SACRAMENTO VALLEY SECTION WEB RESOURCES
Section News: www.arrlsacvalley.org
Section Nets: http://sites.google.com/site/arrlsacvalley/nets
Sacramento Valley ARES: www.sacvalleyares.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ARRLSacramentoValley
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARRL_SV
Thanks to Greg Kruckewitt KG6SJT for maintaining our Section ARES web page and assisting with our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Thanks to Les Cobb W6TEE for maintaining the Section Net list.
ARRL Affiliated Club web resources are now listed on this web page
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From Section Affiliated Club Coordinator, Max Soucia, N1KGS
Posted March 11
Hi Sac Valley Hams. I’m the newly appointed section Affiliated Club Coordinator. I’ve been a ham for 28 years or there about. I relocated from northern Maine in 2009 after I retired where I was Section Emergency Coordinator and I helped write and develop the original EC 101 course. I was an online mentor for EmComm for several years. I’m a big cheerleader for Amateur Radio’s ability to assist in emergencies when nothing else works. As such I’m a proponent of ARRL affiliation for the support we can give it in return for the technical and particularly legislative support they provide. In the present atmosphere of monetizing all aspects of society we will be feeling more and more pressure to privatize the EM spectrum including our slivers of it. Witness the development and expansion of 5G services. Protection and expansion of our spectrum is where we as individual hams can benefit from League activity as we support them with sheer numbers through membership and club affiliation.
I’ll be contacting each ARRL affiliated club in the Sacramento Valley Section over the coming weeks to update your club information and to help bring your League affiliation up to date if needed. I also want to visit each club over the coming months for an eyeball QSO. There is much of Northern California I have not seen and I’m looking forward to the travel. In the meantime, if you want assistance in utilizing the benefits of affiliation such as club insurance, or updating your Special Service Club status or have questions about any of these issues or just want to rag chew my cell number is (916) 607 6524 and my email is N1KGS@arrl.net.
73 de Max Soucia, N1KGS, Affiliated Club Coordinator, Sacramento Valley Section, ARRL
Amateur Radio Youth Outreach at March 3 STEM Expo in Rocklin
Posted March 11
STEM Expo 2018 was a Hit!
The Placer County STEM Expo was a blast this year thanks to the support of Sacramento Valley Section hams. A cadre of dedicated Hams came out on Saturday, March 3rd, to the William Jessup University in Rocklin California to setup two stations and show-off the exciting world of ham radio to the youth in our community.
Section Club support was outstanding. We had members from Western Placer ARC, River City ARCS, Samuel F Morse ARC, and the Sierra Foothills ARC there to get youngsters on the air. A special thank you to Jerry, N6JKH, and Art, KK6NFM, from the WPARC for bringing out the radios and antennas. The HF station was fed by a Buddistick and had to radios attached: an IC-7300 for SSB, and a FT-857D go box for digital. The VHF station was connected to a 2m copper pipe J Pole and had a FT-8800 go box station attached and tuned to the K6PAC and W6EK repeaters. Thank you to all the operators out there hanging around their rigs waiting for us to call. You welcoming voices put smiles on their faces.
Bob, N6PGQ, was a hit with our future coders. He brought two code oscillators and worked with the kids to practice sending their names in CW.
Ken, KE6RMN, Dave, WB6YLK, Marie, Tim, KD6MDV, Carl, WF6J, and Brian, AI6US, worked with the kids and answered folks questions about amateur radio. Most had no idea that amateur radio was a thing nor the importance it has played in the recent disasters. Thank you all for coming out to promote Ham radio and sharing our wonderful hobby to the youth in our Section.
73, Orion Endres, AI6JB, Section Youth Coordinator
Photo: Orion Endres, AI6JB coaches a young STEM Expo attendee on repeater operation. by Carol KP4MD
ARES Group Registration for ARES Connect
Posted January 19, 2018
All Section ARES groups should contact their Emergency Coordinators now to provide their current ARES group information for registration in the new ARES Connect system. Your Emergency Coordinator is responsible for registering ARES groups in your respective area.
Additional information on changes to the ARES program will be emailed to SMs and SECs soon. Beta testing of ARES Connect will begin shortly and once completed additional information will be sent out.
ARRL Public Service Enhancement Working Group, Dale Williams, WA8EFK, Chairman
April 14 - Sacramento County ARES Training
Posted April 2, 2018
The next Sacramento County ARES training and meeting is scheduled for Saturday April 14, 2018 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Sacramento Sheriff's Central Division, 7000 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95823.
Vince Cracchiolo KI6NHP is the Sacramento County EC.
