Upcoming STARS Presentation: SMD Soldering Primer

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Attention Ham Radio Enthusiasts and STARS Club Members,

We’re back with another exciting evening of learning and skill-building, and this time we’re diving into a topic many of us have heard about—but few have mastered: Surface Mount Device (SMD) soldering.

If you’ve ever looked at a tiny SMD component and thought, “There’s no way I can solder that,”—you’re not alone. But fear not: help is on the way.

Featured Presenter: Glenn Bushey, KC9BPY

Glenn will guide us through the basics of SMD soldering, including tools, techniques, and tips to help demystify (and reduce frustration) when working with surface-mount components. Whether you’re a hands-on builder, a curious tinkerer, or someone just looking to expand your skills, this presentation will be packed with practical value.

Event Details:

  • Date: August 14, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Location: Bridgeview Community Center
  • 7902 S Oketo Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455

Why Attend?

Surface Mount Devices are everywhere—and learning to work with them opens up a whole new world of repair, customization, and homebrew projects. Glenn’s approachable teaching style makes this a perfect intro for anyone who wants to start building confidence in this essential modern skill.


As always, all are welcome—bring a friend, a fellow operator, or someone curious about the hobby. Let’s keep the STARS tradition of sharing knowledge alive and well.

We’ll see you there!
The STARS Board

President’s Update July 12, 2025

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As most of you know, we have been busy here at STARS Radio Club. My goal as president was to revitalize our club. I wanted to increase membership and make our meetings meaningful. Our club has a long history and has been around for 60 years. We have been successful at growth. We now have 37 paid members. We still have six previous members who have not submitted their dues. I have spoken to a few, and they are planning on renewing, but it just slipped their minds. Our membership year starts in June as opposed to January. I like that because when you belong to several clubs, it spreads out your dues obligation. At the beginning of my term, I made my goals known. I hope we reach 50 members by the time my term is up. That is a very achievable goal. Invite a friend who is a ham or someone interested in becoming a ham to visit our meetings. I had someone recently ask why they should join our club. My response started with a simple question: Do you join our nets? Their answer was yes. Well, since they joined our nets, why not join? Your dues are what help keep our repeater maintained. We now have presentations on our meeting nights. We have a new logo and growing participation. My membership goal will only be achieved through the effort and dedication of our club members.

We have several people who stepped up and contributed to making this a great working club. Larry (KB9REV) and Nick (KB9JRG) have joined the board, so we now have a full board. Stu (KD9GHO, our VP) has some great ideas about outreach. Tom (KA9ZXN, our secretary) keeps our minutes up to date and is our awesome net control. Tamme (KC9RFJ, our treasurer) not only keeps our books but also our membership roster. Several members have given presentations. As I said, this has been a team effort. I want to thank all who have made this club what it is. Thank you for your hard work. Hope to see you all at the meeting and hear you on the net.

73

📡 Attention Ham Radio Enthusiasts and STARS Club Members!

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It’s that time of year again—our annual membership drive is officially underway, and we’re calling on each of you to help keep the STARS momentum strong!

Whether you’ve been with us for years, are returning after a break, or you’re brand new to amateur radio, this is your moment to connect, contribute, and be part of something that truly matters.

Why Join (or Rejoin) STARS?

The STARS club isn’t just about radios and repeaters—it’s about community, learning, and a shared passion for communication that spans generations. It’s where newcomers find mentors, where old friends share laughs over projects, and where voices come together on the airwaves and off.


Existing Members: Time to Renew!

If you’re already part of the family, thank you! Please take a moment to ensure your annual dues are current so we can continue bringing great programs, events, and services to the club. Your support makes everything we do possible.

Let’s Grow the STARS Family

We’re especially eager to welcome back former members and invite new voices to join us. Know someone who might be interested in amateur radio or looking to reconnect? Tell them about STARS. Bring them to a meeting. Help us spread the word.

73, and we hope to hear you soon!
Your STARS Board

STARS Field Day Event 2025

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The weather made for a successful first day of the 2025 Field Day. Come on out. Join the fun!

Dan W9SAU                                   Pete WB9W

          Working some high speed CW        Working long distant voice contacts

     Tom K9ASE

Working 20 Meters

ARRL Field Day 2025

– All are Welcome –

STARS Amateur Radio Club

June 28 and 29, 2025

24 hours – 1:00 PM Sat. through 1:00 PM Sun.

FCC Amateur Radio License Testing

Santa Fe Prairie State Nature Preserve

7300 River Road. Hodgkins, IL.

Field Day is an emergency preparedness exercise for Amateur Radio Operators.

It is an all-weather Event.

Radio stations are set up in the field and powered by batteries, generators, solar panels, or other sources, then connected to portable antennas.

During the exercise, short messages are exchanged with radio stations in the USA and Canada. Voice, Morse code, email, and messages are transmitted and received by radio, without using the Internet.

The purpose of Field Day is to demonstrate the need for Amateur Radio, as this may be the only type of communications available in a real emergency.

STARS Monthly VE Testing Session – Want to Get On the Air? Check out our Amateur Radio Exams! 📡

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Looking to get your Amateur Radio license or upgrade your ticket? STARS holds Volunteer Examiner (VE) testing sessions on most fourth Saturdays of the month at the Justice Public Library – 7641 Oak Grove Ave, Justice, IL. Please double-check the ARRL website or the STARS events calendar, as dates can shift for holidays or special events.

