Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “DX”

Operating HF Split…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 11/22/2024

Have you ever listened to a DX pile-up and heard someone yelling, “He’s working up, up!”? Do you know what that means? If not, Ryan AF4O (Wednesday 2m net control) at the next SPARC meeting on December 6th will give a presentation on operating split. He goes into the reasons to do so, when it is something you will encounter and other tips and tricks. In addition, his presentation goes through a bunch of current radios to show you exactly how to engage split mode on your specific radio. We will have all the usual things at the meeting, so we hope to see you there. More information about the meeting including where it is and a map to anyone new to SPARC can be found here. 

Click here to see the presentation video

Related Images:

Cancelled: October SPARC Operating Event: Makrothen RTTY Contest

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 10/02/2023

Unfortunately SPARC will not participate in theMakrothen RTTY event and the club station will not be open October 14 and 15

Makrothen RTTY  is a favorite operating event of SPARC and other RTTY operators because the score for a contact is the distance from you to the contact. Scores in the millions of points are routine. In fact, in 2017 SPARC placed Second World Wide with a score of 2,023,660. This year’s contest will take place October 14 & 15.

 

 

 

Related Images:

1500 watts and a Beam…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 10/22/2019

With apologies to “100 watts and a wire”, why not go big with the SPARC remote club station! For those that may not know, one of the benefits of SPARC membership is access to a great remote station. The station happens to be the SPARC club station we use for contesting. The station is available using the RemoteHams software (free or $10 for an Android app).

Using your PC and headset, or a paddle and keyer if you prefer (including a straight key if you are really adventurous), you can connect just as if the station were in your own home.

It does not take much to get started and you have access to a station capable of running on 160 meters through 6 meters and everything in between (except 60m). Dean W8IM–our nightly NTS rep–uses the remote with a paddle to work the CW NTS nets. Others have been having fun this week working VP6R. In this age of homeowner’s associations that make setting up a tower at home difficult, you can use the station’s Log Periodic antenna, Elecraft K3 and Elecraft KPA1500 amplifier.

Less you think you are limited to just the interface of the RemoteHams software, I included a screen shot of the setup I just used to contact VP6R a few minutes ago. I use DXLabs Suite of software. I can still connect my logging software to the system so it should be quite familiar. This works with any standard logging software that talks to a radio over a COM port–in other words, all of them.

That screen shot is of both my monitors so if it is hard to read, the thing that looks like a K3 in the middle is the RemoteHams software. The compass rose next to that is the rotor controller. The screen above shows the amplifier status. Other displays are the DXLabs’ DXKeeper, Commander, DXView and SpotCollector. But again, you could use HRD to drive it just as easily.

If you are interested in learning more about this, please join our email list at SPARCRemoteHFStation@groups.io. You can find more information about the remote here. Our only requirement is that you are a member of SPARC but also that you are a local member (Tampa Bay area). You also have to have either a check ride on the station or show you can operate it based on prior experience (online meetings work). Some computer literacy is helpful too.

So jump in and join the fun. Remote operation is here to stay and many of the members of SPARC helped build the station so it might as well get used as much as it can be.

Related Images:

FT8 program at SPARC’s new meeting location Friday, Nov 2

By Ed NZ1Q on 10/25/2018

FT8 will be presented at the Nov 2 SPARC meeting.  We’ll cover what it is, why it was created, what it’s used for and how to use/operate FT8.

The picture is an example of FT8 software, available for Free.  FT8 has captured a large portion of the data/digital modes being used today on HF.  There is always someone on FT8 on some band some where.  FT8 is a development based on earlier generations of WSJT modes such as JT-65 and JT-9.

FT-8 is now being used for DXpeditions (VP6D, Ducie Isl. on right now) and in the future for contesting.  Mark your calendars for Friday night, 7:30 PM, Nov 2 with SPARC’s new meeting place located at:

Hobson Fellowship Hall at the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.  The church is located on the northwest corner of 5th Avenue North and 49th Street in St. Petersburg.  Please park in the large lot at the rear of the church, which is accessible from 6th Avenue North.  Enter through the doors labeled “Hobson Fellowship Hall.”  SPARC will no longer be meeting at DMI Research.

