Thanks to John, K7XE, we have this link to an elaborate Field Day operation: AMATEUR RADIO FIELD DAY CATEGORY 25A. Most of us ran across W3AO running category 25A in Field Day this year and wondered how they managed to run 25 stations simultaneously. Well, wonder no more: http://www.n3aln.com/W3AOFD2011.htm The Friends and Amateur Radio Communications Enthusiasts radio club (F.A.R.C.E.) held their 8th Annual non-Field Day and Beach Party the weekend of Friday the 13th in May this year. This annual operating event was held at Brannan Island State Recreation Area. Fortunately the weather, although a bit cold, was relatively good (it's always a bit dicey for March/April/May events). Unfortunately the event was shorter than normal. The state budget cuts reduced the number of days the campground was open and other commitments by each of the participating members had everyone leaving a day early. Not a lot of contacts, but still good food and a good get together. Photos of this event will be on the F.A.R.C.E. web site…www.KF6NNM.net...shortly. Thanks to Bob Allshouse, KQ6AW. This report included late. My fault: W6KJ.

Bill Lewis, KG6BAJ, our Nevada/Sierra County EC, reports on the 29th Annual Agony Ride support just completed.'I would like to thank each and every ham radio operator that helped with this year's event. 'We had assistance from hams from Grass Valley, Truckee, Rough and Ready, Rancho Cordova, Colorado, Quincy, Fountain Valley, and Orange, California. The amount of equipment used to support an event like this can boggle the mind. We track the riders using packet radio, and voice/phone as backup. This year we had serious issue with multi-path jamming communications during the day. At night it was clear as a bell. Each reporting station encountered serious equipment failures as well. This was the year it was all going to go wrong. But, as hams, we brought lots of backup equipment, and lots of repair supplies. I must say I was kept busy the first part of the first day doing repairs alone. Always be prepared and we were. Thanks again to all the hams that helped with this event. We do this every year, and it's our biggest exercise we use for both training and a practical show of how to get the job done. 'As a drill, Rob Gilmore (KI6TRK) helped me break down the equipment at the Loyalton station after it was over, and we timed it. We did this as a second exercise to see how quick we could bug-out if this was a fire and we needed to move in a hurry. It took us less than twenty minutes to break it down and pack up. Thanks again to everyone!' Bill provides a link to a prize winning report on this activity-if we gave prizes this would win- at: http://www.n1oes.org/doc/Agony_Ride/2011/2011_Agony_FSD-157.pdf And thank you, Bill. Roger, W6SQQ, gives another report: 'Dick, N6ISY, and I were on site from 12:00 noon Friday to 1:15 Saturday afternoon. I got 2 hours sleep (01:30 to 03:30), Dick got 4 hours (03:30 to 07:30). We worked the Loyalton site at ride HQ. We were pretty busy most of the time. The people were all great, and we enjoyed the experience so much that we promised to be there again next year, (God willing and the Creek don't rise). Like the Whitney Classic, it is a great group of people and a good cause. Dick and I fit in right away and did a very competent job, in my opinion.'

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento will be conducting Weather Spotter Training in Red Bluff on Saturday, August 20, 2011. The training will take place between noon and 2:00 PM at the Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 South Jackson St. This training is co-sponsored by KRCR-TV and the Tehama Office of Emergency Services. For those of you who know people in that general area who would like to become weather spotters, please let them know about this and have them RSVP at Eric.Kurth@noaa.gov. If you haven't received training in a while and would like to have a refresher, you are also welcome. We are especially interested in finding spotters for the more remote portions of Tehama County. Thanks to Eric, KC0VZU.

'Area hams, including DCART members, supported the annual Death Ride bicycle event in Alpine County through the Tahoe Amateur Radio Association on July 9th. Amateur Radio operators provided logistical and emergency communications between the event locations. The event operation headquarters was Turtle Rock Park where TARA stationed their communications van. The Alpine Sheriffs staff had their mobile command post there as well. DCART is the Douglas County Amateur Radio Team. 'During the event, ham operators were also stationed directly with the Alpine County Sheriff's Dispatcher at their office so she could immediately copy all emergency and Sheriffs Office business related traffic and dispatch the resources. DCART members will work directly with the Sheriffs Office staff to resolve interference to the ham radio when the Dispatcher transmits over their radio equipment. Maybe just using another ham radio will work. 'A news article of interest for Douglas and Alpine Counties appeared the Record Courier Wednesday, July 7th, entitled Fire Agencies Adopt Identification System. Nine fire agencies from four Nevada Counties and one in California (Alpine) agreed to implement a standardized apparatus and station identification system. The new system will go into effect in October once all dispatch centers have had time to make the necessary adjustments in their computer-aided dispatching systems. Participating agencies realized the value of having one system for numbering fire stations and apparatus, even though they are all dispatched from separate centers.' Thanks to Sheila, KA7AJQ, our Alpine County EC.

