater owners, clubs, and emergency groups with clear, practical insight into modern digital voice systems.
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Membership
Welcome to a new member in December:
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Please welcome him to the RATS.
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Dues for 2026 are due and notices have been sent to those who haven't already paid. Besides PayPal or check, Zelle can now be used. It is also very helpful to fill out a membership form to confirm contact information. When using Zelle, please note your name and call in the notes.
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February Meeting
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For our February club meeting, which will be on Saturday, February 21 at 10am.
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Earl KJ6DQR will be conducting an antenna theory and building class.
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WE NEED A HEAD COUNT so we can buy supplies. There will be no cost to the participants.
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Please send an email to us here and we will add you to the list.
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Upgrade To Extra Class
Always dreamed about getting your FCC Amateur Extra Class License? Here is your big chance. Glenn WB6RLC has offered to teach an Amateur Extra Class.
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Date and time to be determined, but before we decide that we need to gauge interest. Glenn needs a minimum of 4-5 students to hold a class. If you think you might be interested, please send an email to us here if you are interested in attending.
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Winter Field Day
Winter Field Day will be held on January 25th & 26th 2025. The RATS will again be conducting operations from Lake Cahuilla Regional Veterans Park in La Quinta. Winter Field Day is an exciting annual event for amateur radio enthusiasts, taking place on the last full weekend of January. It offers a unique opportunity for radio operators to set up field operations in remote locations, enabling them to connect with other participants worldwide. You may choose to participate solo or get your your friends, family, or whole club involved. Winter Field Day is organized by the Winter Field Day Association. The association strongly believes that ham radio operators should practice portable emergency communications in winter environments. This is because freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards pose unique operational concerns.
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There are several of us with RVs that will be camping for the weekend. We will have several radios set up, operating multi bands and modes. So come on out for a few hours or the day. We will be at the far end of the RV section.
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We are planning on having several demonstrations, and this is an ideal opportunity to talk with experienced operators and get your questions answered.
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There will be a table set up of equipment for sale. We will have all kinds of accessories available, including power supplies, distribution panels, watt meters, SWR meters, adaptors, etc.
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If you have something that you would like to sell (or donate), bring it along.
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Field day this year is at the same time as the American Express Golf Tournament in PGA West. This means Jefferson Blvd between 52nd and 54th streets will be closed on Saturday afternoon.
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The best way to Lake Cahuilla from the freeway is to exit at Jefferson, head south to Hwy 111, then go east to Madison. Head south on Madison to Avenue 58.
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Once you have entered the Lake Cahuilla park, here are the directions to our location:
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The 19th Annual Yuma Hamfest is the site of the ARRL's premier event for the Southwest in 2026, The Southwestern Division Convention. The Yuma Hamfest has two aspects. It is a hamfest for Amateur Radio enthusiasts, complete with commercial exhibits, seminars, license testing and tailgating. For members of the general public, it is a trade show for emergency and disaster preparedness, with informational presentations and displays of emergency supplies and equipment.
There are hourly drawings for door prizes both Friday and Saturday. The numbers will be posted just inside the Legacy Building. You must be onsite to win the door prizes and claim them by 5:00 p.m. Saturday. On Saturday evening, in what has established itself as an annual tradition, the Buzzard Barbecue will be held in the Theater Building. Additional door prizes are given away following the barbecue dinner. At the end of the evening, we hold what has become the highlight of the Yuma Hamfest, the Grand Prize drawings.
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Last, but not least, there is a full seminar program scheduled for both Friday and Saturday. We have a selection of seminars at three different times on Friday and six different times on Saturday, presented in separate buildings on the fairgrounds. Seminar presentations on radio and emergency preparedness topics are planned. A list of seminars and their times can be found on the seminar link for this site.
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PAPA System Coachella Valley Lunch
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PAPA will be meeting in-person on Saturday January 31, 2026 at 11am at Denny’s Thousand Palms. Everyone is welcome to come on out for a chance to meet and visit with your on-air friends!