Related Images:

DXLabs Workshop on April 21, 2018

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 03/15/2018

SPARC will be conducting a full day DXLabs workshop on Saturday April 21st starting at 10:00 AM. The purpose of this is to introduce people to using the DXLabs Suite of software. If you are a recent convert to DXLabs or looking to change from a different logging package, this is the session for you. Topics we will cover include:

  • Installing the software
  • Converting from your current logging software
  • Set up of Logbook of the World (LOTW), QRZ and eQSL integration
  • Getting setup on LOTW including TQSL and completing your setup if you bring your LOTW postcard (more below).
  • Connecting DXLabs to your radio for rig control
  • Using DXView so you can see where the DX is.
  • Digital interfaces
  • Using DXKeeper for award chasing specifically DXCC and WAS.
  • Other topics as determined by the audience

This is an all day session so bring lunch. We have a small ‘fridge if necessary and a microwave. Water and soft drinks are available for purchase from the club’s ‘fridge. The workshop will end around 5:00 PM. Please plan on staying the whole time.

Important – If you have a laptop that you use in your shack, bring it along. That way we can install the software right on your computer. Also, seating is limited so please email NY4I@arrl.net to reserve your spot. Please only register if you are actively looking to switch to DXLabs or have recently done so. You are welcome to attend if you are just curious but since this is a hands-on workshop with laptops, if we have too many people, it will be difficult to help those seeking to actively switch to the software.

If you have never heard of DXLabs and would like more info to see if you want to switch, check here. You will find information on the software and its capabilities.

Logbook of the World (LOTW)

Since one of the areas we will cover includes LOTW, if you are still trying to get setup on LOTW, we can help at this session too. Even if you use another logging package, bring along your laptop and we can help you get setup on LOTW. However, if you have never tried to setup on LOTW before, you MUST go to this link and get started. The process starts with installing TQSL and requesting a certificate. The ARRL will send you a post card. Bring this post card along to the session. If you have trouble with this step, email Tom at NY4I@arrl.net. When you register, please let me know if you are just looking for LOTW help or to switch to DXLabs suite of software.

Current Registered Attendees

NameCall
Leslie JohnsonWA4EEZ
Glenn CateN4GRC
Bob WanekN2ESP
Dave TrewinKR4U
Rich CarielloAA2MF
Steve Heppler
Mark FoltarzKA4JVY
Bud NoceraWO4K
Paul KrahmerKA4IOX

Related Images:

URGENT Action Required for the Amateur Radio Parity Act!

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 11/21/2016

From the ARRL:

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), is still not supporting H.R. 1301 / S.253 the Amateur Radio Parity Act.

In fact, Senator Nelson has placed a “hold” on the legislation, effectively barring consideration of the Bill despite its widespread bipartisan support.  If this hold isn’t removed, the bill will die in the Senate and require the process to completely start over when the new Congress begins on January 1, 2017.

You are one of well over 40,000 licensed Amateur Radio operators living in Florida.  Many of you already live in deed-restricted communities, and that number grows daily.

We need you to reach out to Senator Nelson TODAY!  Right away.  We know that thousands of you have written to the Senator.  NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL HIM ON THE PHONE, tell him you’re a constituent, that you support H.R. 1301 and S.253, demand that he stop blocking the Bill, and to support the legislation to its passage.

Here are his phone numbers.  Please call your local office AND the Washington D.C. office.

Office                                Phone
Washington D.C.:          202-224-5274

Broward                           954-693-4851

Fort Myers                       239-334-7760

Jacksonville                     904-346-4500

Miami-Dade                    305-536-5999
Orlando                            407-872-7161 or toll free in Florida: 1-888-671-4091

Tallahassee                      850-942-8415

Tampa                               813-225-7040

West Palm Beach            561-514-0189

Thank you.
Very 73,
Rick

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Rick Roderick, K5UR
President
ARRL – The national association for Amateur Radio®

 

Related Images:

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com