All posts by W6EK

December 30, 2025 W6EK

AMATEUR RADIO EXAMES / VE TESTING – JANUARY 5TH
With the new year comes your first opportunity to get your first license (or upgrade) is happening next week, Monday, January 5th @ 7PM at Confluence Church. Need more information before signing up? Visit https://www.w6ek.org/activities/testing

IN-PERSON BOARD MEETING – JANUARY 8TH
The monthly SFARC board meeting will be a face to face meeting to help facilitate the transition of the outgoing board and the newly elected incoming 2026 board. The meeting will be held at the Newcastle Denny’s. There will not be a zoom component for this meeting, board members and interested general members are expected to attend in person on January 8th. Future broad meetings will be held via Zoom at zoom.w6ek.org unless designated as otherwise.

Watts Up This Week

Watts Up This Week | Holiday Edition

December 24, 2025 W6EK

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.

_ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

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

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Watts Up This Week

December 15, 2025 W6EK

We’ll start this week by sending out a BIG thank you to Brian (AI6US) and Don (WB6LPJ) for co-chairing the 2025 SFARC Christmas Fiesta. If you couldn’t attend, you missed out. However, you can check out the SFARC Year In Review (slideshow) @ www.w6ek.org.

Did you take photos at the Christmas Fiesta? Your photos are what make the SFARC Year In Review so much fun each year. DON’T FORGET TO UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS @ https://www.w6ek.org/upload – choose “Upload Photos and Videos”.

In fact, we want to “sweeten the pot” for 2026. The Board of Directors will vote on the best uploaded photo of 2026 (this includes the 2025 Christmas Fiesta Photos) and the winner will take home a $100 Ham Radio Outlet gift certificate next December.

DECEMBER FOX HUNT | DECEMBER 27TH @ 0900

Come one, come all. The December fox hunt will be like no other. Join SFARC on December 27th at the Regional Park in Auburn (3770 Richardson Drive). Our 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.

As always, a big thanks to this month’s tenders: Brian (AI6US), John (KO6COW), Jayden (W6EFM), and Frank (KG9M). More info can be found @ https://www.w6ek.org/activities/foxhunt

TRIVA NIGHT

This coming Friday @ 7:30 PM on the repeater, don’t forget to join us for Friday Night Trivia!!!

_ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

Last Chance RSVP | 2025 Christmas Party RSVP | Closing Soon

December 7, 2025 W6EK

If you haven’t RSVP’d for the 2025 SFARC Christmas Party, this is your last reminder.

If you’re on the fence about coming, consider this!!!

We’re giving away:

(1) $500 HRO gift card
(1) $250 HRO gift card
(4) $50 Amazon gift cards
(5) $25 Dutch Bros gift cards
(4) TIDRADIO H3’s
Emergency First Aid Kits – Thanks to Placer County EC Scott (KM6RFB)
LiFePO4 Batteries – Thanks to Dan (KN6WQU)

https://www.w6ek.org/rsvp
DEADLINE: Tomorrow, December 8th

If you’re planning to attend, please…

remember to bring a generous non perishable food donation for the food bank. Extra tickets for the drawing will be provided as a thank you for the donation.
remember to bring cash for the $10 per person fee. We’ll accept other methods of payment, however, cash is usually the easiest.

We hope to see you, Saturday the 13th @ 5PM.

_ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

Watts Up This Week

December 2, 2025 W6EK

Let’s start with some news from the SFARC VE desk.

CONGRATULATIONS to the newest Ham Radio Techicians licensed last night (12/1). Jack Anderson, John Carlstrom, Vasiliy Kormarchuk, David Nash, Daniel Quistgard, Michelle Russo, and Corde Wagner /AT. Also a BIG congratulations going out to Charles (KO6FNI /AG) who upgraded to General.

Congratulations to all and a big thanks to the SFARC VE team for another successful year of exams, mentoring, and making new hams. 🙂

CHRISTMAS PARTY UPDATES

Last chance to RSVP for the SFARC Christmas Party is December 8, 2025; DON’T DELAY. RSVP now @ https://www.w6ek.org/rsvp

We also have our last planning meeting coming up this Thursday (12/4) @ 6PM in the club Zoom room.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT SFARC TRIVIA NIGHT — THIS FRIDAY!

_ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

Watts Up This Week

Watts Up This Week | Thanksgiving Edition

November 27, 2025 W6EK

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving—may your radios be clear and your hearts full. This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for each operator who keeps our hobby alive, supports our events, and checks in on the nets. May your holiday be filled with warmth, gratitude, and great QSOs.

A reminder for the coming weekend, we’re having our club breakfast THIS SATURDAY (11/29) at 7:30A. The Fox Hunt pre-meeting starts at 9:15 AM in the parking lot of Mel’s. The Fox Hunt itself will commence at 9:30 AM and run until all participants report in that they found the Fox, or we reach the “witching hour ” of 11:30 AM. Thank you to our volunteer Fox Tender for this month Mat KO6IMP! Mat will provide details on this Fox Hunt including transmitter frequency, general location, output power, etc., at the Fox Hunt pre-meeting. Best to come prepared for any challenge. 🙂

73 and best wishes as you give thanks for those around you.

_ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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: Watts Up This Week

November 12, 2025 W6EK

SFARC will be doing a club POTA activation at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area THIS SUNDAY, 11/16 starting @ 10AM. Bring your portable radio equipment, a filling lunch, and enjoy the great outdoors in zero noise land with SFARC members! We will be operating phone, digital, and CW modes on as many bands as we have antennas for.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area: 45211 Co Rd 32B, Davis, CA 95618

On 11/12/2025 9:19 AM PST SFARC Club Communication <qst@w6ek.org> wrote:

A late but worthy add for THIS COMING WEEKEND.

SFARC will be doing a club POTA activation at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Bring your portable radio equipment, a filling lunch, and enjoy the great outdoors in zero noise land with SFARC members! We will be operating phone, digital, and CW modes on as many bands as we have antennas for.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area: 45211 Co Rd 32B, Davis, CA 95618

REMINDER: CLUB MEETING, THIS FRIDAY @ 7:30PM
If you can’t make it in person, join us on Zoom @ 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:
facebook.w6ek.org
twitter.w6ek.org
linkedIn.w6ek.org
instagram.w6ek.org
youtube.w6ek.org

Watts Up This Week

November 12, 2025 W6EK

A late but worthy add for THIS COMING WEEKEND.

SFARC will be doing a club POTA activation at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Bring your portable radio equipment, a filling lunch, and enjoy the great outdoors in zero noise land with SFARC members! We will be operating phone, digital, and CW modes on as many bands as we have antennas for.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area: 45211 Co Rd 32B, Davis, CA 95618

REMINDER: CLUB MEETING, THIS FRIDAY @ 7:30PM
If you can’t make it in person, join us on Zoom @ 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:
facebook.w6ek.org
twitter.w6ek.org
linkedIn.w6ek.org
instagram.w6ek.org
youtube.w6ek.org

Watts Up This Week

November 5, 2025 W6EK

The holiday season has begun and we’re underway planning the SFARC Annual Christmas Party and we’d LOVE your involvement in this years event!

You’re invited to this Thursday’s (11/6) planning meeting on Zoom @ 6PM. We’ll talk about all things Christmas Party — we want your input! Many hands make lite work.

For those who are new to SFARC, the Christmas Party is a night of fun that includes:

SFARC Year In Review (Slideshow)
The honorable “Golden Brick” achievement award
WA6E’s Stand Up Routine / Trivia 🙂
Appointment of 2026 SFARC Officers
Great stories and food!

RSVP NOW for the Christmas Party @ https://www.w6ek.org/rsvp

We’ve received a number of questions regarding whether there is a cost for club members.

Although the tradition of Christmas potlucks predates my time with the club, I’ve heard many fond stories about them. Potlucks are always fun—and we’ve enjoyed several this year—but a few years ago, the club made the shift to a catered meal for our holiday celebration. As you’re aware, prices for just about everything have been rising. For the past couple of years, SFARC has covered the full cost of this event.

Currently, the meal cost per guest is roughly equal to a full year’s membership dues. If a member brings a guest, that’s essentially two years’ worth.

To help offset these costs, I’ve made the difficult decision to request a $10 per-person fee this year (paid at the door). This contribution will help cover the cost of dinner and prizes, ensuring we can continue hosting a festive, memorable celebration.

Thank you for your continued support of SFARC.

_ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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