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The National Association for Amateur Radio Sacramento Valley Section Serving Alpine, Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo & Yuba Counties in Northern California Sacramento Valley Section is located in the ARRL Pacific Division. ARRL National Page: www.arrl.org/Groups/view/sacramento-valley Thanks to Greg Kruckewitt KG6SJT for maintaining our Section ARES web page and for assisting with our Facebook page and Twitter feed. Submit Section News updates to kp4md(at)arrl.org
Past Section News Archive
Amateur Radio License Classes and Volunteer Exam (VE) Information and Schedules
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September 2018 News
From the Section Manager
Here are the latest news and happening from clubs and members around our section.
This month's news features reports, photos and videos from radio amateurs and clubs around our Section.
New Section Appointment
We welcome Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB, on his new appointment as ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator. Michael is a Red Cross Amateur Radio Disaster Operator, a certified ARES Field and Digital Operator and runs the weekly net for the Sacramento EC. We sincerely thank Ken Wilson K6WLS for his time as past DEC and for his continued service in our ARRL Field Organization.
Section Wide Net Thursday, September 20
Mark Thursday evening, September 20, on your calendar to check in to our ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Wide Nets on 146.085 MHz and 3880 kHz LSB. See the details below.
UPCOMING SECTION EVENTS
Saturday, September 15. Mark your calendars and stop by the ARRL booth at the Western Placer ARC Hamfest in Lincoln, CA. Download Flyer.
Thursday September 20. ARRL Sacramento Valley HF and VHF Section-Wide Nets (details below).
If you are interested in working the booth and sharing our hobby with others, please contact Orion Endres ai6jb@outlook.com. For more information click here or visit the Rocklin Mini Maker Faire website rocklin.makerfaire.com.
Saturday, October 13. Shasta/Tehama ARES Hamfest in Redding, CA. Download Flyer.
October 19-21 ARRL PACIFICON Convention
Register online now at www.pacificon.org for the October 19-21, 2018 ARRL Pacificon Division Convention at the San Ramon Marriott. PACIFICON is the annual ARRL Pacific Division convention, held each year in October. It is THE premier amateur radio conference in the western U.S.
October 19-21 Jamboree on the Air
If you do not plan to attend the Pacificon convention, consider joining the Jamboree on the Air at the Beale AFB Scout Expo (details below) or reach out to your local Brownies, Cubs, Boys or Girl Scout troop to offer an Amateur Radio demonstration and to support their participation in the Oct. 19-21 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) to communicate with other scouts around the world. Offer to help your local Brownies, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts earn the Scouting Radio Merit Badge and the ARRL Girl Scout Radio and Wireless Technology Patch. Click for more information.
Our website, Facebook and Twitter pages are a work in progress, and your suggestions and submissions are always welcome.
This website is visited most during the first week of each month, but do check back as it is often updated with late breaking news.
73, Dr. Carol Milazzo, KP4MD
American Radio Relay League Sacramento Valley Section Manager
kp4md(at)arrl.org
You can always send compliments, suggestions and submissions for inclusion in our Section News to kp4md(at)arrl.org
ARRL VHF & HF Section-Wide Nets Thursday, September 20
On Thursday September 20, ARRL Sacramento Valley Section will hold an ARRL SECTION-WIDE NET, first on the WD6AXM repeater on 146.085 MHz IMMEDIATELY after the 7 pm Yuba-Sutter ARES net closes, then followed immediately by an HF net on 3880 kHz LSB +/- 3 kHz. All radio amateurs are encouraged to participate. We will issue an Official Bulletin reminder during that week.
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Nets are conducted only on the third Thursday of the month when announced, following the 7 pm Pacific Time Yuba-Sutter ARES net on the WD6AXM 146.085 MHz FM repeater, followed by the HF Section Net on 3880 kHz LSB +/- 3 kHz. During spring and summer months the HF net may be conducted on 5330.5 kHz USB as propagation permits.
