Videos

What’s New

For the April 2025 club meeting, Don WB6LPJ reveals the W6EK BS Detector, a device which was first used some years ago. The device makes use of "Inductive coupled potentiometers", copious Arduino code (er, maybe a line or two), and undoubtedly some additional unspecified proprietary technology which Don has yet to reveal. Enjoy!
Introducing the W6EK BS Detector
Greydon KC6SLE and Smitty WB1G give the Sierra Foothills ARC an update on plans for the 5th annual Hot RF Nights event. This is where members show off their mobile radio installs, equipment they take to mountain tops (SOTA) and parks (POTA) for remote operating, and what they use for emergency situations at home or in the field. As with any Ham Radio event, it's also a great opportunity to just visit with fellow operators and friends. The event will be held May 17 this year, at the William Jessup University in Rocklin, California.
Hot RF Nights 2025: Planning Update
Here's a tour of the (2025) 9th annual Sierra Foothills ARC Hamfest event, held at the Historic Train Station in Loomis, California on March 22, 2025. It is the first such event of the year in the greater Sacramento Valley area. The festival is part "flea market" and part social get-together, where amateur radio operators, equipment vendors, others with an interest in the subject, and the occasional befuddled onlooker gather together to buy, sell, trade, and just talk about anything remotely related to wireless communication. Here one can find the odd "boat anchor" sitting next to some of the latest technology, both equally deserving of attention. If you missed the event, much of what you see here went home with someone else. Better luck next year!
Hamswap 2025
Join the Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club for their 9th annual event. As the event flier says, this will be the first Ham Swap of 2025 for the Sacramento California area. "Grab your gear, get your wallet, and get ready for a super Swap. There will be coffee and donuts, Elmer tours, a Test Table, and prizes every 15 minutes." With the date for the 2025 Loomis Hamfest rapidly approaching, the event team leads give an the Sierra Foothills ARC an overview of their team's plans. For more information, head over to the club's website at https://www.w6ek.org/
Hamfest 2025 Event Plan Overview
This month, Joe K6SAT gives the Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club a bit of event history and overview of the opportunities to volunteer for two of the most prestigious endurance events - Tevis and Western States. These events cross the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, covering some 100 miles on horseback or on foot, in a single day.
Tevis and Western States Endurance Runs volunteer opportunities
The planning for the Sacrament Valley's first Hamfest of the 2025 season is well under way. Aaron K6ABJ and the organizing crew discuss some of the event logistics, and put out a request for volunteers to fill the remaining positions. For volunteering, head on over to: https://www,w6ek.org/activities/hamfest/volunteering
Sierra Foothills ARC Hamfest 2025 Planning
For 2025's first General Meeting of the Sierra Foothills ARC, Scott KM6RFB talks about his quest for the perfect Multi-Use Radio System Backpack, which he uses when being called up for emergency response assistance. Sit back and enjoy Scott's tour of what has been described as the "Tardis of go-kits" (with apologies to Doctor Who fans). Somehow, he's figured out how to put more into the backpack than its limited space would ordinarily permit. Scott has been an EMT for 20+ years. He has also been a firefighter lieutenant and HazMat Specialist, FEMA safety officer, holds various roles with the DHS, Medical Unit Leader with the NIFC, and has been a Health & Safety Specialist for the past 15+ years with the Federal HHS. Scott is the current Placer County ARES AEC. The inventory of his "Field Medic" backpack includes: - Yaesu FT-100D radio - Yaesu FC-20 antenna tuner - Headphones - HF / VHF / UHF antennas (3 total) - Tripod antenna stand - Coax cabling, Connectors, Balun, various adapters - Diplexer - 30 amp DC power supply - 17" Laptop - Water bottle
The Multi-Use Radio System Backpack
This month, Jim N6OZH, tells the story of a real life radio jamming event that affected the Sacramento Police Department radio system, and how he an a group of fellow Hams tracked down the responsible party. James writes: "With 52 years as an Amateur radio operator, and with a General class license, I had a lot of opportunities to merge radio into my public safety career. My wife and I have been married 48 years in December, with 5 children. One of my four sons has obtained his Amateur Extra Class license. I am retired, and am an avid Rockhound, chasing gold, meteorites, and minerals throughout the West. I operate a small Placer gold mine in the Mother Lode and have a small jewelry fabrication business."