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Saturday January 31, 2026
11:00 a.m.
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More Upcoming events for 2026
June 5th - June 7th, 2026
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ARES News
Don Stouder, ARES Emergency Coordinator
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We have added new material to the ARES page on our website!
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A new ARES information Sheet is available here.
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A new updated ARES Taskbook is available here.
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The ARES information page with all kinds of other resources is available here.
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Desert RATS Christmas Party
The Desert RATS Christmas party was a spectacular success, with over 50 of our members and families joining us for a great time at the Old Spaghetti Factory.
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Several of our volunteers - NET operators and ARES leaders were recognized for their contributions to Club operations.
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Here are some pics of the festive occasion:
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(R - L) Rick, N6PSP (our new Club VP), PaulaKM6QCT and her handsome husband Mike KD6KOI with Larry KO6KVX
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President Don N1GAY presenting Past President Glenn WB6RLC with the President Emeritus plaque recognizing his contributions to the Club.
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(R - L) The beautiful Julie KJ6FYY and husband Earl KJ6DQR with Club Director Mark KD6SEC and Lee KN6ZBF.
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Door Prize winner Ron KF7LC with his Yaesu FT-65 multiband C4FM radio
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Glenn WB6RLC addressing the group
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A Note on Amateur Radio Testing Resources
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Remote Testing for amateur licensing is available from the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group (GLAARG)
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GLAARG is one of the 14 FCC-recognized Volunteer-Exam Coordinators conducting amateur radio exams. GLAARG is a VEC testing organization, not a radio club. Our exam fee is $10 for remote exams and $10 for in-person exams. Exam fees are waived for minors, students with a current ID, first responders, Active Military, Veterans, and GLAARG VEs upgrading to Extra.
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For more information on times for the online testing please see the GLAARG website here.
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Note that GLAARG also offers in-person testing when COVID regulations permit.
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Other Testing Resources
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The ARRL is facilitating video supervised on-line examinations. This testing is made available by video from a number of Clubs.
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For more information, the ARRL website for remote testing is available here.
Also, Marc – N9WIB has assembled a series of technician class license tutorials. There are 20 presentations covering all the topics related to getting your initial ham radio license and all are posted on YouTube. This content is free and open to all Amateur Radio Clubs to use as an educational tool. Links and further information are available on his website here.
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Lots Of Items For Sale
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We have many items for sale – including radios, antennas cables, connectors and accessories. Check with us before you decide to buy commercially – we could save you quite a lot of money.
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Here are a couple of examples:
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- Mike KM6RRS has an Icom IC-7300 for sale
- Bob WA6MBL has an Ameritron AL-811 Amplifier for sale
- Glenn WB6RLA has almost everything a Ham could need for sale. Glenn handles sales of equipment and parts donated to the Club. He is a great resource for all Ham needs.
A partial list of equipment is on our Equipment for sale web page here. If you are looking for anything specific, let us know here. We’ll get back to you with price and availability.
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Note: you must be a member and have an online account to access our For Sale page. If you are not a member, you can join up here. If you are a member and do not have an online account, you can get one here.
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ARRL Podcasts Schedule
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The On The AIR podcast is a monthly companion to On Air magazine, a magazine for beginner-to-intermediate ham radio operators, produced by the ARRL. The podcast and other interesting publications are available here.
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Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other features.
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The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are available on blubrry, iTunes, and Apple Podcasts.
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Club President: Don Stouder, N1GAY
Club Vice-President: Rick Lee - N6PSP
Club Treasurer: Jim Haggerty - KN6QLC
Club Secretary:Gavin Schutz – K6GAV
Directors
Guy Chabot - KS6F
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Mark Johnston - KD6SEC
Shane Meyer - KO6JGR
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President Emeritus: Glenn Morrison – WB6RLC
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Membership: Anne Larson - KJ6QWC
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