San Joaquin Net Picnic

​          May 7, 2016


Pictures courtesy of Rich, AD6X

On May 7, 2022, our Annual SJ Net Picnic was held with special thanks to our Kingsburg Radio Club members. Larry AD6W again secured and paid for the reservation of the arbor at Memorial Park. KI6SK Mel provided the barbecue and hamburgers, K6LYI provided the condiments, and AD6W Larry supplied homemade ice cream. AA6F Jim again barbequed the hot dogs and Myron WA6BLB brought the soft drinks and bottled water. A special treat was Bob's (SK K6GDI) wife's carrot cake supplied courtesy of Bob, K6RMW. My apologies to others that brought items such as the great salads, cobblers and other ice cream that I have not mentioned here. 

WA6MIZ Steve doing some feedline repairs on K6SNA George's antenna tower!

Back Row: Jack WY6B, Glenita KB6PKN, Rich AD6X, Ken W6WMD, Jim AA6F, Jim WA6KKD, Myron WA6BLB, Sarah WD6FUF,
Robert K6LYI, Larry AD6W, Bill WB6FEH 
​Front Row: Shirley  KD6DJD, Cathy KJ6EM, Bob K6RMW, Bob K6GDI, Mike WB6VGL, Roger WD6CNV 
​Not Pictured But Attending: Chuck W6DPD

San Joaquin Net Members at International DX Convention

                                  Visalia, CA  April 21, 2018

The pictures below are of WA6KKD's power pole tower and antennas today. 40+ years ago Jim operated using these antennas at his family home in Cutler, California. The family home was sold after his parents' deaths,  but the antennas remain - although not as straight when Jim operated!

2024 Annual Picnic Held on May 4th!

Pictures courtesy of Rich, AD6X and Sarah WD6FUF

Photos courtesy of Sarah, WD6FUF


Choinumni Campout

     May 3 - 4, 2016

Some of you might recall seeing a mini-HF transceiver called the (tr)uSDX by DLZMAN/PE1NNZ that Myron WA6BLB brought to the picnic for show and tell. It's an amazing five band unit capable of SSB and CW on 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 meters purchased on Amazon for $138. (PS I do not receive any commissions for sharing this information)!  Larry AD6W purchased one to enjoy some QRP CW operating in the state of Georgia while visiting his daughter and family. Here is a picture and message he sent:

Hi Myron,
     We’ve been in Georgia since the SJN picnic and I’ve been using the same tr-usdx rig you showed me, have been working into Europe with it on CW. Powered by a Dewalt tool battery, dipole up in the trees at my daughter and son-in-law’s place.
​    Using a 20 meter dipole I built at home, hung it up in our backyard oak tree and tuned it 1:1 using my fancy graphical antenna analyzer before we brought it over here. Tune is still good here hung in a Georgia pecan tree. Running on 12v so output must be pretty good. The equipment was ordered on Amazon ahead of our trip and delivered in Georgia, so I saw it for the first time here.
    Had quite a bit of trouble with the Chinese cw paddle, it was full of metal chips from the manufacturing process that caused all kinds of spurious dits and dahs, had to bang it on the desk a few times to get it cleaned out somewhat and working. Cute little thing though. Stuck it vertically on the front of the metal desk so the chips can continue falling out as I use it.
   Now my biggest problem is mosquitoes which are terrible here with rain every other day. Have to keep the door open on the garden shed I’m set up in to let in enough light to operate, and the bugs fly in. Looking forward to good old San Joaquin Valley hot and dry.
   Tell the Net hello from Larry & Shirley.
   73, Larry AD6W.

San Joaquin Net Picnic

         May 6, 2017


​Thanks to Rich AD6X and Myron WA6BLB for these.

May 6, 2023 - Annual Picnic in Kingsburg

May 7, 2022 Annual Picnic in Kingsburg

8/4/2020 - Bill, WB6FEH, recently was going through printed materials in his late dad's (WB6OTB) shack and came across these two items he wanted to share with net members. ​The QST article is a reprint from the November 1965 QST magazine that featured his amateur radio family. 

Great Article on Morse Code and CW

Dxpedition to Georgia??

Pictures courtesy of Rich, AD6X


Approximately twenty San Joaquin Net members and family gathered for this year's annual picnic at Kingsburg's beautiful Memorial Park on Saturday, May 6, 2023. There was no rain and with temperatures in the mid-60's, it was almost perfect. 


A special thanks to Larry AD6W who made the reservations and covered the cost for the pavilion rental. Mel KI6SK once again set up, built the fire and barbequed the hamburgers (which he donated) and hot dogs (donated by Jim AA6F). A special thanks to all those that donated the fixings, delicious salads, ice cream, desserts and drinks.  There was plenty of good food and conversation during the afternoon. 

Below you will find pictures from the event. More will be added as we receive them. For now, thanks to Larry and Myron.

​                               2018 Annual Picnic​

The annual San Joaquin Net Picnic was held at Roeding Park in Fresno on Saturday, May 12, 2018. This year the picnic was again located at the Pine Gove Shelter at the northeast corner of the park. Approximately 20 hams were in attendance this year.

​​

























Thanks to Sarah WD6FUF, Bill WB6FEH, AD6X Rich (our "official photographer") and Myron WA6BLB for supplying these pictures.

Enjoy a great article about Morse code, CW, and amateur radio that was included in the Jan/Feb 2023 Smithsonian Magazine. It appears to be written by a non-ham but was very factual.  Special thanks to my son, Christopher KF6FGJ who shared it saying, "I thought it was really neat and a nice tribute to some of what makes Ham Radio such a special hobby."
                                               CLICK HERE to read the article.

                           2019 Annual SJ Picnic 

                     Roeding Park Fresno - May 4th


The 2019 San Joaquin Net Picnic was held on Saturday,  May 4th at Roeding Park in Fresno at the Pine Grove Shelter. Set up began shortly after 9:00 and people started trickling in after that.  As usual, there was a great spread of salads and desserts to accompany the entrees and the perfectly grilled hot dogs by Jim -  AA6F!




















The threat of rain didn't deter 24 members, family and friends of the San Joaquin Net from attending the picnic this year. This annual event was held in Kingsburg at Downtown Park located under their well-known teapot water tower.  


Thank you, Larry, for making all of the necessary reservations and obtaining the facility use permits. Mel served as our BBQer under the watchful eye of his wife Chris. Thank you, Mel, for also donating the burgers and BBQ supplies and Larry for donating the hot dogs, paper and plastic supplies AND the multiple choices of ice cream and sorbet.

Also representing Kingsburg was special guest John Wright,  KO6CGK, former Kingsburg mayor. We are hoping to hear John on net once he gets his HF station in operation. 

There was an abundance of great salads, desserts and drinks supplied by those attending to compliment the grilled food. Most importantly, this was a great chance to build on the friendships that have been built over the years on the air. 


Thank you all for attending!

San Joaquin Net Picnic 2014