Dear Fellow Ham,
You are invited to our upcoming GCARA General Meeting:
Tuesday, April 28th
7:00 PM
Broward Health North – Conference Center (across from main entrance)
This will be an in-person meeting only.
We are pleased to have our own Jeff K4BH as guest speaker presenting:
“Computer Logging for the Technically Challenged”
This is not only valuable for the upcoming Summer Field Day, but also for everyday QSOs
Helping you track contacts, work toward awards, and keep accurate logs.
Coffee and donuts will be available.
We look forward to seeing you there!
73,
Dirk Basting, N4AN
Treasurer
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association (GCARA)
This year we came in with the highest score and took first place in the 3 radio outdoor category as N4FL.
W4BUG_WFD2026While the ARRL Field Day in June is the “big one” for many, Winter Field Day (WFD) has become a massive favorite for operators who want to test their gear (and themselves) in much tougher conditions.
Winter Field Day 2026 Details
- Dates: Saturday, January 24 – Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- Time: The 30-hour period starts at 16:00 UTC (11:00 AM EST) on Saturday and ends at 21:59 UTC (4:59 PM EST) on Sunday.
- Sponsor: It is organized by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), a completely separate entity from the ARRL.
How is it different from ARRL Field Day?
While both events focus on emergency preparedness and portable operation, they have distinct “personalities”:
1. The Goal: Public Outreach vs. Weather Adversity
- ARRL (Summer): A huge part of the June event is public relations. Clubs often set up in high-traffic parks, invite local officials, and earn bonus points for media coverage. It’s a “show and tell” for the hobby.
- WFD (Winter): The focus is strictly on technical and physical readiness. Since it’s held in January, public outreach is secondary. The goal is to see if you can effectively communicate when the weather is at its worst—simulating a real winter emergency where you might be operating in the snow, wind, or cold.
2. Simplified Classes
Winter Field Day uses a much simpler classification system than the ARRL’s “1A, 2F” alphabet soup. In WFD, you just choose your environment:
- O (Outdoor): Tents, sheds with no heat, or open pavilions.
- I (Indoor): A location not normally used for a station (like a cabin or community center) that has heat and a roof.
- M (Mobile): Operating from a vehicle, RV, or boat.
- H (Home): Operating from your permanent home station.
3. Power Restrictions
Unlike the ARRL event, which allows for higher power in certain classes, WFD is strictly limited to 100 watts PEP. This keeps the playing field level and emphasizes antenna efficiency and operating skill over raw power.
4. Setup Time
WFD has a strict rule that you cannot begin setting up more than 12 hours before the event begins. This ensures that everyone is practicing “rapid deployment” rather than spending a week building a permanent-style station in the woods.
Which one is better?
If you enjoy the social, festive atmosphere of a summer BBQ with radios, the ARRL June event is hard to beat. However, if you want a “hardcore” experience where you have to worry about battery life in the cold and keeping your fingers warm enough to send Morse code, Winter Field Day is your event.
Please join us for the next meeting of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM.
This will be a special evening as it will be the first time we gather at our new meeting location at Broward Health North. A strong turnout will help demonstrate the enthusiasm and strength of our amateur radio community as we begin meeting at this new venue.
During the meeting we will recognize and honor our Life Members and present them with their Life Member plaques in appreciation of their long-standing dedication and contributions to the club. Please come and support our Life Members as we celebrate them during this special meeting.
To make the evening even more enjoyable, Leonardo, K4ITA, has generously offered to provide ice cream, coffee and donuts will also be served. We will also introduce the new GCARA club T-shirts featuring our updated club logo.
This meeting will be IN PERSON ONLY.
Location
Broward Health North
Conference Center (across from the main entrance)
201 E Sample Road
Deerfield Beach, FL
No registration is required at the hospital. / Newly licensed hams and guests are always welcome.
We look forward to seeing many of you there for this special evening.
Since the hospital staff is preparing the conference room and refreshments for us, PLEASE RSVP below so we can give them an approximate number of participants.
MEETING RSVP
73
Dirk Basting, N4AN
Treasurer
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
Mark Your Calendar for a meeting you won’t want to miss on Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The South Florida DX Association in Fort Lauderdale is having our annual membership drive and is pleased to invite all hams and their guests interested in the HF bands to our “Get to Know Us Meeting” on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 7PM.