For more information, visit the Sacramento County ARES web site at www.saccountyares.org
California Office of Emergency Services' New Video Extols Amateur Radio
Posted February 8, 2018
Recent disasters in the United States and around the world have resulted in lost communications. Whether hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or terror attacks response to a disaster is made more difficult without effective communications. California Office of Emergency Services (OES) has at least one answer to that in California - HAMS.
Volunteer Operators Needed for June 23-24 Western States Endurance Run
Posted February 3, 2018
Joe Steinmetz, K6SAT, is the HAM radio coordinator for Western States 100 mile Endurance run, sponsored by WSER, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Joe is looking for radio operator volunteers for June 23 and 24th this year. More information about the race is available here: https://www.wser.org/ Radio Volunteer Information are available here: https://www.wser.org/volunteering/communication/ There is a sign-up form link in the above URL location, or interested amateur radio operators may contact Joe directly via email at k6sat@arrl.org or radio@wser.org
Joe Steinmetz, K6SAT, WSER HAM Radio Coordinator
From Norm Lucas, WB6RVR (SK),
Section Official Observer Coordinator
Posted January 11, 2016
Do you have what it takes to be an ARRL "Official Observer?"
Update April 6, 2017 - The ARRL and the FCC are currently working together to update and to make changes to the Official Observer/Amateur Auxiliary program. Because of these expected upcoming updates and changes, ARRL has placed a temporary hold on applications for new Official Observers and Official Observer Coordinators at this time. Read more here.
The ARRL Executive Committee (EC) has directed that work begin on finalizing the language of a revised memorandum of understanding between ARRL and the FCC regarding the Amateur Auxiliary (Official Observer) program. The EC met on March 25 in Aurora, Colorado. The panel, which acts on behalf of the ARRL Board of Directors between its regular meetings, heard an update on the Official Observer Program Revitalization Study from ARRL Second Vice President and committee chair Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, who said his committee plans to present final recommendations later this year on revamping the Amateur Auxiliary, for ultimate consideration by the full Board.
In his remarks, General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, was complimentary of new FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and told the EC he thinks enforcement efforts may be more successful in the future, due to the new chairman’s interest in the issue. Imlay also said the new chief of the Enforcement Bureau, Michael Carowitz, is reported to be “amateur friendly.” He told the EC that he foresees a potential window of opportunity for improved spectrum enforcement work, as well as the opportunity to build a stronger working relationship with the FCC on all issues.
The Official Observer (OO) program has been sponsored by the ARRL for more than 85 years to help Amateur Radio operators assist each other to operate their stations in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.
Official Observer appointees have assisted thousands of Amateur Radio operators to maintain their transmitting equipment and comply with operating procedures and regulations. The object of the OO program is to notify amateurs of operating and technical irregularities before they come to the attention of the FCC and to recognize good operating practices.
The OO program serves as the first line of "eyes and ears" for the FCC. It is the backbone of the Amateur Auxiliary. OOs are certified in the Auxiliary by passing a mandatory written examination.
Pot grow lights interfere with Ham Radio
Submitted by Rene Smythe, WB6PSY, posted March 4, 2017
I have experienced this interference for the past few years. I found the interference by swinging my 10m Yagi monobander around until the noise became over S9. I then went outside to see where the beam was physically pointed and discovered a garage where indoor pot is being grown. The lights are on a time cycle so the interference comes and goes. 40º degrees in either direction takes the noise out.
Now that marijuana is being legalized in more states, more hams are going to experience this noise.
WB6PSY
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c1b607bfbbab459ba9e21d4c282996e4/growing-problem-pot-lights-give-ham-radio-operators-buzz
Radio Frequency Interference
posted February 3, 2018
ARRL and the FCC have a cooperative agreement in radio frequency interference matters. You may submit interference reports together with your supporting documentation to ARRL EMC Engineer Mike Gruber W1MG who then files the report with the FCC Gettysburg office.
You may also contact our Section Technical Coordinator Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, or our Section Official Observer Coordinator Bob Hess, W1RH, for assistance. More information is posted under the "From the Section Manager" notes in the November 2016 Section News - Carol KP4MD
Our Official Observer Coordinator Bob Hess, W1RH, shares this helpful web page by NK7Z for identifying sources of Radio Frequency Interference http://www.nk7z.net/rfi-snapshots
Club and Member News - April 2018
Update from River City ARCS
Posted April 2, 2018
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
On March 3 N6PGQ, KE6RMN, KP4MD, WB6YLK and Marie Martin along with others from Western Placer ARC, River City ARCS, Samuel F Morse ARC, and the Sierra Foothills ARC went to the Stem Expo (a type of science fair) in Placer Co. and demonstrated Ham Radio to the students and adults.