All Sacramento Valley Section radio amateurs are welcome to check into our Section Nets. The nets carry announcements of interest to our section and test our section-wide station communication capabilities.
and Listen to our HF net on a web receiver.
| W6DRZ receiver at Half Moon Bay | 3880 kHz | No 60m |
|---|---|---|
| W7RNA receiver in Sedona, AZ | 3880 kHz | No 60m |
| Northern Utah web receiver | 3880 kHz | 5330.5 kHz |
Hourly Northern California NVIS Observations
This chart shows colors that represent the recommended HF frequencies for contacting stations for a particular hour. Both stations should use the SAME frequency denoted by the color at the location of the target station. The chart is in Universal Time (UTC). More information at http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/HF_Systems/6/6
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2018
October 19-21
Update from Orion Endres, AI6JB, Section Youth Coordinator, posted August 8, 2018
Every third weekend of October for over 60 years, Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) has continuously grown to now be the largest Ham radio event in the world. In 2017, the World Organization of Scouting logged over 1.4 million scouts, girls & boys, participating in 152 countries. The ARRL is a supporter of the event and has a very informative webpage on how you can get involved, http://www.arrl.org/jamboree-on-the-air-jota.
Every club in the Section is encouraged to get with your local scouting units to run a JOTA site. If you need help identifying local units, please contact the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Council at 800.322.4475 and the Golden Empire Council, Boy Scouts of America at 800.427.1417.
The Sierra Foothills ARC will be hosting a JOTA site at Beale Air Force Base as a part of Scout Expo. Scout Expo draws 5,000 Boy Scouts from all over northern California. If your club is not planning on setting up a JOTA Site and you want to be a part of the action, please let me know. We would love to have you. Due to the fact this event is on an active military base, we need to know your intentions by Sept 1st. Additional information can be found at https://jamboreeontheair.weebly.com.
Another way to get involved is to be on the air for Scouts when they call CQ! Check out the ARRL webpage for great information on frequencies, suggested discussion topics, and what to expect.
Hope to hear you on the air, Orion, AI6JB, Section Youth Coordinator
ARRL Exhibit and Special Event Station at October 6 Rocklin Mini Maker Faire
Posted August 10, 2018
Attention Area Radio Amateurs and Groups:
The ARRL Sacramento Valley Section will sponsor an exhibit promoting Amateur Radio and our local clubs at the Mini Maker Faire at Sierra College in Rocklin on Saturday October 6 from 9 am - 4 pm. Admission is free! We plan a display of homebrew amateur radio equipment and antenna projects, Morse Code practice stations, and offering opportunities for attendees to learn about the many facets of the amateur radio and to communicate on the air with amateur radio operators via an operational on-site amateur radio Special Event Station N6M. We will offer literature and information on licensing, local clubs, the ARRL and amateur radio's role in community service and promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
When amateurs began experimenting with radio more than a century ago, they had no choice but to build everything they needed. You might or might not be able to get a signal on your smartphone, but it is truly liberating to be able to communicate using equipment you've built yourself — using just the natural phenomenon of radio-wave propagation and without our telecommunications infrastructure. Radio amateurs don't develop radio-communication skills and capabilities just for ourselves, but also to serve our communities and country through public service and emergency preparedness.
For more information or to help plan or participate in this public outreach, please e-mail our Section Youth Coordinator Orion Endres at ai6dj@outlook.com
Update from Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, Section Technical Coordinator
Posted September 10, 2018
There goes summer. I did two trips to Twin Falls, Idaho this summer and I even found a ham swap in Twin Falls.
We are planning a trip to Idaho this winter. If you are up in that area and need cards checked let me know.
Don’t forget the Western Placer ARC ham swap coming up on the 15th of September, more information at http://www.wparc.us/ See you all there. If you have an application for DXCC, WAS or VUCC and it is already just find me. Any questions just email me, my info is on QRZ or the ARRL site.
Pacificon 2018 is just around the corner. I will be there doing applications and cards. Stop by and say hi. More info at http://pacificon.org/
I have not heard anything about the Durham California swap meet yet, in the past it has been at the end of September. If I hear anything I will update this information.
