All posts by Smitty (WB1G)

Newsletter (General Meeting Minutes)

President Aaron W1ATB welcomed individuals to this monthly meeting.

The event was called to order at 1930 by President Aaron, W1ATB who opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board members present:
President- Aaron, W1ATB.
Vice-President- Jim, W6JCZ
Treasurer- Brian, KN6BKB
Secretary- Dave, N6OJJ.
Director- Greydon, KC6SLE
Director- Mark, W2MWK
Director- Jim, WA8MPA

Club Business
Quorum met: YES 50 in person + 13 on ZOOM = 63
311 members / need 62 ‘present’ to meet quorum.
January General meeting minutes have been distributed. Accepted by acclamation as amended by members present.

New Members acceptance vote: 8 new applications:
Haven Courtney KN6URM Garritt Darling Ko6BMA
Adam Gothard KN6YSQ James Malley WA0HYS
Chuck Nungester Ko6CRZ Gregory Phelan Ko6CWF
Chris Robinson KF6NFW Forrest “Sandy” Shoemaker K6MJ
Acceptance by acclamation of those present.
revised membership count=319.
———
The Informational parts of the meeting continue below:
Repeater needs a new antenna pole (wood). Bid requests sent out.

Jim W6JCZ introduces:
Program 1: “Vacuum Tubes”, Greg Ko6TH

BREAK

Program 2: “Loomis Hamfest overview” Aaron K6ABJ

Committee Chair Reports:
Repeater – Clyde, AB4CC- not present. AI6US- 220 repeater installed
this weekend.
Greeter/Sunshine – Pam, KN6GTK.
VE Exams – Brian, AI6US exam on March 4. 14 elements administered.
7 new Technicians; 2 new upgrades to General.
Next exam session: April 1, 2024.
Volunteer Events – Chip, KM6MDF- nothing on the volunteer events list until Spring. None pending.
Exam classes – Orion AI6JB: Extra Class session 4, 11 students.
Next Technician class: April 23.
Newsletter – Bob, K6ZLY – newsletter distributed by email & on homepage.
Satellite – Greg, KO6TH – nothing to report.
PIO – Smitty, WB1G –
Website – Smitty, WB1G –
Social Media – Smitty, WB1G – FB members now at 500.
Groups.io / Dropbox sites – Dennis, WU6X stepping down – currently:
293 participants. Smitty WB1G taking role in short term. Need new chair/admin.
Contests – Dennis, WU6X – CQWW WPX RTTY this weekend,
ARRL International DX on Feb. 16.
Membership – Jeff KM6RGO – Currently 311 members + 8 new tonight.
Nomination Committee – Gary KB7QWC, need 2 more members.
By-laws Committee – vacant, will be recruiting
ARES – Scott KM6RFB. Effective 1 March, will be ARES EC for Placer County.
Refreshments – Mark W2MWK – nothing to add.
Drawing – Ray, KK6AN – nothing to add.
Hot RF Nights – Greydon KC6SLE
Hamfest – Aaron K6ABJ – need Presentation, Test Bench, Logistics,
Sanitation, Parking coordinators.
Field Day – Jeff KM6RGO / Greydon KC6SLE
1st meeting 1800, March 28 on ZOOM.
Scholarship Committee – Earl, K6GPB –
Equipment Donations / Library – Jim, WA8MPA – thank you to all for tonight’s donations.

Calendar of club events:
Mar. 14 – 1700, Hamfest team meeting (Historic Loomis Depot)
Mar. 16 – 0700-1100, Hamfest opens at Historic Loomis Depot parking
lot
Mar. 30 – 0730, Club breakfast at Mel’s, CA-49 at Luther Road
Mar. 30 – 0900, Foxhunt. Meet at Mel’s Diner
April 11 – 1800, next SFARC Board Meeting, on ZOOM
April 12 – 1930, next Club Meeting
April 20 – 0900-1100, Coffee & Donuts in Meadow Vista park
June 22-23, ARRL Field Day, Georgetown Airport Campground
Dec. 08 – SFARC X-Mas party

Nets (on W6EK repeater, 145.430, PL=162.2):
Daily: 0730-1000, Coffee Break Net on W6EK repeater
1st Sunday/month: 1930, Placer County ARES Net on W6EK repeater
Monday’s: 1800, All-Node Net
Wednesday’s: 1930-2030, 1st/3rd, Elmer/Mentoring Net;
1930, (ZOOM),2nd / 4th, In the Shack
Thursday’s: 1930-2030, SFARC Weekly Net

Adjourned at: 2118 PST

Newsletter (Board Meeting Minutes)

