SPARC | St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club

Repeater Trustee Request

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 09/03/2020

The SPARC repeater system has FCC mandated 3 minute timeout requirement programmed into its RC-210 controller. This holds true for all amateur radio repeaters under FCC license.

Most hams using the SPARC system, for the most part, are using programmable radios that have a timeout (TOT) feature in the software. I am requesting you program your TOT to less than 3 minutes. This would help to keep our repeaters from timing out from the occasional stuck microphone switch or shorted PTT line.

Our system also has a BEEP signal that … Click for more

SPARC Scores in the 2020 RTTY Roundup

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 08/15/2020

The SPARC contest Group, W4TA, placed in the top ten in the 2020 running of the ARRL RTTY Roundup. Participating in the Multioperator, Single Transmitter, High Power category were SPARC members: AA0O Pat, KA1IJA Norm, KA4IOX Paul, KB8ESY Rex, KC1YL Lisa, KI4UIP John, KP2N Ron, KR4U Dave, N2ESP Bob, NY4I Tom, VE3XD Don and W4CU Tom. The final score was 113,730 points, good for tenth place.

Rich, AA2MF, entered the contest in the Single Operator, Low Power category, placing second with a final score of 144,228 points.

Congratulations to all … Click for more

Spare Arc-Plugs for Alpha Delta Switches

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 08/15/2020

Many of us use Alpha Delta coax switches in our stations for antenna selection. These switches use Arc-Plug gas discharge tubes as lightening protection. Spare Arc-Plug elements sell for $10 – $12 from the traditional ham retailers. Mouser Electronics sells them for $2.37 each in quantities of 10. P/N 576-CG21000.

Thanks to Richard K2UPS for this tip.

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January test sessions full

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 08/15/2020

In order to ensure proper social distancing, the SPARC test sessions are limited to 5 people. The Tuesday session in January is already full.

If you want to take an Amateur Radio exam, please check out our VE testing page for contact information to reserve your spot for a future session.

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Bell Labs Proves Existence of Dark Suckers

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 06/30/2020

Alan, KO4CR, rebroadcasts an edited version of the Amateur Radio News Line on the SPARC repeater once a week after the evening net. The latest broadcast caused considerable discussion on the morning roundtable as well as the evening pre-net. For those who missed the broadcast, a copy of the article about “dark suckers” follows.

For years it has been believed that electric bulbs emitted light. However, recent information from Bell Labs has proven otherwise. Electric bulbs don’t emit light; they suck dark. Thus they now call these bulbs dark suckers. … Click for more

Copy the Field Day Bulletin…

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on 06/24/2020

A normal task we always do on Field Day is to copy the W1AW special bulletin sent each year before and during Field Day. This activity simulates what you would do if in a real emergency and you were relying upon bulletins from the ARRL for information. So it is a good skill to learn. To boot, you get 100 bonus points for doing it.

The bulletin is sent in multiple modes (CW, digital (RTTY, PSK31 and MFSK16) and phone. This starts at Friday night at 8:00 local time with … Click for more