OARS http://www.w6af.org/ is planning a presence at the Berry Festival in Berry Creek http://berrycreekca.org/berry_festival.html Saturday, 13 August, 1000-1600. An information booth and live demonstration of amateur radio communications are in the works, using voice and data on VHF (147.525 MHz for NBEMS modes, 144.390 MHz APRS), and HF (around 3950 KHz). Talk in will be via K6RCO/R repeater and 147.555 MHz simplex. For any last minute changes to these frequencies, please visit the OARS website. Thanks to the efforts of Erik, AF6EF, Ron, KD7UHF, and John, K7XE, the K6RCO/R repeater has received an antenna upgrade and an improved lightning ground system; a small photo gallery of the process can be seen at http://www.w6af.org/activityphotos.html Planning continues for the Steak Bake on 17 September, to take place at Hammond Park, Oroville. Steaks and hamburgers are to be provided (in the $5 or $6 price range), with those in attendance asked to bring "pot luck" side dishes and their own plates and tableware. A fox hunt is also planned for the event. More information will be forthcoming on the OARS and GEARS websites.

ARRL Code Proficiency Run sent in your own backyard. 'Well... almost. The next west coast ARRL CP Run will be August 10th at 9PM (local time) sent by Jim K9JM in Grass Valley on both 3590KHz and 7047.5KHz, code speed runs from 10 to 40 WPM. Running KWs on both bands providing hopefully a good signal to improve your copy and chances for getting your next level of code proficiency certification. One minute of copy and payment mailed to ARRL HQ will net you a certificate you'll be proud to display. KNOW Code.' Thanks to Jim, K9JM.

Ralph, W6RWL, reports: 'WSER is over, I would like to thank all the amateur radio operators and ARES member for volunteering on the WSER 2011 during field day weekend. A total of 137 operators worked the 30 hour event. Tevis Cup has been re-scheduled till October 8-9, 2011. We still looking for additional operators to volunteer for this 24 hour event through the Sierra Nevada's from Robie Park, Truckee, CA to Auburn, CA. If you are interested please go to the event web site www.wstrail.org and sign-up with volunteer form on-line.'

On Tuesday August 2 at 7:30 pm, the River City Amateur Radio Communication Society meeting http://www.n6na.org will feature Carol KP4MD and Roger KI6FYF presenting their video: _An Insider Tour of the Arecibo Observatory. Filmed on 7 July, 2011, retired engineer Bob Zimmerman, NP4B, will treat us to an exclusive inside look into the latest technology and workings of this famous world's largest radio telescope in Puerto Rico, also known as the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center http://www.naic.edu . Video clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-FF0zENCfU Thanks to Carol, KP4MD.

Bill, KG6BAJ, our Nevada-Sierra EC reports: 'Nevada-Sierra County ARES is still in need of radio operators for the 2011 Agony Bike Ride near Loyalton, CA. This year's Agony Bike Ride will be held from 1:00 pm Friday, July 29th to 1:00 pm Saturday, July 30th, 2011. The ride is a 24-hour endurance bicycle ride that could have from 50 to 100 riders participating. As the ride is a fund-raising event for Christian Encounter Ministries, each rider rides as many miles as possible during the 24-hour event. They raise money based on how far they ride. Some riders will ride until midnight, sleep and resume in the morning; others will press on through the night in hopes of riding the entire 24 hours. We still need radio operators to cover the Vinton, and Beckwourth stations. Information can be found at: http://www.n1oes.org/events/agony/ Anyone who can help is asked to please contact Bill Lewis, KG6BAJ, via email at ec@n1oes.org .'

North Hills Radio Club meets Tuesday, August 16th, 7:00pm at North County Corporation Yard Community Room. 5026 Don Julio Blvd., Sacramento, CA. The club's program that night is 'What Is Amateur Radio? This annual event is designed to present to Amateurs and Interested Public visitors the various operating things available as Ham Radio Operators. Several stations will be set up to demonstrate: HF, VHF, and UHF. Featured topics are older vintage equipment, modern CW and SSB transceivers, including satellite operation using computer tracking and small antennas. Other demos will feature emergency operations, Skywarn weather related activities plus club members will be on hand to answer any questions and give demonstrations. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Thanks to Carl, WF6J.

Carl, WF6J, also reminds us Sierra Foothills ARC - Meets Friday, August 12th, 7:30pm at Auburn (Placer County) Library, 350 Nevada Street (near the Amtrack Station) Auburn, CA. General Meeting topic is Tech for Ten - Installing connectors on coax, Program - Digital Signal Processing. Everyone is invited. There is a Club picnic scheduled for Saturday, August 20th, 9am-2pm at Auburn Recreation Park. Next VE Exam 8am Saturday, August 6th at Raley's 6845 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay, CA. Walk-ins welcome! Please Call Dave, NO6NO at (530) 823-3387 for more information.

