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Classes/Training Tech Class ’23 (Page)

The  Sierra Foothills ARC offers all levels of amateur radio license upgrade classes.

Course fees include the latest version of the applicable ARRL license manual shipped to your home and hands-on lab materials.  FCC exam fees are not included. All classes are held online via a Zoom classroom. The class also includes two (2) in-person labs held in the Auburn, California, area. The first lab focuses on a license-appropriate Get On The Air (GOTA) skills session. In the second lab, we will explore building your very own antennas.  Labs are not required.

The next class offered by SFARC will be the Amateur Radio Technician License class.  This is the entry-level first in a series of classes.  Classes will start April 25th, 2023, and run 6 weeks.  Each class will be held Tuesday evenings from 19:00 – 21:00 PST via Zoom.

Our 2023 Class Calendar:

    • Technician – April 25 – May 30, 2023
    • General – August 8 – September 26, 2023
    • Technician – October 17 – November 28, 2023

Ready to enroll in either of the upcoming Tech classes?
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Want to pre-enroll in the General class starting on August 8th, reserve your spot today.
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Running A Fox Hunt

Being the Fox Tender is almost as much fun as finding the Fox!

As the club’s RDF abilities improve the creativity in where the Fox  is hidden will likely become equally creative! If you have ideas on challenging the Fox Hunters then SIGN UP!

The Process

  1. Complete the sign-up form
  2. Once confirmed on the calendar arrange to pick up the Foxes from Doug (W2VX)
  3. Select an area to hide the Fox and do some basic testing (to understand coverage area)
  4. Promote the Fox Hunt (Coffee Break Net, Club Calendar, Club announcements i.e. Watts Up)
  5. Run the Fox Hunt and record results and take pictures if you are able
  6. After the hunt return the Foxes to Doug (W2VX)
  7. Write an article for the Club Newsletter!

Available Foxes

The club (Doug – W2VX) maintains several Foxes for Fox Tenders to use. The foxes are pre-programmed and ready to go with the exception of potentially needing new batteries. The available foxes include:

Doug (W2VX) has constructed a high power fox placed in an ammo can. Given the high power output (1-5 watts) this Fox would is most appropriate for longer distance Fox Hunts.

Jon (KI6RT)’s Byonics MicroFox 15 is typically available for club fox hunts (depending on what KI6RT is testing). Others in the club also own this model micro fox.

Foxes from Byonics typically output 15 milliWatts and are useful in parks or smaller areas.

SFARC owns two Byonics MicroFox 15S transmitters.

More questions? Please contact Jon (KI6RT) or Doug (W2VX).

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Fox Hunting Equipment

The popular RDF (radio direction finder) techniques used by SFARC include:

  • A version of the Handi-Finder created by Doug (W2VX) and Greydon (KC6SLE). This device switches between two dipole antennas effectively measuring the TOA (time of arrival) that appears as a tone on the HT (handi-talkie). As illustrated on the right the tone will be null (i.e. minimum volume) when the antennas are equidistance from the hidden transmitter thereby providing a vector to/from the hidden transmitter. Once several bearings or vectors have been established and plotted on a map the location of the Fox can be estimated. Mike (K6YMM) presentation on the technique can be found here.
  • Growing in popularity is the Tape Measure Yagi with a variable attenuator (step attenuator or an offset attenuator). The directional nature of a Yagi enables hunters to point straight at the hidden transmitter. As the the Fox Hunter approaches the Fox, attenuation is required (otherwise the HT will be overloaded and the S-meter will not show a peak).
  • The club continues to explore other RDF technologies. Most recently testing the KrakenSDR which uses five coherent receivers feeding data into a RaspberryPI running the MUSIC (MUtiple SIgnal Classification) algorithm. MUSIC is able to estimate DOA (direction of arrival) and together with a android phone displays a heat map and a vector straight to the hidden transmitter!
Hamfest Sellers

Hamfest Sellers

Sellers can purchase spaces on a first-come-first-served basis on the day of the event. Spaces range in size from a standard parking stall to 8′ x 8′.  All spaces, regardless of size, cost $10 each.  Sellers may purchase as many stalls as desired.  SFARC staff will make every effort to accommodate requests for specific locations.

Sellers may arrive starting at 6:00 AM to set up.  Follow the “Seller” signs or ask our parking staff for directions to the Seller’s entrance.  Sellers may park in their stalls.  Vehicles must fit within the area purchased.  Additional parking is available at no additional cost.

​Sellers need to bring their own tables, chairs, pop-ups, generators, etc… No equipment will be provided.  No electrical power will be available to sellers.

Show up early on the day of with your $10 bill, get a spot, and join us for a day of fun!

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SPECIAL NOTICE

California law requires Swap meet operators to obtain information on all sellers who conduct activities on premises.  Sellers are be required to fill out the State of California, Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Form 410d: Swap Meets, Flea Markets, or Special Events Certification.  This form is available at:  www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/cdtfa410d.pdf.  To expedite entrance into the Swap meet, please print and bring with you a completed and signed form.  Thank you!

Event Information:
Event Name and Place:  Loomis Hamfest, Loomis, Calif.
Event Date:  March 28, 2026

Forms will be available for you if you forget yours.

All sellers will be required to complete the form prior to setup.

Additional information is available in Publication 111, Operators of Swap Meets, Flea Markets, or Special Events on the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration website.

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Hamfest Parking

Hamfest Parking

Parking is FREE at Loomis Hamfest.

We have several lots to park vehicles.  Please follow SFARC parking staff directions.  They will direct you to the closest available spot.

​Disabled parking is available adjacent to the Hamfest site.  To access ADA parking, cross Taylor Road and turn right into the alleyway behind Taylor’s Restaurant.  Please let the SFARC parking staff know you are looking for the disabled parking lot and they will guide you.

Sellers may park in their stalls.  Vehicles must fit within the area purchased.  Additional off-site parking is available at no additional cost.

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Hamfest Events

Hamfest Events

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DEPOT TIME

Depot Time is where you get to learn new things. Currently, we are working hard in our shack to bring you informative and exciting topics. Stay tuned and check back often.

ELMER TOURS

Are you a new ham? Or just wondering what all this stuff is and how to use it? Then an Elmer Tour is for you! Elmer tours are FREE and conducted by experienced members of the Sierra Foothills ARC. They will walk you through the swap meet showing you all the neat ham gear available. More importantly, they will explain why you would want it and how you might use it. They are there to answer all your questions! Inquire at the Test Table …

TEST TABLE

Need to test equipment you are thinking about buying? Bring it over to the Sierra Foothills ARC Test Table. There will be power supplies, antennas, antenna analyzers, and other test equipment to check out your potential purchase. The table will be staffed by experienced SFARC Elmers. You don’t have to go home wondering if you bought a boat anchor.

ARRL BOOTH

Loomis Hamfest 2025 is, once again, an ARRL sanctioned hamfest. Drop by the ARRL Booth and visit with your Section Manager and other local ARRL staff. While you are there, pick up the new color US Amateur Radio Bands chart. Learn how ARRL membership can enhance your Ham experience. Let ARRL help you!

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