News from the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC)

Hi,

It is time for our September meeting.  Not sure where the summer went, but it did. Our meeting is on Wednesday, 4 September 2019,

Refreshments will be provided by Brian, KN4PJI.

The activity for this meeting is two-fold. 
First, it is a "Show and Tell."  Bring something to talk about for a few minutes.  Preferably ham radio related, but anything that interests you will do.

Second, we have our:Third Annual Ham Radio Stuff Exchange.  If you have something you want to give away or auction or sell, please bring it.  I am bringing two items to auction: a 20M vertical antenna and a travel mug engraved with the SPARC logo. 

We also have a few items of club business. 

We can discuss the 2019-2020 Activity Calendar.  Alternatively, you can look at it on our club website at https://www.qsl.net/sterling/Activities/activities.htm.

We have several blank spots for presentations during the year.  If you are interested in giving a presentation to the club (about an hour), let us know and we will add you to the calendar.

Our next tech class and examination session is on 21-22 September.  Amit, WY2Z, is coordinating the classes.  Mike, WB8RDN, is coordinating the examination session. 

We also have Sterlingfest coming up on 12 October.  We normally run a Special Event Station to interest people in amateur radio.  We have already reserved a spot. 

We could use a volunteer to coordinate the effort.

Finally, we will conclude the meeting with the Tech-Ten-Talk: This month Steve KN4BGW, will discuss "RF Mapping with Radio Mobile Online."

See you at the meeting,
73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

In addition to the antenna I mentioned in a previous email,  I also have a travel mug for auction.  Proceeds from this auction will go to the SPARC treasury.

Photo attached.  The SPARC logo is engraved.  The brand is Polar Camel.  Made of aluminum with plastic top. 

For better picture see  https://www.crowntrophy.com/barware-drinkware-1/2340rd

Crown Trophy gave this to us when we picked up our order of plaques for the 2019 Virginia QSO Party.

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

I have an old aluminum vertical antenna I was given by someone in the distant past.  It has been sitting outside and I have never used it.  All the pieces are there, except for the screws that hold the vertical tubing sections together.  The label has completely faded and I cannot read it.

The vertical section is about 15 feet long.  There are four radials, each about 55 inches log.  They attached to the base section (picture attached).  The base section has hardware for mounting to a pole.  There is probably a toroid in the round section in the bottom where the wire goes in.  Both connection points for the external coil are corroded.  The base probably needs to be gently taken apart and cleaned.

It resonates at 14.200 MHz (1.2:1 at 50 ohms) according to my antenna analyzer.   Probably would work if just put up, but a good cleaning would help it work better.

I will bring it to the next club meeting, Wednesday, 4 September.  And offer it for auction with the proceeds going to the club treasury.  It was free to me, so I do not expect more than a few dollars for it. 

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

We are updating the membership list on our website one more time before replacing it with a membership list for next year.

https://www.qsl.net/sterling/Members/members.htm

If you are not on the list but think you should be, please let us know. 

You can be considered a member if you:

   Pay dues   OR
   Come to meeting  OR
   Participate in some SPARC activities  OR
   Are planning on join soon.

Please let me know.

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

A reminder that the pizza party is this Wednesday.

I have fun over the weekend getting on the North American QSO Party CW contest.  Did 95 QSOs on 40M.  I do CW with N1MM for logging and sending the CW.  And CWGet for reading the CW.  Works well.

Of course, a reason for doing this was that I still need to get a 40M CW contact with North Dakota.  And of course I got CW QSOs with all other "0" land states except for North Dakota.  Oh, well...

See you at the Party,
73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

Our annual pizza party is about a week away, so put it on your calendar now!  This is a good time to look back at all we’ve accomplished this year.

What:  SPARC annual pizza party.
When:  Wednesday, August 7th at 7:00 PM
Where:  Joe's Pizzeria, 22360 S. Sterling Blvd. (next to Safeway) http://www.joespizzaria.com/

The club will provide pizza, salad, and soft drinks.  The club will NOT provide beer, wine, or other alcoholic drinks.  If you want to have alcoholic drinks with your meal, please order and pay for them separately.

There is no cost for the pizza party, but we usually ask for small contributions so we can leave a nice tip for the waitress and defray some of the cost of the party.

All are invited,  Spouses, friends, kids, etc.  It is always a good time.

We made a reservation for 35.  Last year we had 36 attendees. Joe's can always add tables. We will not be collecting names, just come and enjoy yourself.

73, Gordon, NQ4K