'The Citrus Heights VE Team had a HAM-CRAM session for the Tech class license on July 16th in Orangevale. 'There were only six applicants that attended the Ham-Cram session with four passing the Technician Exam. There were two additional applicants, Cathy Lomax, KJ6LBU, and Jeremiah DeLaOssa, KJ6QJP, who successfully upgrade to General Class. Our next HAM-CRAM and exam session will be on September 17th at the LDS Church located at 7950 Hazel Ave. in Orangevale. The HAM-Cram for the Tech license will begin at 8:30AM and the exam session starting at 1:00PM for all classes of Amateur Radio licenses. We also require a photo ID of all applicants that wish to participate. We do not a HAM-CRAM session for General or Extra class licenses at this time. We would like for all applicants to pre-register with our VE-Team prior to the exam date. If you are upgrading please bring a copy of your current Amateur Radio License to the exam session it has to go in with the other paper work 'If anyone is interested in participating in the HAM-CRAM or up-grading, contact Joe Cardoza (KA6ROM) by email at: cardozas@comcast.net to register or to obtain information about the session.' Thanks to Joe, KA6ROM.

The El Dorado County ARC will be having a fox-hunt Saturday, August 13th starting at 9:30 am. The suggested start is near Placerville. More information can be found at http://www.edcarc.net then click on the fox-hunt link. The next VE session in El Dorado county will be Saturday September 10th starting at 9:00 am at the American Legion Post 119 building on 119 Greenstone Road, Placerville, CA. The test fee is $14.00. Contact Ken W6KWV at 530-642-9523 for more details. The EDCARC CIRCUIT (club newsletter) has a list of Elmers and their area of specialty. Good idea! Thanks to Jay, KE6GLA.

'Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) celebrate July 24th because it is the day that the Pioneers first settled in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Many LDS people celebrate by having picnics and other events. One of our beliefs is to be prepared for emergencies that may come our way. Communications certainly falls into that category, and therefore, what better location to showcase emergency communications via ham radio than at a large gathering like a picnic? As it turned out, several LDS picnics took place here in northern California, and passers-by had the chance to see ham radio in action.
'Communications took place, using 2 meters, 40 meters and 75 meters. Simplex was utilized almost exclusively on the 2 meter band, which is what we hoped for. It gave us a chance to test equipment and skills in a simulated event. We passed traffic and tested the most efficient band to use from here to there. We also learned where we need to improve, which is what an exercise is all about. We have 12 months left to get ready for the next try.' Thanks to Dennis, AF6TR.

'The last meeting of the Amador ARC focused on an after action report on Field Day. The event went well with three stations in operation. The weather was perfect, antennas went up in the trees with good results, and the food was fine. Our friends at the Red Cross came out and did the cooking for us, as a practice for them in remote site operations. It made a very satisfactory cooperative effort. Our site was up over 6,000 ft at a Forest Service station. The most unusual event during Field Day occurred early Sunday morning (like 0 dark 30) when all but the soundest sleepers were awakened by the arrival of a med-evac helicopter. It seems the emergency use pad was adjacent to the area in which we were operating, and was made operational. Thanks to John, KI6DWP, PIO.

On Saturday, July 9th, members of the Yuba Sutter ARES (YSARES) team set up a communications display a the 2nd annual Emergency Preparedness Fair at the Willow Glenn Restaurant in Yuba County. The Local Fire Dept, Yuba County Sheriff, American Red Cross and others set up information booths. We had several people, as well as a group of Boy Scouts, come by and ask questions about our ARES group and were very interested in becoming part of the Ham Radio Community. The Boy Scouts made some radio contacts thanks to Steve, K6TAZ and had a good time. Hal Stocker, a local Yuba County Supervisor from District 5, stopped by for a chat. He was glad to know that there is an organization like ours to help when emergency communications are required. Dominique Smith was the organizer and invited the YSARES group back for next years fair. Eleanor KI6CSO, and Steve K6TAZ of ARES set up and worked the Booth and were joined by Paula KI6UDG, and John KJ6ICI local Hams who added their expertise. Thanks to Eleanor, KI6CSO, our Yuba Sutter Emergency Coordinator.

Our ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Net is Wednesday, August 10. We begin at 7 PM on the WD6AXM/R (146.085 MHz, + offset, tone 127.3 HZ.) At 7:30 PM we repeat the net on 3987 kHz, plus or minus interference. We will talk over the news and get reports of intended events and activities. Please join us if you can.

Links of interest:

Our Sacramento Valley ARRL web site: http://www.arrl.org/Groups/view/sacramento-valley ARRL product reviews on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/ARRLHQ

VHF nets within Sacramento Valley Section are listed here: http://www.k6is.org/nets.html Thanks to ASM, Les, W6TEE.

Looking for a specific HF net to check into? This is the website! Check out AC6V: http://www.ac6v.com/nets.htm Thanks to Gary, K7VY.

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ARRL Sacramento Valley Section
Section Manager: Ronald Murdock, W6KJ
w6kj@arrl.org