Called to order: 1802 PST by Aaron W1ATB

Approve February, 2024 Board minutes – approved as corrected

Present:
President: Aaron Bond W1ATB
Vice-President: Jim Zheng W6JCZ
Treasurer: Brian Fulkerson KM6MDM (correct callsign)
Secretary: Dave McBrayer N6OJJ
Director: Greydon Hicks KC6SLE (2 years)
Director: Mark Koehler W2MWK
Director: Jim Jupin WA8MPA (3 years)
also present: Brian AI6US; Greg KO6TH; Bob K6ZLY;
Gary KB7QWC; Clyde AB4CC; Smitty WB1G; Scott KM6RFB
introductions around

Quorum: minimum 1 Director + 4 Officers = MET

Officer & Board Member Reports
Jim Zheng W6JCZ – advert items at back of newsletter: motion by Smitty “ Motion: The “sponsor/special” thanks section in the SFARC Newsletter be reserved for advertisements from members in good standing, limit one ad per member, free of charge.“. second by Greydon KC6SLE. Motion carried by acclamation.
Dave McBrayer N6OJJ – nothing to present
Brian Fulkerson KN6BKB – bank statements uploaded to Groups.io in board files folder. annual insurance premium paid.
Directors:
Greydon KC6SLE – noting to present
Jim WA8MPA – nothing to present
Mark W2MWK – nothing to present

COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS
Repeater (Station Trustee) – Clyde AB4CC – 220 repeater going back to vault.
Repeater Committee – Jeff KM6RGO – awaiting contractor bids.
Newsletter – Bob, K6ZLY – Newsletter posted
Webmaster / Social media / PIO – Smitty WB1G –
social media site: FB at 500 members. fox hunt promo
PIO: hamfest promotion,
Groups.io / Dropbox – Dennis WU6X stepping down, need new chair –
Groups.io at 293 members.
Membership – Jeff KM6RGO) – 8 new applications to vote on tomorrow;
Currently enrolled: 311 members. 6 (2023) members did not renew.
meeting quorum = 62.
VE exams – Brian, AI6US – March 4: 14 elements administered.
7 new Technicians; 2 new upgrades.
next exams: April 1, 2024.
Volunteer Events Coordinator – Chip, KM6MDF – not present
Contests – Dennis, WU6X – not present. stepping down, need new chair
Scholarship Committee – Earl, K6GPB – not present.
Jeff KM6RGO: Daniel Fogart Scholarship (existing) and one more.
Drawing – Ray, KK6AM – not present
Refreshments – Mark, W2MWK – plenty of water on hand
Nominations – Gary, KB7QWC – needs 1 more committee member.
Hamfest 2024 – Aaron, K6ABJ – 3rd Sat. in March., 3-16. walk thru next
Thursday, 1700.
ByLaws Committee – TBA

Field Day / Hot RF Nights 2024 – Jeff, KM6RGO / Greydon KC6SLE –
time to dust off spreadsheets. First FD zoom meeting on March 28 at 1800. All welcome.
Hot RF Nights – Greydon
Picnic chair 2024 – open
Coffee & Doughnuts in Park 2024 – open
X-mas party – open. confirmed: Dec. 8, 2024.

OLD BUSINESS
Elmer/Mentoring: Pamphlet for VE and Club Meetings, QSL Card,
“How to become a Ham”. Smitty, WB1G, met with Greydon, KC6SLE.
Repeater Committee: 1st and 3rd Monday’s on Zoom @ 1930. RFP
sent out for repeater work.
Position Duties: 2023 officer input due soon.
Financial Audit: nothing to add.
Scholarship Committee: Committee has not met recently.
X-Mas Party date: Dec. 8, 2024. Confirmed with Church Pastor.
VE items: Brian AI6US, new VE handout being refreshed.
Club Asset Inventory: Jeff KM6RGO developing a spreadsheet.
Scott KM6RFB approved for his monthly net on W6EK repeater.

NEW BUSINESS
Scott KM6RFB, PCARES MOU for W6EK repeater use. discussion.
Motion of support by Greydon, 2nd by WA8MPA. passed by
acclamation.
Brian AJI6US – Coffee & Donuts in Park event – April 20, 0900-1100.
Brian AI6US – Camp out 2024 – Sept. 21 at Stampede. board support for group site? carry over to next month.
By-laws Committee – begin recruiting efforts
General Meeting – Jim WA8MPA – what donations does the pantry
need? paper towels, toilet tissue, kleenex, canned chicken/tuna,
cereal, pasta.

