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ARRL Field Day 2026

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 06/04/2026

ARRL Field Day 2026 — Amateur Radio, A National Resource

ARRL Field Day is a combined event to test our ability to setup radio communication under less than ideal conditions–think temporary antennas, generators and radio gear. Our event this year is a combined event with four clubs—the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society (CARS), St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club (SPARC), the Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club (UPARC) and the Glorious Society of the Wormhole (Worms). The date is Saturday, June 27th starting at 2:00 PM EDT until Sunday, June 28th at 2:00 PM EDT. Setup generally … Click for more

Winter Field Day 2026 Follow-Up Report

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 03/23/2026

Participating Clubs’ Banners [Photo by K2BHS]

On January 24th & 25th, 2026, local ham radio clubs participated in the annual Winter Field Day event in Clearwater, Florida. The day started out as planned with people gathering at 8:00 AM–some even earlier–at the Clearwater Fire Training Center for Winter Field Day 2026. This was a joint effort between the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society, the St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club and the Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club.

The January weather cooperated thus allowing us to operate outside, While the rest … Click for more

SPARC “After-Holiday” Party – Sunday February 22 @ 2:00 PM

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 02/04/2026

The annual SPARC after-holiday party is coming up on Sunday February 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Kristina’s Cafe in St. Peterburg. Kristina’s Cafe is located at 3590 34th St N (US 19) in St. Petersburg. You will be ordering off the menu and paying for your own meal.

This is a tradition as the holidays are all very busy so this puts it later in the new year. Please email ny4i@ny4i.com to indicate you are coming so we have a head count. All members and spouses are invited … Click for more

Winter Field Day 2026 Announcement

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 01/03/2026

Sign-up for meals here

Do you like operating in the field but hate dripping in sweat while setting up antennas? Does the idea of enduring another Field Day constantly fighting off every mosquito in Tampa Bay make you wish they held Field Day in January? Well, you’re in luck! Winter Field Day is an event very similar to the June ARRL Field Day except—you guessed it—it’s held in Winter. Specifically January 24 & 25, 2026. This is a joint operation with both the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and the … Click for more

SPARC to Meet At New Location Starting January 2026

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 12/06/2025

At the December 2025 SPARC meeting, members approved moving the SPARC meetings to the Wyoming Antelope Club in Pinellas Park. We will meet there starting with our January 2, 2026 meeting. There is more info to follow about the site including pictures but please review the meeting location page for more information on getting to the site. PLEASE remember to stay under the posted speed limit. We are guests so please observe the posted speed limit.

There is also a work party on Sunday December 14th at the DMI location … Click for more

New 2026 Board Officers…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 11/16/2025

At the November 2025 regular meeting of SPARC, the membership elected the nominated officers. As there were no challengers to the current board and the current board agreed to serve another year, the officers for the new year are the same as the old year.

Elected for another term include:

Tom Schaefer NY4I – President
Carol De La Torre AB4YI – Vice-President
Bruce Solov K2BHS – Secretary
Will Scott W7WMS – Treasurer
Board Members
- Dee Turner N4GD
- John Toth KI4UIP
- Dan (Nic) Nichols KZ0J

You can find a full list … Click for more