All posts by Smitty (WB1G)
Watts Up This Week
Hey SFARC Members and Friends,
CLUB BREAKFAST, THIS SATURDAY, 8 AM AT AWFUL ANNIE’S 
Last Reminder: this is a permanent change of venue and start time. After breakfast, Frank (KG9M) will conduct a Fox Hunt pre-meeting (starting at 9:15 AM). CLICK HERE if you’d like more info about why we made the change.
ANTENNA PHOTO SHARING
Some of you who have been with the club for some time have had the opportunity to visit the transmitter site for 1530 KFBK. Having been asked by a few, I posted photos from when I helped maintain the site from 2002-2005. CLICK HERE to check out the photos. It’s truly an amazing antenna system.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY FOR DRIVERS
The American Red Cross suggests these Halloween safety measures:
HF CONDITIONS FOR THE HOLIDAY
Halloween Night: Tricks, Treats and Disappearing Signals. The ionosphere may have a few tricks ready for Halloween! With a possible minor geomagnetic storm in the forecast, that strong station could turn into a ghost before you finish exchanging signal reports. The weekend disturbance is forecast, but its exact timing and effect on Saturday evening in California remain uncertain. Here’s your suggested Halloween band-hunting plan:
Last Reminder: this is a permanent change of venue and start time. After breakfast, Frank (KG9M) will conduct a Fox Hunt pre-meeting (starting at 9:15 AM). CLICK HERE if you’d like more info about why we made the change.
ANTENNA PHOTO SHARING
Some of you who have been with the club for some time have had the opportunity to visit the transmitter site for 1530 KFBK. Having been asked by a few, I posted photos from when I helped maintain the site from 2002-2005. CLICK HERE to check out the photos. It’s truly an amazing antenna system.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY FOR DRIVERS
The American Red Cross suggests these Halloween safety measures:
- Drive Slowly: Anticipate children’s excitement and keep your speed low to avoid accidents.
- Avoid Residential Areas: Unless you’re trick-or-treating, steer clear of subdivisions, especially between 6- 9 p.m.
- Switch on Headlights Early: Turn on your headlights at dusk or slightly earlier to enhance visibility.
- Patience at Stops: Allow extra time at stop signs, lights, and crosswalks, double-checking before moving.
- Stay Focused: Limit distractions and follow neighborhood speed limits to help keep pedestrians safe.
HF CONDITIONS FOR THE HOLIDAY
Halloween Night: Tricks, Treats and Disappearing Signals. The ionosphere may have a few tricks ready for Halloween! With a possible minor geomagnetic storm in the forecast, that strong station could turn into a ghost before you finish exchanging signal reports. The weekend disturbance is forecast, but its exact timing and effect on Saturday evening in California remain uncertain. Here’s your suggested Halloween band-hunting plan:
- At dusk — haunt 40 meters. Make it your first stop as daylight fades.
- Later in the evening — visit the 80-meter graveyard. It’s a sensible place to look for regional conversations and familiar voices.
- Looking for a distant treat? Give 20 meters a quick listen early in the evening before moving lower.
- If signals vanish like ghosts, change bands and call again. A little patience could still put a treat in your logbook.
Coffee Break Net (Page)
WHAT IS THE COFFEE BREAK NET?
Coffee brewing? Radio on? You’re ready to join the morning fun!
Our daily amateur radio net has the feel of a morning commute with a bunch of friends—except you don’t have to leave the house. It’s part conversation, part curiosity, and occasionally a rabbit hole nobody saw coming. It’s hard to explain because it’s more of an experience. You never know where the next transmission will take us!
Technology, trivia, RVs, camping, fishing, brewing, astronomy, photography, kit builds, Instant Pots… almost any subject is on the table. Come share what you know, ask a question, or just enjoy whatever today’s conversation brings.
It’s the best way to get your day started!
You can hear the net daily on the W6EK 2-meter repeater or connect through either of these options:
- Repeater: 145.430 MHz / Offset: −0.6 MHz / CTCSS (PL): 162.2 Hz
- AllStarLink (ASL): Node 51018
- EchoLink: Node 4128
So grab a cup of coffee and stop by some morning. Listen along, key up, or jump in when a topic catches your interest. All licensed hams are welcome—and there’s always room for one more voice!
WHEN IS THE NET?
Every morning from 7:30-9 AM PT
365 Days A Year
NET QUICK STATS
Holiday Party Countdown (Widget)
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Weekly Club Net (Page)
WHAT IS A NET?
A net is a scheduled on-air meeting of amateur radio operators. Everyone tunes to the same frequency at the same time and takes turns checking in.
THE WEEKLY CLUB NET
Our club net is held every Thursday at 7 PM (1800) PT on the W6EK 2-meter repeater and is open to all licensed amateurs interested in the hobby or looking for a fun group to get involved with. The net features a Mystery Question, the ARRL Report, Satellite Report, DX Report, and other activities. Operators are encouraged to talk about their recent operating or other ham activities.
