Operating

W4TA Scores to a Different Drummer in the FQP

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 04/30/2018

The SPARC Contest Group, W4TA, just completed another running of the Florida QSO Party sponsored by the Florida Contest Group. The only good thing I can say about the propagation was that it sucked equally for all contestants. In spite of conditions, the FCG did everything in its power to pull off another successful event. Thanks for all the hard work.

SPARC has a habit of keeping score to a different drummer. Yes we had QSOs–1263 to be exact. These break down as follows…

Band Mode QSOs Pts … Click for more

Pat KX4HL and Friends Activate Egmont Key State Park

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 04/11/2018

Panoramic view of the Battery on Egmont Key State Park

I noticed a tweet describing how SPARC member Pat Connelly KX4HL and a few others participated in the State Parks On the Air this past weekend. I asked Pat if he could pass along some pictures and a summary of their activities. This is Pat’s report:

I saw a post in the Amateur Radio section of Reddit about the Florida State Parks on the Air operating event/contest. This was the first I’d heard of it, but the second year of

… Click for more

Setup digital modes and interface a radio to your computer

By Ed NZ1Q on 03/27/2018

The April meeting program by Paul, KA4IOX will describe how to setup the two most popular digital communication applications, FLDIGI and WSJT-X. This overview will cover basic concepts for connecting your equipment and establishing communications with digital modes. Paul will also offer (for later use in your shack) a detailed step-by-step written process for set up and operation of your own digital station. Common setup issues will be covered along with how to troubleshoot them.

The presentation includes connections for a separate transmitter-receiver pair with a digital interface as well … Click for more

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

… Click for more

You’re Invited! Come out and Operate a Phone Contest on March 23 – 25.

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 03/15/2018

The SPARC Contesters invite everyone to come out and operate the CQ WPX SSB contest starting at 8:00 PM on Friday, March 23. We will be at the club station to work as many stations as we can–all on phone. The WPX contest is a fun contest as we use a rare prefix (NY4) which makes us a multiplier and hence, a desired station to work. You can experience what it is like to operate on the “other side” of the pileup. Rates of 100 contacts an hour are not … Click for more

The SPARC Contesters are live on the air (and you can watch)

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 02/24/2018

In yet another new feature to bring more contesting to you, you can now watch the SPARC contesters live in the shack. Click here to go to the Upcoming HF Events page here and you can watch a live bird’s eye view of the stations operating. It is video only (no sound). We will be down there until 1:00 AM Sunday morning.

You can also watch how we are doing with our real-time score board available here.

While we hope people can make it to the station, this is the … Click for more

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