Category Archives: Watts Up This Week

Watts Up This Week – The Hamfest Edition

Hello Members and Friends of SFARC,

Hopefully you all have decompressed from Hamfest 2024. Early numbers are in, check this out:

We had 62 volunteers, 45 vendors and 318+ buyers, for a total of 425+ people = WOW!!!

We’ve got the first batch of photos on the club website @ www.w6ek.org<- click on the group photo on the main page. If you have photos from the event, PLEASE upload them before you forget @ https://www.w6ek.org/media/upload 
 
And last but not least, this Thursday (March 21) @ 6PM the Hamfest Team will be meeting on Zoom to discuss “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of Hamfest. If you have feedback to share with the team, you can either reply to this message or come to say hello on Thursday @ 6. 🙂

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

Hamfest!
A quick reminder…
Help The SFARC Scholarship Fund @ Hamfest Do you have a lightly used item you’d like to donate to the club table? All proceeds from your donated item go towards the SFARC scholarship fund. This is a huge part of fundraising for the scholarship fund so your help is appreciated. If you can help, please reply and we’ll make sure you’re connected with Jim Jupin (WA8MPA).
Got an item or three to sell @ Hamfest? SFARC members can leave up to (3) items on the club table for sale. The rules are simple. Make sure to place a sticker on each item with your call sign and phone number so prospective buyers can contact you to complete the sale. SFARC is NOT responsible for items that are left behind. Sellers should be prepared to provide change if required.
Hope to see you all on Saturday.
73, The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK) (530) 492-0920
Website: www.w6ek.org Groups.io: groupsio.w6ek.org
Social: facebook.w6ek.org twitter.w6ek.org linkedIn.w6ek.org instagram.w6ek.org youtube.w6ek.org

Watts Up This Week

WITH A LITTLE OVER A WEEK UNTIL HAMFEST,
NOW IS THE TIME!

Help The SFARC Scholarship Fund @ Hamfest
Do you have a lightly used item you’d like to donate to the club table? All proceeds from your donated item go towards the SFARC scholarship fund. This is a huge part of fundraising for the scholarship fund so your help is appreciated

 
Got an item or three to sell @ Hamfest?
SFARC members can leave up to (3) items on the club table for sale. Make sure to place a sticker on each item with your call sign and phone number so prospective buyers can contact you to complete the sale. SFARC is NOT responsible for items that are left behind. Sellers should be prepared to provide change if required.
 
Prizes prizes and prizes…
Did you know we’ve topped $3,000 in prizes to giveaway???
 
Last Push
Continue to help us spread the word. Share the flyer with friends, neighboring clubs, your barista, your pastor, your dentist… you get the idea (most recent attached). Make a QST on neighboring club nets.
 
Script:

The Loomis Hamfest is back for 2024 sponsored by the Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club. Get your gear, grab your wallet, and get ready for a super swap at the Historic Loomis Train Station on March 16th.

Admission is free with doors opening at 7 AM for buyers. If you want to sell some gear, $10 gets you a spot, first come first serve with setup at 6 AM.

We’ll have coffee and donuts, Elmer tours, a test table for buyers, some cool prizes, and much more! With over $3,000 in prizes, you don’t want to miss this swap!

Want more information? Check out all the details at hamfest.w6ek.org.
 
BOARD MEETING THIS THURSDAY (03/07)
Join the SFARC Board of Directors on Thursday @ 6PM in the club Zoom room.
 
CLUB MEETING THIS FRIDAY (03/08)
We’d love to see you this Friday night at 7:30PM at Crossroads Church in Auburn. If you can’t join in person, you can attend online on Zoom. More information about our meetings can be found @ https://www.w6ek.org/activities/meetings

 
 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

Happy Leap Day!

With March 1st just ahead of us, we’ve got Hamfest on the brain.  If you plan to volunteer at Hamfest, we have another planning meeting tonight (2/29) in the club Zoom room @ 6PM.

This weekend you DX’ers might want to tune up for the ARRL International DX (SSB) contest. If you plan to participate or would like to read more, here’s the link: https://contests.arrl.org/ContestRules/DX-Rules.pdf 

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

Hey SFARC Members and Friends,
 
We’ve got some fun coming up this weekend. I got the following a little late and it hasn’t made it on the web yet so please help spread the word.

FOX HUNT — THIS SATURDAY

Saturday, Feb 24th after the club breakfast at Mel’s

Where: Eastern Roseville Area

(East of I-80,  West of Sierra College)Fox transmitter will be POWERED ON from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM on 146.565 MHz FM

During the Coffee Break Net the Fox Tender will monitor 146.430 MHz FM simplex.After the Coffee Break Net participants should communicate using the W6EK repeater at 145.43 MHz, PL 162.2, but the fox tender will also monitor 146.430. Need to borrow equipment? Reach out to Doug (W2VX), Greydon (KC6SLE) or Jon (KI6RT) on the W6EK 2m repeater. Tips for a successful hunt: A directional antenna and attenuation will come in handy for this fox hunt.  After the hunt: When you locate the hidden transmitter, a notepad with finder’s log sheet will be visible and placed near-by. Sign and time stamp the finders log sheet.  If hunters are still trying to find the fox transmitter at the 11:30 am transmitter turnoff time, the meeting location will be announced on 146.430 and on the W6EK 2-meter repeater.

