SPARC

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

Extra Propagation

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 04/26/2016

The SPARC daily net’s Q&A session run by Ed, NZ1Q is moving on to Propagation questions from

the Amateur Extra question pool. Ed and his team have just finished running through questions covering the digital modes available to radio amateurs. A question is presented every evening with answer/discussion following at the end of the net. Those studying for an exam find the material helpful and those licensed long ago learn new material. As an added bonus, occasionally a ham radio trivia question sneaks in, offering some diversity to … 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

Field Day 2016

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 04/08/2016

By Coy, KK4JMP, Field Day Chairman

Objective

Field Day 2016, a local and national amateur radio association promoted by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), as an educational, radio operating and public relations event where radio operators all over America work and make as many contacts as possible on all amateur radio bands throughout Florida and across the nation and some foreign countries and regions under abnormal conditions and unique radio operating situations. Field Day experiences helps to develop skills among amateur radio operators to meet the challenges of emergency … 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

Antenna / Radio Smoked

By Bob Wanek N2ESP on 02/16/2016

Bad Antenna install — Photo by Klein PhotoGraphics

While visiting this year’s Hamcation® Stephan, K4SHK heard a loud bang like a cannon going off. It turns out someone setting up their antenna let it contact high-power lines. The area was roped off while the electric company powered down the lines to remove the antenna. Stephan reports no one was injured but the radio was hooked up at the time and most likely fried. Looking around the camping area, Stephan noticed another accident waiting to happen (See photo to right). These stickers are required on … Click for more