The meeting was called to order at 19:30
The club officers and board members in attendance were:
- NY4I – Tom (President)
- AB4YI – Carol (Vice President)
- W7WMS – Will (Treasurer)
- K2BHS – Bruce (Secretary/Newsletter Editor)
- KI4UIP – John (Board Member)
- KO4CEE – Alex (Repeater Trustee)
- KA4IOX – Paul (Events Coordinator)
- AAØO – Pat (President Emeritus)
- N2ESP – Bob (President Emeritus)
- AA2MF – Richie (Past President)
All members introduced themselves
Recognition – Rare DX (Bob – N2ESP worked Montserrat & Fourth Continental North America, Glenn – N4GRC worked Sierra Leone, Saba & St. Eustace, Lou – KB4DSL worked Somalia, Fred – W2SUB worked the Galapagos Islands). There were multiple members who had POTA activations: (Alex – KO4CEE, Dan – AI4RJ and Lisa – KC1YL all with Sawgrass Lakes).
The minutes from the October 2025 meeting were posted on the website and have been approved as distributed.
Vice President, Carol, AB4YI reported that the vote on proposed Bylaws changes will take place December 2025.
Club Treasurer, Will, W7WMS gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. He reported the balances for the month. He also announced that the window to pay dues for 2026 is now open. He also reported membership stats for this month (currently 149 members).
The club welcomed new members. The new members are:
- Fred Harwood, KI4GYI
- Brandon Seyl, KQ4UWQ
- Salvatore Magro, KQ4ZIH
- Matthew Levin (no call)
- Craig Baumgartner (no call)
A motion was made by Bruce – K2BHS to approve the new members. Mike – K4HN seconded. The motion passed.
Bruce, K2BHS reported that the minutes for the October 2025 meeting are on the website. He also reported that the newest edition of the SPARC Gap Newsletter is posted on the website.
Alex, KO4CEE reported that there were interference issues, but now the repeater is working ok.
Alex, KO4CEE gave the Net Manager’s report for both nets for October. The totals were as follows:
- QNI: 681 total check-ins (631 for the 2-meter net & 42 for the 220/440 net)
- QTC: 32 messages passed (29 for the 2-meter net & 3 for the 220/440 net)
- QND: 1046 minutes (17.43 hours) (983 minutes (16.38 hours) for the 2-meter net & 63 minutes (1.05 hours) for the 220/440 net)
- There was a total of 36 (31 for the 2-meter net & 5 for the 220/440 net) sessions for October
Pat, AAØO reported on VE Testing for October 2025 – It was reported that there is one new Technician. Nest session is SPARC Fest on 11/8/25 and there is one candidate thus far.
Paul, KA4IOX – Events/Activities Coordinator, reported on the RTTY contest results from 10/10/25 – 10/11/25. There were six operators which produced a total of 190 QSOs, yielding a total of 720,754 points.
He further mentioned that there is the ARRL SSB Sweepstakes Contest on 11/15 – 11/16, the signup sheet is available. Only one station will be operational. He added that this will be the last contest at the DMI location.
He also reported that Ron – N2SKH was third in class, for ARRL Field Day 2025.
Ed, NZ1Q reported that there is antenna work scheduled for 11/10/25 @ 10:00. This work will entail taking down the 40-meter vertical and may also dismantle the 160-meter dipole. He further mentioned the tower is tentatively scheduled for the second Sunday in December (12/14/25).
Carol, AB4YI reminded everyone that SPARC Fest this year is Saturday, 11/8/25 at Freedom Lake Park. She will check on offering coffee at the event. Some of the equipment for sale includes an Icom IC-746, electronic parts, tuners, cables, etc. Fred, W2SUB added that ther are additional items for sale including an amplifier and an MFJ tuner.
Everyone was reminded to go on the ARRL website to send a letter to pass a law that will forbid HOAs from having restrictions on Amateur Radio antennas. We must fight to allow antennas.
Upcoming Programs:
- December 2025 – Montserrat & Reverse Beacon by Pat, AAØO.
- January 2026 – Winter Field Day
Tom, NY4I spoke about the club’s relocation from DMI. The three radios and the Heathkit Radio used by King Hussein of Jordan (JY1), will be stored at Tom’s home, as he has space available for that purpose.
He further mentioned that we are still looking for a place to hold meetings and thanked everyone for the high amount of responses. He stated that no decisions have been made at this time. There are two possibilities for now:
- Red Cross – in St. Petersburg (4th/9th Ave. N.), citing that this was a former SPARC meeting location for approximately 37 years.
- Wyoming Antelope Club in Pinellas Park (Roosevelt/38th)
- Nice building, working A/C, kitchen, easier to have a meeting and a classroom is available for use.
- It is a firearm shooting range.
New Business:
No new business was presented and/or discussed at this meeting
John, KI4UIP won the 50/50 with a total jackpot of $29. Congratulations John!
The Meeting was adjourned at 21:02
73’s
Respectfully Submitted,
Bruce H. Solov, K2BHS