See you down the log sheets.
73, Bob Wortman, WB6VYH, wb6vyh@arrl.net
ARRL Pacific Division DXCC Awards Manager, Sacramento Valley Section Technical Coordinator, WAS Award Manager, VUCC Awards Manager
The Redding Veterans' Home is On the Air
Posted September 10, 2018, submitted by Steve, K6KS
On Friday August 24th, Tom Cleminson KF7FTJ made the first HF contact from the Veterans’ Home in Redding, checking into the Noon Time Net with their Net Control Station Dar W6IO. The Veterans’ Home now has VHF and HF capabilities.
The Veterans’ Home has three licensed hams living there. Two more residents are studying for their Technician Class licenses.
Thanks to members of the following groups who contributed to this project: The Redding ARRL Volunteer Examiner Team, The Shingletown Amateur Radio Club, the Redding Old Timers group, and the Western Amateur Radio Repeater and Echolink Association.
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
Sacramento Valley ARES Volunteers Respond to Carr Fire
Posted August 5, 2018
The Carr Fire in Shasta County started July 23 with a small fire started by a mechanical failure of a vehicle. Carr Fire Incident Update
By Friday July 27, the Red Cross Disaster Operations Center in Sacramento was opened. They immediately asked for ARES to support the communications at the shelters due to power issues and cell phone service had issues in some places.
Sacramento County ARES trained radio operator, Michael Joseph, KK6ZGB, has been leading the communications with the ARES operators deployed to shelters.
As the fires continued to grow and various portions of Redding were evacuated, multiple shelters were opened by Red Cross.
Shasta County ARES and Trinity County ARES have small numbers of ARES members and they were quickly overwhelmed with the request to support communications at the shelter and asked the Section EC Greg KG6SJT for mutual assistance.
We quickly developed a list of over twenty ARES members from Glenn County, Butte County, Shasta County, Trinity County, Sacramento County, Placer County, Yuba-Sutter Counties, and El Dorado County. For the last week approximately 15 operators have been working to support the shelter.
Due to the terrain in the Redding area, we were unable to find a RF frequency that would allow communications to the Red Cross DOC in Sacramento. We had been hoping to use the Carla System of linked repeaters, however the Carr Fire destroyed the key node for the Redding area.
ARES quickly found that Winlink became the "go to" Communications link to the Red Cross DOC. When internet was available, operators were able to use Winlink via Telnet. When internet was down, various packet Ka-nodes were used to sent the requested information via radio.
By August 1, ARES volunteer radio operators were supporting shelters at Shasta College, Crosspoints Community Church, Foothills High School, Simpson College, and Trinity High School in Weaverville
Winlink continues to be the mode to communicate with the Red Cross Disaster Operations Center. Michael Joseph KK6ZGB leads the team running the Winlink station KA6ARC.
Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT, ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Section Emergency Coordinator www.sacvalleyares.org
Photo credit: ARES volunteers at a Red Cross shelter in Shasta County. Photo courtesy of Greg Kruckewitt, KG6SJT
Also see the ARRL News story and check www.sacvalleyares.org for updates.
ARES at Nevada County Fair
Posted August 15, 2018
It is Fair time in Nevada County. This year we are together with the Nevada County Amateur Radio Club. Since Cal McKitrick is the president of the club AND a valued ARES member we get lots of exposure at the fair. We have a nice banner (orange in foreground) and always have an ARES member or two on hand for questions and information. ARES go boxes (on table in foreground) are good and drawing in some folks that like to "geek" out on the hardware. Thanks to Cal for letting us tag along!
Submission and photo by Jason Eaton, KJ6HNP, Nevada County ARES Emergency Coordinator
Placer County ARES Report
Posted August 8, 2018
The Placer County ARES group had a face to face meeting July 28th. Eighteen members and guests attended for a presentation by Orion AI6JB on reading maps. The group also covered supporting Shasta County ARES for the Carr Fire.
