News from the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC)

Hi,

SPARC meeting is Monday, 15 May 2006.

Another month has gone by quickly. The Virginia QSO Party activities are almost over for this year. After the last SPARC meeting, Dick, W2YE; Jim, AF4MO; Henry, K4BFY; and I held a log scoring party, the list of plaque winners has been posted to our web site, and we are looking forward to the awards ceremony at the Manassas Hamfest on 4 Jun 06.

Personally, I recently purchased several radios and am still thinking through what what I will be doing with them. The major items are an IC-730, IC738, FT-847, and IC-2000 along with a couple of power supplies and antenna tuners.

We have two items to discuss following the regular business meeting.

First, Field Day is coming up in June and we need to decide what our station will look like this year. We can start with what we did last year, decide on any major changes necessary, and then focus on equipment and operator staffing. Jim, KF4PQL, remembered we need to coordinate with Park View High School for permission to use their field and starting that process.

Second, it is time to nominate officers for next year. Anyone interested should come to he meeting prepared to raise their hand and be greeted with unanimous acclaim. Elections will be at our June meeting.

And of course, we are looking forward to refreshments by John de N3QT.

See you at the meeting,

73,
Gordon, NQ4K

Forrest, N4UTY, writes:

Please pass on to SPARC. It may not qualify as DX, but some of the guys
may want to dust off the mike or keyboard and see how many of the Army
stations they can work.

Forrest
N4UTY

**************
ARMED FORCES DAY WEEK ANNIVERSARY MILITARY/AMATEUR CROSSBAND COMMUNICATIONS TEST (13-14 May 2006)

The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual military/amateur radio communications tests in celebration of the 56th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD). Although the actual Armed Forces Day is celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 2006 (local), the AFD Military/Amateur Crossband Communications Test will be conducted 13 and 14 May 2006 to prevent conflict with the Dayton Hamvention (19-21 May 2006), which is on the same weekend as the actual Armed Forces Day.

The annual celebration features traditional military to amateur cross band communications SSB voice tests and copying the Secretary of Defense message via digital modes. These tests give Amateur Radio operators and Short Wave Listeners (SWL) an opportunity to demonstrate their individual technical skills, and receive recognition from the Secretary of Defense and/or the appropriate military radio station for their proven expertise. QSL cards will be provided to those making contact with the military stations. Special commemorative certificates will be awarded to anyone who receives and copies “without error” the digital Armed Forces Day message from the Secretary of Defense.

MILITARY-TO-AMATEUR CROSS BAND SSB TEST CONTACTS.
Military-to-Amateur cross band operations will take place on the dates/times in ZULU (UTC), and frequencies listed below for each station. Voice contacts will include operations in single sideband voice (SSB). Some stations may not operate the entire period, depending on propagation and manning. Participating military stations will transmit on selected Military MARS frequencies and listen for amateur radio stations in the Amateur bands indicated below. The military station operator will announce the specific amateur band frequency being monitored. Duration of each voice contact should be limited to 1-2 minutes. The following stations will be transmitting on MARS frequencies listed below which are provided as "Window/Dial Frequency" in kHz.

Army Stations
STATION: AAZ (13 May 1300Z - 14 May 0200Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4038.9 kHz LSB 80M
6913.0 kHz LSB 40M
7424.0 kHz USB 40M
13741.5 kHz USB 20M
13993.0 kHz USB 20M
18211.0 kHz USB 17M
18639.0 kHz USB 17M
13509.5 kHz RTTY 20M
7639.5 kHz RTTY 40M
13512.5 kHz MT-63 20M
7578.5 kHz MT-63 40M

Location: Fort Huachuca, AZ
Address:
Commander NETCOM/9th ASC
ATTN: NETCOM-OPE-M (MARS) (31)
2133 Cushing Street
Ft. Huachuca, AZ 85616-7070
POC: Mr. Dwayne Smith
DSN: 821-7324
Commercial: (520) 533-7324

STATION: AAC (13 May 1400Z - 14 May 2100Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
3348.9 kHz LSB 40M
7363.0 LSB 80M
13910.5 kHz USB 20M
Location: Lexington, KY
Address:
HQ 1st BDE, 100th DIV (IT) MARS Station
Barrow Army Reserve Training Center
1051 Russell Cave Pike
Lexington, KY 40505
POC: Barry Jackson
Commercial: (859) 227-0137

