Posts published in “Operating”

Science Festival a Success

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 10/23/2016

SPARC participated in the St Petersburg Science Festival again this year. The photos below show our hobby can still draw a crowd. Thanks to Leslie, WA4EEZ and Roger, K4SHI for the loan of their HF transceiver and Ron, KP2N for loaning his power supply. Making this effort a success were: Dave, KR4U; John, KI4UIP; Dee, N4GD; Ed NZ1Q; Bob, NB2G and Bob, N2ESP.

spsf16-setup1 — John, KI4UIP and Dave, KR4U begin setup of our booth.

spsf16-setup3 — Dave, KR4U; John, KI4UIP and Dee, N4GD continue with booth setup.

spsf16-kids5 — Our demonstration begins to draw a

… Click for more

It’s Party Time

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 10/03/2016

Yes, it’s time for an antenna get together.

The plan is to remove the log periodic antenna from atop the storage containers, followed by the mast, rotator and thrust bearing. If you would like to help (or supervise) in this effort, the party starts at 10:00AM on Saturday (9/8) the day after the next SPARC meeting.

Hope to see you there.

Related Images:

Weak Signal On-Air Demonstration

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/16/2016

Join us at the Friday, Oct 7^th SPARC meeting where Ed, NZ1Q will demonstrate digital modes JT65 and JT9. This demonstration will be conducted live on the HF bands.

The “JT” in JT65 is Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT. Joe is the Nobel Prize winning physicist who wrote the software that makes amateur weak signal communication possible. This software is available at no cost to amateurs who would like to explore the world of weak signal communications. Even when the bands are close there are stations on using the JT … Click for more

Help Support SPARC at Science Fest

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/06/2016

SPARC will again be participating in the St. Petersburg Science Festival. This event is designed to

Not a bad place to spend a Saturday... — Last years demonstration

provide children hands-on access to the wide world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).

If you are interested in being part of SPARC’s ham radio demonstration team, please contact Bob, N2ESP. Additional details on the festival can be found by clicking here.

Related Images:

All 2016 Field Day Photos Uploaded

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 07/01/2016

2016 Field Day is over. Many thanks to Coy, KK4JMP our field day chairman for putting together an exciting event.

After clicking on the title of this article, click here for 2016 Field Day Photos.

Photographers:

Tom, AI4QP
Stephan, K4SHK
Howard, KC3BIO
Donn, N4KII

Thanks for all the great photos guys.

Related Images:

Scotty, N4RI, places in the 2015 DX Marathon Formula Class

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 06/03/2016

WPX RTTY 2009 N4RI — N4RI Working 2009 WPX RTTY

SPARC member and fellow W4TA contester Scott O’Keefe N4RI placed second in the 2015 CQ DX Marathon Formula class. Scotty finished with 250 countries worked in 2015 just behind winner Joe W4TV with 254 countries. The Formula class is for people that are using only vertical or simple dipole antennas and 100 watts (there is a separate QRP category).

You can find out more information about the DX Marathon here. The way the award resets each year allows the people that have worked just … Click for more