Club Station Update – Tower Removal Work Party

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

As you may recall, the club experienced damage due to the tornado in Pinellas Park last week.

Dave KR4U, John KI4UIP, Pat AA0O and Billy KN4LUZ were on site to work on the project (The author arrives late so anyone was had already left, please accept my apology for the omission).

The tower was bent just above the first section nesting point. With the help of a crane secured by Pat AA0O, the tower was safely lowered on Thursday 2/13 along with the … Click for more

SPARC’s Winter Field Day Plans

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

Only 16 Days left to register to ensure your meals

Do you like operating in the field but hate dripping in sweat while setting up antennas? Does the idea of enduring another Field Day constantly fighting off every mosquito in Tampa Bay make you wish they held Field Day in January? Well, you’re in luck! Winter Field Day is an event very similar to the June ARRL Field Day except—you guessed it—it’s held in Winter. Specifically January 25 & 26, 2020. This is the third time SPARC is participating in … Click for more

1500 watts and a Beam…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

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 … Click for more

Getting Started on the SPARC Remote Station

By Tom Schaefer NY4I

A few people have asked recently how to get started on the SPARC Remote station. For those that may not know, a benefit of SPARC membership is the ability to use the club station remotely via your PC. This is done via the free RemoteHams software. You can always find information on how to get started on our Remote Station page but I will summarize it here too. The complete RemoteHams Getting Started Guide is available as a PDF. I highly recommend reading this before you get started.

Assuming … Click for more

Shack Update II

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

The coax from the surge protection devices outside the building

has been redirected

to the antenna switch panel at the new shack location.

Thanks to John KI4UIP and Dave KR4U for the installation and to Tom NY4I for fabricating the coax cable assemblies.

We’re still looking for a location for our monthly meetings. Email suggestions to president@sparc-club.org.

Shack Relocation Update

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

Lots of progress has been made moving the shack to its new location.

The electrical panel has been moved, the wiring and outlets have been installed, and the antenna switch panel has been relocated. Many thanks to Dee N4GD, Billy KN4LUZ, Ray KD4HUW , George W1AAG, Dave KR4U, John KI4UIP. The holes creating the path from the switch panel through the ceiling to the outside box junction box is complete.

We are waiting for the new coax cables from the outside box to the new … Click for more

Posts published in “Station Building”