Submission and photo by Carl First, N6CKV, Placer County ARES Emergency Coordinator
September 22 - Sacramento County ARES Training
Posted September 10, 2018
The next Sacramento County ARES training and meeting is scheduled for Saturday September 22, 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
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 May 4, 2018 - In the light of unanticipated delays in the approval and implementation of revisions to the Official Observer program, ARRL HQ will resume accepting a limited number of Official Observer appointments under the current rules and standards. Any new OO appointments are being made with the understanding that a new program is coming, with new requirements and new standards for OOs.
Reference: ARRL Executive Committee April 21 Meeting Minutes Item 16.
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 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
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
NIST FY 2019 Budget Would Eliminate WWV, WWVH and WWVB
from the ARRL News, posted August 21, 2018
ARRL members and Amateur Radio clubs are expressing increased concern over the inclusion of WWV and WWVH on a list of proposed cuts in the White House’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Fiscal Year 2019 budget request. The proposed cuts also would include the Atomic Clock signal from WWVB used to synchronize specially equipped clocks and watches. Online petitions soliciting signatures include one established by Tom Kelly II, W7NSS, of Portland, Oregon, who would like to see funding for the stations maintained. At this point, the budget item is only a proposal, not a final decision. That would be up to the Congress to decide.
Read the full story at http://www.arrl.org/news/concern-rising-within-amateur-radio-community-over-wwv-wwvh-shut-down-proposal
NOTE: Here is the link to Tom Kelly's online petition to continue funding for the NIST broadcast services.
NPR Story on "What Closing A Government Radio Station Would Mean For Your Clocks"
Club and Member News - September 2018
Update from River City ARCS
Posted September 10, 2018
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
September! Wow where did August go? For me most of it was spent in the hospital with breathing problems. I was in or a total of four times and fourteen days so for me the month of August is a total wipeout. This last time the Dr’s gave me a stronger medication and for several days longer and that has done the trick - I hope.
Tues September 4 is our Homebrew night with details on the web site
Up Coming Regional EventsSeptember 15th
Western Placer ARC Hamfest, Lincoln, Ca. For more information go to http://www.wparc.us/
October 13th
Rocklin Maker Faire. Go to: https://rocklin.makerfaire.com
October 19-21
ARRL Pacificon Division Convention, San Ramon, Ca. Go To: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-division-convention-pacificon-2018
November 11th
Clarksburg Country Run—Clarksburg, Ca. email Vince Cracchiolo KI6NHP at vsicilian@comcast.net
Dave Martin, WB6YLK, President This Month's Newsletter
Update from Sierra Foothills ARC - pending
Posted August 11, 2018
Meetings - Monthly Members second Friday Monthly at Auburn City Hall, Rose Room. Everyone welcome. Breakfast last Saturday Monthly at Mel's off 49 in Auburn.
Nets - Thursday night at 7:30 on the W6EK repeater system is the weekly club net. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday is the Elmer Net. Please join us.
Groups.io - Dennis, WU6X has converted us from the Yahoo Group to the Group.io. This allows a good forum for events, notices, files and database. There are now 105 members.
VE Exams - Every 1st Saturday each month at Raley's Granite Bay. Starts at 8am. Walk ins welcome. Contact is Al, NI2U at vechair2015@w6ek.org.
As with any SFARC net or meeting, we love visitors, so come on down and join the membership check out our website at: w6ek.org
Carl, WF6J, PIO Sacramento, CA
Newsletter at: http://www.w6ek.org/newsletters/current.pdf
VE Report August 2018
Thanks again for all the VE's that were able to come to the session. We had a very successful session again. We administered 4 elements to 3 candidates. 2 earned a new or upgraded license. We have 1 new Technician and 1 new Extras
PS. Raley’s helped me and we are all set with the Event Center through November. Thanks Al NI2U
Update from North Hills RC
Posted September 10, 2018
The next event for The North Hills Radio Club will take place on Tuesday evening, September 18, 2017.
The North Hills Radio Club will once again be holding our annual event called What Is Amateur Radio Night.
