The SFARC Board of Directors wishes you a Happy Holiday season.

CLUB BREAKFAST AND FOX HUNT (DECEMBER 27, 2025)

A reminder that coming up this weekend (December 27th) we have a club breakfast at Mel’s in Auburn followed by a very special Family Fox Hunt. The fun begins at Regional Park in Auburn (3770 Richardson Drive). The pre-meeting will start at 0900 at the main parking lot near the paddleboard courts (38.952465, -121.107092). Bring your family, friends, spouse, kids, significant other, pets, and grandkids (did I miss anyone?) to this family-friendly event. It will be a “walk in the park” kind of hunt, with accessible paths for all. We’ll have hot chocolate and prizes for the kids.

With hours left until the big day, the following was posted on Facebook by our outgoing club President Aaron (W1ATB) and is too good to not share.

’Twas the day before Christmas and I was out in my shack,

With the rig humming softly and the meters all back.

The coax was coiled with meticulous care,

In hopes that a DXpedition soon would be there.

My antennas stood tall in the crisp winter air,

Each element glistening with frost everywhere.

I tuned up the bands with a twist and a glide,

Letting 20 meters open up wide.

When out on the spectrum there arose such a clatter,

I spun the dial fast to see what was the matter.

A rare call was booming through static and snow—

A station from far where the trade winds blow.

I keyed up my mic with a confident grin,

“QRZ, de Kilo…” — let the contact begin.

The pileup was fierce, but I gave it my best,

Threading my call through the noise and the rest.

At last came the words every ham longs to hear:

“Copy your signal, you’re five-nine, my dear.”

A Christmas Eve QSO, logged neat and complete,

A gift from the ionosphere—simple and sweet.

Then back to the shack came a warm, gentle glow,

As the tubes dimly pulsed in their comforting show.

I leaned back content, hearing faint distant chatter,

Hams wishing each other good cheer in the clatter.

So whether you’re chasing DX or ragchewing tonight,

May your signals be strong and your noise floor be light.

For on this fine evening, from shack roof to tree,

Merry Christmas to all—and to all, 73.