All posts by W6EK

Watts Up This Week

SFARC Members and Friends,
 
HAVE YOU HEARD?
HAMFEST IS COMING AND
WE’VE RELEASED AN EARLY LIST OF PRIZES!!
We need your help. Whether it be the day of as a volunteer (LINK: https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering) or help us promote by printing the attached flyer and handing it out — every little bit helps.
 
With over $1,700 in prizes, the list includes:
  • Renogy “Solar Kit
    • Including: Foldable Solar Panel, Charge Controller, and a 30aH battery.
  • Yaesu FT-70DR
    • w/ RTSystems software
  • Yaesu FT-65
    • w/ RTSystems software
  • (5) Alpha Antenna $100 Gift Cards
  • Super Antenna YP-1
    • (6 Band Resonate Portable Dipole).
  • ARRL Gift Certificates
  • Easy Way Ham Books Package
  • Bridgecom Systems (more details coming soon)
  • “Ham Goodie Box” from MFJ
    • Including: antennas, cables, a dummy load, and more.
More information about the event can be found @ https://hamfest.w6ek.org
 
 
GENERAL CLUB MEETING, THIS FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 9TH @ 7:30 PM
We’ll be welcoming Tom (NN6H) who will be giving a talk on considerations when purchasing an electric vehicle and what to look out for. We encourage everyone who is able to attend in person to participate. Those who are unable can join the interactive Zoom meeting @ https://meeting.w6ek.org  
 
 
BOARD MEETING, THIS THURSDAY / FEBRUARY 8TH @ 6 PM
Want to see behind the curtain at SFARC? All our welcome to join the club board meeting this Thursday in the club Zoom room @ https://meeting.w6ek.org  

 
 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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Watts Up This Week

SFARC Members and Friends,

We’ve got a Hamfest update and a reminder about next weeks VE session.

HAMFEST UPDATE – NEXT PLANNING MEETING THIS THURSDAY @ 6PM (02/01) IN THE CLUB ZOOM ROOM.

Hamfest is fast approaching, and SFARC needs your help. We’re looking for volunteers!!!! You may think we already know that you want to be a part of Hamfest, but we want you to sound off at https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering . We’re also looking for people to make presentations at Hamfest. If you have a topic you think others might want to learn about, contact us using the volunteer link above.

Maybe you can’t help on the day of, but believe it or not, you can still help by making a QST on other nets you participate in. We have a QST script below and on our website @ https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/qstscript

 

QST Script:

The Loomis Hamfest is back for 2024, sponsored by the Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club.  Get your gear, grab your wallet, and prepare for a super swap at the Historic Loomis Train Station on March 16th. Admission is free, with doors opening at 7 AM for buyers.  If you want to sell some gear, $10 gets you a spot, first come, first served, with setup at 6 AM. We’ll have coffee and donuts, Elmer tours, a test table for buyers, some cool prizes, and much more!

Want more information? Check out all the details at hamfest.w6ek.org.

 

READY TO GET YOUR LICENSE OR UPGRADE? JOIN THE SFARC VE TEAM NEXT MONDAY (02/05)

Looking for a local location to take your amateur radio license or upgrade exam? The Sierra Foothills VE Team is back in action next week. If you want more information or are ready to sign up, visit https://www.w6ek.org/activities/testing

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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twitter.w6ek.org
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youtube.w6ek.org

Watts Up This Week

SFARC Members and Friends,

We’ve got a few things lined up this week and weekend.

COME HELP AT HAMFEST 2024
We’re gathering volunteers for SFARC’s biggest event of the year, HAMFEST 2024. We’re looking for “elmers”, parking lot attendees, presenters, security… you name it!!!
SIgn up to volunteer now @ https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering

IN THE SHACK – THIS WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 24TH
It’s like the “Buena Vista Social Club” for amateur radio operators. Join us Wednesday night in the club’s Zoom room @ 7:30PM. We talk about radio and projects in the shack, it’s truly a lot of fun.

CLUB BREAKFAST – THIS SATURDAY – JANUARY 27TH
Come break bread with us (or just chow down on some pancakes) at Mel’s Diner in Auburn. The officials start time is 0730 however we recommend coming early so you can sit at the big kids table.

FOX HUNT – THIS SATURDAY (RAIN OR SHINE) – JANUARY 27TH
This time we’ll be hunting in Granite Bay led by Fox Tender Jon (KI6RT). The fox will start transmitting at 0930 on 146.565 Mhz. Doug (W2VX) will provide the fox hunt pre-meeting following breakfast at Mel’s. First timers will also be paired up with an “elmer” if desired. If you want more information, check out the official event flyer @ https://www.w6ek.org/files/docs/Event-Flyers/Fox-Hunts/foxhunt_january_2024.pdf

Good luck to all taking part in Winter Field Day this weekend. Please remember to upload your pictures.

