WHAT IS HOT RF NIGHTS?

Hot RF Nights is an annual SFARC event that promotes the use of Amateur Radio on the go and in emergencies. It’s a chance to show off mobile rig installs and go-kits, and to build fellowship among Northern California amateur radio operators and groups.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HOT RF NIGHTS?

SFARC decided this year to take a hard look at future Hot RF Nights (HRFN) events. Based on feedback from both the organizers and the participants last year, it was decided that the event had strayed far from its original objective, was not serving well the emergency services groups who attended, and had become, frankly, very volunteer-intensive and costly to plan and implement.

We took on the task of creating a new vision for Hot RF Nights and presented it to the SFARC Board earlier this month. I am pleased to announce that the Board accepted and embraced the new vision for HRFN. The Board also discussed whether there was time, under this new vision, to squeeze in an HRFN 2026 within the very busy remaining SFARC 2026 Calendar of Events. It was decided that there was not a viable opportunity to schedule, plan, and host HRFN 2026. Therefore, we are taking a break from HRFN this year, but it will be back in 2027.

So, what does this new vision for HRFN include?

• Get back to the roots (original purpose) of HRFN.
• Keep HRFN simple and solely focused on Amateur Radio.
• The main participant focus for HRFN will be SFARC membership, but we will invite and welcome our neighboring amateur radio clubs.
• HRFN is a celebration of ham mobile and field-based equipment creativity, design, and implementation.
• HRFN will be scheduled in conjunction with a regularly scheduled SFARC second-Friday-of-the-month General Membership meeting, at the regular General Membership meeting location.
• HRFN should be simple to plan and implement at a minimal cost, and exciting and fun to attend and participate in.
• HRFN should be a no-cost event for participants to attend and participate in.

The next step is to get Hot RF Nights 2027 on the SFARC calendar for 2027. I am looking forward to it, and I have agreed to head up this event for the Club next year. There will not be a large need for volunteers, as in the past, but there will be a need for a few. If you are interested in joining the HRFN 2027 Team, please drop me a note. Your service will be most valued and appreciated.

73,
Greydon (KC6SLE)
Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club