This year, it will take place on Tuesday evening, September 18 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. At What Is Amateur Radio Night, (WIARN), We try to showcase as many aspects of the amateur radio service as we can. From the early days of tube-type and military gear to today's modern radios and cutting-edge digital modes and just about everything in between! WE invite all NHRC members as well as hams from other clubs to come and display your favorite part of the hobby. In the past we have had persons from ARES/RACES, CERT, SkyWarn and even the CHP.
We would like for you to come and look at all of the various displays or, bring something to display your own self! If you're from another club, how about bringing some literature about your club as well as applications for perspective future members. Nothing wrong with trying to get more members into your club.
WIARN well be held at the former SMUD building located at 5026 Don Julio Blvd. at the northeast corner of Don Julio and Elkhorn Blvds in Sacramento.
One more thing; How about bringing a non-ham friend to our event. We would especially like to see young people from the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts or Brownies. Be sure to know that everyone, young or old is welcome to attend. Don't be afraid to bring that non-ham friend to the show.
There have been several instances where persons have come to WIARN and have gone on to get their ticket. If you have any questions or would like to come, you can contact Doug, N6NFF on the club's K6IS repeater on the frequency of 145.190Mhz with a minus offset and a CTCSS tone of 162.2Hz. You can also send an e-mail to: k6is@arrl.net.
The North Hills Radio Club looks forward to seeing all of you at What Is Amateur Radio Night (WIARN).
Until then, the very best of 73. From Doug Emerson, Vice-President, North Hills Radio Club. Amateur callsign, N6NFF
Club meetings are usually 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.
Update from Samuel F Morse ARC
Updated September 10, 2018
Our next SFM ARC in person meeting will be held at its normal time and location Sep. 6th (followed by our Oct. 4th meeting). The SFM ARC in-person meeting will be 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 September meeting, we will be discussing ARRL news and events. We will also have a presentation on the CommCat DX cluster, spotting and logging program, including its “Live” add-on option. Plans will be made for the annual CA QSO Party which will happen the first weekend of October. As always, we will have our Tech (show and tell) portion. Members and visitors are asked to share their Ham Radio related items they find of interest.
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 15 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 under the “Media Clips & Pics” tab 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 need one to subscribe to our channel. Those viewing directly via the W6SFM YouTube channel 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 also “check-in” using the chat window to be included with our weekly On-Air Net log. 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 at the bottom of our home page of the website. We hope to see you at our next meeting!
Thank you.
Chris, AI6U (SFM ARC Secretary 2018)
Update from Western Placer ARC
Posted September 10, 2018
WPARC Twelfth Annual Hamfest - Sep 15, 2018 7:00 AM to 12:00 noon
All the arrangements are completed. Early morning donuts and coffee are on order. Drawing prizes from our sponsors are ready to go. All we need is YOU to join us for our WPARC Twelfth Annual Ham Fest! Look for us at McBean Park in Lincoln CA near the bandstand.
Vendors: Vendors may arrive at 6:00 AM to set up, enter at 2nd and D Street entrance, near the baseball diamond. A parking stall is still a bargain at $10. Provide your own tables.
Buyers: Buyers may arrive at 7:00 AM or later at McBean Park Drive (4th) and A Street entrance, near the pool. Bring cash to procure your new treasures.
This Ham Fest is getting bigger with each passing year. We hope to see YOU there! Hamfest Flyer
Ham License Testing - Wednesday, Sep. 5, 6 PM
WPARC offers Ham radio license testing on the first Wednesday of each month at Round Table Pizza at 6 PM (see below for map and directions.) For more information please email Chuck KK6DOA
WPARC Board Meeting - Wednesday, Sep. 5, 7:30 PM
WPARC conducts Board Member meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at Round Table Pizza at 7:30 PM (see below for map and directions.) The board welcomes members and guests who wish to observe or bring business before the board.
WPARC holds Member Meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at Round Table Pizza at 7 PM (see below for map and directions.) Come out to enjoy some camaraderie, food, beverage, and tales of the radios! Round Table Pizza offers a pizza and salad bar buffet dinner on Tuesday evenings for about $12/person. Scheduled Topic: TBD
WPARC Meeting and Testing Location
Join us at Round Table Pizza, 1020 Pleasant Grove Blvd #170, Roseville. This location faces Roseville Parkway at the northeast corner of the complex, just around the corner from the CVS store.
