Welcome to Almaden Radio Club KN6NUA

We are the champions of Amateur Radio systems in and around the vibrant Almaden Valley, nestled in southern San Jose, California. The KN6NUA members latest initiative focuses on elevating the WA2IBM repeater system, a beacon of communication set proudly in the Santa Teresa Foothills at 1,060 feet high. With unwavering support from the IBM Almaden Research Center, the WA2IBM repeater system has been a cornerstone of exceptional community service since the 1970s. Today, it boasts three powerful repeaters that ensure comprehensive FM coverage across Santa Clara County, extending into the Peninsula, East Bay, and the northern Bay Area. As we look to the horizon, we are excited to drive forward ambitious enhancements that will transform our capabilities!

Background:

Our club, a vibrant collective of over 130 members, embodies the true spirit of amateur radio, emergency communications, community service, and recreational operation. With members holding licenses from Technician to Extra class, we actively engage in HF, VHF, and UHF bands, excelling in both voice and digital modes. The Almaden Radio Club is committed to community outreach initiatives, continually inspiring, educating, and welcoming new enthusiasts into the fascinating world of amateur radio for hobbies, emergency preparedness, and dedicated community service.

Every week, several members of the Almaden Radio Club also participate in the San Jose Simplex Net, a thriving discussion group. During the simplex net, members focus on ragchewing, conducting radio checks, and providing or seeking advice.

We don’t just participate; we lead. Our members engage in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, contribute to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service / Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES), support the Santa Clara Large Animal Evacuation Team, and play active roles in the Almaden Valley Public Safety Net, a dedicated neighborhood radio watch group.

To ignite interest in amateur radio and grow our community, we collaborate with Scouting America, formally Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and champion STEM youth and diverse community involvement by offering demos, license training, testing resources, and informative meetups.

Our Vision:

Our primary mission is to serve the needs of the nearly 1,000,000 residents in the San Jose area, including over 48,000 individuals living in Almaden Valley. As our membership has grown, we have expanded our services to also include residents of Cambrian and Willow Glen.

Our Goals:

1. Ignite a vibrant South Bay amateur radio community through club nets, demos, classes, training, and social events, anchored by our robust repeater infrastructure.

2. Establish a resilient emergency communications network and provide essential training resources for our members and the broader community, enhancing preparedness and response to crises such as power outages, wildfires, earthquakes, and more. We aim to:

   • Deploy voice repeaters that support the amateur community during emergencies and drills.
   • Install a cutting-edge VARA FM digipeater for emergency data communications from incident command posts like CERT to district and county-level emergency operations centers.
   • Identify and encourage local residents to engage in CERT and other emergency radio communications training programs offered by Santa Clara County ARES/RACES.

3. Inspire and involve local youth, seniors, and diverse community members in amateur radio, from the basics to emergency communications. We will:

   • Support students with resources for ham theory, practice, and license exam preparation through classes and guidance to testing locations, both physical and online.
   • Collaborate with Scouts BSA and STEM youth to nurture future licensed amateur radio operators and club participants, focusing on building radio knowledge, skills, emergency communications, and preparedness.

Join us in our mission to empower our community through the transformative power of amateur radio. Together, we will enhance our infrastructure, expand our outreach, and prepare for whatever the future holds. Your support is the key to unlocking these possibilities.

For further information, questions, or to become a member, please visit our “Contact and Join” page.

Thank you and 73,

Almaden Repeater Club Officers