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December test sessions full

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

In order to ensure proper social distancing, the SPARC test sessions are limited to 5 people. The Tuesday session in December is already full.

If you want to take an Amateur Radio exam, please check out our VE testing page for contact information to reserve your spot for a future session.

SPARCFest cancelled

By Pat AAØO

Due to the 50 person limitation placed on using Freedom Lake Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SPARC has decided to cancel this year’s SPARCFest that was to be held on November 14.

Hal Chase W1EES is heading up the nominating committee to create a slate of officers for the next SPARC year. The way this works according to our bylaws is the committee comes up with a slate of candidates and presents them at the October meeting. At that meeting, we will accept nominations from the “floor” (Zoom will be our forum of course). Once the nominations are closed in October, there is no other opportunity for nominations. At the November meeting, we have the election.

People subscribed to the club’s groups.io … Click for more

Repeater Trustee Request

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

The SPARC repeater system has FCC mandated 3 minute timeout requirement programmed into its RC-210 controller. This holds true for all amateur radio repeaters under FCC license.

Most hams using the SPARC system, for the most part, are using programmable radios that have a timeout (TOT) feature in the software. I am requesting you program your TOT to less than 3 minutes. This would help to keep our repeaters from timing out from the occasional stuck microphone switch or shorted PTT line.

Our system also has a BEEP signal that … Click for more

SPARC Scores in the 2020 RTTY Roundup

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

The SPARC contest Group, W4TA, placed in the top ten in the 2020 running of the ARRL RTTY Roundup. Participating in the Multioperator, Single Transmitter, High Power category were SPARC members: AA0O Pat, KA1IJA Norm, KA4IOX Paul, KB8ESY Rex, KC1YL Lisa, KI4UIP John, KP2N Ron, KR4U Dave, N2ESP Bob, NY4I Tom, VE3XD Don and W4CU Tom. The final score was 113,730 points, good for tenth place.

Rich, AA2MF, entered the contest in the Single Operator, Low Power category, placing second with a final score of 144,228 points.

Congratulations to all … Click for more

Spare Arc-Plugs for Alpha Delta Switches

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

Many of us use Alpha Delta coax switches in our stations for antenna selection. These switches use Arc-Plug gas discharge tubes as lightening protection. Spare Arc-Plug elements sell for $10 – $12 from the traditional ham retailers. Mouser Electronics sells them for $2.37 each in quantities of 10. P/N 576-CG21000.

Thanks to Richard K2UPS for this tip.