On-Site Speaker Our very special speaker will be Julio Ripoll WD4R Founder/ Coordinator of WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. Julio received the prestigious 2025 Dayton Hamvention Special Achievement Award and the 2025 RCA Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award in Washington DC for 45 years of service to the National Hurricane Center. He will be speaking on “The National Hurricane Center and the Essential Role of HF Operators and DX’ers”
DIRECTIONS
7 PM – Eyeball QSO’s
Meeting starts at 7:33 PM
Florida Medical Center
5000 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33133
To find our meeting space check in with security at the
main entrance. Make a right at the first cross aisle, pass the
cafeteria entrance and look for the auditorium on your
right. CALL IN ON 147.330 (+600 Khz) PL 103.5
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association Fiscal Year: December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025
2025-GCARA-Treasurers-ReportTreasurer’s Financial Summary
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
Fiscal Year: December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025
The Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association completed the fiscal year in a strong and stable financial
position.
Join GCARA for Winter Field Day!
Winter Field Day is a nationwide emergency communications exercise designed to strengthen our ability to deploy and operate under challenging conditions. Even without winter weather, South Florida gives us the perfect environment to practice rapid setup, portable antennas, off‑grid power, and real‑world operating discipline.
This event is open to all licensed amateurs, new operators, and anyone interested in emergency communications.
PLEASE REGISTER BELOW
Event Location
Quiet Waters Park
Deerfield Beach, FL
Bald Eagle Pavilion
$3.00 entrance fee into Park
Why Participate?
- Strengthen emergency communications readiness
- Practice HF/VHF/UHF portable operation
- Experiment with antennas, tuners, and field gear
- Operate off‑grid using batteries, solar, and generators
- Build teamwork and deployment skills
- Support new hams and help them get on the air
Schedule
Saturday, January 24
- Setup begins in the morning 8:00 am
- On‑air operations start at 2:00 PM EST
Sunday, January 25
- Operations continue until 2:00 PM EST
- Teardown immediately after
What to Bring
- Personal radio gear (optional—stations will be available)
- Headphones, adapters, and accessories
- Portable seating, sun protection, hydration
- Curiosity and willingness to learn
All Are Welcome
Whether you want to operate, log, learn, or simply observe, your participation strengthens GCARA and our community’s emergency readiness.
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
Serving Broward County with training, community support, and resilient communications.
Ben Echavarria N7BBE
President, GCARA
N7BBE@arrl.net
Dear Members,
As the year draws to a close and we embrace the festive spirit of December, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve achieved together throughout the year and express my gratitude for each of you.
2025 has been a remarkable year for our club. From our monthly meetings to field days and community events, each gathering has strengthened our bonds and expanded our knowledge of amateur radio. I am proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our members have shown, whether you participated in contests, provided support during emergency communications, or simply shared your passion for the hobby.
During this holiday season, let us remember the spirit of giving and sharing that embodies our community. I encourage everyone to reach out to fellow members, especially those who may be new to the hobby or could use a helping hand. Our strength lies in our camaraderie and willingness to support one another.
Looking forward to 2026, we have exciting plans in the pipeline: new workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to engage with the wider amateur radio community. I am eager to hear your ideas on how we can make our association even better.
Winter Field Day is upon us, January 24 and 25. The last weekend of January, If you are interested in attending please sign up on our website as soon as possible so we can get a head count for operators, setup, meals, and other necessary participants. We need our members and other club members to participate in this yearly event. That’s what makes it work. So, thank you in advance.
As you celebrate the holidays with family and friends, I wish you all a joyous season filled with laughter, warmth, and of course, some time on the airwaves. May the new year bring us all good health, happiness, and plenty of successful QSOs!
Thank you for being an integral part of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association. I look forward to seeing all of you in the new year!
Warm regards,
Benjamin Echavarria N7BBE
President, Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
December President’s Message
Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
Dear Members,
As the year draws to a close and we embrace the festive spirit of December, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve achieved together throughout the year and express my gratitude for each of you.
2025 has been a remarkable year for our club. From our monthly meetings to field days and community events, each gathering has strengthened our bonds and expanded our knowledge of amateur radio. I am proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our members have shown, whether you participated in contests, provided support during emergency communications, or simply shared your passion for the hobby.
During this holiday season, let us remember the spirit of giving and sharing that embodies our community. I encourage everyone to reach out to fellow members, especially those who may be new to the hobby or could use a helping hand. Our strength lies in our camaraderie and willingness to support one another.
Looking forward to 2026, we have exciting plans in the pipeline: new workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to engage with the wider amateur radio community. I am eager to hear your ideas on how we can make our association even better.
As you celebrate the holidays with family and friends, I wish you all a joyous season filled with laughter, warmth, and of course, some time on the airwaves. May the new year bring us all good health, happiness, and plenty of successful QSOs!
Thank you for being an integral part of the Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association. I look forward to seeing all of you in the new year!
Warm regards,
Benjamin Echavarria
N7BBE
ARES/RACES
Skywarn
President, Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association
