This is an ARES EMCOM training exercise. TCARES will provide radio communications on the course. Contact Grayson Ke6KYI if you want to help staff the run. papa-bird@sbcglobal.net It will be a fun run/walk with no entry fee. No Shirt, or Prizes this year. 2023 will be back to normal. Benefits the Tuolumne County Community Christmas […]
2022 SEA-PAC Convention "The Northwest's Largest Ham Convention"and the ARRL Northwestern Division Convention June 3-5 2022 - On the beautiful Pacific Ocean beach Seaside Convention Center - 415 First Ave, Seaside, Oregon 97138 SEA-PAC 2022 online Registration is delayed due to technical difficulties restarting the Registration web pages. We anticipate online Registration will open on March 1st. […]
TCARES ham radio club will set up a public information and radio demonstration table at the 2024 Father's Day Fly-in with other vendors and public agencies and organizations. Will you volunteer? The information booth will be open for about 6 hours on Saturday, can you work a 2 or 3 hour shift and help hand […]
Ham Exam Scheduled: JUNE 25 TCARES will offer a HAM License Exam session. All classes of testing will be offered. This session is open to all who want to take the FCC Ham Exam. All new applicants must have an FRN number and an email address for the paperwork. Bring two forms of Identification. (Drivers License and Credit Card or Phone Bill) Also bring $15 for the testing fee. ---GET REQUIRED FRN NUMBER INSTRUCTIONS ---Questions:Grayson KE6KYIpapa-bird@sbcglobal.net209-962-4661
Field Day is ham radio's open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day […]
Pacificon 2022October 14-16, 2022San Ramon Marriott Pacificon℠ gives you three great days of activities for one low cost: * A full slate of outstanding Forum presentations about a wide range of amateur radio topics * Gordon West * A large Vendor Expo filled with exciting products and exhibits * An outdoor Swap Meet * Youth […]
MY GARDEN CAFE SONORAOPEN TO ALL - Please Join us!Join us @ 9:00 for breakfast or coffee in the back of the meeting room.---NEED TO PROGAM A RADIO? Bring your radio and after the meeting we can help you load up some channels.
MY GARDEN CAFE SONORAOPEN TO ALL - Please Join us!Join us @ 9:00 for breakfast or coffee in the back of the meeting room.---NEED TO PROGAM A RADIO? Bring your radio and after the meeting we can help you load up some channels.
NEIGHBORHOOD RADIO WATCH: Twain Harte Area - The first NRW Directed net will be tomorrow Sunday at 9 AM. FRS/GMRS Channel 17 with no tone, or tone zero. There are a few TCARES members that have been wondering about this. (462.6000 narrow, 2 watts FRS, 50 watts GMRS)
All are invited to the next TCARES Breakfast meeting @ 9:30 AM Join us in the back room as we make plans for 2023 events. We will discuss:
TCARES will participate in Winter Field Day January 28th 2023 We will be in Columbia State Park at the Historic School House! (north of the park) We will operate from some picnic benches with Vertical antennas. We will have at least 2 stations, one 2 Meter and one HF on 40 Meters, and maybe more. […]
All are invited to the next TCARES Breakfast meeting @ 9:30 AM Join us in the back room as we continue planning for 2023 events.
Contact: Grayson L. Rehn (209) 962-4661Location: Sonora County Library480 Greenley RdMeeting RoomSonora CA 95370-5956
Rain or Shine TCARES will provide Radio Communication support for the runners along the course of the run. More details to follow soon. Save the morning of APRIL 15 to help out with your Hand Held Ham Radio and wet weather gear. Charge your batteries! https://oldmillrun.org
International DX Convention, co-sponsored by the Northern California DX Club (NCDXC) and the Central Arizona DX Association (CADXA), will be held again at the beautiful Visalia Conference Center in downtown Visalia, California from April 21-23, 2023. Convention Overview• Convention is a full 2.5 Days: Friday (April 21); Saturday (April 22); 1/2 day Sunday (April 23)• Full day of training & […]
Rain or Shine POSTPONED: TCARES will provide Radio Communication support for the runners along the course of the run. More details to follow soon. Charge your batteries!
TCARES will provide radio communications support for the Mountain Bike Event in 2023.