WHY CHECK IN?
Nets are the easiest way to get comfortable on the air. You practice clear operating habits, test your station against a known signal, meet local operators, and build the routine that makes emergency communication work when it matters. 📅 Add to your calendar:
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.ics
Net Control Schedule Every Thursday · 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
October 2026 1 net
Date Time Net Control
Thu, Oct 29 Next
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Orion AI6JB
November 2026 4 nets
Date Time Net Control
Thu, Nov 5
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Smitty WB1G
Thu, Nov 12
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Chip KM6MDF
Thu, Nov 19
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Smitty WB1G
Thu, Nov 26
—
NO NET
Thanksgiving
December 2026 5 nets
Date Time Net Control
Thu, Dec 3
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Orion AI6JB
Thu, Dec 10
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Smitty WB1G
Thu, Dec 17
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Chip KM6MDF
Thu, Dec 24
—
NO NET
Christmas Eve
Thu, Dec 31
—
NO NET
New Year's Eve
2026 SFARC Annual Christmas Party (Page)
YOU’RE INVITED
To the SFARC 2026 Christmas Party. New location! The event will be held at the Placer County HHS Conference Center (the same building as our club meetings) on December 12, 2026, at 5 PM.
’Tis the season of giving! This year, we’re collecting donations for the community food bank. Please bring non-perishable food items or a cash donation to the holiday celebration. Every contribution helps a neighbor in need.
RSVP closes December 5, 2026, at midnight
WHAT TO EXPECT
- A Delicious Catered Meal
- The Annual SFARC Year In Review Slideshow
- The “Golden Brick” Award Presentation
- “Photo Submission of the Year” Presentation
- “Putt for the Win” – a putting contest for chance of winning foursome round of golf and cart rental at the Ridge Golf Course.
- Gerry’s Trivia Party
- Current Officer Recognitions
- Installation of New Officers
- Prizes, Prizes, and More Prizes
THE PRIZES
We went all out on prizes this year. Here’s a teaser of what to expect.
- $500 at Ham Radio Outlet (HRO)
- (3) $250 at Ham Radio Outlet (HRO)
- (1) $100 at Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) for best photo of the year
- A foursome, with a cart, at Ridge Golf Course in Auburn
- $100 gift certificate for Uncle Dumpling in Roseville
- $100 gift certificate for Chef’s Table in Rocklin
- And more to come!!!
BEFORE YOU RSVP
We’ve received questions about whether there is a cost for club members. A few years ago, the club shifted to a catered meal for our holiday celebration, and SFARC has always covered the full cost of the event. As you’re aware, prices for just about everything have been rising.
Currently, the meal cost per person is roughly equal to a full year’s membership dues. If a member brings a guest, that’s essentially two years’ worth of dues. To help offset these costs, we are asking for $10 per person, paid at the door. This contribution will help cover dinner and prizes, ensuring we can continue hosting a festive, memorable celebration.
Thank you for your continued support of SFARC.
RSVP
This RSVP is not open just yet. 🙂
Please check back on November 4th, 2026
Christmas Party RSVP Results (Page)
Christmas Party
0 responsesNo responses yet.
SFARC Flashback
SFARC FLASHBACK
SFARC has been in the process of retaining as much history about the club as possible. Thanks to Craig Bledsoe (KL7H) for this look back at one of SFARC’s QSL cards prior to the adoption of the W6EK call sign.
K6CBP, the call sign of founding member W.C. Bauman, became the club’s own in 1962. By January of 1964, the club treasurer was reporting $76.43 in the K6CBP checking account, with Jim Carman named as the trustee.
This is a small slice of what we’ve captured as part of our ongoing history project.
Want to read more? CLICK HERE
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The Golden Brick (Page)
The Golden Brick
Behold the Golden Brick: a humble brick-style handheld radio, immortalized in gold paint (I’m not sure what metal is underneath).
Gerry Brentnall (WA6E) created it because the club’s highest honor shouldn’t be a plaque on the wall. It should be something heavy, ridiculous, and impossible to ignore. Members pass the Golden Brick from one to the next at each year’s Christmas dinner party, with the current holder presenting it after dinner alongside the mandatory speeches (sometimes a bit of a roast). It is, in Gerry’s own words, “a much sought-after and coveted award given for outstanding or otherwise remarkable service to the club.” Note the qualifier: “outstanding” or “otherwise remarkable”. In other words, you don’t have to be a hero. You just have to be a legend in your own way.
PAST HOLDERS INCLUDE
2023 Golden Brick Holder: Smitty (WB1G)
2024 Golden Brick Holder: Greydon Hicks (KC6SLE)
2025 Golden Brick Holder: Greg Dolkas (KO6TH)
2026 Golden Brick Holder: Orion Endres (AI6JB)
Whoever holds the Brick holds the club’s highest calling: to serve, to show up, and to be the kind of ham everyone else is glad to know.