SPARC

SPARC Members attend West Central Florida Section TECHCON

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 02/26/2017

Section Manager Darrell KT4WX discussing PICAXE Microcontrollers.

On Saturday, February 25, several members of SPARC made the trip to Sarasota for the 3rd annual WCF section TECHCON. This is a free technical conference put on by the WCF ARRL section technical staff. The location changes to various places around the section to allow the most section members to attend.

This year, there were two conference tracks. One focused on more introductory topics such as station design, antenna building, APRS and programable microcontrollers such as the PICAXE and the Arduino. … Click for more

NAQP RTTY Effort a Success

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 02/26/2017

The W4TA SPARC contest team set another club record this weekend. Eight operators were able to make 950 QSOs and 147 multipliers in 12 hours on four different bands for a total of 139,650 claimed points. Our previous record was 94,416 claimed points in July of 2012. Quite an improvement.

Special thanks to Ron, KP2N in organizing, preparing for and keeping the effort on track. Additionally for keeping the equipment humming (and making noise), and for his patience in mentoring the less experienced members of the team,

Additional thanks to … Click for more

SPARC Contesters Set New Club Record!!!

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 02/13/2017

Prior to this weekend, the highest score the SPARC Contesters managed in the CQ WPX RTTY contest was a commendable 4th place (U.S) in the Multi operator, Single transmitter category with a 2.3 million-point showing in 2009. That effort used the callsign AK4K with operators KP2N, N1XX, N2ESP, N4RI, VE3XD and W4CU. After this weekend, that club record is no more.

This weekend’s effort in the CQ WPX RTTY contest exceeded that score by a good margin. Operators for this weekend’s contest were Ron … Click for more

HAMCATION 2017

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 02/12/2017

The trip over to the big Hamfest in Orlando was easy and the weather was great. I chatted with Ed NZ1Q, Bob N2ESP and Bob KC4SXO mobile to mobile on the way. I think we all got there just before the gates opened. All the usual factory vendors were there and you could see all the new stuff. It was a little odd not to see AES there but HRO and the other main radio suppliers were there. HRO had Gordon West signing autographs and promoting educational supplies.

Moving outside … Click for more

Members Inducted Into A-1 Club

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 02/05/2017

SPARC announces that three of its members have been inducted into the ARRL “A-1 Operator Club.” Nominated by Dave, KR4U and George, W1AAG, SPARC members Dee, N4GD; Tom, NY4I and Bob, N2ESP received framed A-1 Operator Club Member certificates and pins at the February club meeting.

L-R: N4GD Dee, NY4I Tom, N2ESP Bob — L-R: Dee, N4GD; Tom, NY4I; Bob, N2ESP

First organized in May 1933, the ARRL A-1 Operator Club has a proud history and occupies an important place in Amateur Radio tradition. Communications Manager Ed Handy, W1BDI, announced its formation with these words in July 1933 … Click for more

New page to show upcoming contesting efforts from club station

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 02/04/2017

In order to let people know what club contesting activities are planned, there is now a page that members and guests can review. This will be updated with information about each contest and the planned schedule of operating. You can find this page in the menu on the left side of the club website as well as here. If there is other information you would like to see here, please email NY4I@arrl.net.