As we head into the first double-digit month (and last quarter) of the year there are plenty of activities lined up. The California QSO Party, that one weekend where the world wants to talk to 6-calls, starts at 11 AM on the 5^th and runs through 3 PM on the 6^th. I’ll be working CW from home this year, so come find me on HF and get Yolo County in your log.

The second week of October is filled to the top with club events, starting off with our monthly VE testing session at 7 PM on the 7^th. We’ll be meeting at Smokey Pit Barbeque for our pre-session dinner, and everyone is invited to join the fun regardless of whether you’re proctoring, Elmering, testing, or just stopping by. We always have a great time helping new and upgrading hams discover their next step into the world of amateur radio!

Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month we have our “In the Shack” Zoom meeting where we talk about and show off all the projects we’re working on in (and sometimes out of) our radio shacks. On the 9^th, however, we have a special session featuring Kristen (K6WX) who will tell us all about grounding. Whether it’s electrical ground or RF ground, she’s got a lot to tell us about an important aspect in setting up a ham radio station. Everyone is invited, and you’ll likely see some new faces on Zoom at 7:30 PM.

This month’s club meeting will take place at 7:30 PM on the 11th at the Confluence (formerly Crossroads) Church in Auburn. Orion (AI6JB) has prepared a talk about radiosport, complete with tips and hints on how to maximize your score and work contests efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned contester or new to this exciting side of amateur radio, join us for an informative time. Clyde (AB4CC) has a presentation all about antennas, so whether you’re unsure of which one to buy, setting out to build your own, or want to increase the performance of what you already have, this is one talk you definitely don’t want to miss! If you’re unable to attend in person, we always have an interactive meeting on Zoom where you can join the audience and ask questions just as if you were there.

The following day, we will have our yearly Fall picnic at Recreation Park in Auburn at 4 PM. This year’s event is a potluck, so bring your best and share it with the group while sampling all the great food everyone has to bring. Even though I’ll be at work on the 12^th, I’m not going to miss out on the fun and the moment closing duties are completed I’ll be heading up the hill to join in on the festivities.

We round out the month with our club breakfast at 7:30 AM on the 26^th. After three months of excellent food and atmosphere at Wings we’ll return to the cozy environment of Mels for some great portions and conversations. Following this, the first ever SFARC 24-hour long fox hunt starts at 9:30 AM. Designed to simulate an on-air jammer, this event will take you within 20 miles of downtown Auburn as you put your radio direction finding skills to the test. Remember, you don’t have to hold an amateur radio license to attend, and all you need is a receiver and the ability to locate the hidden transmitter! Have fun, make awesome memories, win great prizes, but first and foremost stay safe out there!

73 DE W6JCZ

We start off the month of September with a VE testing session on the evening of the 9th. A few weeks ago John (KO6COW) and his son visited me at work to get an older-model 2 meter radio tested and repaired. Among other things he mentioned his son might be ready to test for his Technician license soon, so I’m looking forward to seeing them there and helping them along the way.  Testing starts at around 7 PM, but the VEs and Elmers will be gathering for a dinner at 5 PM. If you’re planning on coming by to take an exam, why not come and join us for some great food?

Our next club meeting will be on September 13 at 7:30 PM at the Auburn Crossroads Church and on Zoom at zoom.w6ek.org. With the California QSO Party approaching fast, Jim (W6JCZ) will be giving a talk on how to optimize your HF reception. Going beyond the volume and tuning knob, there are many controls and functions on HF transceivers that increase signal intelligibility. Whether you’re looking to score higher in contests or increase your chances of copying a distant station, join us to learn about everything you can do to make your radio sound better!

The club campout at Stampede Reservoir officially starts a week later on the 19th and runs through the 22nd. I’m looking forward to the great pictures and stories that’ll be shared on the website and repeater, and I hope everyone has a fun and safe time throughout.

This month we’ll meet at Wings Grill & Espresso Bar (at the Auburn Airport) for our breakfast on the 28th at 7:30 AM, followed by a radio direction finding exercise. These events are always fun, and they’re essentially a radio hide-and-seek game in which participants arm themselves with receiving equipment to find the hidden transmitter placed in a given area. Our club fox hunts have attracted quite a few members recently, and I always love it when we all gather at the end to talk about what worked and what didn’t this time around.

And finally, here’s something we can all look forward to:

Cooler weather and more opportunities to be comfortable outside. Maybe I’ll catch you activating POTA or just operating portable one of these days.

73 DE W6JCZ

After two exciting months of back-to-back club events, the month of August is rather light with a few things of note.

After a break in July, we will resume VE testing on the evening of the 5th. Following a dinner VEs and Elmers will gather at 7 PM to administer exams for new hams and those looking to upgrade their license. It’s always a good time and I love seeing the candidates get their new amateur radio privileges at the end of the night. More than just an exam session, we answer candidates’ questions before and after the exam to give them a personalized experience.

That same week we will have our club meeting at 7:30 PM on Friday at the Auburn Crossroads Church South Campus Gym and on Zoom. Scott (KM6RFB) will give a talk on internet resources providing situational awareness. With rapidly changing weather and emergency events that can arise at a moment’s notice, come join us and learn about free public resources that you can rely on when disaster strikes.

Our monthly club breakfast will be held at Wings on the 31st. Stick around after the meal for a fox hunt and put your equipment (and skills) to the test in finding the hidden transmitter!

Oh, and one last thing: I’m sure we’re all looking forward to cooler weather ahead, since this summer’s been one of the hottest around with record-breaking heat waves. Keep cool and stay hydrated, and look after your friends and family.

73 DE W6JCZ