News from the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC)

Hi,

Bill, WF1L, writes:

Sep 2006 00:25:19 +0000
From: wemccourt@comcast.net

Gordon,

Here's the reminder ab out the LARG Extra Class that starts this Friday night. I thought you might email blast it to the membership. Henry (K2BFY) is teaching the CW portion if anyone is interested in brushing up on their code.

73,

Bill - WF1L

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------

Subject: [QST de K4LRG] First Extra class this Friday
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 23:17:58 +0000
> To all, but especially the Extra and CW class students,
>
> The first Extra class meets this Friday at Harmony Methodist Church in Hamilton at 7pm. This class will consist of a brief introduction to the course, followed by the start of the CW class. There is no reading assignment for this class.
> Since the class is really two classes, some of you may want to attend one part or the other and others will want to attend both. I have had a couple of questions about when to arrive for each part. For the class this Friday, all those taking the CW course should definitely be there. If you are only taking the Extra class, don't need to be there this Friday, but you are welcome to come. I know some of you will be traveling a ways, maybe the cost of gas is an issue. For all other class dates, the CW will start at 7pm and run for about one-half hour. The Extra class will begin about 7:30pm. I realize you have all ready past the CW test, but I encourage you to get some more practice and to work on building up your speed.
> If you don't come to class this Friday, please read the attached syllabus to see what the readings are for each week.
> Other LARG members are welcome to attend this session or any other, if they want to.
> To get to the church from the east, take Rt 7 west to the Hamilton exit, Rt 704. Go south to old route 7. Turn right on old route 7. The stone church is on the south side just past, west of, the route 704 south intersection. The entrance to the church is on the west side of the church.
>
> Looking forward to seeing you all. If there are any questions, contact me.
>
> 73,
> Denny
> KF4TJI

Hi,

Jim, KF4PQL, remained me that the CARAFest hamfest will be Sunday, October 1st at the Howard County Fair Grounds.

I have attached their flyer to this email. See http://www.carafest.org/ for more information.

73,
Gordon, NQ4K

Hi Affiliated Club,
The Virginia Section ARRL leadership has decided that the best way to commerate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Virginia is to encourage clubs to have special event stations throughout 2007. These special event stations would probably focus around some event or place special to that county or area. The goal is to have each weekend and each county represented. If your club can participate, please let Woody W4TU (Woodyw4tu@ntelos.net) know of your plans. Please let me know also as the Rappahannock Valley ARC is planning a companion special 2007 Worked all Virginia certificate that can be earned by working some number of Va 2007 special event stations. It all starts on January 1, 2007. Lets make 2007 a year Hams around the world will remember Virginia and the impact Virginia has had on our Great Nation!
--
73,
John Humphrey W4IM
President RVARC
VA ACC
w4im@arrl.net

Parasitics galore, neighbors pounding on the door, my kilowatt transmitter struts its stuff.

What’s that hissing I can hear, my transmitter front or rear? No, my wife just walked out in a huff.

Touch lamps start to flash, neighbors phones are full of hash, my hobby brings me lots of woe.

That fierce guy down the street, hope I never meet, with vicious words calls me a so and so.

But a Ham across the town, operates without a frown, with his neighbors there’s perpetual bliss.

Small transmitter in his rig, bought with Dollars not too big, his favorite four letter word is KISS.

Small table and a chair, Ham station it’s all there, accomplished hand upon the key.

He has no marriage strife, he even hugs his wife, while proclaiming

"Vive le QRP."

73, KC4ATU

Hi,

Some of you may be interested in helping out at the Marine Corp Marathon.

73, Gordon, NQ4K
**************************

The Marine Corps Marathon (October 29th) is THE biggest and most public of public service events we as amateur radio operators due each year. More then a public service event which showcases amateur radio, we provide a key function for the race. Without your help we would not be able to provide the runners with a critical safety net. The time to provide first aid can mean the difference between life and death., The Marine Corps is also aware that we provide a security function with needed eyes on the course.

Please consider volunteering and supporting the marathon again this year. If you can
help out, please sign up at WWW.NCACDC.COM

Before you volunteer please consider the following:

If you volunteer to be on a section of the course on Rt 110 in Virginia, there will be special security considerations that will require you to arrive and be in place very early in the morning. For those on that part of the course, we will arrange to get you your race packet early so you may proceed directly to your assignment.

Those who volunteer for work at IWO, RT-110 (VA part of the course above Crystal City), Net Control Stations, and Check-In will need to be on site early. I will send out more details as the security timeline is developed.

PLEASE tell me what assignment you prefer, I will make every effort to make that
assignment. Assignments will be first come first serve, the gear you have will also have to match the assignment requirement. If you must leave early, let me know so I can make the assignment one that is on the part of the course that completes so you can leave when you need to.

Those on the first few miles of the course that overlap the finish of the course are
asked to stay until the end of the race to provide additional coverage of those last few miles.

Lastly, for the last several years, we have had great weather and as a result very few patients, but this could change. Unlike most amateur radio activities, the less traffic you have the better things are going for the runners.

Thanks again for reading this and for your participation in this very important public service event. If you have any questions please contact me either at home
(703)317-9305 or via e-mail at RRBunn@cox.net

73
Rick Bunn / N4ASX

Hi,

Another summer has gone by quickly. Time moved too fast and I did not get all the work done on my station that I hoped and did not get on the air as much as I had hoped. At least I can look forward to seeing all the SPARCies once again and will some long evenings as the fall and winter approach.

Jim, KF4PQL, will herd the hams -- I mean lead the meeting. I, unfortunately, was given the opportunity to go to Atlanta for a week on business.

Our tradition has it that the first meeting of the SPARC Year is a "Show and Tell." All should bring something, preferably concerning ham radio, and tell us about it. I remember things from past meetings. Forrest, N4UTY, had some interesting small rigs. Henry, K2BFY, had his radios in a pillbox and an interesting antenna. Jim, AF4MO, showed us an old radio. Floyd, W4RW, had an old scrapbook from way back. There were many others. Please bring something, it helps us newbies learn and it is nice to remember.

We will also have the opportunity to discuss our participation in Sterlingfest. This is coming up on 7 October, just after the October meeting. I have posted a draft plan on our web site but of course I am really looking forward to having all volunteer to bring equipment.

We will also have copies of the SPARC yearly calendar partly filled out. We will welcome suggestions on speakers for the year or other activities.

See you at the meeting on Wednesday, 6 September, at 7:30PM.

73,
Gordon, NQ4K