View map and directions
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 TwitterCheck us out on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter (@k6pac)
Update from El Dorado County ARC
Posted September 10, 2018
FROM THE PRESIDENT
This month, the meeting is dedicated to go-boxes and portable operating. If you have a go-box or portable operating setup bring it to the meeting and show it off. It's a perfect time to get some ideas on where to start or make improvements on your station setup. You may want to bring a camera and notepad to the meeting to record anything interesting you may see
Jay, KE6GLA Newsletter
Update from Oroville ARS
Updated September 13, 2018
OARS Monthly Meeting Reminder
The September OARS regular monthly meeting will take place Friday, 14 September, 7 pm at St. Paul's Parish Hall, 1430 Pine Street in Oroville. The door will open at 6 pm for a social hour prior to the meeting. Hope everyone can attend.
73, Jim, W7XZ
OARS Monthly BreakfastThis month’s OARS Breakfast will take place Saturday, 25 August 2018, 9 am, at Tabletop Restaurant and Catering, 109 Table Mountain Blvd (where Hof Brau used to be) in Oroville. Hope all can attend. 73, Jim, W7XZ
Update from SOTARS/QCWA Chapter 169
Posted September 10, 2018
The SOTARS/QCWA meeting is Wednesday, September 12. You may choose lunch or breakfast. (Denny's serves breakfast all day). Breakfast (or lunch) starts at eleven and the meeting will start at noon. The program for this month is going to be several short subjects: Connector Loss, Coax Loss and a very short demo video of the difference between digital and analog audio using the freeDV software. The freeDV software can be downloaded from: https://freedv.org for those interesting in experimenting.
The meeting as usual is at: Denny's Restaurant on the southwest corner of Howe Ave. and College Town Drive, one block North of Highway 50. 7900 College Town Drive, Sacramento Phone (916) 383-7071
Please plan to attend. 73, Dan WA6VPJ
Barbara Langford, KD6EGX, Silent Key
After a short illness, Barbara my beloved wife of sixty and a half years passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, August 2nd at 2:30 P.M.
Dan Langford, WA6VPJ
Our deepest condolences - Carol, KP4MD
Update from Nevada County ARC - pending
Updated July 9, 2018
Next Meeting: Monday September 10, 2018 doors open 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm
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
COFFEE CHAT (Ham n' Coffee)
Thursdays, 8 am at Valentina's Bistro, 841 Sutton Way, Grass Valley
Update from Yuba-Sutter ARC - pending
Posted May 5, 2018
Club Meeting Location Change
Starting June 2018 the general membership meeting location will move to the Marysville United Methodist Church Assembly Hall at 730 D Street, Marysville.
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
Update from Elk Grove-Florin ARC - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
Elk Grove-Florin ARC—Section News
Remember how much fun the Install-O-Rama was last August? Attached is the announcement for this year's event. Please share it with your radio club and others who may be interested. Thanks... Dave Reingold, KK6MVJ
Christine Lay, KG6JFO, President EGFARC, 916/715-8091 Install-O-Rama Flyer
Update from Glenn ARS - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
Prez Says for July 2018
Greetings to all club members and guests. It’s almost Independence Day and I want to thank you for your service this club and to this great country. I hope you find the club newsletters and ‘Prez Says” message useful and informative.
Mike Ellithorpe, KF6OBI President, GARS kilofox6obi@yandex.com 530-518-3730 Newsletter
Update from Golden Empire ARS - pending
Posted July 9, 2018
The Prez' Says:
73 de KI6VOS, Rick +1.415.624.5865
73, Tom Rider W6JS, President GEARS rustyboyrider@aol.com Newsletter
Member Updates and Feedback
Please send your feedback to kp4md@arrl.org to be included in this section.
