May 16, 2025
Patrick Bolan, KJ7ZSU: The Geochron
Patrick Bolan, KJ7ZSU, our May 16 speaker, was working as a construction manager about 20 years ago when he walked into a conference room and saw his first mechanical Geochron. A combination of a map and a clock, when it was introduced in 1964 by an inventor from Luxembourg the Geochron was the only way to see a real-time display of the locations of sunrise and sunset, in sync with Earth’s 23.4 degree axial tilt that gives us our seasons.
It was another 10 years before Patrick could buy a Geochron for himself. And when the complicated device failed, he discovered that he could not repair it. He took it to the only place that offered repairs: the company that made it, which turned out to be just a mile from where he was then living in Portland, Oregon.
On an impulse, he told the owners, “If you are ever interested in selling your company, I’d like to be part of that conversation.” It turned out they were thinking about retiring. Patrick didn’t have the cash to close the deal, but he put up his house as collateral and 10 years ago he became the owner of Geochron LLC.
The mechanical version of the clock is now built and restored in Colorado. At his Oregon home, Patrick and a small team of local developers created the Atlas, an electronic version that is popular with hams. Every Atlas Geochron is kitted in his basement.
Running Geochron does not occupy all of his time and energy. He’s a two-time Ironman triathlete, and recently completed a 23,000 mile motorcycle tour during which he visited 48 Geochron owners in 48 states. Now he’s thinking about how to install a ham rig on his motorcycle.
Our General Meeting is held at 7:30pm. in the LAPD West Valley Station Community Room, at 19020 Vanowen St, Reseda, CA 91335. (Click for a map or set your GPS to: 34°11’34.4″N 118°32’55.4″W.) Please park behind the library.
Meetings are hybrid, with attendance also available via Zoom. See our Zoom links page.
Field Day 2025
W6SD has begun planning for Field Day 2025, which will be held on June 28-29.
W6SD will operate out of the mini-park adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge 91326.
We are holding planning sessions via Zoom every other Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.: May 14, 28, June 11 and 25.
For information about our Field Day activities, and to sign up to participate either on-site or at your own QTH, please see our Field Day information page.
To participate in our every-other-week online Field Day planning sessions, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86700093061?pwd=amZOSXZKOTkwcWNDb2E5WW1MRmJqZz09
(Meeting ID 867 0009 3061, Passcode W6SD).
W6SD Get-Togethers
W6SD holds monthly speaker meetings on the third Friday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. We hold informal social get-togethers every Monday morning via Zoom.
Many members meet for breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings at the Denny’s restaurant at 16575 Sherman Way, west of the Van Nuys Airport. All are welcome.
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W6SD – The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club
ARRL Affiliated Club #1684
Founded in 1946, The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (SFVARC) is open to anyone interested in Amateur Radio as a hobby. The Club is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League and the Los Angeles Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, Inc.
San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 5472
West Hills, CA 91308
info@w6sd.com
Interested in joining W6SD? Whether you are brand new to the hobby of ham radio or are an Extra Class expert, you are welcome here. Click here for information.