ARRL Annual Field Day Contest starts at 11 AM SAT until 11 AM SUN with set up and tear down before and after the contest window. This event is HF oriented and any class ham can participate. This year the event will be in the lower Twain Harte Area at the upper end of Phoenix Lake road at 16582 […]
The Sheriff’s office has invited TCARES to set up a display next Tuesday evening during their national night out event in Twain Harte. They will put us next to CERT. There will also be all kinds of local law enforcement vehicles, SWAT team, Search and Rescue, etc. (see below) We set up around 4:30 or […]
OPEN TO ALL - Please Join us!Join us @ 9:30 for breakfast or coffee in the back of the meeting room. We will go through our normal agenda with officer and committee reports and review the upcoming calendar of events.---NEED TO PROGAM A RADIO? Bring your radio and after the meeting we can help you load up some […]
TCARES will have a public information table at the Airport during the day long event. Please come help set up at 8:30, or hang out anytime during the day to do demonstrations of ham radio. https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/372/Columbia-Airport
CALAVERAS AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY AND TUOLUMNE COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO AND ELECTRONICS SOCIETY IS HAVING A JOINT PICNIC & BBQ ON September 23, 2023 Vine and Branch Fellowship3710 Whittle RoadAngels Camp, California 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CARS TO PROVIDE HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, CONDIMENTS, PLASTICWARE - BBQS.TCARES TO PROVIDE WATERS, SODAS, ICE SLICED TOMATOES AND ONIONS.BOTH […]
TCARES will be with the County OES in the Emergency Operations Center on Striker Court. We will begin a Net around 10:19 am (the time of the simulated earthquake) and react to a simulated area wide power and communications outage. California Shakeout Drill THURSDAY OCT 19, 2023 10:19 amYou can participate in a special annual emergency net with organizations across California. […]
http://pacificon.org --- Pacificon gives you three great days of activities for one low cost: * A full slate of outstanding Forum presentations about a wide range of amateur radio topics* Gordon West* Bob Heil* Youth Forum with Carole Perry* A large Vendor Expo filled with exciting products and exhibits* An outdoor Swap Meet* QRP activities* […]
OPEN TO ALL – Please Join us!Join us for breakfast or coffee in the back of the meeting room. We will go through our normal agenda with officer and committee reports and review the upcoming calendar of events.—NEED TO PROGAM A RADIO? Bring your radio and after the meeting we can help you load up some channels.
Come join fellow TCARES members and enjoy a holiday feast with roasted turkey and ham with tasty side dishes, raffle for ham radio items, live holiday music and much much more! This is our biggest social event of the year. We will also announce who won the election to the board of directors. Come and […]
OPEN TO ALL – Please Join us!Join us for breakfast or coffee in the back of the meeting room. We will go through our normal agenda with officer and committee reports and review the upcoming calendar of events.—NEED TO PROGAM A RADIO? Bring your radio and after the meeting we can help you load up some channels.
TURLOCK AMATEUR RADIO CLUB SPRING 2024 AUCTION 90 Minute Drive from SONORA. Saturday February 10, 2024, Doors open at 7:00 am and auction starts at 9:00 am Turlock Salvation Army 893 Lander Ave. Turlock, CA 95380 Payment can be made with credit card, check, or cash. There is a bidding paddle fee of $5.00. Talk […]
Our next breakfast meeting is FEB 17th and all are welcome to join us. Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30
https://www.w6ek.org/activities/hamfest 2.5 Hours of travel time from SONORA (up Hi-way 49) The first Hamfest of 2024 at the historic Loomis Train Depot. There will be plenty of coffee and donuts for you to enjoy while you shop for gear at our Club Table and swap meet, attending presentations. Come on out rain or shine!! DEPOT TIME […]
Can you HELP for an hour or two? email info@tcares.net to sign up. TCARES has been invited to have a public information table at the event. We will help the public understand more about Ham Radio and GMRS as well.