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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twitter.w6ek.org
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Watts Up This Week

Hey SFARC Members and Friends,
 
A big thank you to Earl and Scott for some excellent presentations at last weeks general club meeting. If you happen to miss the meeting, both presentations are available on the club’s YouTube channel, accesible through https://www.w6ek.org/media/videos 
 
ELMER NET, THIS WEDNESDAY (1/17) @ 7:30 PM
With so many news hams joining SFARC, and those recently upgraded, a reminder to check out the SFARC Elmer Net hosted by Eric (W6EMR). 
 
LOOMIS HAMFEST 2024 IS FAST APPROACHING – CAN YOU HELP?
With the SFARC Loomis Hamfest fast approaching, we’d love your help spreading the word. If you attend different nets in the Sacramento Valley, maybe make a QST. The event flyer, QST script, and a whole lot more can be found at our dedicated site, https://hamfest.w6ek.org
 
This is SFARC’s biggest fundraiser and event of the year. If you can help by volunteering at or before the event, let us know ASAP @https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering
Even if you think we already know you’re going to help, please take a moment to fill out the form above.
 
 
 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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twitter.w6ek.org
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youtube.w6ek.org

January 2024 SFARC Newsletter

SFARC Members and Friends,

The January 2024 Newsletter is attached.  You can also read it online (along with the full archive) at https://www.w6ek.org/aboutsfarc/newsletter 

 
Look forward to seeing you all THIS Friday for the General Club Meeting at 7:30 PM.

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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twitter.w6ek.org
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Watts Up This Week (Correction)

Hey SFARC Members and Friends,
 
We sent out the incorrect version of the Hamfest 2024 “Save The Date” Flyer. This is on of our biggest events of the year so please help us spread the word. Attached is the updated flyer.
 

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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twitter.w6ek.org
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youtube.w6ek.org

Watts Up This Week

Hey SFARC Members and Friends,
 
We’re in the second week of the year and we’ve got some fun coming up later this week.
 
SFARC BOARD MEETING | THIS THURSDAY, JANUARY 11TH
We’ll be meeting this Thursday @ 6PM in the club’s Zoom room. It’s a great way to provide feedback and learn more about what’s coming up at SFARC. 
 
SFARC GENERAL MEETING | THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 12TH
Join us in person (or online on Zoom) for the SFARC General Club Meeting, this Friday, January 12th @ 7:30PM. Topics for the night include Earl’s (K6GPB) presentation on crystals, and Scott’s (KM6RFB) presentation on emergency preparedness training. If joining in person, please consider bringing a non perishable food items for the greater Auburn community.
SAVE THE DATE – THE FIRST HAM SWAP OF THE YEAR IS COMING!
Get your gear, grab your wallet, and get ready for a super swap on March 16th, 2024 at the Historic Looms Train Deport. We’ll have coffee and donuts, awesome prizes, Elmer tours, a test table, presentations, and so much more. A save the date flyer is attached.  Please help SFARC by spreading the word.

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
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twitter.w6ek.org
linkedIn.w6ek.org
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youtube.w6ek.org

Watts Up This Week

Hey SFARC Members and Friends,
 
Welcome to 2024!! As we start the new year we’ve got a few updates. The newsletter should be out soon with a list of all the new members to vote in this month. The rest of this week is quiet but next week we kick things into gear starting Monday.
 
SFARC VE TESTING | MONDAY, JANUARY 8TH @ 7 PM
Ready to get your upgrade? Know someone that wants to get their Tech? Send them to w6ek.org now to sign up for Monday’s VE session. The team always meets for dinner so if you’d like to break bread with the VE team, you’re always welcome.
 
BOARD MEETING | THURSDAY, JANUARY 11TH @ 6 PM
Online in the club Zoom room. All members are welcome to attend.
 
SFARC GENERAL MEETING | FRIDAY, JANUARY 12TH @ 7:30 PM
Our general meetings are in person or in the club’s Zoom room. All our welcome, you do NOT need to be a club member to check out our club meetings and maybe make some new friends. It’s also a great opportunity to meet the 2024 officers who will be taking the reins.
 
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for the monthly newsletter coming soon.
 
 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
facebook.w6ek.org
twitter.w6ek.org
linkedIn.w6ek.org
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youtube.w6ek.org

Extra Helping of Watts Up This Week

As we reflect back at another successful year at SFARC, may we be reminded of all the good times, laughs, and fun we’ve had as a club.

One recent highlight from 2023 was a conversation I pulled from the W6EK streaming archive between Ray (KK6AM) and a callsign he didn’t recognize AK6DU. If you know Ray, and his daughter Christina, this is worth a listen. You can practically here the light bulb go on over Ray’s head as he realized that his daughter not only got her license but went all the way from unlicensed to Extra in under 60 minutes. 🙂

The repeater audio is from December 6th, 2023 shortly after 4 PM PT and can be found on the main page of https://www.w6ek.org/ under SFARC TV.

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920

Website: www.w6ek.org
Group.io: groupsio.w6ek.org

Social:
facebook.w6ek.org
twitter.w6ek.org
linkedIn.w6ek.org
instagram.w6ek.org
youtube.w6ek.org