Club Meetings

Antenna Modeling with EZNEC

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 11/02/2016

The program for Friday, Nov 4, will be antenna modeling, building simple models and then comparing them to more complex antennas. Ed, NZ1Q will demonstrate EZNEC software, which offers a free demo program that can be easily downloaded. Ed will go through how to build an antenna model and read the resulting charts and graphs for a simple dipole, a two element beam and then as time permits, an Off Center Fed Dipole and other antennas., Radiation patterns, SWR, impedance matching and effects of grounds will be demonstrated.

Be sure … Click for more

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

Military Communications, by Col. Craig Hook, USAF (Ret.)

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 06/04/2016

Don’t miss a special presentation by Retired USAF Colonel Craig Hook, KE4VPK and SPARC member. Craig will tell us about military use of communications equipment used in the field and share some of his slides from his deployment in Afghanistan right after 9/11.

The US Military has developed robust satellite communications used in conjunction with more traditional HF radio communications. We will hear about communications equipment in the military, how it is deployed, used, important features, and some of Craig’s experiences, along with comment on how well it all … Click for more

May Meeting Program Update

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 05/02/2016

At the May 6th club meeting our program will include several examples of a “Go Box.” These portable communications centers can easily be

transported by one person, setup quickly and provide communications on different bands and modes during emergencies or other communication events..

Learn about their purpose, capabilities, how to plan and make your own. Our presenters will each demonstrate their own projects. We will hear from: Andy, KI4VOS; Udo, KF4KUL and
Clayton, KJ4RUS. We also plan to fire up some of the equipment as a demonstration. … Click for more

Net Manager Needed

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 04/17/2016

After many years of dedicated service, Johnnie, W4TSP has decided to step down as SPARC Net Manager as of July 1, 2016. Thank you Johnnie for all the time you spent keeping the net on the air 7/365.

If you are interested in the position of SPARC Net Manager, please contact Johnnie or Bob, N2ESP. We also have the Wednesday night net controller available for those not interested in a “management” position.

If you are a SPARC Net regular, please consider stepping up to help the club maintain its … Click for more

Mid Florida DX Association Featured Program

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 02/18/2016

Join in on our Friday, March 4^th meeting for a very special evening with Tony DeAngelo, N2MFT, President of the Mid Florida DX Association. Tony will present some of the club’s motivation, planning, execution and results for activation of National Parks as part of the ARRL yearlong program. MFDXA has already activated two National Parks and is planning more.

We will also hear about the Mid Florida DX Association’s other activities. One of their services is QSL card checking for DXCC awards credit. Tony will give us a little … Click for more

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