STATION: ABH (13 May 1900Z - 14 May 0500Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
3195 kHz LSB 80M
3360 kHz LSB 80M
4440 kHz LSB 80M
4466 kHz LSB 80M
7360 kHz LSB 40M
7720 kHz LSB 40M
8040 kHz LSB 40M
8094.5 kHz LSB 40M
14483.5 kHz USB 20M
14489.5 kHz USB 20M
17443.0 kHz USB 17M
17592.5 kHz USB 17M
20978.0 kHz USB 15M
20559.0 kHz USB 15M
Location: Schofield Barracks, HI
Commander, 396th Signal Company
30th Signal Battalion, 96857
POC: CPT Ellie Vance
Commercial: (808) 656-2221

STATION: WAR (13 May 1300Z - 14 May 2300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4020.9 kHz LSB 80M
7504.0 kHz LSB 40M
13512.5 kHz USB 20M
20518.5 kHz USB 15M
Location: Ft Detrick, MD
Address:
Commander, 302d Signal Battalion
1671 Nelson Street
Ft Detrick, MD 21702
ATTN: MARS Station Bldg. 1678
POC: Mr. Larry Solarczyk
DSN: 343-3654
Commercial: (301) 619-3654

STATION: WUG-231 (13 May 1300Z - 14 May 0300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4032.9 kHz LSB 80M
7.363.0 kHz LSB 40M
6.826.0 kHz LSB 40M
14486.0 kHz USB 20M
14663.5 kHz USB 20M
20973.5 kHz USB 15M
Location: Memphis, TN
Address:
USACE Memphis District Office
ATTN: Jim Pogue
Public Affairs Office Room B-202
167 N. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
POC: Mr. Jim Pogue
Commercial: (901) 544-4109

Air Force Station
STATION: AIR (14 May 1200Z - 2400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4026.5 kHz LSB 80M
6894.5 kHz USB 40M
7316.5 kHz LSB 40M
13985.0 kHz USB 20M
13996.0 kHz USB 20M
Location: Andrews AFB, DC
Address: 789 CS
Andrews AFB, DC
POC: Mr Van Evans
STATION: AIR-2: (13 May 1500Z - 14May 0300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4488.5 kHz USB 80M
6994.5 kHz USB 40M
13983.5 kHz USB 20M
14387.5 kHz USB 20M
27983.5 kHz USB 10M
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Address: Nellis AFB NV
POC: Mr. Ken Mulkey
STATION: AIR-3: (13 May 1800Z - 14 May 0600Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4023.5 kHz USB 80M
7358.5 kHz USB 40M
14528.5 kHz USB 20M
20873.0 kHz USB 15M
Location: Hilo, HI
Address:
HIANG, 291 CBCS
Hilo HI
POC: Maj Harvey Motomura

Navy/Marine Corps Stations
STATION: NAV (13 May 1200Z - 14 May 0400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4010.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7348.0 KHZ LSB 40M
14478.5 KHZ USB 20M
20994.0 KHZ USB 15M
Address: HQ NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station NAV
Cheatham Annex Bldg. 117
108 Sanda Ave
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5830
POC: BO Lindfors
DSN 953-4494
Commercial: (757) 877-4494

STATION: NAV-3 (13 May 1200Z - 14 May 0400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4014.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7394.5 KHZ LSB 40M
13974.0 KHZ USB 20M
20997.0 KHZ USB 15M
Address: NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station
2562 Bauman Ave
Omaha, NE 68112-3314
POC: Bob Conley
Commercial: (402) 451-0707

STATION: NAV-4 (13 May 1200Z - 14 May 0400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4011.5 KHZ LSB 80M
7376.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14467.0 KHZ USB 20M
21758.5 KHZ USB 15M
Address: NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station
615 Preble Ave
Camp Barry, Bldg. 153
Great Lakes, IL 60088-2850
POC: ITC (SW/AW) Jeffries
DSN: 792-3787
Commercial: (847) 688-3787

STATION: NBL (13 May 1200Z - 14 May 0400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4041.5 KHZ LSB 80M
7371.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14391.5 KHZ USB 20M
20623.5 KHZ USB 15M
Address: NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station
PO BOX 161 Naval Submarine Base
Groton, CT 06349-5161
POC: ITC (SW) Dever
DSN: 694-2061/3716
Commercial: (860) 694-2061/3716

