Operating

SPARC Field Day 2023 Signup

By Pat AAØO on 06/03/2023

SPARC Field Day will be on June 24-25th at our club station location, DMI Research, 6699 90th Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL. We’ll start at 12pm Saturday with station familiarization and a little practice, the on-the-air operating event starts at 2pm Saturday and runs through 2pm Sunday.

We’ll be operating as 4-Delta with stations on SSB, CW, and Digital(FT8, etc). We’ll be using Yaesu FT-1000 radios and N1MM logging software. Operation will be indoors with Air Conditioning.

If you are planning to attend, please fill out the form using the … Click for more

Is CW dead? Not for Dan AI4RJ

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 05/12/2023

During the SPARC operation in the Florida QSO Party Dan AI4RJ made the vast majority of all CW contacts. He operated on all bands and during one 95 minute stretch on 20 meters his QSO rate was 104 contacts per hour. His call sign was omitted from the original FQP article.

Related Images:

SPARC’s FQP results and station video.

By Ed NZ1Q on 05/11/2023

SPARC Station and Operators Performed Well Despite the Conditions.

The SPARC team represented Pinellas County well during the Florida QSO Party (FQP).

During the event stations throughout the US and Canada strive to work as many counties in Florida as possible. Florida stations are essentially the “DX” and call CQ. Propagation during the contest was fair to poor. Local noise on 40 and 10 meters was a constant S9.

The weather was threatening over the weekend, and 9 of the 18 operators were in training. Nevertheless, the following excellent

… Click for more

New Club Station Holds Open House

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 04/23/2023

The SPARC radio station will hold an Open House for members to drop in and see the major upgrades made since moving the last station. The Open House will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week (April 25, 26 and 27) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

The Open House will coincide with three nights of training for members participating in the Florida QSO Party (FQP) who have limited experience in using the N1MM logging program, or in handling rapid paced QSOs. For more information on the Open House … Click for more

SPARC Invites You To a Party

By Tom Schaeffer W4CU on 04/20/2023

Our club is entering the Florida QSO Party representing Pinellas County. Hams from every state in the US and every province in Canada will calling Florida stations making us the center of activity. This will be our first such operation since winning the FQP Club Plaque in 2019. This will also be our first major operating event with the new Club Station.

You are invited to join others in operating the station on Saturday April 29 from Noon to 10pm, and on Sunday April 30 from 8am to 6pm. If … Click for more

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

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