The Sacramento PD RDF Caper
Powering your radio equipment in the field is a never ending challenge. There are certainly solutions - gasoline or propane powered generators and solar-powered ones - but they are often designed with a different use case in mind. In this presentation to the Sierra Foothills ARC, Brian KM6MDM discusses his custom battery box, built to serve the particular challenges he faces when operating in the field, and when power issues arise at home. Brian received his Ham Radio General License in 2017. Early Interests in radio also include the R/C aircraft and car hobby. He enjoys the outdoors, computer technology, occasional computer gaming, a pocket knife collector, and occasional wood worker. Links included in the presentation: Box building: https://youtu.be/BJynWzfSrmk?si=IM-dvLybk6m2r-ZM https://youtu.be/wPG2LPbW4Us?si=7fhigqrSbaa7DXx_ Will Prowse's channel: http://www.youtube.com/@WillProwse Parts used in the build: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YRE0XLEEA2DX?ref_=wl_share https://www.lowes.com/pd/FLEX-STACK-PACK-Suitcase-Tool-Box-22-in-Gray-Metal-Lockable-Tool-Box/5013526055
Build your own Battery box
This month, Orion AI6JB gives an overview of the "sport" of Radiosport, also referred to as Contesting. In this talk, Orion covers what Radiosport is, who can participate, how to get involved, and how to know when the contests will be held. Orion was first licensed in 2015, after longing for a ham license since he was young. He now holds an Amateur Extra license. Orion became active in contesting after the family's children were grown and other activities weren't taking up as much of his time. Links referred to in the talk: National Contest Journal: https://ncjweb.com/welcome/ WA7BNM Contest Calendar: https://www.contestcalendar.com ARRL Contest Calendar: https://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar
Radiosport: Join the thrill of contesting!
This month, Jim WA8MPA gives the Sierra Foothills ARC a quick overview and demonstration of 2-tone testing of a radio transmitter. This test reveals important information about the linearity and cleanliness of a the transmitter's output, which is critical for proper (and legal!) operating of the equipment. Jim is a long-time member of the SFARC, a ham radio club based in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 30 miles north east of Sacramento, California. He currently holds an Amateur Extra license, and enjoys working on all manner of radio equipment.
Two Tone Transceiver Testing
In this special presentation to the Sierra Foothills ARC, Kristen K6WX discusses the concept of "Ground" as it applies to our ham shacks, equipment, and its operation. Kristen is ARRL First Vice President, and a long time amateur radio operator. She enjoys operating on radio bands from HF (short wave) through microwave (23cm), building her own equipment and antennas, and chasing distant stations (DX). Kristen was first licensed in 1979, and holds the Amateur Extra license K6WX. Note: This talk includes an overview of proper wiring practices. As she states, always follow the applicable electrical and building codes when applying these techniques to your particular situation.
Ground is a Myth: Explaining this little understood concept
With the 2024 California QSO Party rapidly approaching, Jim W6JCZ talks to the Sierra Foothills ARC about the various features in a modern HF radio, and how to optimize the receiver's operation. Jim's involvement with radio started with CB at the age of 11, eventually progressing to a ham license in 2021. He now holds an Amateur Extra license, and enjoys working the HF Bands nearly every day.
Optimizing your HF Reception
Carol KP4MD, the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager, gives a quick ARRL News update to the Sierra Foothills ARC at their monthly meeting in August 2024.
August 2024 ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Update - Carol KP4MD
In the depths of this year's Fire Season in Northern California, Scott KM6RFB takes the Sierra Foothills ARC through a tour of several on-line sites which give him (and us!) a critical view into the evolving situations that surround us. Scott has been an EMT for 20+ years. He has also been a firefighter lieutenant and HazMat Specialist, FEMA safety officer, holds various roles with the DHS, Medical Unit Leader with the NIFC, and has been a Health & Safety Specialist for the past 15+ years with the Federal HHS. Scott is the current Placer County ARES AEC. The websites discussed in Scott's talk include: California Highway Patrol (CHP): https://cad.chp.ca.gov/ WIFire (Fire Mapping): https://firemap.sdsc.edu/ Ventusky (Wind & Rain): https://www.ventusky.com/ ADSB Tracker (realtime air traffic): https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ae1162 Alert West (Western area dashboard): https://alertwest.live/ Watch Duty (Watch Duty web portal): https://app.watchduty.org/ GACC (Geographic Area Coordination Center): https://gacc.nifc.gov/
