U.R.A.C. est.1927

It was a nice sunny day on Friday August 20th as we all arrived dock side at the LA Maritime Museum for our annual trip around the harbor onboard the LA city yacht Angelena II. After everyone was checked in, we boarded the boat and off we went after a short safety talk and life vest demo. Enroute down the main channel, we saw some harbor seals. They were quite noisy and big. We saw some younger ones on a BOUY as well. We saw a pirate ship from San Diego, a replica of course. During our cruise we passed by a couple freighter/container ships and the old cruise terminal where The Love Boat TV show was filmed. After our cruise and back at the dock, we were told the Angelena was going green and will be getting electrical engines very soon.

We all had FUN FUN FUN!!!

Those of us who did not leave after the boat ride stayed to help set up tables and chairs for the evening BBQ. The BBQ was lit at 6PM with Jim WA6MZV as the BBQ pit master, As always he did a great Job. There was plenty of food for all tastes and there was plenty of commeradery. As the evening wore on with plenty of good food an conversation as well as some anoncements by club members, It was a fun time had by all.I look forward to next year. Thanks also to Beverly for her work for the boat ride and BBQ.

After struggling for years to make more than five satellite contacts on Field Day, I was finally rewarded this year with the highest number of satellite contacts I've ever made.

What was different this year that was lacking in years past?

I, W6ADC, had the pleasure of managing the club GOTA station this year. Different from years past, we setup the station below the Angels Gate Cultural Arts campus on the grounds of Old Fort MacArthur. We have a pretty decent turnout of public visitors as well as a number of inactive licensed operators, many friendly faces, and a few four legged ones as well. Two boys, Justin KI6FTP (12) and Issac KI6FXM (10) stole the show with well over 50 QSOs. Check out the video below of "the boys" working 10 meters in the last hour of the contest!

The United Radio Amateur club was formed back in 1927, and has served the South Bay area of Los Angeles for over 80 years.

During the 1970s, U.R.A.C. gained worldwide recognition when it spearheaded the fabrication of kits with printed circuit boards for an extensive line of projects. These were given away at hamfests and ARRL conventions. We manufactured 500 kits for the IARU 20-meter transmitters and receivers. These were provided to the ARRL to promote amateur radio in third-world countries.

In 1987, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum (LAMM) invited U.R.A.C. to become one of its permanent volunteer groups to educate visitors on radio communication. Thus began a relationship that has provided a permanent meeting place and our K6AA operating station where we've made contacts and established long-lasting friendships with people from all over the world.

K6AA is located on the 2nd floor of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and the museum is situated on the main channel of Los Angeles Harbor in what was once a ferry building for the City of San Pedro. The club's antennas sprout from behind a clock tower 21 meters above salt water. Volunteer club members man the station Tuesday through Sunday, demonstrating communications to everyone -- from classes of local school children to museum visitors from all over the globe.

Our members promote the amateur radio service by participating in World Port weekend and by lending a hand wherever our skills are needed.

On the American Radio Relay League's Field Day you can find us at our primary field operation site. That site is at Angels Gate Park located directly above the Point Fermin Lighthouse (adjacent to the Korean Bell monument.) This former Fort MacArthur reservation overlooks the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors and the Pacific Ocean.

Of historical note, U.R.A.C. placed 1st in the nation in the first and second Field Day events in 1933 and 1934. From our field operation site we can see the Angels Gate Lighthouse and the Point Fermin Lighthouse. We also operate a special event station here during lighthouse events. This location provides a great communications control point for various public service events that we routinely support.

U.R.A.C. belongs to the 10-10 International, and many 10-10 Net members welcome collecting our #99.