News from the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC)

Hi,

I have an old, maybe serviceable maybe not, RME-45. 

I will probably never get around to fixing it. 

I put it on craigslist at
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ele/d/herndon-rme-45-communications-receiver/7023026667.html

However, if anyone in the club wants it, you can have it for free.  If you want to donate a very few dollars to the club treasury, that is fine also, but not necessary.

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

The November monthly meeting was held this past Wednesday.  We have a good turnout - 34 members and guests were present.

The presentation was on antennas.  The speaker was Larry, W8ANT.  He is a very entertaining speaker.  His hour went by very quickly.  He did not finish.

We invited him back to finish his presentation at the December meeting. Not sure how much he had left.  Maybe he will add to it to fill up an hour.

Forest, N4UTY SK, used to give his antenna presentation / chalk talk "A Baker's Dozen Wire Antennas" about once every two years.  His memorial tag line line was "Every antenna is a dipole."

See https://www.qsl.net/sterling/Activities/20140205_N4UTY_Wire_Antennas/20140205_N4UTY_Wonderful_Wire_Antennas.pdf

The memorial line from Larry is "Rule #1:  Any antenna is better than no antenna."

Photo of Larry and the group is attached (courtesy of Marty, NV3H).

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

One of the items of business left over from the November SPARC monthly meeting is a final discussion of and changes we want to make to the Virginia QSO Party for 2020.  The Party will be held the weekend of 21-22 March.

The proposed changes and a recommendation follow.  Based on comments, we will go with the group consensus.

Last year we allowed FT8 as a digital mode as long as the required serial number and QTH were exchanged.  It has been suggested that this year we allow FT8 QSOs with the standard FT8 data. i.e., grid and signal strength. 

   Recommendation:  No change.  FT8 contacts must exchange serial number and QTH.

Extend the hours to enable night time QSOs with California.   A couple of years ago we curtailed our hours to 24 hours. We noticed that there were not a significant number of contacts at night and subsequently we observed no reduction in participation, rather participation has continued to increase even with shorter hours.   After a couple of years, we extended the Saturday hours by 2 hours.   A couple of folks have asked we further extend the hours to enable more contacts with California. 

   Recommendation: No change in hours.  The number of night QSOs were low.   I like to sleep at night.

Larry, W8ANT, and Kevin, WB0POH, has volunteered to sponsor a plaque "High Virginia Station CW 160 and 80M Only."  This focuses additional attention on operation within Virginia through th use of NVIS antennas.

   Recommendation:  The consensus at the October meeting was not to approve this.  Most QSOs are now 80M and we have a couple of plaques focusing on VA QSOs only.

We need to encourage more participation in counties and independent cities with low QSO counts.  Originally I proposed a bonus points scheme.  This generated a lot of discussion.  Subsequently, Red, N3TG, proposed a "President's Plaque" to be awarded based upon the judgement of the VQP committee.  We could include the contribution to promoting the VQP in the award criteria.

  Recommendation: Approve a "President's Plaque.  Though maybe a different name. 

I think that is it.  Email comments if you have them. 

Other VQP activities.

We are starting solicitation for sponsorships for plaques.  If anyone want to try doing this let me know.

The 2020 VQP web site has started.  Rules will be updates shortly and added to the website.

Henry, K2BFY, is continuing to improve our scoring program by adding in addition log error checking into his program.  

Marty, NV3H, an Barry, KD4BK, are working on some programs to automate some of the log submission and plaque awardee selection. 

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

Our next Tech class is 22-23 February.  Amit, WY2Z, is coordinating with instructors.  Mike, WB8RDN, alerted the VEs.  We have the room reserved.

Several people has asked about a general class. 

We have tried this before.  In April 2012, we did a two day class followed by an exam session.  Had two students. In late 2014, we held several 2-hour sessions, again with two students, but no examination session following. 

However, I remain enthusiastic. 

Amit, WY2Z, volunteered to coordinate the effort. 

Kevin, W4KLS, suggested we do it after the next tech class but before field day, so the graduates could work the HF radios.  March or April would therefore be the target period.

Gary, K4SRX, indicated he was ready for another try at the general class license.

We need instructors, pre-study materials, briefing materials, etc. 

Unless, we hear some strong objections, I propose we conduct the general class.

Comments?

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

It is time for our November monthly meeting.  Wednesday, 6 November 2019, at 7 PM at the Sheriff's substation.

Refreshments will be by Bruce, WA6LIR. 

It has been a good radio month for me.  Did over 100 QSOs on FT8.  Really getting to like that mode.  Lets me do other things while waiting for the contact to complete.  Went to Dick's, W2YE, QTH and helped him take apart his dual quad antenna.  It is now wrapped up in plastic, advertised on craigslist and QRZ.COM, and awaiting a buyer.  Had one nibble from a person in New York but getting it to him is a major challenge.  I also worked the CQ-WW-SSB contest.  I was almost embarrassed to send in my one QSO, but did it anyway. 

Marty, Nv3H, coordinated with Larry, W8ANT,  to give a presentation on "Antennas."  Larry is an entertaining speaker and we left the exact substance of his presentation up to him.  Be interesting to see.

Amit, W2YZ, has started planning for the February Tech Class.  He and Mike, WB8RDN, decided on 22-23 February and the room has been reserved.

We are also considering a General License class.  There have been several queries.  If we have enough volunteers for instructors, we can try this. Looking forward to thoughts about this at the meeting.

We have one item of club business.  That is to finalize the rules for the 2020 Virginia QSO party.  Our primary discussion was abut how to get more participation.  One thought was bonus points.  Another thought was a "Presidents Plaque" to be given to a person who promotes the VQP.  Other proposals for rule changes include extending the hours, adding a CW 160.80M plaque, and allowing FT8 operation without the required QTH and SN.

Finally, we will close with the Tech-Ten-Talk from the Tech Ten Talk Team.

See you on Wednesday,
73, Gordon, NQ4K