St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club

03/29/2026

SPARC E C H O L I N K Users

The NZ1Q-L link to the SPARC 2m repeater will be moving to W4GGJ-L Monday, March 30.
All users will connect to W4GGJ-L from Monday onward.

I have operated and maintained the system for ~7 yrs. It is time to allow another club member to be honored as SPARC EchoLink Sysop. Joe, W4GGJ and I will move the equipment to his shack during the day on Monday. If Murphy doesn't show up, it should be operational for the net and prenet tomorrow evening. Broadcastify should be operating normally after the move.

To start, we will keep all software settings the same as we are moving the computer and software as is, along with the RigBlaster interface and the 2m Rig.

Many thanks to Joe for volunteering 👏👏

de nz1q

02/08/2026

SPARC Presentations from the Feb 6, 2026, club meeting. Presenters are AA0O, KO4CEE, NY4I & NZ1Q.

Video by Orin, KG1S

12/14/2025

The team did a great job this morning at the SPARC station in removing the remaining antennas and tower. Then moving them to the Wyoming Antelope Club. The POD was also filled with all the remaining item from the station at DMI. Thanks again to everyone who showed up and helped out today.
de nz1q

11/14/2025

SPARC has started to take down some of the antennas as it prepares to relocate its club station and antennas from the DMI facility in Pinellas Park, Florida. Members of the Antenna Team (Craig, KM4FXP; Terry, K4TLC; Ryan, AF4O) worked on the 40m vertical on Nov 10.

11/14/2025

Darrel, KV4HI - SK

Seminole e-Bike Crash:
On Wednesday morning, November 12, 2025, Seminole Fire Rescue and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal crash involving an E-bike at Seminole Blvd and Valencia Terrace. Investigators say 82-year-old bicyclist Darell Groves was struck by a 2012 Toyota Tacoma as the driver turned onto Seminole Blvd. Groves, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to the hospital, where he later died. The driver was uninjured and cooperated with deputies. Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors. The Major Accident Investigation Team is continuing to investigate.

https://iontb.com/crash-on-seminole-blvd-claims-the-life-of-a-man-driving-an-e-bike/

10/31/2025

Get ready for SPARC Fest!
Saturday, Nov 8 at Freedom Lake Park.
As always - Free to Tailgate, Free admission.
C U there.

The St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club Presents 2025 SPARC Fest FREE Swapmeet and Tailgate FREE Saturday, November 8th, 2025 Freedom Lake Park, Pinellas Park, FL 8:00 AM UNTIL NOON FREE ADMISSION VE TESTING TALK-IN ON 147.060 (+), NO PL VE Exams will be given by the St. Petersburg ARC L

09/20/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1756W7nVPP/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

It only takes a few seconds! 📬

Send your letter NOW to secure the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles

🔗- https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/

MORE INFO➡️ https://www.arrl.org/HOA

07/17/2025

WinLink presentation by Mike Drake at SPARC's July meeting. Email over radio, including concept, detailed operation, and how to set up your own WinLink station.

In this presentation by Mike, he starts with the basic concepts of email via radio and then goes into many of the features of WinLink. Finally, he discusses ...

06/06/2025

When a front or rainstorm comes through, be aware that a microburst of wind could cause significant damage to your antennas. This is a case where JoJo, W4XXI, lost a tower and a Mosley beam in the storm that came through Tampa Bay last week.
This happened to my own Hex Beam a few years ago.

05/19/2025

WormFest 2025 is this Saturday, May 24, in Pinellas Park, FL. Admission and the tailgate are free. Freedom Lake Park is at 9990 46th St N, the southeast corner of US 19 and 49th Street, 33782. The park opens at sunrise for vendor setup, and the hamfest starts at 0800. Talk in on 146.850 – 146.2. It's all FREE!
And stay tuned for SPARC Fest in November

04/15/2025

April club meeting presentation about logging software by Pat, AA0O, is available at the link below.

A review of logging software programs.