At SPARC’s April meeting, Oliver K6OLI provided a wrap-up of all the action at Baker to Vegas 2019. He has kindly shared a summary of the weekend in this Google Photo Album. The album contains photos from Oliver, Jeff W2JCL, Robert K6YZF, Mike KM6KAQ and Lew AC6LS.
Preparing for runners at the Baker to Vegas relay, March 23, 2019. Photo by Robert K6YZF
On April 14, SPARC participated in the 2019 Rookie Roundup. We made contacts in multiple states and tuned in some very clear signals from Georgia and Michigan. Below is a gallery of pictures from the day. Led by Joss KM6NXI, we took time to play a few rounds of kubb, a lawn game that’s increasingly popular here in South Pas.
Our friends at the South Pasadena Community Emergency Response Team have released their calendar of events for the rest of 2019. We’ve added these events to our calendar page and will update the listings if/when new dates are announced. Visit the CERT page to register for the refresher course or the fall training session.
May 25, 2019
8am – noon
CERT Refresher Training (held at SPFD)
July 4, 2019
9am – 2pm
CERT Booth in Garfield Park after the annual Festival of Balloons
August 6, 2019
6 -9pm
CERT Booth at National Night Out in Orange Grove Park
September 21, 2019
8am – 1pm
Basic CERT Training, fall session week 1 (held at SPFD)
September 28, 2019
8am – 1pm
Basic CERT Training, fall session week 2 (held at SPFD)
October 5, 2019
8am – 1pm
Basic CERT Training, fall session week 3 (held at SPFD)
SPARC will participate in the ARRL Rookie Roundup this Sunday, April 14. The contest runs for six hours, from 11 am to 4:59 pm (1800 to 2359 UTC).
The contest is intended for newly-licensed hams who have had their ticket for under three years. “Old hams” are welcome, but your role will be to coach and provide additional contacts to rookie stations calling CQ. From ARRL’s explanation of the rules:
• You can be a Rookie if you were first licensed in 2019, 2018 or 2017. Send the year you were first licensed in the exchange.
• If you were licensed before 2017 you can also be a Rookie if you made your first Amateur Radio contact during 2019, 2018 or 2017 or if you haven’t made any contacts on the contest mode (SSB for April) before the Rookie Roundup contest. Send the current year (2019) in your exchange. Either of these reasons qualify you as a Rookie for just one year.
• Rookies will attempt to make as many contacts as possible during this six-hour event. Rookies work everyone, and non-Rookies work only Rookies.
This is a great way to try out contesting in an event designed for newcomers.
You can participate from your own station on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter HF bands (3.840-3.860, 7.215-7.235, 14.240-14.260, 21.315-21.335, and 28.390-28.410 MHz).
We’ll be set up with a few operating positions around the northeast corner of Garfield Park. Hope to see you there!
Our friends at the Crescenta Valley Radio Club will be participating in the annual Winter Field Day. You can stop by and visit their stations in Deukmejian Wilderness Park or give them a contact by operating from home.
When: 1900 UTC (11am PST) Saturday the 26th to 1900 UTC (11am PST) Sunday the 27th
Bands: All amateur bands on HF, VHF, & UHF except 12, 17, 30 and 60 meters
Photo identification (driver license or passport are best)
Federal Registration Number (FRN) from FCC website or Social Security Number
Pencils and/or pens
A pocket calculator (not really necessary, but some people like to have one)
$15 exam fee, cash or check. Exam fees are collected on behalf of ARRL/VEC which has an agreement with the FCC to process license exams and applications.
CONTACT: Dep. Paige for more information and to sign up for this opportunity to earn your amateur radio license. DCPAIGE@LASD.ORG or cell # 626-241-2499.
Thanks to all the SPARC members who staffed our table at the annual South Pas Public Safety Open House. And thanks as always to the police and fire departments for hosting such an informative and fun event! The following photos were taken by Robert K6YZF. The fire extinguisher training was conducted by SPARC and CERT member James K6CUT.
SPARC members at the 2018 South Pasadena Public Safety Open House
On September 8, SPARC set up two stations in Garfield Park to participate in the ARRL’s September VHF/UHF contest for a few hours. We made thirty contacts on FM and SSB and tested mesh nodes. Several members of the public stopped by — some who had prior ham experience and some who were just curious about all the wires. Thanks to everyone who helped with set up and clean up! Contests are a great opportunity to spend time operating and testing equipment, so don’t hesitate to stop by the next time we take part in one. Photos by Robert K6YZF.
SPARC will have a booth once again at the annual South Pasadena Police and Fire Department Open House on Sunday, September 16. The open house runs from 10am to 3pm. We will be located in the courtyard behind the fire station. This fun and informative event runs in conjunction with the Cruz’n for Roses classic car show supporting the SouthPas Tournament of Roses float committee. Come meet SPARC members, see some radio gear, and learn about our activities. Hope to see you there!
SPARC will be participating in the annual ARRL September VHF Contest. We’re not looking to walk away with any giant trophies, the goal is to test our gear, get some practice operating, and have fun. All club members are invited to participate. Members of other local clubs, CERT, Neighborhood Watch, and the community are encouraged to visit and see what SPARC is all about.
When: Saturday, September 8th, 11am until 5pm Where: Garfield Park, South Pasadena — north end near the tennis courts
SPARC members who would like to help with the set up process can arrive at 9am.
Testing a mesh node in preparation for the September VHF contest.
We will set up two stations, 2m and 440. Feel free to bring your own gear for some show and tell. If you bring your own handheld or mobile and sufficent power (fully-charged battery, mobile go kit, etc.) you can connect to our antennas at a convenient moment. If you’d like to test your own antenna system, make sure to consider the safety of others and include any hardware required to set up in a stable and considerate manner.
There are a limited number of picnic benches near the Garfield Park tennis courts, so bring along a camp chair if you’d like to stay for a while.
If you can’t make it to the park, be a contact! Our talk-in frequency will be 145.600.
We hope to see you or log a contact with you on September 8.