March 17 was the first of several Ham Swaps for the year. Some others are:
April 28 – Valley of the Moon ARC in Sonoma Ca.
May 5 – Reno Ham Swap – Reno NV.
May – North Hills (POSTPONED - To Be Announced)
June 2 - Northern NV Radio Swap, Minden, NV
September 15 - Western Placer ARC Hamfest, Lincoln, CA
April 3 is our Elmer Night meeting and we are going to have topics on Antenna Magic, Repeaters, Fox Hunting, and Net Control Practice. It should be an informative night.
April 14 is our club pot luck picnic. We need people to get signed up so that we can get a good head count as to who is coming and get the right amount of food. We will have a “Fox Hunt” and you can bring your radios and work the world!
Field Day is coming up and we need to get signed up so we can get plans moving
Aug is our Installarama where we show off our mobile rig installations
Sept is our “Home Brew” night where we do a little bragging and show off our home brew items
So we have lots of interesting things in the upcoming months.
“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” Allen Saunders
Dave Martin WB6YLK Newsletter
President's Message by Orion Endres – AI6JB, President
Hamfest 2018 ... Is in the History Books!!
The Loomis Hamfest 2018 is now in the history books and what an exciting event! Mother Nature blessed us with no rain even though the media spoke of doom and gloom. We counted 531 participants and over 700 drawing tickets sold! Needless to say, the Honda Generator was a hit! Congratulations to Jeff, AK6OK, as our grand prize winner.
Of course, the grand prize would not have been possible without the support of the members of the Sierra Foothills ARC. Your support of our crowdfunding campaign made it possible to put a marquee prize out there and I truly believe it was instrumental in getting the level of participation we did with the forecast of rain. Thank you to you all!
Something new for 2018 were two presentations. The first was presented by Bruce, K6BAA, FT-8: The Hot New Digital Mode and the second by Bob, K6UDA, Introduction to DSTAR Digital Radio. Thank you Bob and Bruce for being a part of taking our Hamfest to the next level!
Once again, we had wonderful support from local and several ham industry vendors. Thank you goes out to DX Engineering, ARRL, N3FJP, MFJ, Titanium Satellite, Dutch Bros., Raley’s/Bel Air, Dynamic Imaging, and The RF Adapter Guy. When you make your next purchase, please consider these folks first and if you can, let them know you appreciate their support. I will have a detailed Hamfest report at our next General meeting. Mark your calendars for Loomis Hamfest 2019 on Saturday, March 16, 2019!
Dan Fogard, W6PRL, SK We lost a member last month, Dan Fogard, W6PRL. Dan, and his son Ken, regularly attended our monthly meetings and Dan was often heard on our repeater. Dan was originally licensed in 1949 as W7VC and then W6PRL in 1957. According to his QRZ page he loves CW and to him “... that is amateur radio”. Dan we will miss you!
Ken has donated Dan’s radio equipment to the Club and asked that a scholarship fund be created from the proceeds in Dan’s name for youth interested in getting their Ham license. Thank you Ken!!
Next Up ... Field Day! Field Day 2018, the largest amateur radio event of the year, is coming up on June 23rd & 24th. Planning for this year’s event is in full swing under the watchful eye of Gary, KC3PO (I just love that call sign!!). If you want to be a part it, no experience necessary, give Gary a call. Be sure to attend our next General Meeting, Gary will be sharing the dates ...
Get out there, make those QSOs, and, most important, have fun!!
Newsletter at: http://www.w6ek.org/newsletters/Sierra_Signals_04_18.pdf
New web feature- The club's Yahoo Group is being phased out and has changed to a Groups.IO Thanks to Dennis, WU6X for taking on this task. This is an email web system that serves the club's needs. Will post all events, club functions and other items of interest here. You need to apply to become a member. You can view all messages and more, here: https://w6ek.groups.io/g/sfarc
VE Team - First Saturday, monthly, is our VE testing at Raley's in Granite Bay. http://w6ek.org/veexams.html
Club Meeting - Every 2nd Friday, monthly, in the Auburn City Hall, Rose Room at 7:30pm. info at: http://w6ek.org/meetings.html Everyone welcome!
Club Breakfast - Last Saturday, monthly, at Mel's Diner on 49 in Auburn, 7:30am. Everyone welcome!
