Whether you are a new member or an existing member there are lots of great tid bits of unique information about our club that you can find here. If you don’t find what you are looking please contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions.
Why Join the SGVR PCA?
The SGVR PCA is a friendly and relaxing group of Porsche enthusiast who just love to have a great time whether its chill’n at a Cars and Coffee or a weekend Fun Run getaway. Porsches bring us together and we never run out of wonderful Porsche things to talk about. The real benefit is the friendships you gain, the vast experience of the members in the club and the extensive knowledge that only a fellow owner can pass on.
If this is your first time joining the PCA or if you are considering adding another club to your portfolio, we invite you to take us for a test drive and join us at one of our events. Please reach via email at Info@SGVR.pca.org form and let us know you are considering joining and we will send you information on the best time to drive out and meet us.
What if I am a member of another region?
For those of you who belong to another PCA region you can have duel memberships or transfer your membership region to San Gabriel Valley Region. You will want to contact the National PCA to transfer or use the “Join” form to add us as another region. You can also call them directly and they can make the adjustments to your account and take payment by phone – (410) 381-0911.
New Member quick start guide
Curious about what the SGVR PCA is all about? Wondering if its something you would be interested in? Not sure how to meet up and what you need. Hopefully the below will be a quick cheat guide to getting started.
The best way to get started is to email us at Info@SGVR.pca.org. In the message just let us know you are a new member or thinking of becoming a new member and one of our members will reach out with the best way to get started.
Another option is to take a look at the our events and meet the group live. One of the best places to start is our free monthly Cars and Coffee event. Our Cars and Coffee Events are typically the second Sunday of every month. To find the next one, please take a look at our Events Page and look for the blue calendar item “Monthly Cars & Coffee. Our monthly Cars and Coffee changes location so be sure to reach out so we can be sure your first event is as easy as possiboe. Can’t wait to see you there. Special note: There are typically no benches or chairs at Cars & Coffe other than what you bring, so pack up your favorite chair and comfy shoes. If you would like pre-meet information..please email us at Info@SGVR.pca.org and we will get that too you. You can also find all the pre-meet information on the Members Forum.
Club Drives
Club Drives are social events that get us driving our cars to unique venues to explore, have lunch and hangout. From short runs to longer overnight and weekend events. Some of our previous runs have been to Paradise Cove, Channel Islands, Big Bear, Vasquez Rocks and Idyllwild. Be sure to check out the Events Calendar so you can plan to take a Club Drive with us too.
When you arrive at the Club Drive the member leading the event will request all those in attendance sign an insurance waiver prior to the start of the event. Do not bring a signed waiver with you.
Concours
PCA regions host Concours events throughout the year. A concours (short for Concours d’Elegance) is a judged car show that celebrates Porsches for their beauty, condition, and attention to detail. Some divisions are highly competitive, while others are more relaxed “detail-and-shine”. For SGVR and PCA, concours events are not only a social occasion but also a way to honor the care and passion members put into their Porsches. If you’ve never participated, we encourage you to join the next one—it’s a lot of fun!
Concours Judging School
A PCA Concours Judging School is a training program run by the Porsche Club of America (PCA) to teach members how to judge cars at a Concours d’Elegance.
Here’s what it typically involves:
- Learning the Rules: Judges are trained on PCA’s official judging guidelines, including how to evaluate originality, condition, and presentation.
- Hands-On Practice: Participants often inspect real cars, learning how to spot subtle details and differences.
- Scoring System: They are taught how to assign points fairly, whether a car meets, exceeds, or falls short of factory specifications.
- Safety & Etiquette: How to handle owners’ cars with care and conduct yourself professionally during the event.
The goal is to ensure consistent, fair, and knowledgeable judging at all PCA concours events. Even if you don’t plan to be a judge, attending can give you insight into what judges look for—and tips for presenting your own Porsche!
Partnership Opportunities
SGVR offers unique partnership opportunities for businesses and organizations that want to connect with passionate Porsche enthusiasts. As a partner, you’ll gain visibility at our events, support our club activities, and become part of a vibrant community that shares your love of cars. Whether through event sponsorships, hosting gatherings, or providing services to our members, your support helps SGVR thrive—and we make sure our partners are recognized and celebrated. Join us and drive your brand forward with SGVR!
Volunteering
Want to get more involved. We are always looking for people willing to dive in and help out. The more help we get the better our events are.