Events/Upcoming
Hamfest walk-through meeting: March 14, 1700 at the Loomis Depot
parking lot.
Sat. Breakfast: 30 March, 0730 at Mel’s Original Diner, Grass Valley
Hwy at Luther Road, Auburn.
Fox Hunt: 30 March, 0900 after breakfast.

Next Board meeting: 11 April 2024, 1800 PT. on ZOOM

Adjourned: 1930 PST

Newsletter (Upcoming Events)

×

Sunday October 19

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Placer County ARES Net
Sunday October 19
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Placer County ARES Net
W6EK 2 Meter Repeater / Allstar: 51018

Monday October 20

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
All-Nodes Net
Monday October 20
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
All-Nodes Net
W6EK 2 Meter Repeater / Allstar: 51018

Every Monday at 6:00 PM PT, this net is the place for discussions related to the setup, configuration, and operation of digital nodes and the associated hardware.
*A great place for noobies and experienced users alike.*

Tuesday October 21

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Technician License Class
Tuesday October 21
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Technician License Class
Zoom

Wednesday October 22

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
In The Shack (Online)
Wednesday October 22
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
In The Shack (Online)

Open to all … no SFARC membership needed. Join in on fun discussions and presentations about projects around the ham shack.

http://zoom.w6ek.org/
Meeting ID: 962 6167 5605
Passcode: SFARC

Thursday October 23

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
SFARC Weekly Net | NCS: KM6MDF
Thursday October 23
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
SFARC Weekly Net | NCS: KM6MDF
W6EK 2 Meter Repeater / Allstar: 51018

Every Thursday starting at 7:30 PM Pacific Time (PT). Our nets are held on the club repeater. Everyone is invited to check-in. 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.

Saturday October 25

7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Monthly Club Breakfast
Saturday October 25
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Monthly Club Breakfast
The Original Mels Diner, 1730 Grass Valley Hwy #2885, Auburn, CA 95603

The food is great, and the company is even better! The venue may change, so check the link below for any updates.

So, please join us for a great social event, the last Saturday of every month, everyone welcome!

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monthly Fox Hunt
Saturday October 25
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monthly Fox Hunt
Location, Schedule, and Details: https://www.w6ek.org/activities/foxhunt#latest

SFARC runs monthly Fox Hunts where members hone skills in locating hidden transmitters. Fox Hunting skills are not only fun but may be useful in situations where a transmitter needs to be located (e.g. search & rescue or tracking down interference).

Fox Hunts are a fun outdoor activity. Regional hunts may involve driving around and taking bearings with a Yagi to triangulate on a hidden transmitter. Low-power hunts may involve walking through parks  & neighborhoods to find one or more hidden transmitters. Fox hunt equipment ranges from simple TOA (time of arrival) devices, yagi antennas, and or doppler techniques.

*CLICK HERE* ( https://www.w6ek.org/activities/foxhunt#latest ) for fox hunt guidelines, files, and the latest schedule.

Sunday October 26

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Placer County ARES Net Winlink Check-In
Sunday October 26
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Placer County ARES Net Winlink Check-In
Send Winlink Email to KM6RFB;PCARES
FULL EVENT CALENDAR

Newsletter (Presidents Message)

Welcome to April!

Wow, what a month March was. We had a fabulous Hamfestevent that was very well attended with somewhere in the 450+ number. We sold somewhere in the neighborhood of $2400 in prize tickets and $1400 in items at the club table. Elmer tours, presentations, test bench, and of course all the vendor tables! The parking lot was full and I’m not sure there was even any available spot left. What a great event!

And then there is The Coffee Break Net… where we hit 45,000 check-ins in March and Jim KN6OONI mean W6JCZ was the prize winner for his fortuitous timing. AND… we celebrated the Coffee Break Net’s 4th anniversary on March 20th! Congratulations to all of those that make the net so popular and successful!

In April the SFARC board will be hosting “Donuts and Coffee in the Park” at the beautiful Meadow Vista Park on April 20th at 9:00 AM. Come out, have a donut and some coffee, bring your family, and play some radio with friends…

The next big club event will be of course Field Day coming up later this year. More details on this event will be published soon –see you there! Thank you all for coming out and supporting all these events. I want to give a special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped put on the Hamfest this year… we could not of done it without you.

Aaron W1ATB

SFARC 2024 FIELD DAY T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST CONTEST (MORE)

So, you’ve decided to enter the 2024 Field Day T-Shirt Design Contest. Please fill out the form below and attach a graphic and/or PDF showing the front and back design.

Then attend the May 10th meeting in person (or on Zoom) and find out if you’re the winner winner chicken dinner.