Community Service SARC and SATERN
Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club and SATERN volunteers brought amateur radio, portable communications equipment, and plenty of fresh popcorn to the 2026 Hoffman Estates National Night Out.
The community event was held on Tuesday, August 4, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glen Lake Road, Hoffman Estates.[1] Learn more about Hoffman Estates National Night Out.
National Night Out brings residents, police officers, first responders, and community organizations together for an evening focused on safety and neighborhood connections. The national program promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.[2]
Although the evening was hot and humid, the volunteers stayed busy operating amateur radio, demonstrating portable equipment, and welcoming visitors.
Event Snapshot
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Hoffman Estates National Night Out 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, August 4, 2026 |
| Time | 6:00–9:00 p.m. |
| Location | Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glen Lake Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois |
| Participating Groups | Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club and the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network |
| Activities | Portable amateur radio, communications equipment demonstrations, the SARC Tech Net, public outreach, and popcorn |
| Popcorn Served | Approximately 300 large cups during the three-hour event |
| Event Information | Provided by John Thornton, KD9VZJ, Northern Illinois SATERN Coordinator |
A Portable Communications Setup
The SATERN Central Territory Communications Trailer arrived behind the Central Territory Sprinter van driven by Don, KD9NJR. John, KD9VZJ, followed in his Jeep 4xe.
SATERN stands for the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network. Its licensed amateur radio volunteers help support emergency and auxiliary communications for The Salvation Army.[3] Learn more about SATERN.
At Fabbrini Park, the team deployed the communications trailer, portable radio equipment, solar panels, EcoFlow power stations, and portable fans. A 10-by-20-foot canopy provided welcome shade for volunteers and visitors.
The setup gave the public a practical look at how amateur radio equipment and portable power can be deployed away from a permanent station.
How the Portable Operation Worked
flowchart TD A["Transport the trailer and equipment"] --> B["Deploy the canopy, radios, and portable power"] B --> C["Connect the go-box and communications equipment"] C --> D["Conduct the SARC Tech Net and demonstrations"] D --> E["Welcome visitors and serve popcorn"] E --> F["Shut down, pack equipment, and clean the site"]
SARC Tech Net Goes Live From the Park
Don, KD9NJR, conducted the SARC Tech Net live from the National Night Out site. Ken, W9KMP, assisted with the equipment and worked alongside Don at the communications go-box.
A go-box places radios, power connections, and related equipment into a portable package that can be transported and placed into service quickly.
Holding the net from the park demonstrated that club activities do not have to remain inside a home station or meeting room. With suitable radios, antennas, and power sources, amateur radio can operate from many different locations.
The SARC Tuesday Night Tech Net begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to amateur radio operators who want to ask questions, share information, or discuss technical topics.[4]
Serving the Community—One Cup at a Time
The amateur radio equipment attracted attention, but so did the aroma of hot, fresh popcorn.
John, KD9VZJ; Ken, W9KMP; and Don, KD9NJR, helped serve an estimated 300 large cups of popcorn during the three-hour event. At times, the line of visitors seemed endless.
The popcorn gave volunteers another opportunity to greet local families, answer questions, and introduce people to amateur radio and community service.
Thank You to the Volunteers
Participating volunteers included:
- Tommy, K9EKE — SARC
- Don, KD9NJR — SARC and SATERN
- Ken, W9KMP — SATERN
- Bill, W9ZCL — SARC and SATERN
- John, KD9VZJ — Northern Illinois SATERN Coordinator
- Keith, KD9WDU — SARC
A special thank-you goes to Keith, KD9WDU, who helped with station shutdown and cleanup even though he was not included in the photographs.
Thank you to everyone who transported equipment, operated the station, served popcorn, answered questions, and helped return the site to order at the end of a long evening.
How to Participate in a Future Event
Community events are a good way to see amateur radio in action. They also give operators an opportunity to practice portable station setup, net operations, teamwork, and public outreach.
Members who would like to help at a future event can:
- Watch the SARC calendar for upcoming club and public-service activities.
- Volunteer for station setup, operation, public outreach, or cleanup.
- Ask the event coordinator before bringing personal radios, antennas, batteries, or other equipment.
- Wear suitable clothing and bring water when an event will be held outdoors.
- Learn the operating plan, assigned frequencies, and net procedures before going on the air.
- Help explain amateur radio in simple terms to visitors who may be seeing it for the first time.
Suggested SARC Goals
| Member Type | Suggested Goal | Practical First Step |
|---|---|---|
| Curious Visitor | Learn what amateur radio can do away from a home station. | Visit a public event and ask a volunteer to explain the portable station. |
| Newly Licensed Operator | Become more comfortable with nets and portable equipment. | Listen to the Tech Net, practice checking in, and assist an experienced operator. |
| Portable Operator | Improve station setup and shutdown procedures. | Create a checklist for radios, antennas, feed lines, power, tools, and weather protection. |
| Public-Service Volunteer | Develop stronger communication and teamwork skills. | Help with a supervised deployment and learn the event communication plan. |
| Experienced Member | Help newer operators gain practical experience. | Mentor a volunteer and explain each part of the station during setup. |
Give It a Try
Whether you are an experienced operator, recently licensed, or simply curious about amateur radio, SARC welcomes you.[5]
You do not need to know everything before participating. Community events offer a friendly place to observe, ask questions, help with practical tasks, and learn how a portable station comes together.
Learn more about joining the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club.
Photographs and event information provided by John Thornton, KD9VZJ, Northern Illinois SATERN Coordinator.
Join SARC and participate in a future portable operating or community-service event
References
- “National Night Out Is on the Move for 2026!” Publisher: Village of Hoffman Estates. Accessed August 6, 2026. Full URL: https://www.hoffmanestates.org/news_detail_T3_R203.php ↩
- “About National Night Out.” Publisher: National Association of Town Watch. Accessed August 6, 2026. Full URL: https://natw.org/about/ ↩
- “SATERN Program.” Publisher: The Salvation Army USA. Accessed August 6, 2026. Full URL: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/satern-program/ ↩
- “Nets.” Publisher: Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club. Accessed August 6, 2026. Full URL: https://www.n9rjv.org/info/nets/ ↩
- “Membership.” Publisher: Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club. Accessed August 6, 2026. Full URL: https://www.n9rjv.org/info/membership/ ↩