Public Resources for Situational Awareness
In a special presentation to the Sierra Foothills ARC, Al Rovner K7AR discusses the various aspects of preparing for a DXpedition. His talk is part preparation and logistics, and part travel log with pictures of the many gorgeous places his radio expeditions have operated from. A DXpedition is an event where a team of Ham Radio operators travel to distant locations with their equipment, with the objective of contacting as many operators around the planet as possible during their short stay. Al Rovner has been a member of or led some 28 of these events over the years, with the hopes to add his 29th in November.
Going on your first DXpedition
Returning for a 4th time, the now-annual Hot RF Nights is a forum for showing off your mobile, portable, or emergency Ham Radio equipment to others and the general public. This year, the weather wasn't cooperating, with the day of the event occurring during a lengthy heat wave, with daytime temperatures around the 100 degree mark. Still, the event was a success, treating those who did attend with more time to interact with their like-minded peers.
Hot RF Nights 2024
Jeff KM6RGO discusses the Sierra Foothills ARC's recent ARRL Field Day event, held in June. As they say, "A good time was had by all", and (spoiler alert!) records were imperiled! Field Day is a nation wide (and world participating) ham radio event, where clubs and individuals set up their amateur stations out in "the field" to simulate operations during a disaster of some sort. The stations gain points for every contact they make, with various incentives given for different bands, modes, and other event-related activities. More information can be found at the ARRL Field Day site: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
ARRL Field Day 2024 Summary
While not directly Ham Radio related, here's a video of the UP4014 "Big Boy" steam train as it passed through the Nevada Street train station in Auburn CA, just after 10am on Sunday 7-14-2024. This was shortly before the unfortunate "kerfuffle" with the tree that fell across the tracks about a mile ahead. The video's sound track does not do this beast of a machine justice. I felt the power clear through to my bones. It almost hurt.
UP4014 "Big Boy" passing through Auburn, California
This month, Steve W1SRD returns to the Sierra Foothills ARC to relate the story of the TX5S DXpedition to Clipperton Island in late January 2024. Clipperton Island is a small island, the top of an ancient volcano, some 1,200 km off the coast of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. It is among the top most sought-after DX (distant station) entities for ham operators around the world to make contact with. Steve, W1SRD is from Northern California and was first licensed in 1974 as WN0NOR. He is a board member of Mother Lode DX and Contest Club and Northern California DX Club and a past president of Northern California Contest Club. Prior operations include 2022 TX5N Australs, 2020 VP8PJ S. Orkney, 2018 VP6D Ducie, 2016 VK9LX Lord Howe, 2015 TX3X Chesterfield, and 2013 PJ4D Bonaire. He enjoys station building, contesting in all modes and working towards Top of Honor Roll (337 confirmed). Sometimes in WPX he can be heard signing AG1RL, borrowing his very supportive XYL’s call. Clipperton Island DXpedition site: https://clip.pdxg.net/ Sites for some of the DXpedtions Steve has gone on: https://www.tx5n.net and https://www.sorkney.com (VP8PJ at South Orkney 2020). More information on CERA can be found at https://www.cerafund.org/ Information on ARES can be found at https://www.arrl.org/ares Steve also provided a few DX Resources he has found useful: 1. Upcoming DX operations in nice calendar format: https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html 2. Contest calendar at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weekl... DX contests are a great way to pickup new entities. 3. Daily DX news: https://www.dailydx.com/ 4. The 425 weekly newsletter at https://www.425dxn.org/ newsletter as well as the ARRL weekly DX newsletter you can get as an ARRL member. 5. The Daily DX (subscription) newsletter by Bernie, W3UR. There are good free DX resources on the site as well. 6. Propagation prediction: https://www.k6tu.net and https://www.voacap.com/ and (direct link to the VOACap prediction service https://www.voacap.com/hf/ ) Slides and video were used in this presentation with permission.
The story of the 2024 TX5S DXpedition
Load More... Subscribe


** Full screen button in the lower left of the player.

WE WANT YOUR VIDEOS

Not only do we want them to show others what we do at SFARC, but we also use your videos in the end-of-the-year slideshow.

hello world
0 Item | $0.00
View Cart
MENU