W6SFM – Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club

ARRL Field Day, Saturday June 25

Thanks to all who joined Samuel F. Morse ARC for our annual CW only ARRL Field Day activity. W6SFM operated on Saturday June 25 from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Pacific Time from the parking lot of the First Baptist Church, 4401 San Juan Ave, Fair Oaks CA 95628.

SFM ARC On-Air Net Meetings

Please join us for our club’s 8:00 PM Tuesday Night on-air Net Meetings held at 3.545 MHz
Or you can listen HERE via the KFS WebSDR. The online CW to text translation and Live Feed are not currently available.

September 1 W6SFM In-Person Meeting

The September club meeting will be held on September 1 at 7 pm on Zoom and in person at the home QTH of John, WB6UBK in Fair Oaks, CA. The agenda will be:

CLUB BUSINESS

Report on recent club business, including announcement of our new club bank account recently opened with Tri Counties Bank (Granite Bay Branch) and our plans to open a new club PayPal account. We’ll also discuss the calendar of club events for the balance of the year, including the upcoming California QSO Party in October and the International W6SFM Bug Roundup in November.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Club member Steve K7SF will deliver a special presentation on the 1970 Signal One CX-7 and the 1983 Mil Spec 1030 overview and his experiences on getting them electrically restored and operational. He’ll also be discussing the comparison and similarities of the Mil Spec 1030 to the Collins KWM-380. Steve K7SF is the real deal when it comes to this era of radio restoration and operations, and his presentation is a must see, so we hope you can attend either in-person or via Zoom.

SHOW AND TELL

During our club meetings, the club encourages its members to get serious about the hobby and share any new discoveries, accomplishments and/or amateur radio related accessories or devices recently assembled or acquired. We look forward to seeing your new radio projects too!

August 4 W6SFM In-Person Meeting

CLUB BUSINESS

During the July meeting, the club approved the Bylaws of The Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club, as drafted. The club also approved the appointment of three (3) new members to the club’s Board of Directors. We welcome Dennis KG6ZI, Carol KP4MD and Bob KA9MDP all as official members of the SFMARC Board of Directors.

LEFT FOOTED CW CONTEST

Discovered shortly following an HF antenna build incident that occurred when a positively polarized, but disproportionately frayed LHV center-fed wire transmission feed line wire thingamajig wrapped around both of his hands as well as the achilles of his right foot, simultaneously, and while at decent altitude and with only one (1) remaining operable counterpoise still connected to the HLV transformer, John WB6UBK spent many weeks without the ability to send code in the manner instructed by his elmer, Elmer Fudd, A6FUD. So, while experiencing severe CW withdrawal during his 12 plus week recovery, he did what any otherwise able-minded operator would do—he learned how to send code with his only remaining operable limb—his LEFT foot. So, during our club meeting this month, John has offered to show us how to send code while only using our left foot, and once mastered, we are going to have a LEFT FOOTED CW CONTEST to see what the Fudd is all about. More details to follow, so you will want to start stretching your LEFT foot, achilles and toes, and get ready for the contest!

SHOW AND TELL

July 1 In-Person Meeting

CLUB BUSINESS-CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS; BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTE

Update report on club business. The club will discuss the form of Constitution and Bylaws of The Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club, as drafted. Following comments, discussion and any amendment’s and/or motion(s), the club members in attendance will vote on whether to adopt the proposed form of Constitution and Bylaws, as may be amended.

The club members shall also consider and vote for three (3) new members to the club’s Board of Directors. Thus far, director nominations have been received for Dennis KG6ZI, Carol KP4MD and Bob KA9MDP. All nominees have accepted their nomination and are willing and able to serve on the board. So the club members in attendance, whether in-person or via Zoom, will have the opportunity to vote for three (3) additional directors during our July club meeting.

W6SFM FIELD DAY 2022 EVENT

Report on FD 2022, including a review of highlights and Field Day log data. If you have any pictures of FD you would like to share with the club members, then please email them to the club at w6sfm.com@gmail.com and they will be included in the club’s FD presentation (if received before the July 7th meeting) and/or newsletter report for FD 2022 (if received by July 14th).

SHOW AND TELL

During our club meetings, the club encourages its members to share any new discoveries, accomplishments and/or amateur radio related accessories or devices recently assembled or acquired. We look forward to seeing your new radio projects too!

