SPARC Scores in the 2020 RTTY Roundup

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 08/15/2020

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 on 08/15/2020

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.

Related Images:

Bell Labs Proves Existence of Dark Suckers

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 06/30/2020

Alan, KO4CR, rebroadcasts an edited version of the Amateur Radio News Line on the SPARC repeater once a week after the evening net. The latest broadcast caused considerable discussion on the morning roundtable as well as the evening pre-net. For those who missed the broadcast, a copy of the article about “dark suckers” follows.

For years it has been believed that electric bulbs emitted light. However, recent information from Bell Labs has proven otherwise. Electric bulbs don’t emit light; they suck dark. Thus they now call these bulbs dark suckers. … Click for more

SPARC Lagniappe

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 01/07/2020

Web Site of Interest

For an all-inclusive weather site, check out Mike’s Weather Page (https://spaghettimodels.com)

65 Great Things about Ham Radio

A few years ago, CQ Magazine (http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com) ran an article titled “60 Great Things about Ham Radio.” The series was quite popular and it’s repeated below with the permission of CQ Magazine, including a few updates and five more “Great Things about Ham Radio.”

1. It works when nothing else does
2. It makes you part of a worldwide community
3. The opportunity … Click for more

Another W4TA RTTY Win

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 12/13/2019

W4TA, the SPARC Contest Group, continues its winning ways by taking First Place in both the West Central Florida section and ARRL Southeast Division as well as Third Place in USA/Canada in the Multi-operator, Single transmitter, Low power category of the 2019 RTTY Roundup.

Posting a score of 88,788 points were: Paul KA4IOX, Rex KB8ESY, Ron KP2N, Dave KR4U, Bob N2ESP, Dee N4GD, Don VE3XD, Tom W4CU, Johnnie W4TSP and Leslie WA4EEZ.

If you are interested in joining this elite group of operators in the 2020 RTTY Roundup, save January … Click for more

W4TA World Champs

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 11/13/2019

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

Posts published by “Bob Wanek N2ESP”