News from the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC)

Hi,

It is time for the February SPARC monthly meeting.  3 February 2016 at 7PM at the Sheriff's station in Sterling.

Refreshments will be provided by Bill, K4UPE.

This announcement is going out early this month.  I am going to Chesapeake to give the Virginia QSO Party presentation to the Chesapeake Amateur Radio Society and visiting relatives who live there.  My wire antenna came down in the snow storm and I have not gotten it back up.  I did have fun with the Treasure Sale (used radio equipment) - several club members came by (pictures on web site).  Other than that it has been a slow radio month.

The presentation this month is by Steve, KS1G, on "Satellite Operation."  I know some members in the club have worked satellites before, but I have not.  This should be interesting.

We have a couple very minor items of club business.

We can continue to discuss the VA QSO Party.  Maybe Dick, W2YE, can talk about K4NVA station.  Maybe Bill, KJ4VTH, can give an update on the status of the plaques.

Our plans for the 20-21 February tech license class and examination session are coming along well.  we have instructors and the room lined up.  So far we have 12 students signed up with a couple of weeks still to go.  Maybe Red, N3TG, can give an update on the exam session.

See you at the meeting.

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

The Treasure Sale went very well.  A bunch of people showed up and we all talked radio, and many other things for a couple of hours.  Among the attendees were Dick, W2YE; Duane, K4UW; Gary, K4SRX; Blair, KC9BBW; Chaz, KK4TNO; Rob, KM4OZE; and Henry, K2BFY.

And incidentally, we also sold a few items.

This was so easy, we should add it to our yearly calendar as an activity in Late January for next year.  We do the gift exchange at our January meeting as a way of getting  rid of some stuff -- I mean blessing others.  We could do this as a way of passing along the treasures for which we no longer have a need.

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

It is time for the January club meeting, the first of the new year. Wednesday, 6 January at 7PM.

Refreshments will be provided by Red, N3TG.  As always they are extra special because they are really by his YL.

We have six items on the agenda.

We will do introductions.

We will then go around and have our Show and Tell.  Please bring something in, preferably ham radio related, to talk about for a few minutes.

We will then go over a few items of club business.

It is time for the Annual dues collection.  You can give $10 to Eric, AJ4LN, our secretary, and he will officially record your name as a member for the SPARC year.  After a while he will give me a list of names and we will update the web site with the membership list for the 2015-2016 SPARC year.

We will take a group photo.  All who are there get to pose.

We can review the status of the VA QSO Party.  I can provide an update on the bonus stations.  Bill, KJ4VTH, can update us on the plaque status.

We can talk about the upcoming Tech Class and Examination Session.  The best date so far looks to be 20-21 February.  I will check to verify the community room is available.  Red, N3TG, the examination session leader, will start verifying the availability of VEs.  Finally I will be asking for volunteers to be instructors, starting with those that have volunteered in the past.

The last item will be our Gift Exchange.  This is the typical white elephant gift exchange.  Please bring something preferably ham related, relatively inexpensive, and probably something hanging around your shack that you no longer need.  Put in old bag or wrap.

I think that is all.  Feel free to bring up additional items.

See you at the meeting,
73, Gordon, NQ4K