June 2 W6SFM In-Person Meeting

Since 2022 our monthly club meetings have been held on Zoom and in person at the home QTH of John, WB6UBK in Fair Oaks, CA.

Our May SFM ARC in-person meeting was held on Thursday, May 5, at 7:00 pm Pacific Time in person at the home QTH of John, WB6UBK and via Zoom. Topics discussed were the search for new venues for our meetings and annual Field Day event, preparations for this month’s Bug Roundup event, and a show and tell. Phil KD6RM brought and demonstrated the newest HF Signals uBITX QRP transceiver. During the second half of the meeting Steve, K7SF, presented the story of Horace G. Martin and the Vibroplex Company.

The Infamous "W6SFM Bogus Story Trophy" is a Bona-Fide Transmitter for Lids — Mike K6LQ’s Bogus Story won the coveted Infamous “W6SFM Bogus Story Trophy”

Our April 7 meeting featured our customary “Bogus Story” competition in the spirit of April Fool’s Day. Among the many good “tall tales” heard, Mike K6LQ’s story of Unusual Phenomena earned this year’s Bogus Story Trophy award. Congratulations Mike!

At the March meeting our 2022 officers were elected: John Geyer, WB6UBK, President; David Kassis, K6CIM, Vice-President; Chris Watson, AI6U, Secretary; Phil Sittner, KD6RM, Treasurer.
The W6SFM club license has been updated. The items discussed including plans to apply to corporate status, the search for a meeting venue, and additional club business..

At the February meeting, the agenda was to define and assign tasks for the continuation of our club activities since the recent passing of our long time president and trustee, Mike Aretsky, N6MQL. The members present discussed and approved:

- the search for a new venue for in-person meetings,
- planning the election of 2022 club officers,
- investigating the feasibility of non-profit corporation status for the club,
- Chris AI6U will continue as acting secretary,
- Phil KD6RM was appointed as acting treasurer,
- Carol KP4MD was appointed as acting webmaster,
- John WB6UBK was designated the new W6SFM club license trustee.

Our January meeting was held on January 15 at Bob, N6PGQ’s home QTH in Roseville during activation of our North American QSO Party contest event. We discussed ARRL news and other events and our past December Events and happenings. Members brought interesting information, reports and stories to share with the other members, and their favorite keys to operate with. Following the normal meeting, the club broadcasted the audio from the radio and the video of the live contest log for all to see on our Live Feed. The W6SFM NAQP event continued until 10 PM.

Annual Membership Dues

2022 membership dues are now payable. Our PayPal option is temporarily unavailable. If you have not yet done so, please renew and submit your 2022 membership dues via by Personal Check or M.O. payable to SFMARC, and mailed to SFMARC c/o John Geyer, President, 4901 Minnesota Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.
Please renew your ARRL membership directly to the ARRL. Your continued ARRL Membership helps us maintain our ARRL Affiliated Club status and benefits.

The 2022 Bogus Story Contest

Congratulations to our 2022 Bogus Story contest winner Mike K6LQ! Mike’s Unusual Phenomena News Flash is sure to entertain. Please be sure to visit his story by going to the Bogus Story Contest winners page to read it. Or, you can watch the April 7 Club In-Person Meeting on video in our videos section.
A big thank you to all who provided their very funny stories to the group too. We hope that you can provide a good challenge to this years winner at our next Bogus Story Contest in 2023! We hope to see you there.

W6SFM Bug Roundup Event November 19 & 20, 2022 (UTC)

Announcing the W6SFM On-Air BUG ROUNDUP

The Samuel F. Morse Amateur Radio Club — a CW enthusiast club based in Sacramento, California – invites you to a special time bringing bug operators together on the air. This 48-hour event is not a contest; rather it is a time dedicated to celebrating our CW and Bug key heritage. In the same spirit as ARRL’s Straight Key Night, participants are encouraged to get on the air and simply make enjoyable, conversational CW QSOs using a Bug style key as the sending instrument. There are no points scored in this event, and all who participate are winners.