Club Nets - Thursday night net at 7:30pm on W6EK/r and every 1st and 3rd Wednesday the Elmer Net at 7:30pm http://w6ek.org/nets.html
Club Library - Jim, WA8MPA is the Librarian and has assembled a large selection of new ARRL and other publications for members to "check out" of the library. SIgn out a publication until the next month's meeting.
73, Carl, WF6J, ARRL PIO
Update from Nevada County ARC - pending
Updated March 10, 2018
Nevada County Amateur Radio Club members hold impromptu meetings at the Omega Rest Area on highway 20. Elevation is around 5000 ft and the views are tremendous. Our activity always draws the interest of motorists coming through the rest stop.
73, Cal McKitrick AI6MC, NCARC President 2018 Newsletter Facebook Group
Next Meeting: Monday March 12, 2018 doors open 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm
CLUB MINUTES General Meeting on: 2018-02-12
Attendance: 20
After the usual introductions, President Cal gave us a summary of upcoming events and our planned participation in them.
Our presentation was by President Cal and Treasurer John, and consisted of several videos, slideshows and commentary regarding their recent trip to the Arizona Quartzite Quartzfest. Quartzfest is a huge get-together in the Arizona desert that attracts untold, but large, numbers of participants, who spend days doing ham radio-related activities and taking classes in many subjects. They also experience some cold desert nights. It seemed to be an enthusiastically-enjoyed event, so if that is the kind of thing that appeals to you, you probably would enjoy going down there next year. The presentation was well done and quite interesting and I think everyone enjoyed it. Many thanks to Cal and John!
After some discussion about a newly- discovered pirate FM radio station in Nevada City, the meeting officially adjourned about 8:18.
Respectfully submitted by Jon, WA6TNC, Substitute Secretary
COFFEE CHAT (Ham n' Coffee)
Thursdays, 8 am at Valentina's Bistro, 841 Sutton Way, Grass Valley
Update from Paradise ARS
Posted April 2, 2018
Special Event Station from Gold Nugget Days April 27-28
The Paradise Amateur Radio Society will operate Special Event Station W6PAR from 1500-0000 UTC on April 27-28 from the Gold Nugget Days event in Paradise, CA. Frequencies:14.250 MHz USB and 145.290 MHz FM, -.6 offset, 110.9 PL. QSL via: Paradise Amateur Radio Society, 6616-D 273 Clark Rd, Paradise, CA 95969.
One of the first mining claims at Dogtown, known today as Magalia, was the Willard Claim, a hydraulic mine, in 1851 owned by 3 miners, Willard, Wetherbee, and Smith. The claim was northeast of Dogtown in the canyon by the West Branch of the Feather River. It was here on April 12, 1859, A.K. Stearns a workman at the mine, found the largest gold nugget weighing 54-lbs. The nugget was worth $10,690. Annual celebrations started in 1959. Gold Nugget Days 1997 was the first event in Butte County taking part in Cal-150, the official state commemoration of 150 years of California statehood. www.ontheridge.com/golddays.html or w6par.org
Stephen, W6AKF, PIO Paradise Amateur Radio Society
It has been a very busy time for the Mt. Shasta Amateur Radio Club. The new slate of officers has been elected (all seated officers had their terms extended by a year), the public events for the upcoming year have been added to the calendar, and the website has been completely revamped.
New member Brannan (KM6PKK) has stepped up to help the public relations team with rebuilding the club website (www.w6bml.com) and we think the results are simply amazing! As a result, folks can add the club calendar to their own calendars and never miss a date, register for testing, and see what events we have planned. Please check it out and send him congratulations for his hard work.
Beginning in January 2018, the club began teaching a technician level licensing course at Sisson Elementary School in Mt. Shasta, CA. The class began with 18 students and has been winnowed down to 9 students who are very serious about amateur radio. There will be open operating hours for these fine kids on 4/2/18 and 4/4/18 starting at 1700 PDT on 7.275 and 14.340, please help them make their first contacts and keep them excited about getting their licenses. It would appear that the school has fully bought into the program as well, and we have been invited back for a longer class in the next school year, as well as a simultaneous upgrade class to move our successful students to general class operators.
Photo: Mark Dibelka, AB6LI, teaching 7th grade.
Due to a lack of emergency communications in general and an obvious need for severe weather spotters in south Siskiyou County, Mike (KX6MMM) is helping to organize a Skywarn Spotter class at the clubhouse and a weekly Skywarn net. Should any active spotters have suggestions on how to make the program successful, please contact Mike and share some thoughts.
With several public service events coming up, please consider taking a day and helping your fellow hams in the north after checking out the "Events" page on our website.
73 until next contact!
