For the July club meeting Jim W6JCZ will give a brief presentation and demonstration on OpenHamClock, a web app built in the spirit of the original HamClock project. OpenHamClock does not require special hardware or even software installation, and provides a wealth of information useful to ham radio operators. It uses a modern scalable interface and works on all devices from computers to smartphones and even TVs. Jim will also compare OHC to HamClock as well as the GeoChron Atlas computer.
Watts Up This Week
Members and Friends,
As we exhale from FIeld Day, Mark (W2MWK) and I wanted to take a minute in this week’s update to send out a big thank you to all the participants and volunteers at Field Day 2026. We’re still compiling our numbers but early results look encouraging. At 10 AM on Sunday, Dennis showed us a quick snapshot and we had accumulated over 1660 contacts!!! While we don’t know the GOTA numbers yet, the station was very active and looking at the faces of the younger operators as they made contacts gives me hope for our hobby’s future.
This event does not come together in a vacuum. This year’s dedicated volunteers had the antennas and stations setup in record time. And the tear-down was a record-breaker event to see. We cannot give enough praise to those volunteers that showed up Friday morning at 8 AM and those that stayed after the 11 AM to finish up on Sunday.
We’ve got a ton of photos on the website already but would love your snaps from the weekend. Click the link below and upload them before you forget.
And of course, one lucky club member has a chance at a $100 HRO gift card at the end of year Christmas Party for BEST PHOTO OF 2026!!!
73,
Mark (W2MWK) and Smitty (WB1G) | Field Day 2026 Chairs
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
SAVE THE DATE: September 30th. 6-8 PM at Knee Deep Brewing Company
NEW FOR THE SUMMER OF 2026!
Dust off your favorite QSL stories and join your fellow operators for an evening of cold brews and good company at:
KNEE DEEP BREWING COMPANY
13395 NEW AIRPORT ROAD,
SUITE H IN AUBURN (NEXT TO WINGS)
SEPTEMBER 30TH FROM 6–8 PM
Banzito’s Tacos will have their food truck onsite for the perfect pairing!!!
Whether you’re a seasoned Elmer or a fresh Technician still grinning over your first contact, this is your chance to ragchew in person, no antenna required! Great beer, great people, and zero band conditions to worry about. Come for the hops, stay for the hams—we’ll be listening for your call! 73 and see you there!
Amateur Radio Exams / VE Testing: August 3, 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: August 3, 2026 @ 7 PM
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Dates
Sept 17–20, 2026
Thursday through Sunday
Where
Logger Campground
Stampede Reservoir · Double Bit Loop
Countdown to Campout
00Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds
Watts Up This Week
SFARC Members and Friends,
Lately everything has been about Field Day BUT DID YOU KNOW we still have a group getting together for this month’s Club Breakfast at Mels?
This Saturday (June 27) — 7:30 AM, Mel’s Diner in Auburn**
** Note, this is the last breakfast of the summer at Mel’s Diner. Starting July 25th, we’ll be taking breakfast to our summer time location at Wings at the Auburn Airport (https://www.w6ek.org/activities/clubbreakfast)
REPEATER UPDATE (THIS WEEKEND)
Priority usage of the W6EK 2-meter repeater will be provided to the Western States Endurance Run from 4AM on Saturday, June 27 through 12 noon on Sunday, June 28. During this time, AllStarLink (ASL) and Echolink will be in monitor mode and the W6EK 2-meter repeater will only transmit local RF traffic. Remember that the club also has the 220 and 440 repeaters. There will be no Coffee Break Net on either Saturday, June 27 or Sunday, June 28.
FIELD DAY UPDATE
All are welcome to swing by at any time. For those new to the club, Field Day is a revolving door. We’ll have plenty of snacks, water, etc…
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
We’re Down To The Final Days
Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club
Field Day 2026
A National Resource
Field Day begins Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time.
We're on the air
Starts Saturday, June 27 · 11:00 AM PDT
Watts Up This Week
Hey Members and Friends,
Last push for Field Day RSVP’s… With the deadline coming up THIS THURSDAY, June 18th, we need to know, ARE YOU COMING? 🙂
We plan to do the remaining shopping for food and water this weekend so if you’ve been dragging your feet, get on it! CLICK HERE TO RSVP HERE!
LAST FIELD DAY PLANNING MEETING – THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 18th @ 6PM ON ZOOM
If you have a part in the success of Field Day, we need you to attend.
- Station Owners
- Food Planners
- Team Leads
This is the last push.
HAMCLUBONLINE (HCOL) NEW MEMBER VOTE
An apology for the mishap with the first ballot that went out this weekend from HCOL for the new member vote.
You should have received a new ballot this morning (June 15th).
SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH CLUB BREAKFAST AND FOX HUNT
- There will still be a club breakfast at Mel’s regardless of Field Day.
- There will NOT be a Fox Hunt.
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
HamClubOnline | New Member Ballot Trouble
Club Members,
We’re aware of issues with the ballet that was sent out by HamClubOnline.
The current vote will expire at midnight, please look for a new email and ballot from HCOL in the morning.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
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
Field Day T-Shirts
Hey SFARC Members & Friends,
With Field Day just around the corner and work travel filling up my schedule next week, this PIO has a full plate! 🙂 The club meeting this week will be dedicated mostly to Field Day so come with any and all questions you might have. In the meantime, there are some important dates you’ll want to keep on your radar. We’ve included some Field Day F.A.Q.s to help get you started on your field day journey.
- Friday (June 12) @ 7:30 PM: Club Meeting (In-Person OR online)
- Monday (June 15th): Last day to order a Field Day T-Shirt with standard shipping.
- Thursday (June 18th): Last day to RSVP if you plan to camp and share meals with us at Field Day.
- Even if YOU think WE already know you’re joining us, please RSVP. That’s the number we’re using for food planning.
- Friday (June 26) @ 8:30 AM: Field Day Setup Begins
https://fieldday.w6ek.org/
Frequently Asked Field Day Questions:
Q. Where is SFARC doing Field Day for 2026?
A. Georgetown Airport Campground, Georgetown, CA
Q. When does setup begin?
A. Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 8:30 AM
Q. When does Field Day begin?
A. Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 11 AM PT
Q. When is the last day to RSVP?
A. Drop-ins are welcome throughout the entire event. RSVPs are needed if you plan to camp or have meals with us. The deadline for RSVP’ing is June 18, 2026.
Q. Can I setup my own radio?
A. Due to the number of radios in operation, we ask that you NOT setup your own station. There is one exception. 🙂 Operation of a remote station (such as a Flex Radio) is permitted.
Q. Is handicap parking available?
A. We have limited parking spaces available for those with very limited mobility.
Q. Is electricity available for medical equipment?
A. No personal generators are permitted on the west side of the runway (tenting camping area), NO EXCEPTIONS.
Please see CAMP RULES for more information
Q. Can I have a campfire at the facility?
A. Regardless of which side of the runway you set up camp, No Campfires, NO EXCEPTIONS (including propane)!!
Please see CAMP RULES for more information.
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