This is an opportunity to exercise, share, and exhibit your personalized fist. Amateur radio operators of all ages and levels of experience are encouraged to participate. There is a very easy and quick registration form found at https://w6sfm.com/bug-roundup/ (registration is optional). Once you’ve optionally registered for the event, simply Call “CQ BR” so folks know you are a Bug Roundup participant. Grab that bug, clean those contacts, and let’er fly! We want to hear that “Banana Boat / Lake Erie Swing” or that commercial KPH/WCC quality fist.

Reserve the date! The event begins on Friday, November 18 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time (that is Saturday, November 19 00:00 UTC) and concludes Sunday November 20 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time (Monday November 21, 00:00 UTC).

For more information, to register your station, or to help in spotting (potentially increasing QSOs) an online chat link can be found near the bottom of the Bug Roundup homepage located at https://w6sfm.com/bug-roundup/ (the link will go live when the roundup starts). Once the event has concluded, optional logs may be submitted to the W6SFM through the link on the Bug Roundup web page.

We hope to hear you on the air!

73,

W6SFM
KA9MDP, bob@bobkehr.net

The Bug Roundup on-air event is held each May and November on the third weekend of the month from Saturday 0000 UTC through Monday 0000 UTC, that is Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon on the U.S. West Coast. Those who register their station for the event can also receive a reminder email twice per year just before the event begins. Find more information, including times, frequencies and Bug Roundup Event rules by using the “Club Activities” link at the top of this website. We hope to hear you on the air!

Michael Aretsky, N6MQL Silent Key

Mike Aretsky, N6MQL - SK — Mike Aretsky, N6MQL

We announce with great sorrow the passing of Michael Aretsky, N6MQL, Founder and President of the W6SFM Samuel F Morse ARC at the Morse Ave. Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at 4:15 pm on Friday January 28, 2022 after a month-long struggle with COVID-19. He was a passionate Elmer, teacher of Morse Code, and a Deacon at Carmichael Presbyterian Church. We are thankful for the blessed years of love and joy that he brought to his wife Lynette, his two daughters and to many others. Please visit https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelaretsky for further information.

A memorial service for Michael Aretsky, N6MQL, was held on Saturday, March 12th, at 3 PM PST at Carmichael Presbyterian Church – 5645 Marconi Ave., Carmichael, CA 95608. Mike’s ashes were interred at Carmichael Presbyterian Church on the same day with the family in attendance. The memorial service video is posted on the Carmichael Presbyterian YouTube page.

W6SFM CW Beginners Course IS ON HOLD

With the passing of our primary Morse Code teacher Mike Aretsky, N6MQL, all upcoming W6SFM CW Beginners Courses are on hold.

The SFM ARC is proud to announce our next W6SFM CW Beginners Course. In an effort to preserve Morse Code on-the-air, and enhance the skills of the Amateur Radio Operator, the SFM ARC offers an instructional course in the art of sending and receiving Morse Code. We also offer this course to the general public, and those who would like the benefits of improved cognitive memory skills. You do not need to be a licensed Amateur Radio Operator to take this course.

The W6SFM CW course consists of 10 classes held once per week, Wednesday evenings from 7 – 9 PM. In this class students will learn the International Morse Code, the art of sending on a straight key, radio Pro-Signs, and the proper etiquette of an on-air CW QSO, plus MUCH MUCH more. Both Theory and Practical use of HF radio and Morse Code are discussed in this class. Students are provided with a professionally built Morse Key and Oscillator to be used both in-class and at home. This Key and Oscillator are worth more than the price of the course by itself and are for the students to keep at the completion of the course! In addition to the in-person class instruction, an Online practice video and weekly email are also provided.

New and returning students can purchase a seat in our upcoming course by simply clicking on the “Merchandise” link at the top of the Homepage and selecting the “W6SFM CW Beginners Course” icon. Purchases can be made using PayPal, Credit and Debit cards.
Returning Students who sign up at our discount rate must bring their equipment with them from their previous class. All Students are encouraged to bring any Straight keys that they currently own in an effort to practice good sending methods on them. Please note that Our CW Beginners classes tend to fill up quickly and seating is limited. We recommend enrolling as soon as possible to be guarantied a seat in the class. We hope to see anyone who is interested in learning the Morse Code, or brushing up their skills at our next class! Please use the contact us link at the top of this page to ask any questions you may have.

Member Mike, N6MQL presents the RigExpert Zoom Antenna Analyzer at N6NA

Solar Report by Tamitha Skov (A real report everyone can understand)