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. Rec & Parks^[1] certified URAC volunteers  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!

1. City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks