Our next club meeting will take place on November 14 at 7:30 PM at the Confluence Church Gym in Auburn, California and on Zoom at zoom.w6ek.org. Jim (W6JCZ) is giving a talk on the newly updated FreeDV application, including its new RADE “Radio Autoencoder” mode. This new digital voice mode is very promising as it continues to function even with low signal strengths that would make traditional single-sideband voice unintelligible. Come join us and find out how to set up your station for FreeDV, how it works so well, and what you can do to contribute to its development.
November 2025 Newsletter
Watts Up This Week
The holiday season has begun and we’re underway planning the SFARC Annual Christmas Party and we’d LOVE your involvement in this years event!
You’re invited to this Thursday’s (11/6) planning meeting on Zoom @ 6PM. We’ll talk about all things Christmas Party — we want your input! Many hands make lite work.
For those who are new to SFARC, the Christmas Party is a night of fun that includes:
- SFARC Year In Review (Slideshow)
- The honorable “Golden Brick” achievement award
- WA6E’s Stand Up Routine / Trivia 🙂
- Appointment of 2026 SFARC Officers
- Great stories and food!
RSVP NOW for the Christmas Party @ https://www.w6ek.org/rsvp
We’ve received a number of questions regarding whether there is a cost for club members.
Although the tradition of Christmas potlucks predates my time with the club, I’ve heard many fond stories about them. Potlucks are always fun—and we’ve enjoyed several this year—but a few years ago, the club made the shift to a catered meal for our holiday celebration. As you’re aware, prices for just about everything have been rising. For the past couple of years, SFARC has covered the full cost of this event.
Currently, the meal cost per guest is roughly equal to a full year’s membership dues. If a member brings a guest, that’s essentially two years’ worth.
To help offset these costs, I’ve made the difficult decision to request a $10 per-person fee this year (paid at the door). This contribution will help cover the cost of dinner and prizes, ensuring we can continue hosting a festive, memorable celebration.
Thank you for your continued support of SFARC.
_ ___ _ ___ _ ___
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
Next VE Exam Date – December 1, 2025
Looking for a local location to take your amateur radio license or upgrade exam? Sierra Foothills VE Team provides in-person exam sessions on the 1st Monday evening of the month.
Scholarships are available for students currently enrolled in Elementary, Middle, High School, or Undergraduate College programs and are 21 years of age or younger as of the date of the
exam. Upon passing an exam, the student will be eligible for an instant $14 refund for the cost of the exam and also awarded the $35 FCC licensing fee.
NEXT IN-PERSON DATE: 12/1/2025 @ 7 PM
Need more information before signing up? CLICK HERE
Holiday Party | Important RSVP Update
We have re-opened the RSVP system for the Christmas Party.
If you RSVP’ed prior, PLEASE go back out and do it again as we’ve made a few changes.
We look forward to seeing you for a night full of fun on December 13, 2025.
_ ___ _ ___ _ ___
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
Watts Up This Week
It’s a bit quiet this week with a few callouts.
2025 SFARC Holiday Party
The Christmas Party planning crew is working feverishly for this year’s gathering. If you’re a club member in good standing, you and a guest are
Invited to come join us. Please RSVP at http://rsvp.w6ek.org/. Like 2024, additional guests are welcome to dine with us for $10 each at the door.
NEXT VE SESSION
The next SFARC VE session is Monday, November 3rd. Ready to upgrade? Head over to w6ek.org now and sign up. If you’re interested in being an Elmer or setting up a GOTA station at the event, please contact Steven (KO6EBQ).
TECHNICIANS CLASS GOTA — THIS SATURDAY (11/1)
Orion and the SFARC educators 🙂 are having their first lab this weekend. The GOTA lab is always a fun one with it being the first time these aspiring hams have used an amateur radio. If you’re interested in taking part in this rewarding experience, contact Orion (AI6JB).
73,
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920
The Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club (W6EK)
(530) 492-0920
Website: www.w6ek.org
Groups.io: groupsio.w6ek.org
Social:
facebook.w6ek.org
twitter.w6ek.org
linkedIn.w6ek.org
instagram.w6ek.org
youtube.w6ek.org
Watts Up This Week
A reminder that we have breakfast and fox hunt this weekend!
For this month monthly breakfast and Fox Hunt we’ll be at Mel’s Diner in Auburn this Saturday at 7:30AM. Breakfast will be followed by a fox hunt pre-meeting @ 9:00AM. Details on the fox hunt, such as transmitter, frequency, general boundaries, talk in frequency, post Hunt meeting location, and etc… will be provided at the pre-meeting. 🙂
The fox tenders this month will be John (KO6COW) and his son Jaden (W6EFM). We look forward to seeing you all, rain or shine. 🙂
HO HO HO?!?!?
Sure, it’s a bit early but save the date for the SFARC Christmas Party.
DECEMBER 13TH, 2025 @ 5PM
More details to follow…
_ ___ _ ___ _ ___
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
Have You Checked Out Friday Night Trivia Night?
Every first and third Friday at 7:30 PM PT, Dawn (KG6FZZ) and Simon (K6DXN) host Friday Night Trivia Night. Dawn and Simon previously hosted trivia night on a Southern California repeater system for 15 years. If you haven’t checked it out, you’re missing out. All ham operators and trivia buffs are welcome to attend. Must have a license to transmit. 🙂
WHEN -> First and Third Friday each month @ 7:30 PM
WHERE -> W6EK 2M Repeater / ASL #51018
Next VE Exam Date – November 3, 2025
Looking for a local location to take your amateur radio license or upgrade exam? Sierra Foothills VE Team provides in-person exam sessions on the 1st Monday evening of the month.
Scholarships are available for students currently enrolled in Elementary, Middle, High School, or Undergraduate College programs and are 21 years of age or younger as of the date of the exam. Upon passing an exam, the student will be eligible for an instant $14 refund for the cost of the exam and also awarded the $35 FCC licensing fee.
NEXT IN-PERSON DATE: 11/3/2025 @ 7 PM
Need more information before signing up? CLICK HERE