Submitted by Mark Dibelka, AB2LI
SPECIAL NOTICE
The W6SFM CW BEGINNERS CLASS WILL BE HELD STARTING WEDNESDAY April 4th. The club has locked a date for the beginning of our next semi annual CW Beginners Course. The course is a once per week 2 hour class that meets for 10 consecutive weeks. At this course students will learn how to both send and receive Morse Code. Students will be supplied a straight key and Oscillator to keep at the completion of the course. Students will also learn proper on-air pro-signs and other interesting information about Morse Code and On-air practices. If you or someone you know is interested in joining this course please be sure to contact the club ASAP. This is a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE enrollment with VERY limited seating. Those who contact the club via email are eligible to be placed on a 7 day 'seat reservation' while we await your payment. For more information be sure to contact us by going to http://w6sfm.com/contact.html
The W6SFM Samuel F Morse Radio Club March meeting was called to order by club President Mike, N6MQL on March 1st at the Carmichael Presbyterian Church in Carmichael CA, with 10 members and no guests in attendance.
This month, the YouTube Live feed was working flawlessly on-line. Once again, the club had an uninterrupted 2-hour broadcast of our W6SFM In-person meeting! Due to the snack break the video has been divided up into part 1 and part 2 online. All On-air CW meetings are broadcast in their entirety and also posted to our W6SFM.COMwebsite. Those videos along with Club in-person meetings can be found under the “Videos” page. Feel free to use our on-air net recordings archived for CW Practice, or just review when you are unable to view LIVE while the club is on-the-air. Please note that there may be a delay starting the live videos as it takes the YouTube server up to 2 minutes to begin the live transmission. This is done to accommodate any lag in the transmission video due to internet speeds. the live videos as it takes the YouTube server up to 2 minutes to begin the live transmission. This is done to accommodate any lag in the transmission video due to internet speeds.
Seeking volunteers to help with the annual Kid's Day in the Park event to be held April 28. Other news and items of general interest were discussed by the members.
The main presentation this month was given by member Phil, KD6RM discussing his 40 meter two element phased array verticals using an antenna analyzer and some free software. For show and tell, Phil also showed us some matching transformers such as the one used in his system.
Our next SFM ARC in person meeting will be held at its normal time and location April 5th (followed by our May 3rd meeting). SFM ARC in-person Meetings are held in the Howard Crowley room upstairs at the Carmichael Presbyterian Church. Directions, including a Google Map are available at the bottom of the W6SFM.com homepage. At our April meeting, we will have our annual "bogus story" contest and with time permitting, a demonstration of the new features of the Rig Experts antenna analyzer by Mike, N6MQL. We will also discuss ARRL news and events. As always, we will have our Member show and tell portion. Members and visitors are asked to share their Ham Radio related items they find of interest. These are items that you’ve purchased or were given to you that you would like to share with others in the group. Visitors are always welcome to join us at our meetings.
On-Air Net Meeting Each Tuesday of the week 8:00 PM on 3.545 MHz the SFM ARC enjoys getting on the air with CW for our weekly Nets. You do NOT need to be a member of the SFM ARC to check into our nets and we encourage you to invite a friend to join us as well. Although our nets usually run around 13 wpm code, we are all happy to accommodate those that are slower and need us to oblige. If you are unable to copy Morse Code or need some code practice, please feel free to visit our on-line LIVE streaming broadcast of both the Audio and a CW to Text decoding of the meeting. The “LIVE FEED” link can be found on our home page of our website. With our YouTube Live streaming system, you can watch the Live Feed on your Apple IOS or Android devices. You do not need to have a YouTube account to access the feed. However, you will to subscribe to our channel. Those visiting & viewing can chat with others watching on-line as well. This of course is not mandatory, but rather just a way of making everyone feel more involved in our on-air nets. If you like, you can “check-in” using the chat window and you will be included with our On-Air Net log. Simply announce your call letters in the chat window.
Tell A Friend Do you know someone in need of a Ham Club to call home? Perhaps someone that wants to learn Morse Code, are interested in CW or already knows and uses it? The SFM ARC would love to be their new Club home. Our in-person meetings are held each 1st Thursday of the month at 7PM. Please use the rear parking lot and entry for best access to the meeting. A map and directions can also be found on our website. We hope to see you at our next meeting! Thank you.