Keep Our Digital Transmissions Legal on 60 Meters
Posted January 29, 2017
Our decreasing solar activity and residential antenna restrictions have attracted increasing numbers of radio amateurs to operate CW and weak signal digital modes on our lower HF frequencies including 60 meters. The five frequency channels that US amateur radio operators share on a secondary basis with US federal government users on 60 meters (5 MHz) pose unique requirements for CW and digital operators. As explained on http://www.arrl.org/60m-channel-allocation, US radio amateur emissions on our 60m channels must be precisely centered in the center frequency of each assigned channel, that is, 5332.0, 5348.0, 5358.5, 5373.0 or 5405.0 kHz. Thus, for example, a CW signal on channel 3 (USB Dial frequency 5357.0 kHz) must be precisely on 5358.5 kHz. The same ARRL page explains that all digital emissions must also be centered in the channel center.
This may appear unreasonable to radio amateurs because a 2.8 kHz channel can accommodate many digital and CW transmissions simultaneously, and requiring multiple stations to operate on the same exact frequency would result in mutual interference. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)* explains this requirement in https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7021871884.pdf which states: "Allowing multiple emissions within the necessary bandwidth of the widest authorized modes (2.8 kHz) increases the possibility of harmful interference from secondary amateur stations to primary federal stations, and would make it more difficult for a federal station to identify an interfering amateur station. In addition, NTIA is concerned about the aggregate equivalent isotropically radiated power from multiple amateur stations transmitting within a single 2.8 kHz channel. Accordingly, NTIA requests that 47 C.F.R. Section 97.303(h) continue to require that amateur stations transmit only on the five center frequencies allocated to the amateur service." (See http://www.arrl.org/what-the-fcc-rules-say-97-303-h)
| Observed Violations of US 60 Meter Frequency Regulations | |
|---|---|
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JT65This screenshot photo shows JT65 signals received on 60 meter Channel 3 (5357 kHz USB dial frequency) from 0300-0309 UTC on January 29, 2017. In the photo, the 5357 kHz dial frequency is at 0 Hz on the left side of the waterfall and the 5358.5 kHz channel center is at the 1500 Hz mark. Decodes of several US radio amateurs are seen transmitting JT65 emissions simultaneously on various frequencies throughout the channel 3 frequency range 5357-5360 kHz. This is the familiar appearance of a JT65 waterfall display on all other amateur radio bands; however, it violates the NTIA requirement that each US radio amateur transmission be centered on the 1500 Hz mark (the 5358.5 kHz channel center frequency).ARRL Official Observer Richard Saunders, K6RBS, has posted the proper WSJT-X program settings for legal 60m JT mode operation here. |
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WSPRThe link http://wsprnet.org/olddb?band=60&sort=callsign&reverse=on&unique=on lists WSPR mode emissions on the 60 meter band. One can scroll down that list and see how many A, K, N and W call signs have been transmitting WSPR mode on 5288 kHz outside the authorized 60 meter center channel frequencies.US WSPR transmissions continue to be observed on the WSPR software default 60 meter frequency of 5288 kHz, a completely unauthorized frequency for US radio amateurs. |
Each licensee has the final responsibility for the lawful operation of his or her station. Unfortunately, the increasing automation in our radios has apparently accustomed some to falsely assume that the radio will correct for operator carelessness and ignorance of regulations. Our cooperation with NTIA requirements is essential for our continued access to the 60m channels and for possible future access to the new ITU worldwide 60 meter allocation at 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz. (See http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-asks-fcc-to-allocate-new-5-mhz-band-retain-channels-and-current-power-limit and http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-invites-comments-on-arrl-petition-to-allocate-new-5-mhz-band). Please be aware of these requirements if you intend to or currently operate CW or digital modes on our shared 60m allocations. The Amateur Auxiliary is documenting this matter and hopes to raise its awareness in the wider amateur radio community.
-Carol Milazzo, KP4MD
*The NTIA is the federal authority that coordinates radio spectrum use for the US military and federal government while the FCC serves in this capacity for US civilian radio spectrum users.
