SPARC

SPARC Ham Radio Bucket List

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 01/01/2016

The challenge for 2016 is for each SPARC member to expand their activity in our hobby. To this end, the SPARC Bucket List below provides some potential growth areas. There are no prizes, just the personal satisfaction of learning a new skill or reaching a new goal.

Give a presentation at a club meeting
Upgrade your license
Help setup/takedown at field day site
Enter your first Radiosport contest
Win a contest award
Elmer a newbie
Write a SPARC GAP article
Write a SPARC Web site article
Confirm a new DXCC

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A New R7 Vertical, Two Working FSK stations and One Step Closer on the K3 Remote Station…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 12/29/2015

Today (12/29/2015), several SPARC members met at the SPARC Clubhouse to work on several projects to help with contesting and other activities at the W4GAC station. Bob N2ESP, John KI4UIP, Dave KR4U, Ron KP2N and Tom NY4I worked on various projects that needed to be done for this weekend’s ARRL RTTY contest. While John, Dave and Bob wrestled the Cushcraft R7 antenna into position outside and ran coax, the rest of us worked on tweaking the Elecraft K3 to work on RTTY FSK mode. For a reason that would … Click for more

Buy-Sell Net to Close

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 12/06/2015

Due to lack of interest, the SPARC Buy-Sell Net and web site will be discontinued after the first of the year. Started as an experiment by Mike Scott, K4ZPE, the net was designed as a focal point to exchange amateur radio equipment. Many thanks to Mike for donating his time and talents towards making SPARC the great organization that it is today.

Mike would also like to retire as SPARC Net Wednesday night net controller. If you are interested in the Wednesday night spot, please contact Johnnie, W4TSP.

NOTE: If … Click for more

After Holidays Party

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 12/02/2015

In an effort to improve our collective culinary diversity, we have a new venue for this years After the Holidays Party. This year, we will have the entire Skyway Diner, 4000 34^th Street South, St. Petersburg at our disposal. Note: This is NOT Skyway Jack’s. The Skyway Diner is further south on the east side of US 19.

The festivities will start at 3:00PM on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Members will order off the menu, and are responsible for their own bill. Rumor has it … Click for more

2015 SPARCFest Review

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 11/28/2015

It was a crisp morning, but it was a welcome respite from a summer in Florida that decided to overstay its welcome. Start time was 8:00 AM but as usual, that means folks were lines up at 6:30 to get the best spots. The SPARCFest at Freedom Lake Park in Pinellas Park is in its 3rd year now. This is an extension of the hamfest the club used to do at Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg. The SPARCFest had the usual assortment of people selling treasures from their attic to … Click for more

SPARC Eyeball QSL Cards Available

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 11/12/2015

In order to promote our club, SPARC “eyeball” QSL cards are available free to members. These cards are business card size versions of our world famous W4GAC QSL cards, and feature our web address and Mr. Sun on the reverse side.

Carry a few in your wallet or in your car. When asked about the world’s greatest hobby, simply hand out a card. Personalizing the card with your name and call is encouraged.

Cards are available at all club meetings.