---- Chris AI6U (SFM ARC Secretary) Newsletter
Update from Western Placer ARC - pending
Posted March 11, 2018
Greetings from the Western Placer Amateur Radio Club:
Our Next Club Meeting is Saturday, March 20, 2018. 7:00 PM
Location: Round Table Pizza, 1020 Pleasant Grove Blvd #170, Roseville, CA
Scheduled Speaker and Topic: To Be Determined
Tour de Lincoln Volunteers Needed - Saturday May 12
Tour de Lincoln is a premiere bicycling event starting from McBean Park in Lincoln. Multiple courses are laid out into the foothills surrounding Lincoln. Cyclists come from all over to ride the event. A new director and organization is taking the reins this year. WPARC is looking for a few of our seasoned pros and apprentice pros to volunteer as radio operators at aid stations or in your vehicle as a SAG wagon patrolling a portion of the course. If you'd like to try hamming at an event but don't want to solo just yet then ask to be paired up with someone to experience the fun. Email Roger K6OU to express interest.
K6BUK Spoke on Transmission Lines at February Member Meeting
Club Secretary Michael K6BUK spoke on transmission lines used in ham radio. He passed around several samples of window or ladder line, coaxial cable, and connectors. Michael noted the differences between the lines and connectors, and why one might be better suited to your specific application. He also talked about microwave wave guides briefly. He might be coaxed to share more at a future meeting. Thank you Michael!
Regular Club Meeting Location: WPARC conducts board and member meetings on third Tuesdays of each month. Members and guests with business to bring before the board are welcome to attend board meetings. Join us at Round Table Pizza, 1020 Pleasant Grove Blvd #170, Roseville. This location faces Roseville Parkway at the northeast corner of the complex. View map and directions in link above. Come out to enjoy some camaraderie, food, beverage, and tales of the radios! Round Table offers a pizza and salad bar buffet dinner on Tuesday evenings for about $10/person.
WPARC Repeater New Tone 67.0 Hz. Our old subaudible tone of 179.9 Hz was becoming audible on newer radios presenting a hum. On Friday October 27 a team treked up to the repeater to change the tone from 179.9 Hz to 67.0 Hz. Ensure that you change all of your radios to use the new PL tone. The old tone won't be recognized by the repeater.
WPARC Repeater Abuses. Repeater Trustee Michael K6BUK received comments on a few repeater users abusing repeater etiquette. Please review Ethics and Operating Procedure for the Radio Amateur as a refresher.
Ham Radio License/Volunteer Examiner (VE) Tests. WPARC offers Ham Radio License testing on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Round Table Pizza, 1020 Pleasant Grove Blvd #170, Roseville CA. For more information please email Chuck at: kk6doa (at) gmail (dot) com.
Club T-Shirts. Club T-shirts have been a huge hit, and club members wanted more! Our vendor will soon have a web site offering more colors and shirt options. New orders are suspended until the new web site is available.
K6PAC Repeater Yaesu DR-2x Upgrades Completed. Upgrades to new Yaesu DR-2X are completed. A new FVS-2 Voice Module will add new features to leave messages, record and review your transmission, along with announcements. Stay tuned for more details.
The club website, http://wparc.us/index.html, has a new look and new information. Jey KQ6DK is now club web master and is updating the the site on a regular basis. Thanks to Jey for all his work on the website.
Don’t forget about our WPARC Facebook page. It is at: https://www.facebook.com/WPARC
Want more? We now have a Twitter account! Just search for @k6pac (the club repeater call sign with the “@” symbol). We are following the ARRL, the ARRL Sacramento Valley Section, Kenwood, and Yaesu and a few others. If you think of someone we should follow, please email me. I know there are a few local clubs with Twitter accounts and I will add them.
73, Michael Buck. K6BUK
WPARC on Facebook and Twitter
Check us out on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter (@k6pac)
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings, we will attempt to have a meeting this month. It looks like we may have to deal with some weather again during the meeting but now it looks the snow level will be above Placerville. There is a chance of thunderstorms on Thursday and you never know what they could drop.
The weather was the reason we had to cancel the meeting for February. The Federated Church where we hold our meetings as you know sits on the top of a hill in Placerville. We didn’t feel it would be safe for most us to make the drive to the meeting and then back home again with the low snow. To inform every one of the meeting cancelation we used email and announcements over the 2m and 6m repeaters. We did our best to try and reach everyone before they unnecessarily made the drive to Placerville. If you’re not able to monitor the club repeater most of the time there are a few times you should try to listen to the repeater for important information. First is during the weekly club net on Tuesdays at 8:00pm. You don’t have to check-in if you’re busy but you should listen in to hear any important bits of information that may be discussed. Second is on club meeting Thursdays. If we have any last-minute changes to the meeting the repeater will be our primary way to communicate those changes. A hand-held radio sitting on the car seat should let you hear any vital information. If time permits we will also send out a notice on the email reflector. If anyone else has some innovative ideas on how to get information out the membership let the board know so we can discuss the idea and maybe try it out.
