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Posts published in “ARRL”

Why does SPARC ask if you are an ARRL Member?

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 11/28/2024

As you may know, SPARC is an ARRL-affiliated amateur radio club. This means we support the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and its mission to further the interests of Amateur Radio. SPARC was affiliated with the ARRL in 1934 just two years after the club’s start. Yes, this year was our 90th Anniversary of ARRL-affiliation.

So why you might be asking why we ask if you are an ARRL member? We ask to know if you are an ARRL member as ARRL-affiliated clubs are asked to maintain 51% of their voting members as current ARRL members. Hence you see on the club sign-up/renewal form a question about your ARRL membership status. Please do indicate if you are an ARRL member (or if that status changes). If your status changes between renewals, please send me a message via email (info@sparc-club.org) indicating if your status as an ARRL member.

Now if you are not an ARRL member or are on the fence, please allow me to make my elevator pitch on why I believe you should become a member.

The ARRL has been the predominate supporter of amateur radio since the beginning really. Originally setup to organize relay stations across the country, its mission expanded into a general advocate for amateur radio. This is a non-exhaustive list of just some of the things the ARRL does for all hams (members or not):

  • The DXCC and WAS awards on your wall
  • W1AW code practice bulletins
  • Teachers Institute
  • ARRL Field Day and other contests
  • Advocating for hams as representatives on Capitol Hill
  • Spectrum Defense
  • QST Magazine and other publications
  • Logbook of the World (LOTW)
  • ARRL lab for equipment reviews

I realize that the ARRL is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some eschew any form of organization/bureaucracy and will state the ARRL does not speak for them. That may be true for some, but the services they provide to all hams help all regardless of how much one supports the ARRL. As you may be able to tell, I am a bit biased (full disclosure – I am a life member).

So indeed, I wholeheartedly suggest you become a member of the ARRL or continue to renew if not a life member.  And please be sure to keep the club up to date on your ARRL status.

More information on ARRL membership is available here: https://www.arrl.org/membership

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Join Field Day at SPARC, June 22-23

By Ed NZ1Q on 06/08/2024
The St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual ARRL Field Day 2024 operating event from Saturday, June 22, 2024, through Sunday, June 23, 2024. The Field Day activities will commence at 14:00 local time on 6/22 and end at 16:59 local time on 6/23.
 
Field Day is an important and fun annual event for the Amateur Radio Community. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has been holding it annually every June since 1933. This will be the ARRL’s 91st Annual Field Day event.
 
Field Day is a 24-hour event that allows amateur radio operators to test their communication skills in simulated emergency situations. Originally, this was done without the luxuries of typical infrastructure (e.g., AC electricity). Some clubs and/or participants would actually participate in this activity in parks and campgrounds, where they would have to rely strictly on the bare minimum to power communication equipment. Some participants slept in tents during this event when they were not working the airwaves.
 
All amateurs, regardless of current license class and their families and friends, are invited to participate. Multiple modes will be used, like CW, SSB, and digital modes, to name a few. It is also a time to promote fellowship amongst the worldwide Amateur Radio Community.
 
All are invited to attend and encouraged to do so. The event will be held at our club station at:
DMI Research
6699 90th Ave. N.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
 
Sign-up on SLACK or contact a SPARC officer. We look forward to seeing you there.
Pictures from SPARC FD last year.
73’s
Bruce H. Solov, KF4TYA

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SPARC Field Day Video

By Ed NZ1Q on 07/04/2023

 

The video covering most of the efforts by the SPARC operators was captured by 3 participants and put together in a short video on the SPARC YouTube channel.

Video Here

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On The Air Magazine

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 03/08/2020

The second issue of the ARRL’s new On the Air magazine is available to all ARRL members online. Click here for more information and to access the latest issue. While you may think you are an old hand that cannot learn anything new, so far both issues have been interesting. It is also good to read to know the types of things appealing to newer hams.

If you are not an ARRL member, please consider joining. It is our national amateur radio organization that provides many services plus advocacy on many issues regarding the various commercial interests with eyes on more and more radio spectrum. New ARRL members can choose to receive On The Air or QST.

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