News from the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club (SPARC)

Hi,

The January monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8 January. 

This email remains us to prepare for this meeting.

The first activity is a Show and Tell.  We bring in an item, preferably a ham radio related item, and talk about it.  I think last year, I brought in an old Heath Kit vacuum tube voltage meter (VTVM).  This requires a little thinking and preparation to select an item and prepare a very short speech.

The second activity.is our Gift Exchange.  A White Elephant style event.  Please bring something in a bag or wrapped. Something used.  Or something new, but inexpensive. something you do not need anymore.

I also have at least one item I will put up for auction.  We have a Cushcraft R-4 antenna.  Left over from the estate of  Forrest, N4UTY-SK.  Nice vertical antenna.  Works on 10, 12,15, and 20M. Used a counterpoise instead of ground radials.  Meant to be mounted up in the air a few feet. Currently dissembled.  Proceeds will go to the club treasury.

73, Gordon, NQ4K

Hi,

Earl, KB0NRK, demonstrated a morse code trainer at our last meeting.  It appeared to be a very well integrated item with built in keyer and multiple plugs.

Info is at link below.

73, Gordon, NQ4K


Earl A. Boatman

Hi,

It is time for our monthly meeting.  The month went by fast, and it is now December.  Meeting on Wednesday, 4 December, at 7PM at the Sheriff's substation in Sterling.

Refreshments will be by Steve, KN4BGW.

I had a good ham radio month.  Did the DARC WAEDC RTTY contest in early November.  25 QSOs.   And the CQ WW CW contest toward the end of November.  20 QSOs all on 40M.  Tried the Russian WW Multi-Mode contest, but did not hear anyone.  Also did 319 FT-8 QSOs.  Getting to like FT-8.  I can read my email and play on the radio at the same time.

Our speaker this month is Larry, W8ANT, who will continue his presentation on "Antennas."  His presentation last month was very interesting and keep me awake.  But it ran a little long, so we invited him back to complete the story.

We also have a very few items of club business.

The Virginia QSO Party preparation is coming along. 

     We are in the middle of solicitation for plaque sponsorships.  We have 3 of the 26 already spoken for.  Still waiting to hear from the remainder.  This normally takes a little while.

     Web site is up and running. 

     Henry, K2BFY, has been updating the scoring software.  Marty, NV3H, is working on a log submittal internet portal.  Barry, KD4BK, is working on plaque and certificate awardee selection software.  All is going well.

We finally settled on training classes for February. 

    A General License prep class will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 February. 

   A Technician License Prep class will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 22-23 February.

   The examination session will be held on Sunday afternoon, 23 February.  This be be for both the tech class students and the general class students.

   Amit, WY2Z is coordinating both the General and the Tech classes.  Mike, WB8RDN, is coordinating the examination session.

Finally we will conclude with the Tech Ten Talk Team Tech Ten Talk.  Be interesting to see what Steve, KN4BGW, and Tod, KN4BGX, have come up with.

See you at the meeting.
73, Gordon, NQ4K