Spring will be here this Tuesday and the days are getting longer. After this much- needed rain stops, all of us should be able to get outside and start working on our outdoor projects. I know I have a few antenna things to work on. Also, there is always yard work to do. Don’t forget about your defensible space around your property. I hope to see everyone at the meeting on Thursday and please drive safely.
73, Jay, KE6GLA Newsletter
Update from Yuba-Sutter ARC - pending
Posted February 6, 2018
February Club Meeting is Tuesday, 6th of February 6:30 pm at the Marysville Methodist Church at 730 D St, Marysville, CA 95901. It is a meeting and mini-ham swap, so bring your extra junk, err, I mean super cool ham gear to sell or trade. :)
THE "PREZ" SAYS
Beale Air Show
http://www.beale.af.mil/Expo2018/
The POC for the Beale Air Show is checking on his side to find out if we'll be able to operate on base and what restrictions there might be.
Beale’s operational frequencies are different than ours so I'm pretty positive that won't be a problem. There will be 2 days of displays and flying. Friday, April 27th, is set for local schools to visit the base and see the displays from 9-12. From 12-6 the displays will be open to the base personnel. They will get treated to a flying routine practice. The "open to the public" airshow is on Saturday, April 28th from 10-6. YSARC could participate on both days if we want. I envision taking the trailer and the solar array (which we'll need to finish setting up) and one HF rig at least along with a couple of VHF rigs with J-Poles. We won't have to break down the trailer Friday night as they'll have Security Police patrolling the area. I need to know ASAP who thinks they will participate and what day(s) and get information back to them post haste to arrange for access to the base for all of our participants. E-mail me if you're interested: cwprice77@gmail.com
Chris/KK6VZD TEC
EDITORS COMMENTS
✓YSARC’s new web page is: www.ysarc.net - click on the upper right-hand icon on the homepage to join the club’s Facebook page. Past issue’s of the VHN are available on our new website.
✓Send your ham related articles and pictures to share in your VHN. Pictures of ham shacks, antenna projects, antenna parties, etc. are appreciated KI6CSN@arrl.net or KF6FVP@arrl.net
Newsletter
Update from Elk Grove-Florin ARC - pending
Posted November 18, 2017
Elk Grove-Florin ARC—Section News –November 18, 2017
Our General Meeting in November was the Annual Meeting required by our by-laws. We had our election of officers to manage the club affairs for the calendar year 2018. The officers for 2018 are: President: Chris Lay, KG6JFO; Vice President: Mark Flint, KK6YFV; Secretary: Mary Frederici, KI6YPQ; Treasurer: Cindy Gansereit, KM6BUY; Member at Large: Dave Reingold, KK6MVJ
We thank our 2018 officers for the time and service will give in leading our club and look forward to an exciting year.
Following the election Dave, KK6MVJ, presented an excellent slide show talk about his trip to Oregon for the Solar Eclipse in October. Thank You Dave!
Club members and their families will end 2017 with a Christmas Party including lots of food, fellowship and a slideshow summary of the year.
Happy Holidays!, Paul N6DRY
Update from Oroville ARS - pending
Updated March 11, 2018
OARS Monthly Meeting Reminder
The monthly meeting of OARS will take place Friday, March 9, 2018, 7 pm, in St. Paul’s Parish Hall, 1430 Pine Street, in Oroville. The doors will open at 6 pm for a social hour prior to the meeting.
Membership dues for 2018 ($20) are due at this time. The OARS Club mailbox location is unexpectedly being shut down. Until further notice, all club correspondence including dues paid by mail should be sent to: OARS, c/o Ted Cochran, 47 Orchardcrest Dr, Oroville, CA 95965.
Ted Cochran, N6TBC, President, Butte County ARES AEC, N6TBC@WINLINK.ORG N6TBC@arrl.net
Our meeting this month is Wednesday, April 11th. You can choose Lunch or Breakfast. (Denny's serves breakfast all day.) Breakfast (or lunch) starts at eleven and the meeting will start at noon.
The meeting as usual at: Denny's Restaurant, 7900 College Town Drive, Sacramento. Phone (916) 383-7071, Located at the southwest corner of Howe Ave. and College Town Drive one block North of Highway 50.
Please plan to attend.
