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FARS Winter Banquet - February 27, 2026 [2025] [2026] [2027]


The FARS Winter Banquet is Friday evening, February 27, 2026. The Foothills Amateur Radio Society (FARS) presents this ham radio event and fete. This annual event is open to anyone who wants to attend, but reservations are required. This meeting is an in person only (NO Zoom Access).

A Milestone in Fusion Energy
Dr. Tammy Ma
Plasma Physicist
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

February 27, 2026 @ 6:00PM-10:00PM

(NO Zoom Access)

Dr. Tammy Ma is our speaker for this event. Dr. Ma is director of the Nuclear Fusion group at the Lawrence Livermore. It was her group that achieved the world’s first positive net energy from nuclear fusion. A goal that scientists have been working on for the last 60 years. She was featured in 60 minutes and is often on NPR explaining how this was achieved and what will be seen in the future. This promises to be outstanding talk not only for engineers, but the folks interested in the present status of fusion technology.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Tammy Ma is an American plasma physicist who works on inertial confinement fusion at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

After postdoctoral research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, she joined the laboratory as a staff scientist in 2012.

She is currently the program element leader for High-Intensity Laser High Energy Density (HED) Science-Advanced Photon Technologies, and associate program leader for HED Laboratory Plasmas. She also leads the Lab’s Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) Institutional Initiative. Dr. Tammy Ma currently leads the Livermore Institute for Fusion Technology (LIFT), which is accelerating the commercialization of fusion energy.

Links:



Raffle prizes for the Banquet

We shall have over a dozen prizes for the banquet raffle. Those prizes to be raffled at the banquet to be listed here.


[Yaesu FT710 Transceiver]

Yaesu FT710 SDR HF Transceiver Outstanding SDR performance. Bandpass filters on every band; High Resolution 4.3 inch color touch display; Full color waterfall spectrum analyzer; Built in high speed antenna tuner; TX 1.8-54 MHz (amateur bands only); Accessories - SSM-75E hand mike; DC power cable.
[Nano VNA - H4]

Nano VNA - H4 4 inch 1.5 GHz VNA - Tuned antennas, duplexers, filters etc. Full touch screen. Latest version includes functions for TDR – time domain reflectometer. Includes cables and full calibration kit.
[uSDX+ QRP HF transceiver]

uSDX+ QRP HF transceiver Covers 160-6 meters – SSB, CW, digital QRP transceiver. 5 watts CW – 10 watt SSB. Built in CW decoder, full DSP noise reduction. Complete Description of prize.
[DSO03D12 Portable Oscillioscope]

DSO03D12 Portable Oscillioscope - 120 MHz dual trace scope with probes - features a built in DVM and signal generator
[DSO03D12 Portable Oscillioscope]

Radtel RT-860 1024 channels 2m/1.25m/70cm transceiver; full HF all mode receiver; preprogrammed with local channels
[ATS-20 Receiver]

ATS-20 Receiver All Mode AM/FM/SSB/CW 100KHz-30 MHz - FM Stereo Receiver.
[Baofeng UV5R x2]

BaoFeng UV-5R x2 Dual Band VHF/UHF HT, 136-174MHz VHF (5W TX), 420-520MHz (4W TX), FM Broadcast, 128 channel memory, 1.8-Ah Li-Ion battery, drop-in smart charger
[Flashlight]

Flashlight Mil spec - 800 lumen aircraft aluminum LED flashlight, rechargable 18650 3000mAh battery
[JOC TG-77 Digital AM/FM/SW]

JOC TG-77 Digital AM/FM/SW Pocket radio receiver
[TBJ-1 Antenna]

TBJ-1 Triband Antenna 146MHz/220MHz/440MHz

[prizes updated 12/20/2021]

Banquet Photos


Banquet Sign-ups are Open

All sign-ups should be received by 6:00 PM on February 23th. Mailed sign-ups should be posted by February 19th to be received on time.

All late sign-ups (those received after 6:00 PM Monday, February 23th) are handled on a best effort basis (that is we must confirm with the restaurant if they have room for additions and your meal choice may be modified). Be sure we have your current email address and phone number so we may contact you. The on-line sign-up is recommended after February 19th.

Paper Sign-up - You may print this flyer, (which includes a sign-up form) fill it out and mail along with your check for payment. We should receive your sign-up by 6:00 PM Monday, February 23th. Last minute sign-ups should use the on-line form. See above for late sign-ups.

On-line Sign-up - You must logon to this web site to sign up and use PayPal to make your payment.

If you signed up on-line, you can check on your order status (login required). Your most recent orders are listed first. Your current pending orders are colored green, while canceled or completed orders are colored grey.

Banquet attendees are encouraged to wear their club badges to show their club pride. We have stick on name tags for those who don't have or forget to wear their club badge.

Schedule

Prices for the 2026 banquet:

Dinner includes a mixed green salad, potato or rice (depending on the plate), fresh vegetables, bread, coffee or tea, and dessert.

Location

The banquet location:

The Blue Pheasant
22100 Stevens Creek Blvd
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-255-3300

Refund Policy

Cash or Check Payments

Full refunds will be made for cancellations received by 6:00 PM on Monday, February 23th, 2026. Refunds are paid by check. Allow up to 30 days to receive your refund.

PayPal Payments

Full refunds will be given for cancellations received by 6:00 PM on Monday, February 23th, 2026. However, if the cancellation is more than one hundred and fifty (180) days after payment was made, the refund may be reduced to cover processing expenses. Refunds are paid via PayPal. Allow 15 days to receive your refund.



Last updated December 29, 2025