What Is Tech Night?
Tech Night is BARC's informal workshop and build event — a chance to get your hands on equipment, work on projects, get help from experienced members, and learn something new in a relaxed setting. No agenda, no pressure, just radio.
Bring a project you're working on, a piece of gear that needs troubleshooting, or just come to watch and learn. All skill levels welcome.
What Happens at Tech Night
Antenna Builds
Cut wire, wind toroids, solder connectors. EFHW, dipoles, verticals, yagis — club members bring materials and expertise.
Equipment Demos
Members demo new rigs, SDR setups, digital mode configurations, logging software, and other shack tech.
Troubleshooting Help
Bring a radio, antenna, or accessory that's not working right. Experienced members with test equipment are usually on hand.
Digital Mode Setup
Get help configuring FT8, Winlink, JS8Call, or APRS. Laptop-to-radio interfacing is a popular topic.
CW / Morse Practice
Code practice sessions for new hams learning CW and for licensed hams looking to improve their speed.
Open Build Night
Sometimes it's just an open table — bring your project and work alongside other members in the club shack.
Recent Tech Nights
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May 2026FT8 Setup and HF Digital Interface WiringLaptop-to-radio interface cables, WSJT-X configuration, and live FT8 contacts
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Apr 2026EFHW Antenna BuildBuilding a 40m–10m end-fed half-wave with 9:1 unun — group build, everyone takes one home
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Mar 2026SDR Demonstration — RTL-SDR and SDR#$25 dongle covering 100 kHz–1.7 GHz, aircraft tracking, weather satellite images
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Feb 2026Open Troubleshooting NightMembers brought in rigs and antennas for diagnosis — VNA demos and SWR measurement
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Jan 2026Raspberry Pi for Ham RadioPi-Star hotspot setup, AllStar node on Pi, JS8Call and Direwolf packet