Mobile Radios – Please see SGVR WhatsApp Radio Group for frequency chart
Two way radios are highly recommended when at one of our events or on a Club Drive. You get to stay in touch with the group if you are off exploring or be advised of road hazards when driving through the canyons. They even allow us to stay in communication when cell service is not available. As a reminder be sure to charge your mobile radios before each event.
NOTE: The club uses GMRS(General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies that are shared with FRS (Family Radio Service)frequencies. Transmitting on a GMRS radio or frequency requires a GMRS license that costs $35 and it is valid for 10 years. You can apply using FCC Form 605. Club leads and sweeps use a GMRS frequency and GMRS radios. Those who do not have GRMS radios in the group are able to use the FRS equivalent frequency.
The following is a list of known radios in use by our club, each with its own FCC licensing requirement. Its up the owner of their device to determine what type of FCC radio license they need or if they rather use a FCS radio which does not require licensing.
Please note we strongly recommend our members do not purchase ham radios or commercial radios that you are not legally allowed operate. Please note use of ham radios can only be used to listen (receive) you can not legally talk (transmit) using a ham radio on a GRMS frequency. All frequencies the club uses are GMRS frequencies that are also available to FRS radios that can be programmed.
Samcom – not recommended
FPCN30A (commercial FCC part 90 radio). Although popular in use by our group it is not legal to operate unless you have a commercial license to use it.
Baofeng models
UV -5G Plus (GMRS Radio)
UV-28 Plus (ham radio) is not recommended
UV-5R (ham radio) is not recommended.
Midland
GXT 67 Pro (GMRS Radio)
BTECH:
GMRS Pro (GMRS Radio)
FRS-A1 (FRS Radio- no license required)
If you are looking for a FRS radio, please be sure to validate it is programmable using CHRIP. At this time we are aware of the Baofeng BF-88ST Pro and GT-18. We have not at this time programmed but according to documentation should be able to be programmed. This information will be updated as we explore FRS radios that are compatible with our GRMS radios.
RADIO Club Drive Usage: Our club drives participation varies with groups under 10 to groups of up to 30 or more. To maintain safety and be within the guidelines of the PCA, the SGVR may opt to break up the drives into one or more groups. All Group Leads and Sweeps will have dedicated communications Channels SGVR-1 through SGVR-5. The Drive Chair will inform each group’s lead and sweep which SGVR channel to use for its unique lead and sweep communication. All drivers, regardless of group will use the SGVR-X-Group Channel to monitor and or transmit to all groups. This allows us to maintain clean communication between leads and sweeps and removing that chatter from the overall group communication.
RADIO PROGRAMMING: Radios will need to be programmed to match the clubs frequency (SGVR 1-5 and SGVR-X-Group). Please be sure to come to the Monthly Breakfast and we can program your radio in just a few moments.
GMRS Licensing Process:
Apply for a GMRS license entirely online through the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) License Manager. There are no exams required for GMRS. The process requires registering for an FRN, applying online, and paying a $35 fee for a 10-year license.
Note: Fines for using a GMRS frequency without a license are very steep. See page 129 of the CCR-2021-title-47. Here is a brief summary:
For operating a 5-watt radio on GMRS frequencies without a license, the FCC base forfeiture penalty is $10,000 for unauthorized operation, which can scale up to $23,404 per day for continued, willful violations. However, for a first-time consumer offense, the FCC generally issues a warning or a cease-and-desist letter first.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
1) Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN): Go to the FCC Registration System (CORES) to create a username and register as a “Domestic Individual.” You will receive an FRN immediately. website: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
2) Access the License Manager: Log in to the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) License Manager using your FRN and password.
3) Submit the Application: Click “Apply for a New License” on the left-hand menu, select “ZA – General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)” from the dropdown menu, and fill out Form 605
4) Pay the Fee: The FCC will process a $35 application fee. You must pay this within 10 days of submitting your application.
5) Receive Your License: Approvals usually take 24–48 hours Applying for a License for your GMRS Radio. The official call sign authorization will be emailed directly to you.
Using your provided Call Sign – Please be sure to use your call sign at Radio Check when we start up and when we sign off and per FCC requirements.
Timing: The FCC requires you to state your assigned call sign at the end of a transmission (or series of transmissions) and at least every 15 minutes during a prolonged conversation. If your are listening you can chime it at your required intervals with “[call sign]- monitoring”.
Format: State the letters and numbers clearly in English. Phonetics are allowed but not required.
Family Sharing: Immediate family members sharing your license can use your exact call sign, though they may optionally append a letter or unit number to distinguish themselves (e.g., “[Call Sign] unit 2”)