CLUB BREAKFAST — THIS SATURDAY

Break bread with us (or pancakes) at Mel’s Diner in Auburn this Saturday, Feb 24th. The fun begins at 0730. We recommend coming early or you might end up at the kids table.

And one last reminder for you contesters.
This weekend is the North American QSO Party (RTTY).

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

SFARC Members and Friends,
 
HAVE YOU HEARD?
HAMFEST IS COMING AND
WE’VE RELEASED AN EARLY LIST OF PRIZES!!
We need your help. Whether it be the day of as a volunteer (LINK: https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering) or help us promote by printing the attached flyer and handing it out — every little bit helps.
 
With over $1,700 in prizes, the list includes:
  • Renogy “Solar Kit
    • Including: Foldable Solar Panel, Charge Controller, and a 30aH battery.
  • Yaesu FT-70DR
    • w/ RTSystems software
  • Yaesu FT-65
    • w/ RTSystems software
  • (5) Alpha Antenna $100 Gift Cards
  • Super Antenna YP-1
    • (6 Band Resonate Portable Dipole).
  • ARRL Gift Certificates
  • Easy Way Ham Books Package
  • Bridgecom Systems (more details coming soon)
  • “Ham Goodie Box” from MFJ
    • Including: antennas, cables, a dummy load, and more.
More information about the event can be found @ https://hamfest.w6ek.org
 
 
GENERAL CLUB MEETING, THIS FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 9TH @ 7:30 PM
We’ll be welcoming Tom (NN6H) who will be giving a talk on considerations when purchasing an electric vehicle and what to look out for. We encourage everyone who is able to attend in person to participate. Those who are unable can join the interactive Zoom meeting @ https://meeting.w6ek.org  
 
 
BOARD MEETING, THIS THURSDAY / FEBRUARY 8TH @ 6 PM
Want to see behind the curtain at SFARC? All our welcome to join the club board meeting this Thursday in the club Zoom room @ 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

SFARC Members and Friends,

We’ve got a Hamfest update and a reminder about next weeks VE session.

HAMFEST UPDATE – NEXT PLANNING MEETING THIS THURSDAY @ 6PM (02/01) IN THE CLUB ZOOM ROOM.

Hamfest is fast approaching, and SFARC needs your help. We’re looking for volunteers!!!! You may think we already know that you want to be a part of Hamfest, but we want you to sound off at https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering . We’re also looking for people to make presentations at Hamfest. If you have a topic you think others might want to learn about, contact us using the volunteer link above.

Maybe you can’t help on the day of, but believe it or not, you can still help by making a QST on other nets you participate in. We have a QST script below and on our website @ https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/qstscript

 

QST Script:

The Loomis Hamfest is back for 2024, sponsored by the Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club.  Get your gear, grab your wallet, and prepare for a super swap at the Historic Loomis Train Station on March 16th. Admission is free, with doors opening at 7 AM for buyers.  If you want to sell some gear, $10 gets you a spot, first come, first served, with setup at 6 AM. We’ll have coffee and donuts, Elmer tours, a test table for buyers, some cool prizes, and much more!

Want more information? Check out all the details at hamfest.w6ek.org.

 

READY TO GET YOUR LICENSE OR UPGRADE? JOIN THE SFARC VE TEAM NEXT MONDAY (02/05)

Looking for a local location to take your amateur radio license or upgrade exam? The Sierra Foothills VE Team is back in action next week. If you want more information or are ready to sign up, visit https://www.w6ek.org/activities/testing

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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

SFARC Members and Friends,

We’ve got a few things lined up this week and weekend.

COME HELP AT HAMFEST 2024
We’re gathering volunteers for SFARC’s biggest event of the year, HAMFEST 2024. We’re looking for “elmers”, parking lot attendees, presenters, security… you name it!!!
SIgn up to volunteer now @ https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering

IN THE SHACK – THIS WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 24TH
It’s like the “Buena Vista Social Club” for amateur radio operators. Join us Wednesday night in the club’s Zoom room @ 7:30PM. We talk about radio and projects in the shack, it’s truly a lot of fun.

CLUB BREAKFAST – THIS SATURDAY – JANUARY 27TH
Come break bread with us (or just chow down on some pancakes) at Mel’s Diner in Auburn. The officials start time is 0730 however we recommend coming early so you can sit at the big kids table.

FOX HUNT – THIS SATURDAY (RAIN OR SHINE) – JANUARY 27TH
This time we’ll be hunting in Granite Bay led by Fox Tender Jon (KI6RT). The fox will start transmitting at 0930 on 146.565 Mhz. Doug (W2VX) will provide the fox hunt pre-meeting following breakfast at Mel’s. First timers will also be paired up with an “elmer” if desired. If you want more information, check out the official event flyer @ https://www.w6ek.org/files/docs/Event-Flyers/Fox-Hunts/foxhunt_january_2024.pdf

Good luck to all taking part in Winter Field Day this weekend. Please remember to upload your pictures.

 _ ___ _ ___ _ ___

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