Testing starts at 10:00 AM. Walk-ins are welcome until 10:30 AM — but please arrive early to avoid disrupting others.

 Testing fee: $15 cash only (no checks or cards).
 Bring: A valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, student ID, etc.).
 Required: FCC Registration Number (FRN). You can register for one here: FCC FRN Registration

Upgrading? Bring your original license and any valid CSCEs, along with one copy of each, for our records.

We’ll provide scratch paper. Calculators are allowed, as long as they’re free of stored formulas.

Have questions or ready to test? Contact our CVE, Dennis, at KC9DSP@gmail.com

Get a good night’s sleep, eat a solid breakfast, and come ready — you’ve got this!

Upcoming STARS Event: Hands-On Skills Night!

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Attention Ham Radio Enthusiasts and STARS Club Members,

Get ready for an evening of practical knowledge, hands-on insights, and skill-building! We’re excited to announce our next club event featuring two of our talented members, each bringing their expertise to the table.

Featured Presenters:

  • Tom, KA9ZXN“The Art of Soldering”
    Learn the essentials (and a few advanced tips) for clean, reliable soldering in your radio projects. Tom will cover everything from tools and technique to avoiding common pitfalls.
  • Dennis, KC9DSP“Making Power Poles Work for You”
    Power Poles are a staple in any serious amateur radio setup. Dennis will guide you through the best practices for assembly, usage, and keeping your gear powered and connected with confidence.

📅 Event Details:

  • Date: June 12, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  • Location: Bridgeview Community Center
  • 7902 S Oketo Avenue
  • Bridgeview, IL 60455

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been operating for decades, this night is for everyone looking to sharpen their technical skills and connect with fellow hobbyists.

Bring your curiosity, questions, and maybe even your own soldering tales or Power Pole setups to share!

All Are Welcome

This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or reconnect with other members. We’re building a strong, vibrant STARS community, and this kind of hands-on learning brings it to life.

See you there!

Your STARS Board

🎉 Thank You for Voting – We Have a Winner!

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To all STARS members and friends of the club, thank you for making your voices heard in our recent logo vote!

We were thrilled by the engagement and support for this exciting step forward. A total of 16 members participated, and here are the results:

  • Option #1: 🏆 10 votes – The clear winner!
  • Option #2: 2 votes
  • Option #3: 4 votes

With a strong majority, Option #1 will officially become the new face of the STARS club!

Option 1

The enthusiasm you brought to this process reminds us what makes our club special — a community built on shared passion, participation, and progress. The new logo reflects not only our legacy in amateur radio but also our continued growth into the future.

We’ll be rolling out the new design in upcoming communications, social media, merchandise, and club materials, so stay tuned!

📡 So What’s Next?

As we look ahead, we’re eager to continue this momentum. Do you have program suggestions, guest speaker ideas, or community outreach plans? We’d love to hear from you.

Share your thoughts anytime through our Contact page.

Thanks again for helping shape the next chapter of STARS. Let’s keep the signal strong and the spirit of radio alive!

Your STARS Board

Field Day 2025

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ARRL Field Day 2025

– All are Welcome –

STARS Amateur Radio Club

June 28 and 29, 2025

24 hours – 1:00 PM Sat. through 1:00 PM Sun.

FCC Amateur Radio License Testing

Santa Fe Prairie State Nature Preserve

7300 River Road. Hodgkins, IL.

Field Day is an emergency preparedness exercise for Amateur Radio Operators.

It is an all-weather Event.

Radio stations are set up in the field and powered by batteries, generators, solar panels, or other sources, then connected to portable antennas.

During the exercise, short messages are exchanged with radio stations in the USA and Canada. Voice, Morse code, email, and messages are transmitted and received by radio, without using the Internet.

The purpose of Field Day is to demonstrate the need for Amateur Radio, as this may be the only type of communications available in a real emergency.

📡 Calling All STARS Members and Ham Radio Enthusiasts!

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Help Us Shape the Future of Our Club with a New Logo!

The STARS Board is excited to announce a fresh initiative aimed at revitalizing our club’s identity and fostering a sense of unity among both long-standing and prospective members. As part of our commitment to growth and innovation, we’re embarking on a journey to redesign our club logo to better reflect the dynamic spirit of amateur radio in today’s world.​

🎨 Your Voice Matters: Choose Our New Logo

We have curated three distinct logo designs, each capturing unique facets of our club’s heritage and aspirations. Now, we turn to you—our valued members—to help select the emblem that will represent STARS moving forward.​

Here’s how you can participate:

  1. Review the Logo Options:
  2. Cast Your Vote: Reply to us with your preferred logo choice (Option 1, 2, or 3).​
  3. Share Your Thoughts: Feel free to include any feedback on the designs or suggest ideas for future club programs and events.​

Submit your response from our Contact page

Option 1
Option 2
Option 3

🌟 Reconnecting and Growing Together

This logo redesign is more than just a visual update; it’s a symbol of our club’s evolution and a step towards reengaging former members while welcoming new enthusiasts into our community. By involving everyone in this process, we aim to reinforce the collaborative spirit that defines STARS.​

Let’s seize this opportunity to celebrate our shared passion for amateur radio and to chart a vibrant path forward together.​


📅 Stay Engaged and Informed

Keep an eye on our communications for upcoming events, workshops, and opportunities to connect with fellow ham radio aficionados. Your active participation is the heartbeat of our club’s success.​


Thank you for being an integral part of STARS. Let’s make this next chapter our most exciting yet!