The 75th Annual International DX Convention sponsored by the Southern California DX Club and to be held at the Visalia Convention Center. The International DX Convention is the world's foremost DX convention. If you are a DXer or interested in any aspect of ham radio you need to be at Visalia. Top DX operators from around the […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
The Northwest's Largest Ham Convention and the ARRL Northwestern Division Convention To stay in formed about SEA-PAC, subscribe to the low volume eMailing List by sending an email with your name and callsign to info@seapac.org.Commercial Exhibits - Giant Flea Market - Workshops - Seminars Banquet - Prizes - VE Testing - DX & YL Luncheon […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
Sonora CA HAM EXAM SESSION Sponsor: TCARESTime: 9:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed) Contact: Grayson L. Rehn (209) 962-4661 What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session: 1. MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
Join TCARES for CQP in two locations! 1) THE RANCH on Oakhaven Lane as K6TUO MAP 2) CAMPING at FENCE CREEK (MAP) Campground (Clarks Fork Area) as N6GEO The California QSO Party (CQP) is held every year on the first weekend of October. The first CQP took place in 1966. Since 1974, the Northern California Contest […]
Ham Radio Operators will be assigned to key County locations like Resiliency Centers, Airports, Fairgrounds, Hospitals, etc to check in to prove county wide VHF communications between key operational buildings. The Earthquake will be at 10:17 am tomorrow (OCT 17, 10:17) NEW - The NET sequence will be…. (STARTING ABOUT 10:30 am) 1. ASSIGNED LOCATION NET […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
Come join fellow TCARES members and enjoy a holiday feast with roasted turkey and ham with tasty side dishes, raffle for ham radio items, live holiday music and much much more! This is our biggest social event of the year. We will also announce who won the election to the board of directors. Come and […]
QuartzFest is special in part because it comes to life each year, rising from nothing in a remote area of the Sonoran desert in the southwestern USA. Hundreds of Hams and their families and friends choose to unplug from their daily lives, travel to and setup this desert community, and immerse themselves in this week-long […]
Winter Field Day is a communications exercise. WFD is held on the last full weekend in January. WFD can be worked from the comfort of your home or in a remote location. You can participate by yourself or get your friends, family, or whole club involved. Winter Field Day is open to participants worldwide. Amateur […]
Scenario: A cyber attack against critical infrastructure has brought down all common-carrier communications systems across the San Joaquin Valley Section of the ARRL. This includes land-line and cellular systems as well as the Internet. A second attack disables the power grid, causing widespread blackouts throughout the section. Amateur Radio Participants are to shelter in place […]
Learn intermediate radio communications skills with a focus on the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) with more in-depth skills that will cover hand held, mobile and base station radios, frequencies, antennas, radio programing, repeaters and signal propagation. A NO TEST LICENSE is required to transmit on the GMRS frequencies. However, you can transmit without a license on […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
1.MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions. Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used […]
Learn basic radio communications. Hands on skills training will get you up and transmitting right away, with instructions on emergency communication when cellphones are down and power outages occur. This class is FREE, reserve your seat with a free ticket. However, you can purchase a $40. ticket and take home the GM-15 Pro radio at the class. Yours to […]
The 76th Annual International DX Convention sponsored by the Northern California DX Club will be held at Visalia Conference Center in Visalia, California from April 11th - 13th, 2025. Learn the secrets of working DX quickly and efficiently. Discover the fun of chasing IOTA. Attend the Contest Forum, Antenna Forum, DX Forum, Contest Academy or DX Academy. […]
Big Bear Ham Escape, a fun-filled event for amateur radio enthusiasts! Get ready for a weekend filled with exciting activities, informative seminars, and great networking opportunities. Meet and greets with author Gordon West, ARRL Orange Section SM, and YLRL, and more to come. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn Resort located on […]
Tuolumne County OES and Sheriff will be testing 5 Sirens in the following locations: Groveland, Tuolumne City, Twain Harte, Cold Springs and Strawberry. The County has asked TCARES if we can monitor the locations and report what was heard in a live Net that day. WHEN: Tuesday (corrected) MAY 13 11:00 AM Schedule: WHERE: Groveland, […]
This month’s meeting will feature a live and in person presentation titled, “WINLINK: Below the Tip of the Iceberg”, by TCARES members Rich Combs KN6SHR and Greg Kiyoi KN6RUQ. If you've had enough of FT8 then join us as we dig down deep to get to the bottom to stay on top of the hidden […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast... or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Typical Agenda: 9:30 LOCATION BELOW:
C.A.R.S to provide Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Condiments, plastic ware and the BBQs. TCARES to provide water, soda, ice, sliced tomatoes and Onions. All attending, please bring a side dish or desert. The location has a covered seating area perfect for rain or shine. A table will be provided for a swap meet. Questions? Call Steven […]
09/27/2025 Sponsor: TCARESDate: Sep 27 2025 Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)Contact: Grayson L. Rehn(209) 206-1962Email: papabird.ke6kyi@gmail.comVEC: ARRL/VECLocation: Mill Villa Club House18717 Mill Villa RdJamestown CA 95370 MAP 1. MANDATORY BEFORE THE EXAM FCC Registration Number (FRN): Examinees are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form. New license applicants must create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the […]
TCARES Board Meeting. Members and the public are welcome to attend.
