UPARC

UPARC in the Park April 2025

By Jack Kinney on April 12, 2025

On April 12, 2025, some members of UPARC got together to play radio at Honeymoon Island State Park. We activated Parks on the Air site US-1880 an attempted to reach our goal of 1,000 contacts for our W4AFC callsign. At least one of us was eager to get going as evidenced by a photo he sent.

I am not sure of the total count but would say at least a dozen people met up and there were at least five different stations setup. In the past UPARC has typically provided all of the equipment for a UPARC in the Park event. This time our President Ryan Rager AF4O decided that people would bring their own equipment and “run what … Read the rest

BREAKING NEWS – HAMS TO OPERATE OUTDOORS!

By Jack Kinney on April 6, 2025

Come out and join us for a mini field day event we call UPARC in the Park during a POTA (US-1880) activation. This will be a “run what you brung” event. Bring your portable operating station and setup to operate at the park. Have all your gear on hand, including a power source.

… Read the rest

Parks-on-the-Air Trip to St. Marys, Georgia

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on April 3, 2025

Just beyond the Florida-Georgia border, exit 1 off I-95 ushers you into a world that feels distinctly different. As you leave the bustling traffic of Jacksonville behind, time seems to slow in St. Marys, Georgia. The first landmark to greet you is the sail of a mock Polaris submarine, seemingly surfacing from the parking lot of the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. From March 26th to March 30th, several members of local radio clubs made their way to Crooked River State Park (US-2170) to participate in an annual Risk tournament (yes, the classic board game). As dedicated amateur radio enthusiasts, we quickly realized that being in a state park also provided us the perfect opportunity to operate … Read the rest

Winter Field Day 2025 Follow-up Report

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on February 10, 2025

On January 25th & 26th, 2025, local ham radio clubs participated in the annual Winter Field Day event in Clearwater, Florida. The day started out as planned with people gathering at 8:00 AM–some even earlier–at the Clearwater Fire Training Center for Winter Field Day 2025. This was a joint effort between the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society, the St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club and the Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club. This was the first time SPARC had been back in a few years for Winter Field Day and given the number of members from different clubs, it was great to have everyone back together again.

Due to the forecasted weather being a bit too chilly overnight (yes, I know, it’s … Read the rest

Winter Field Day 2025 Announcement

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on December 9, 2024

Do you like operating in the field but hate dripping in sweat while setting up antennas? Does the idea of enduring another Field Day constantly fighting off every mosquito in Tampa Bay make you wish they held Field Day in January? Well, you’re in luck! Winter Field Day is an event very similar to the June ARRL Field Day except—you guessed it—it’s held in Winter. Specifically January 25 & 26, 2025. This is a joint operation with both the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and the St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club (SPARC). The event will be held at the Clearwater Fire Training Facility on Belcher Road south of Sunset Point Road in Clearwater. Prior efforts … Read the rest

New 2025 Officers Elected and Bylaws Changed

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on November 3, 2024

At the UPARC annual meeting held at NY4I’s QTH on Saturday November 2, the new slate of officers/directors for 2025 was elected:

President – Ryan Rager AF4O
Vice President – Alan Streitman W4UB
Secretary – Fred Botero W2SUB
Treasurer – Ron Appel W4RFA
Member at Large – Jason Esterline N4BOZ

Having a quorum of 41 members (either in person or by proxy), with the 2/3 majority needed to amend, all six proposed bylaw changes were adopted.

Below are a few pictures of the event. Just UPARC members and guests enjoying each other’s company…

… Read the rest

Club Annual Meeting and Picnic 2024

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on October 16, 2024

Our UPARC annual meeting and picnic is on Saturday November 2, 2024 at Tom Schaefer NY4I’s QTH at 2836 Meadow Hill Dr North in Clearwater. Note this was previously John Chesnut Sr Park in East Lake but due to hurricane damage, the county canceled our reservation as the shelters are damaged. Note there will NOT be a fox hunt.

We start at 10:00 AM with the annual business meeting to take place at 11:00 AM. At the business meeting, we will cast a vote for the slate of officers. We will also vote on proposed bylaw changes.

WE NEED A QUORUM OF AT LEAST 30 VOTING MEMBERS.

If you cannot attend the business meeting, please request a proxy ballot … Read the rest

Proposed Bylaw Changes October 2024

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on October 7, 2024

Please review the proposed bylaw changes to be voted on at our annual meeting on November 2nd, 2024. Read more about it either on Slack or on the linked page.

We need at least 30 members present at the meeting for a quorum so please review that page as well for proxy info.… Read the rest

President’s Award – October 2024

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on October 6, 2024

The latest recipient of the President’s Award is Rob Bird, WD4IFT. Rob is a constant presence at the Get-on-the-Air (GOTA) team events as well as most club activities. UPARC greatly appreciates that Rob is always willing to help out others. He is a valuable member of the club and well-deserving of this recognition. Congratulations to Rob.

Rob WD4IFT receiving the President's Award … Read the rest

Why We Ask Club Members if you are an ARRL Member?

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on September 17, 2024

As you may know, UPARC is an ARRL-affiliated amateur radio club. This means we support the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and its mission to further the interests of Amateur Radio. UPARC was affiliated with the ARRL on August 10, 2012 shortly after our founding as a club.

So why you might be asking why we ask if you are an ARRL member? We ask to know if you are an ARRL member as ARRL-affiliated clubs are asked to maintain 51% of their voting members as current ARRL members. Hence you see on the sign-up sheet (and the club sign-up/renewal form) a question about your ARRL membership status. Please do indicate on the sign-up sheet if you are a member. … Read the rest