Contesting

SPARC wants your participation in the Florida QSO Party

By Zack KO4WPO on 04/13/2023

SPARC wants your participation in the Florida QSO Party

SPARC has registered to participate in the April 29 – 30, 2023 Florida QSO Party (FQP) using the newly relocated and updated club station. The club has earned numerous First Place FQP Awards in the past – the most recent being in 2019 just before COVID.

The club is looking for the participation of everyone who wants to improve operating skills or learn about contesting on HF. Please note that all members can operate regardless of license class since Extra class … Click for more

2022 Year in Review

By Pat AAØO on 12/26/2022

Sunset at DMI before December 20th VE session

During my research for the update to the SPARC History page, I came across the Year in Review post from our previous Club President Bob N2ESP and that inspired me to write one for this year. I feel that SPARC had a great 2022 and 2023 is looking good too.

We started out the year with Winter Field Day, collaborating with CARS and UPARC, the event was setup at the Clearwater Fire Training center. Due to forecasted low temperatures and … Click for more

“Clean Sweep” for the SPARC Club Station

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 11/30/2022

The SPARC club used the ARRL Phone Sweepstakes to train new operators, and those who have not participated in the Sweepstakes before. We also conducted antenna evaluations. We did not expect a “Clean Sweep” which requires contacts with all 84 US and Canadian sections. But we got the sweep through a team effort of nine hams.

The team used only 16 of the 24 hours allowed. Additionally the sweep was accomplished used only one operating position – forfeiting use of a second mult (multiplier) position. Participating were: WQ4DVG, KO4WPO, KB9LXM, … Click for more

SPARC September Operating Event – CQ WW DX RTTY

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 09/07/2022

Operators and Trainees Needed: The CQ Worldwide DX RTTY Contest is a major event. The last time SPARC entered the club finished #9 US, #9 North America and #39 World with 38 hours of operation. Present Club members in that effort were KR4U, N2ESP, WA4EEZ and W4CU. The contest offers the chance to work great HF DX. Details can be found at:
http://www.cqwwrtty.com/
All are invited learn RTTY operation from experienced operators. Stop in any time during the weekend to operate, learn or just to see what’s going on.
The

… Click for more

SPARC August Operating Event – North American QSO Party SSB

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 07/28/2022

SSB Operators needed: The SPARC Club Station at DMI will be fired up for the SSB edition of the North American QSO Party (NAQP) on August 20th. The contest starts at 2PM Eastern Time and runs for 12 hours. The North American QSO Parties are favorites of beginners and seasoned operators alike. Everyone is invited to participate. We would particularly like to see newly licensed hams and new club members get involved or just stop by to see what’s going on.

Details of the event can found at: https://ncjweb.com/NAQP/… Click for more

SPARC July Operating Event – North American QSO Party RTTY

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 06/30/2022

Following up on a successful Field Day, SPARC is planning to participate in the July North American QSO Party (NAQP). The NAQP takes place 6 times a year with 2 RTTY, 2 CW, and 2 SSB. events. The upcoming RTTY event will be held Saturday July 16 starting at 2PM Eastern Time and lasting 12 hours.

Details can be found at: https://ncjweb.com/naqp

Experienced operators and anyone wishing to learn more about RTTY or improve their skills are encouraged to contact either Rich AA2MF at: rcariello49@gmail.com or Tom W4CU at: tom_w4cu@yahoo.com.… Click for more

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