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Posts published in “Licensing and Upgrading”

Extra Propagation

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 04/26/2016

The SPARC daily net’s Q&A session run by Ed, NZ1Q is moving on to Propagation questions from

Ohm's Law
Ohm’s Law

the Amateur Extra question pool. Ed and his team have just finished running through questions covering the digital modes available to radio amateurs. A question is presented every evening with answer/discussion following at the end of the net.  Those studying for an exam find the material helpful and those licensed long ago learn new material. As an added bonus, occasionally a ham radio trivia question sneaks in, offering some diversity to this learning opportunity. Join the group at 6:30PM on the SPARC 2M (147.06) repeater.

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SPARC Ham Radio Bucket List

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 01/01/2016

The challenge for 2016 is for each SPARC member to expand their activity in our hobby. To this end, the SPARC Bucket List below provides some potential growth areas. There are no prizes, just the personal satisfaction of learning a new skill or reaching a new goal.

  • Give a presentation at a club meeting
  • Upgrade your license
  • Help setup/takedown at field day siteSt Pete Amateur Radio Club Banner
  • Enter your first Radiosport contest
  • Win a contest award
  • Elmer a newbie
  • Write a SPARC GAP article
  • Write a SPARC Web site article
  • Confirm a new DXCC country
  • Learn Morse Code
  • Teach a radio class
  • Join ARES/ACS
  • Become a VE
  • Work a new mode
  • Bring in a new SPARC member
  • Explain/Demonstrate ham radio to a non-ham.
  • Help setup/takedown at SPARCFEST
  • Build an electronic kit.
  • Attend a hamfest
  • Be a SPARC net control.
  • Send an ARRL Radiogram.

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General Upgrade Class

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 03/14/2015

On Saturday, March 14th, the long mentioned General One Day Workshop was held at the SPARC clubhouse. This workshop has been in the works for a few months. The following 4 students attended the class:

  • Ray Farmer, KM4GHB
  • Sean Favata, KM4SFF
  • Alfie Shary, KK4MYO
  • Terry Simms, KK4TNA

The 4 students started studying back in January as this was not a cram session. Starting at 8:30 Saturday morning, the students, led by Tom Schaefer, NY4I and his fellow instructors, Kyle N4NSS, and Bob, N2ESP, were well-prepared with all having previously passed online practice exams. The goal of this session was to cover the material to offer a real-world view of it. Rather than just reading about elements on a Yagi antenna, the students were able to review the actual antenna at the club station. While having lunch, the students were able to get a hands-on look at different RF connectors (N, UHF and SMA). Again, the book covers this but giving the students the ability to touch the parts helps cement the concept. Plus it gets them ready for using that they learned on the air.

Kyle, N4NSS demonstrated PSK31 with an eye towards the bandwidth of the signals comparing them to SSB signals. Bob, N2ESP found a DX station and let the students listen to the DX station working split. Similarly, Tom were able to show the students forward and reflected power at the station with a live transmitter rather than simply reading about it. The format of this class clearly worked as their instructor is proud to report that when the SPARC VE team came in at 6:00PM, all 4 students PASSED and are now the new holders of a General class license!

This was a fun class to do as it lets the club help future generations of hams get on HF and enjoy more of what this wonderful hobby has to offer. The goal was to make sure the students feel comfortable using their new privileges. How about you? What’s holding you back from upgrading?

Given enough interest, the club is certainly willing to start a session for the Extra class test. If anyone is interested, please contact Tom Schaefer, NY4I to be placed on a list for a potential weekend workshop. No promises, but if there is enough interest, a similar session could be arranged for the Extra exam.

Thanks to all the members that helped with this class. Special thanks goes to Larry, AL4B for merciless promoting the class on the SPARC net and the SPARC VE Team: Donn, N4KII; Richard, N4BUA; Dave, KR4U; Dee, N4GD and Ron KP2N.

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Planning a Weekend General Upgrade Class

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 11/26/2014

Tom Schaefer, NY4I, is coordinating a weekend General Class upgrade class. Note this is NOT an exam cram class. The student is expected to do pre-study (lots of it using the Gordon West book).

You must have a Technician class license to participate.

The date of the workshop is March 14th @ 9:00 AM. This will go all day so plan on until 6:00 PM including the test. The location is DMI Research. Note that you MUST contact Tom Schaefer by January 25th to ensure you can get your study materials. This is NOT a “cram” session. You are expected to go through the manual ahead of time and come prepared. Your success in upgrading is directly proportional to the amount of preparation you do prior to the weekend. There will also be an exam following the course.

You will need the Gordon West, General Upgrade Manual (2011 – 2015). You can order this though any source you like including Amazon. If we have enough people, I can place a bulk order but the difference between that and Amazon is negligible. Here is a link to Amazon:  http://smile.amazon.com/dp/0945053657

You may also want the audio guide the Gordon West makes. Note there is NO charge for the class itself  other than you have to buy a book. You will also be responsible for the $15 for the VE exam that you will take at the end of the class. Our goal is that everyone that starts, walks out after passing the General class.  Contact Tom at NY4I@arrl.net or 727-437-2771

If you want to help putting on the class, please contact me as well.

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