TCARES will be with the County OES at the Emergency Operations Center on Striker Court using our new Communications Trailer in the parking lot. We will begin a Net around 10:30 am (after the time of the simulated earthquake) and react to a simulated area wide power and communications outage. California Shakeout Drill THURSDAY OCT 16, 2023 10:30 […]
JOTA-JOTI is the world’s largest digital and radio Scout event, promoting friendship and global citizenship. Check it out at jotajoti.info. Here are the frequencies: 147.540 MHz; 147.450 MHz; 147.480 MHz; 147.510 MHz; or 28.390 MHz (10 m). Hope to hear some of you this Saturday or Sunday!
Join TCARES for our monthly club breakfast at the My Garden Cafe in east Sonora. Mike, W6MVM, will be giving a presentation on Remote Ham Radio Operation (CW & SSB) using a computer with a web browser, to connect to his radio station at home remotely, to send Morse Code and SSB Voice, from a […]
The CQ WW is the largest Amateur Radio competition in the world. Over 35,000 participants take to the airwaves on the last weekend of October (SSB) and November (CW) with the goal of making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible.
ARRL contests for the next 12 months are listed below. A generic ARRL contest calendar is also provided that gives the weekends for all our events, to assist with long-term planning of your contest operations.
Join TCARES for our monthly club breakfast at the My Garden Cafe in east Sonora. We hope to see you soon!
TCARES Board Meeting. Members & public welcome to attend. Location to be announced.
The CQ WW is the largest Amateur Radio competition in the world. Over 35,000 participants take to the airwaves on the last weekend of October (SSB) and November (CW) with the goal of making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible.
ARRL contests for the next 12 months are listed below. A generic ARRL contest calendar is also provided that gives the weekends for all our events, to assist with long-term planning of your contest operations.
Ron Trout, KK6QPP, is developing a radio communication plan for Friday's parade, and instructing a short (1 hour) training class on the plan, integrating Amateur, GMRS, and FRS radio services for the event. The training session will take place at the Twain Harte School on Thursday, December 4th, at 5 pm, in the teachers room […]
Ron Trout, KK6QPP, is holding a radio communications plan training session for volunteers for the Twain Harte Christmas parade. The radio comms training is the night before, at 5 pm. Contact Ron at: westcoastlands.sbcglobal.net for more information on how to volunteer your support and radio expertise. Merry Christmas!
This is our biggest event of the year, all are welcome to join us, please come and enjoy the fun and fellowship. NEW LOCATION https://maps.app.goo.gl/SoEGxkDLAmFXZakZ8 Rambling Hills Estates Club House, 23732 Parrotts Ferry Rd., Columbia, 93310, is the perfect venue for the party. It is a large spacious event center with great parking right in […]
This exam is in conjunction with a Tech Ham Cram Study Session that begins at 08:00. If you wish to attend the study session as well please send email to Herb at: af6hl@arrl.net. There is no cost for either the study session or the exam. If you want to take the test only, that starts at […]
Objective: For Amateurs worldwide to exchange QSO information with as many stations as possible on the 10 meter band. Dates: Second full weekend of December. Starts 0000 UTC Saturday; runs through 2359 UTC Sunday (December 13-14, 2025). Click Here for the Complete ARRL 10-Meter Contest Rules (PDF) For contest information contact contests@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232.
