San Francisco Section News - April 2012

Just back from the IDX Convention in Visalia.  It was a record crowd with terrific seminars and DXpedition presentations.

Lot’s of functions happening this year, so let’s look at the calendar:

April 28 - Saturday - 7:00 AM  This coming weekend the Valley of the Moon ARC will hold its annual hamfest and swap in Sonoma.  It is not too late to check in your garage or closet for something that is collecting dust and take it to the swap.  You might just find a treasure or two that can accompany you home to your shack.  In addition, they have a T-Hunt, VE session and a breakfast that you won’t want to miss.  Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio W6RGG will be there making a presentation.  For more details, please visit their website at www.vomarc.org/events  

May 6 & 7 - Saturday & Sunday - EmCommWest in Reno, NV.   This annual conference on emergency communications is the leader in specialty conferences put on by the experienced team in Reno.  The conference will again be at the Grand Sierra Resort.  Besides the informative seminars on various aspects of communications during an incident, there is a swap and a Saturday banquet which will feature Chip Margelli K7JA as the guest speaker.  You may remember Chip as the CW operator who beat the texter on the Jay Leno show a few years back. ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer WJ1B is the keynote speaker at the Saturday breakfast.  This would be your opportunity to talk to Harold about the inner workings at ARRL HQ.  Check in at www.emcommwest.org for more information and to make your reservation.  There is still time!

May 26 & 27 - Saturday & Sunday - 2000Z to 2200Z - The San Francisco Amateur Radio Club will be operating special event station W6G celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Operating from the Veterans Medical Facility, they will be operating on five bands from 10 meters to 80 meters and will have a commemorative QSL card available for those that want “wallpaper.”   Please check their website at www.sfarc.org/timeline05262712.htm for more information.  Plan on making a contact with W6G!

June 1 to 5 - Friday to Sunday - SeaPac in Seaside, OR.  SeaPac is the ARRL Northwestern Division convention. Featuring two floors of indoor swap tables, a large variety of commercial vendors and the atmosphere of the town of Seaside, this is one terrific convention.  They have a number of seminars on interesting subjects and several dinners over the days.  This is a good conference to bring the non-Hams in your family as Seaside offers many things to see and do.  It is a quick flight to Portland, and then a scenic drive to coastal town of Seaside, or, a really nice drive from our part of the state.  For more information, go to www.seapac.org

June 23 & 24 - Saturday & Sunday - Field Day!  Please be sure that your club has registered their Field Day location on the ARRL Field Day locator so visitors can fid your operation.  It is a great way to get new Hams and new members for your club as well as reacquaint the public with Amateur Radio, the hobby of a lifetime.


October 12 to 14 - Friday to Sunday - Pacificon 2012 in Santa Clara at the Marriott Santa Clara.  This year it will also be the site of the ARRL National Convention.  This new, larger venue was used in 2011 and had better parking, friendlier hotel staff and larger meeting rooms.  The Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club organizes the convention with their skilled team to the enjoyment of all visitors.  As this will also be the national convention, and will be well attended, be sure to make your reservations early.  For more information and reservations, visit their website at www.pacificon.org

Noticed a bit of a void in this column?  It is hard to put up interesting items for your enjoyment and education in a vacuum of information.  If you or your club have something you’d like to have mentioned here, drop me a email with the info.  Thanks!  

See you on the bands......

    73,  Bill