Operating

Field Day 2017

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 06/07/2017

Join us June 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th at the SPARC club house for this year’s ARRL FD activities.

Our goal is not a big score, but for everyone to take part and experience station setup and getting on the air.

Field Day setup begins on Friday at 2:00PM. We will begin station configuration. This includes tables, antennas, radios, computers, and power.
Saturday morning, beginning at 10:00AM, we will finish station setup and verify all systems are go. We will form Ad Hoc

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Enjoying the Dayton Hamvention Without Actually Going

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 05/16/2017

Anyone that has been involved with amateur radio for any period of time has most likely heard tales of the Dayton Hamvention. If you have never been, it is an event unlike anything you can imagine. Rows and rows of tables in the outdoor area where you can find most anything you desire related to this wonderful hobby. Inside is crammed full of vendors with all the latest gear. Going to Dayton is something every ham should do at least once in their ham radio experience. Dayton also has extra-curricular … Click for more

SPARC Net Controllers Honored at May Meeting

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 05/11/2017

At our May meeting, our net control operators were given certificates of appreciation.

From left to right: Bob KC4SXO, Darell KV4HI, Tom AI4QP, Steve W4KET, Brad KM4LTG, Rick KK4WTE and Ron KK4KRC.

Not shown: Linda KI4RV, Dee N4GD, Leslie WA4EEZ and Bill WZ4GW.

Related Images:

FQP: A Big Struggle, A Big Success

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 05/01/2017

By Bob Wanek N2ESP

This year, SPARC contest station W4TA participated in the Florida QSO Party with a special 1×1 call: W4S. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the FQP. In celebration, twenty Florida stations were given special 1×1 calls such that the proper suffixes, when combined together, spell out FLORIDA SUN as part of this year’s FQP spelling bee. That means that the rest of the country was looking for us.

Things started slowly for the CW station on 40M while the SSB … Click for more

Random Lessons from 30+ Years of Field Days

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 04/26/2017

by: Tom Schaefer, NY4I

First, these are my own opinions, but I thought the club might enjoy some things I have picked up over the years. I have seen all of these things actually happen.

Going to Field Day is the best ham radio best decision you will ever make!
This one is only half-joking…The most dangerous place to be is between the Field Day site and the parking lot at 1759z on Sunday afternoon. Teardown starts at 1800z so it is the really committed (and tired) that hang around

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Join Us to Create a Pile Up

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 04/09/2017

This month, join the contesters at SPARC Contest station W4TA as they use the special 1×1 call sign W4S in the Florida QSO Party. The object of the Florida QSO Party is for everyone to work Florida (67 counties) and Florida to work everyone.

This year is the 20^th anniversary of the FQP. In celebration, twenty Florida stations have been given special 1×1 calls such that when the proper suffixes are combined together spell out FLORIDA SUN (e.g. SUN = W4S & K4U & W4N… Click for more

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