April 2nd Meeting – Mobile radio show

By Pat AAØO

Since we’re outside in the parking lot already for the meeting, the upcoming April 2nd meeting program will be a mobile radio setup show. Similar to a car show, you can show off your setup and the officers will judge the best one, who will win a nice trophy made by Lisa KC1YL.

Reminder that next month’s meeting, Friday May 7th, will be Homebrew Night since it didn’t work out over Zoom, so get your projects ready!

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Lagnaippe* Unique Tools – Who Knew

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

In preparing to do some rewiring in my shack, I investigated the use of crimp-on coax connectors. I ended up purchasing a crimp tool along with coax connector and Powerpole dies from DX Engineering. I can now easily install crimp-on connectors on a variety of coax cables. The die for Anderson Power Pole connectors will make their installation a snap as well.

In my research, I checked out a number of YouTube videos on the subject, I found this one very interesting.

What caught my attention were … Click for more

March 5th meeting in person

By Pat AAØO

SPARC Club meetings will return to being held in person beginning with the routine March meeting on the first Friday of every month. The first meeting, on March 5th, might be a little bumpy so we appreciate everyone’s patience as we all work through the kinks. Here are some useful points to consider when planning to attend:

The Executive Board and the overall majority of attendees for the January meeting agreed that an outdoor, carefully planned event would be something most would consider attending.
All CDC guidelines that can be

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Tower discussion meeting this Saturday Feb 27th at 10am

By Pat AAØO

This is just a reminder that we are having a discussion on what to do about the tower for the club station. The meeting will take place outside DMI Research (6699 90th Ave N, Pinellas Park) at 10am this Saturday Feb 27th. All members are welcome, especially if you have tower, metalworking and/or pulley system experience.

There will be VE testing going on at the same time so please be quiet if you need to enter the building.

Home Brew Night 2021

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

The February 5th, 2021 SPARC meeting is Home Brew Night. No, not beer. This is where you show off projects related to ham radio you have made this year. It could be an antenna project, some accessory you built and modified in a unique way. It can also be interesting software projects related to ham radio you put together. This year due to our Zoom meetings, you will have to show what you did via your computer. If you have a webcam and can show the project, that will work. … Click for more

HamCation Forum Webinars

By Pat AAØO

HamCation is having the forums via webinar this year. The webinars require registration but it’s free. You can register at this link: https://www.hamcation.com/forums-speakers The forums take place this Saturday and Sunday, February 13th and 14th from 10am to 4pm Eastern.