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
QuartzFest is a week-long ham radio, camping, learning and living event. QuartzFest is an ARRL Specialty Convention held in January near Quartzsite, Arizona. No other hamfest in the world brings together in one gathering so much innovation in mobile antenna systems, mobile ham shacks, recreational vehicles, portable and mobile EMCOMM systems, off-the-grid living, alternative energy […]
Join us for winter field day at Columbia State Park School house and bring a portable rig to get on the air, we will take a head count around 11am and buy pizza for all in attendance for lunch. more details to come .... Winter Field Day is an exciting annual event for amateur radio […]
TCARES Board Meeting from 9-11:00 am. Location: Papa's New Roost Restaurant (in the back room), 20049 Highway 108, Sonora, CA 95370. The new 2026 Board will begin serving their terms at this meeting. New 2026 incoming officers include: 1) President: Jeff Tolhurst, N6JWT; 2) Secretary: Ginger Rohlen, KM6RFT; and 3) Director C: George Overturff: N6GEO. […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
This is an exam session to obtain your FCC Ham/Amateur radio license. Exams for all levels of license (Technician, General, and Extra) are available. Please have the following: 1) your FCC Registration Number (FRN); 2) a $15 exam fee; and 3) a photo ID when you come. Pre-registration is preferred (through the website below) but […]
THIS IS A FREE CLASS, Limited to the first 25 people. REGISTER BELOW. Learn basic radio communications skills with a focus on the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), Family Radio Service and Ham Radio (GMRS/FRS/HAM). A NO TEST LICENSE is required to transmit on the GMRS frequencies. However, you can transmit without a license on the FRS frequencies […]
Meet at Jamestown CHP office at 7:00 am for briefing. Ham radio operators will be assigned a station along the run route. Check in on our nets to let us know if you can help provide radio support.
All are welcome, JOIN US! This month we will be raffling a NanoVNA (worth ~$50; $5 minimum bids)! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda. Note: There will be a TCARES Board meeting following […]
There will be a TCARES Board Meeting following the monthly club breakfast meeting. Feel free to attend!
Free test session (3-5 pm) for the ARRL General License. This is in conjunction with a General Class License Ham Cram that will begin at 08:00 am. The Ham Cram is free but please email af6hl@arrl.net if you plan to attend the Ham Cram so we can have enough copies of the handouts available. Exams […]
TCARES club members can operate K6TUO anytime during the year to give other Hams an ARRL-club affiliate contact from California. George, N6GEO, will be setting up a calendar where folks can schedule a time to get on and offer the K6TUO WAS-250 credit. He will also be accepting your logs for submission to LOTW (Logbook […]
Find the TCARES COM Trailer in the middle of Columbia state park to check in and get a vest and your assignment.
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
There will be a TCARES Board Meeting following the monthly club breakfast meeting. Feel free to attend!
The Ultimate Gravel/MTB Cycling Adventure Returns to Groveland, CA! The Groveland Grind is a Yosemite Area Adventure Ride on mixed terrain(pavement, broken pavement, dirt and gravel)on Yosemite National Park’s doorstep! Three amazing routes with amazing views to choose from- Ride the 48 miles Long route- The Rumble up to Trumbull(Peak), the 30 miles medium route […]
2026 Father’s Day Fly-in Public Info Table TCARES ham radio club will set up a public information and radio demonstration trailer at the 2025 Father’s Day Fly-in with other vendors and public agencies and organizations. Will you volunteer? The information booth will be open for about 6 hours on Saturday, can you work a 2 or […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
NEW LOCATION -- in Pinecrest on old Strawberry Road, see below. (20 miles from Sonora, at 5,600 ft elevation, on 108, 5 minutes from Pinecrest Lake. Rich Combs, KN6HSR, and Greg Kiyoi, KN6RUQ, will teach a WINLINK CLASS so anyone that has a computer with Winlink and an appropriate interface between the CPU and their radio […]
THIS IS A FREE CLASS, Limited to the first 25 people. REGISTER BELOW. Learn basic radio communications skills with a focus on the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), Family Radio Service and Ham Radio (GMRS/FRS/HAM). A NO TEST LICENSE is required to transmit on the GMRS frequencies. However, you can transmit without a license on the FRS frequencies […]
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
There will be a TCARES Board Meeting following the monthly club breakfast meeting. Feel free to attend!
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
All are welcome, JOIN US! Come to the back room around or just before 9 AM to order your breakfast…or just a cup of coffee. At 9:30 we will begin our formal agenda.
There will be a TCARES Board Meeting following the monthly club breakfast meeting. Feel free to attend!