STATION: NPL (13 May 1500Z - 14 May 0400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4003.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7351.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14463.5 KHZ USB 20M
20936.0 KHZ USB 15M
Address: NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station
937 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92132-5100
POC: ITC (SW) Thomason
DSN: 522-1490
Commercial: (619) 532-1490

STATION: NUW (13 May 1500Z - 14 May 0400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4044.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7381.5 KHZ LSB 40M
13528.5 KHZ USB 20M
20952.5 KHZ USB 15M
Address: NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station
260 W. Pioneer FSC Bldg.
NAS Whidbey Island, WA 98277
POC: MR. Digger O’Dell
DSN: 820-8038
Commercial: (360) 675-2823

PART II. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MESSAGE TEST VIA DIGITAL MODES.
The Secretary of Defense message will be transmitted via digital modes including RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, PSK-31 and MT63 from the stations listed below, including frequencies, mode, and date/time in Zulu (UTC). All frequencies are listed for center of intelligence. Offset as appropriate for your TNC. (Note: Not all stations may necessarily operate on all the frequencies listed, depending on propagation and available equipment.)

Army Stations
STATION: AAZ (HQ Army MARS and Western Area Gateway, Fort Huachuca, AZ)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
6988.0 kHz RTTY 15 May/0110Z
PACTOR FEC 15 May/0130Z
MT63 15 May/0220Z
PSK-31 15 May/0250Z
14402.0 kHz RTTY 15 May/0110Z
PACTOR FEC 15 May/0130Z
MT63 15 May/0220Z
PSK-31 15 May0250Z

STATION: WAR (ARMY MARS Eastern Area Gateway Station, Fort Detrick, MD)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
6988.0 kHz RTTY 14 May/2315Z
PACTOR FEC 14 May/2330Z
14440.0 kHz PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/2345Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/2400Z

Navy/Marine Corps Stations
STATION: NAV (HQ NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, Williamsburg, VA)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7346.5 KHZ RTTY 75 BAUD 13 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0010Z
MT63 14 MAY/0040Z
14480.0 KHZ RTTY 75 BAUD 13 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 13 MAY/0010Z
MT63 14 MAY/0040Z

STATION: NAV-3 (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, Corpus Christi, TX)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7393.0 KHZ RTTY 13 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0010Z
MT63 14 MAY/0040Z
13975.5 KHZ RTTY 13 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0010Z
MT63 14 MAY/0040Z

STATION: NAV-4 (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, Great Lakes, IL)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7375.0 KHZ RTTY 14 MAY/0240Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0310Z
MT63 14 MAY/0340Z
14468.5 KHZ RTTY 14 MAY/0240Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0310Z
MT63 14 MAY/0340Z

STATION: NBL (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, Groton, CT)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7370.0 KHZ RTTY 13 MAY /2340Z
PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/0010Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0040Z
14393.0 KHZ RTTY 13 MAY/2340Z
PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/0010Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0040Z

STATION: NPL (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, San Diego, CA)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7350.0 KHZ RTTY 14 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0340Z
14465.0 KHZ RTTY 14 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0340Z

STATION: NUW (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, NAS Whidbey Island, WA)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7380.0 KHZ RTTY 14 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0340Z
13530.0 KHZ RTTY 14 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 14 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 14 MAY/0340Z

SUBMISSION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TEST MESSAGE ENTRIES.
Transcripts of the RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, PSK-31, and MT63 receiving test should be submitted "as received". No attempt should be made to correct possible transmission errors. Provide time, frequency and call sign of the military station copied, including name, call sign, and address (including ZIP code) of individual submitting the entry. Ensure this information is placed on the paper containing the test message. Each year a large number of acceptable entries are received with insufficient information, or necessary information was not attached to the transcriptions and was separated, thereby precluding issuance of a certificate. Entries must be sent to the appropriate military address as follows:

a. Stations copying Secretary of Defense message transmitted from AAZ or WAR send entries to:

Armed Forces Day Celebration
Commander NETCOM/9th ASC
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Attn: NETC-OPE-MA (MARS) (31)
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-5000

b. Stations copying secretary of defense message transmitted from NAV, NAV-3, NAV-4, NBL, NPL or NUW send entries to:

Armed Forces Day Celebration
Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS
Cheatham Annex Bldg 117
108 Sanda Ave
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5830