Update from North Hills RC - pending
Posted March 11, 2018
The next meeting of the North Hills Radio Club will take place on Tuesday March 20. This month's program will be presented by former past president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer, Maynard Wright, W6PAP. Maynard will give a talk about the new 600 meter amateur band. The FCC recently granted privlages to hams on this band. It promises to be an interesting program. So, why not come and join us!
Club meetings are always held on the third Tuesday of every month, at the former (SMUD) building located at 5026 Don Julio Blvd, at the northeast corner of Don Julio and Elkhorn Blvds. The board meeting begins at 6:00 P.M., followed by the general membership meeting at 7:30 P.M.
See you there! From Doug Emerson, Vice-President, North Hills Radio Club. Amateur callsign N6NFF
Update from Glenn ARS
Posted April 2, 2018
Prez Says for April 2018
I would like to start with a quote by Lewis Grizzard. “Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn”. I could not describe last month any better that this.
I have not heard from Dorothy or John Post over the last month thus meaning there may not be a GARS newsletter for April. So this edition of the GARS, ‘Prez Says’ will be sent out to all members via email. Let us pray for the safe return of Dorothy and John Post. They are sorely missed!
The ARRL has posted the new rules for this years Field Day, 2018. I have downloaded a copy and will have it at our next membership meeting for all to peruse. We will be discussing this event and start more formal planning during the meeting.
Also this month we have the ‘Run Your Tail Off 2018 5K/10K’ event which is being held on the 14th of April, 2018, at the Buckhorn Campground, Black Butte Lake. Time for our club members to meet on the boat ramp will be 7am the morning of the event. Please mark your calendars and come out and support this event. GARS provides communications and safety support on the trail. The plan still is to have the Disaster Response Trailer (DTR) on site to use as the net control station, and to show it off to all the participants.
For those that wish to help and support this event please respond to me your desires by our April membership meeting. We have a minimum need for six communicators and I need to turn names in for the gate pass.
A Nano-Spot, a Multi-Mode Digital Hot Spot, Designed for Pi-Star / MMDVM Open Source Firmware Compatibility, was ordered over a month ago, for testing and then use while traveling around the North State. This unit has been received and is in the process of being setup for demonstration. At least that is my plan. Here is the link to the Micro-Node web site. < www.micro-node.com > Here are some highlights of this hot spot. NANO-SPOT is a completely self-contained digital hot spot supporting DMR, Dstar, P25 and System Fusion communications. Fully assembled and tested in a ruggedized extruded aluminum enclosure. All that's required for operation is a power source and a WiFi based internet connection.
Nano-Spot User Manual Available Here: http://micro-node.com/nano-spot_user.pdf
Pi-Star Digital Voice Software pre-loaded and easily upgraded via software. Product Features: · Supports PI-STAR's web based digital voice dashboard and configuration tool · Supports all four digital amateur modes DMR, D-Star, P25 and System Fusion · Built-in WiFi: 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 · Built-in OLED system status display indicating Mode, Talk Group and Call Sign · Built-in LED indicators for status of Power, PTT, COS and Mode · USB Accessory port for optional external Nextion display · USB Console port for hardware root level access to the operating system · Quad Core A7 1.2GHz Processor, 512mb DDR3 RAM and 8gb eMMC Flash · Durable extruded aluminum enclosure (L 86mm x W 57mm x H 26mm ) Package Includes: · Fully assembled and tested Nano-Spot · UHF and Wifi antennas
· USB hardware console port cable · USB Power cable · 100-240VAC wall wart power supply · Quick start guide · One year warranty Free USPS Domestic Priority Mail shipping
From now through the month of September we as a club will be very busy planning for various happenings. As mentioned above, this month, there is the ‘Run Your Tail Off’ event. The month of May seems quite, but must make the most of it, to bring together our plans for Field Day in June. Then we have this years Steakbake in September. Tentative plans are to hold this event at the Lutheran Fellowship Hall and or its adjoining park in Artois, CA. Start time we are embracing is around 12 noon.
A raffle prize has been donated to the club. We will begin selling raffle tickets during our membership meeting this month. Tickets are one for $5.00 or 5 tickets for $20.00. The donated prize is the AnyTone AT-D868UV, Digital DMR / Analog Radio. Will have the radio for all to see at this months meeting.
Always seems that I leave something out... At this time I thank all for their support and look forward to your continued support and help in advancing the art of radio.
We will be meeting at the Artois Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm, on Thursday, the 12th of April. Late arrivals and guests are always welcome. So be safe in all you do and may you all have many blessings in the days ahead!
Mike Ellithorpe, KF6OBI President, GARS kilofox6obi@yandex.com 530-518-3730
