PCARS — The Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society is a private club and Florida non-profit corporation for and by radio amateurs. For over 55 years PCARS has been the premier amateur radio club in central and southern Brevard County. There is a lot more information in the About section of this website. There is also valuable information for anyone interested in amateur radio, no matter what their experience level.
Longtime PCARS member
John Weatherly AB4ET Silent Key
Longtime PCARS Life Member John Weatherly AB4ET(formerly G3KQL) passed away on April 19th, 2024. He had been in ill health in recent years & was in assisted living.
John held a number of positions within PCARS over the years , including Club President & one of his last positions, PCARS Emergency Coordinator, right around the time of Hurricane Katrina. His contributions to PCARS are many & he surely will be missed. May he Rest in Peace.
John at his station in Buena Vida Estates
FIELD DAY 2024 coming up in a few weeks!!
SAVE THE DATE – June 22-23, 2024
PCARS Field Day 2024 is 2 months away. PCARS had a great time last year! Field Day Chairman K4JC & his staff are planning another great Field Day this year. The June General Membership meeting will be dedicated to Field Day. Details to follow, so stay tuned! More info under Activities/ARRL Field Day
FRIDAY LUNCH VENUE AT CRYSTAL’S
Crystal’s Buffett on the corner of 192 & Wickham Rd., is the place for lunch on Fridays. We meet there every Friday @ 11AM. We can have 5-6 people or as many as 18. Please come join us!!
58TH MELBOURNE HAMFEST IS HISTORY!!
The Melbourne Hamfest, a Florida tradition for 58 years, is now history!! The weather held out throughout the weekend, making it a great time for all that attended. Many thanks to PCARS Hamfest Chairman N0OJ, for leading our Hamfest Committee to a successful Hamfest!
2023 Grand Prize Winners
1st Prize – Yaesu HF/6 Meter Transceiver FT710 AESS – W4OX
2nd Prize – Bird Wattmeter with with gift certificate for 1 slug – Shelle Pendergrast
3rd Prize – Yaesu VHF/UHF/Fusion capable Mobile Transceiver FTM-300DR – KN4ZUJ
SAVE THE DATE – 59TH ANNUAL MELBOURNE HAMFEST OCTOBER 11TH & 12TH 2024
The 59th Annual Melbourne Hamfest, a Florida tradition, will be held on October 11th & 12th, 2024, at the Melbourne Auditorium. Tickets will be available soon. Stay tuned for more details!!
“PCARS in the Park” a success!!
PCARS in the Park was held on January 20th, at 3 Forks Conservation Area & was a total success! Over 20 operators attended the event. A BIG THANKS to Paul W1IP for chairing the event.
Mark Burke W9MGB accepts Sunshine Chair position
Mark Burke W9MGB, has officially accepted the position of Sunshine Chairman. PCARS BOD thanks Mark for stepping up to take this role!
If anyone is aware of a member/member’s family, etc. who is ill, etc. & would like to receive a card, please drop Mark a line at .
PCARS Mobile Car Show a success!
The 1st ever PCARS Mobile Car show took place on Saturday, April 13th. It was held in the Sarno Plaza parking lot. The event was organized & ran by Paul W1IP. There were quite a few “mobiles” in attendance & prizes were awarded. Pictured above are the winners, l-r W1BQ, 2nd place, W1IP, W4GWC, 3rd Place, AD4ES, 1st place & K4AOQ. A big thanks to W1IP for putting on the event & also KC1YL for supplying the trophies !
PCARS Quarterly Tailgate held April 20th at the Fire Training Center
The Quarterly PCARS Tailgate was held on April 20th. As always, we had a good crowd turn out. The time moved to 0700, as the warmer months are upon us. A big thanks to K4CXX for chairing another successful Tailgate!
PCARS Lab Training Session held on April 20th
A PCARS Lab Training session for new hams was also held on April 20th in the afternoon. K4CXX originated & ran the session, with assistance from W7TSO, KO4AQF & K5LD. A big thanks to K4CXX for chairing the session.