For the October meeting presentation, Scott KM6RFB will share his personal journey along the path to becoming an AUX-C — a certified Auxiliary Communicator. For those of us in amateur radio, we know how powerful our hobby can be, but this certification takes that passion and transforms it into a vital, formal asset for emergency management. This training is the on-ramp for Amateur Radio Emergency Communicators to become recognized by Public Safety agencies by having achieved this level of credentialing. This is done through classroom training and PTB Position Task Books and peer review.
Club Breakfast Venue Change
Hungry for some breakfast?
Starting October 31, 2026, our monthly breakfast is moving to Awful Annie’s in Auburn. Same great company, more space, and new great food.
WHAT HAPPENED TO MEL’S?
Nothing. 🙂 As the club has grown, our needs for space have grown, and Awful Annie’s has a lot more space with good food and easy access off Interstate 80.
The breakfast start time will permanently shift to 8 AM, with the Fox Hunt pre-meeting to follow at 9:15.
Watch this space and the club calendar for additional details.
Awful Annie’s
13460 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603
October 31, 2026 @ 8 AM
COME HUNGRY AND HUNT WITH US AFTER.
Club Breakfast, New Venue
13460 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603
Great New Flavors, Same Great Company
MORE DETAILS | MAP
Fall Campout | Photos (Page)
Field Day | Photos (Page)
Community Emergency Radio Association (CERA)
Hamtrak Is Back For 2027
Woo hoo – Hamtrak is back!
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Announcing Hamtrak III – Back On Track.
“Hamtrak” is a biennial (every two years) optional trip for members to ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr together. It’s a beautiful, scenic five-hour journey through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, ending in Reno. If we’re lucky, we might even get snowed in.
This is not an “official” function of the Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club. It’s just a bunch of guys and gals from the club who have decided to do this trip again, and we are inviting YOU to come along.
SAVE THE DATE!
Departing: February 24, 2027 @ 10:41 AM
Returning: February 25, 2027 @ 9:32 AM
Watts Up This Week
Normally the “Watts Up” weekly email is about what’s happening. This week it’s about who made it happen. Don’t worry, we have some updates below. 🙂
“Volunteer” can be a scary word. It sounds like a commitment; like if you raise your hand once, you’ll be holding a clipboard for the next three years. But most volunteering isn’t a role, it’s a moment. Nobody’s asking you to run the show; we’re asking you to hold the flashlight. One task. One kind act. One moment of noticing something needed doing and doing it. It’s grabbing the other end of a table, or saying “I’ve got this” when something needs doing.
At the fall campout this past weekend, a few folks did exactly that. They saw what was needed and stepped in, and the whole weekend ran better because of it. Many hands make light work, and you all made this a VERY easy event to chair.
- Adam (W6AGT) — Consistently by my side, offering to help at every turn.
- Jeremy (KO6KUL) — Providing medical aid when a few of us went down.
- Steven (KO6EBQ) — All around, just offering help wherever it was needed.
- John (KN6COW) — Jumping in when plans changed to help with breakfast.
- Evan (KK6TNE) — Being our “boots on the ground” before the official start of the event, getting us information about the Floriston Fire that we couldn’t get from here.
- Mark (W2MWK) — Offering guidance and a hand throughout the weekend.
- Greydon (KC6SLE) and Lisa — Route planning, cooking, serving… almost too many things to list.
- Dan (KN6WQU) — Setting up movie night, and donating the movie screen to the club.
- Bob (N6EMS) — Being our health and safety guru and providing a delicious cobbler to those cleaning up camp on Sunday morning.
- Dan (KO6LMZ) and Joann — Jumping in consistently with meal prep and service.
- David (K6CIM) — Assisting around camp with breakdown.
- Dudley (KO6DRM) and his lovely bride — Helping whenever there was something to be done.
- Marty (N6BLO) and his lovely bride (her especially) — Helping organize and serve during the meals.
- Lan (KO6MWK) and Maxim (KO6NEZ) — Helping with camp breakdown.
- Brian (AI6US) and Lin (KN6KRD) — Being my uncredited co-chairs and always jumping in to keep us on track! We all know it starts with Lin 🙂
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
Important Campout Update
I’m CAMPOUT UPDATE
Updated: 9/17/2026 @ 7:00PM
Forward progress on the Floriston fire has slowed considerably with very little additional area burned. I’ve received emails regarding air quality — it’s excellent, no smoke whatsoever — Mother Nature is treating us good with no wind. This will likely be my last update unless conditions change.
A reminder that the route referenced on the website is closed to emergency vehicles only. You will need to use the newly refurbished Hobart Mills route.
DIRECTIONS
- Follow I-80 E to Truckee.
- From I-80 E, take exit 188A (CA-89 N).
This is not the first Tahoe exit so pay close attention. - Once you exit CA-89 N towards Sierraville, at the roundabout, make sure you’re headed toward Sierraville.
- Make a right on Hobart Mills Rd.
- It curves a bit and joins Dog Valley Rd.
- The address for Logger Campground is 26104 Dog Valley Rd, Truckee, CA 96161
The area is NOT under an evacuation watch or warning. At this time, Logger Campground is open and not threatened. With safety in mind, we’ll continue to stay in contact with the county sheriff and CHP Truckee, keeping a close eye on how fast the fire is moving, which direction it’s headed, and how containment is coming along. We’ll also provide updates on the QST crawler on http://www.w6ek.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to hop on the repeater OR call Smitty @ (916) 773-1999.
73,
Smitty (WB1G) | Fall Campout Chair
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
Amateur Radio Exams / VE Testing: October 5th, 2026
Amateur Radio Exams / VE Testing: October 5th, 2026
Looking for a local, comfortable, friendly, and inviting atmosphere to help you successfully pass your ham radio exam? Sierra Foothills Volunteer Examiner Team provides monthly in-person exam sessions with mentors on hand to answer your questions about equipment, local resources, clubs, and events. You’ve successfully passed your ham radio exam, now what?
SFARC Elmers are here to help and guide you!
The Sierra Foothills VE team offers many scholarships. Free exams and Free FCC licenses for all students, youth, and young adults ages 25 and under! Military and First Responders receive a 50% discount on exams!
For more information and to pre-register for an upcoming session, CLICK HERE.
NEXT IN-PERSON DATE: October 5th, 2026 @ 7 PM