W4TA World Champs

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

Radio teletype (RTTY) may be a technically ancient mode of communication in these days of sophisticated digital modes, but it can be a lot of fun. Members of SPARC’s contest team proved that by winning 1^st place Worldwide and 1^st place North America in the Multi-Operator High Power (Multiple Transmitter category in the 2019 running of the Makrothen RTTY Contest. With a total score of 3,003,769 points consisted of 652 QSOs, each having an average distance of 2,902 mi (4,607 km).

Member taking place in this record setting … Click for more

Great turn out for SPARC Fest 2019!

By Pat AAØO

The 2019 SPARC Fest started off a little rainy in the early hours during setup, but cleared up before the official start time to make for a very nice day. Many people commented that it was the best turn out yet with an unofficial count of over 50 vendors. The SPARC Dogs were a big hit as well as the donuts. We look forward to next year!

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Virtual Science Festival 2019

By Ed NZ1Q

Since the weather caused the Sci Festival to be canceled a few weeks ago, the Festival Committee has provided a Virtual Science Fair as mentioned in their note below. SPARC’s video was included near the beginning as you scroll down their web page – leave time for downloading as you scroll.

“Dear Valued Exhibitors,

We are proud to share a Virtual Science Festival with you! We are so grateful for our sponsors and exhibitors preparedness and wanted to show off what would have been an amazing Saturday event.
We compiled … Click for more

1500 watts and a Beam…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

With apologies to “100 watts and a wire”, why not go big with the SPARC remote club station! For those that may not know, one of the benefits of SPARC membership is access to a great remote station. The station happens to be the SPARC club station we use for contesting. The station is available using the RemoteHams software (free or $10 for an Android app).

Using your PC and headset, or a paddle and keyer if you prefer (including a straight key if you are really adventurous), you can … Click for more

Get ready for the SPARC November Meeting

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

We will have a special presentation on Space Communications along with our yearly elections.

Jeff deGrasse, K4JJD will talk about space communications in the past, now and in the future. Jeff will discuss the history of ham communications in space. Then he will give us information on some of the various space communication techniques used today. Finally we look to the future and discuss developing technologies and how they will be used in future planned space missions… Click for more

Help Support SPARC at Science Fest

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

After a year absence due to station relocation, SPARC will again be exhibiting at the St. Petersburg Science Festival on October 19th. This event is designed to provide children hands-on access to the wide world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).

We need your help. We will be demonstrating “Worldwide Communications over Amateur Radio,” and will have an HF station running. We need CW and phone operators to man the station. We also need folks that can explain the excitement of our hobby to the public. If

… Click for more