July 16, 2025
Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club
On Saturday, September 23, 2023 the UPARC and CARS radio clubs got together for their monthly breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe in Clearwater. We had what we believe was the largest turnout ever with 20 people.
I’m not sure we could have fit another person in the room. Why break just one record when you can add another. This breakfast definitely had the largest appearance of XYLs ever in one place plus a YL friend of an XYL. We always love having the ladies show up at events!… Read the rest
UPARC members stopped by the QTH of Tom NY4I on Sunday August 20, 2023 to get ready for Tom’s antenna raising in September. Work included assembly of the Mosley MP-33-NW beam antenna and some projects in the shack. Thanks to the work party including (alphabetically): Alan W4UB, Bob K1NLS, Fred W2SUB, Jack N4KIN, Olev KO4WUB, Rob WD4IFT, Ron W4RFA and Ryan AF4O.
A few notable events included the beam assembly. Mosley sent the wrong instructions in the box so the team had to resort to watching a YouTube video to learn about the installation of the antenna. The team setup saw horses in the living room to assemble the elements with Fred W2SUB checking the video on his phone. I … Read the rest
Dee Hooker W4DCH
Dee received the President’s Award for service to the Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club and for being a past member of the Board of Directors. Congratulations Dee!
There were two presentations: Awards and CW Key. The CW Key presentation was terrific. There were straight keys, iambic paddles, single lever paddles, keyers and more from vendors such as Bencher, Bengali, MFJ, Vibroplex, and more. It was great being able to try different styles of keys. You can see a few in the photo above. Sadly we didn’t get a photo of just the keys.
After a morning of updates on the club and learning something new, some … Read the rest
UPARC and CARS came together for a successful breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe in Clearwater. If you haven’t joined us before please think about it. We meet on the fourth Saturday of the month. Check this link for dates/times:
https://uparc.org/events/list/?tribe-bar-search=breakfast… Read the rest
Alan Streitman W4UB
Need an antenna? Alan. Need a balun? Alan. Radio isn’t working? Alan. MARS mod your Icom 7300? Alan. I could keep going but it’s probably easier to list what Alan hasn’t done for the club or club members since he got his ticket and joined the club. Not one to sit still he’s always helping someone or working on a project. The author likely wouldn’t be on the air without him. Congratulations on receiving the President’s Award this month. Well earned!
What is a QSL? Why do you want to QSL? Who do you QSL? When should I QSL? When should I send a QSL? All important questions that could be asked about … Read the rest
For those that may not know me, I have mobility issues. While I used to be able to climb ladders to work on antennas, drive ground rods and generally do my own work to setup my ham radio station, unfortunately those things are not possible for me now. That being said, I now depend upon the kindness of friends in UPARC to setup my antennas and sometimes the bigger projects inside the shack too. The point of this post is not only to thank all the wonderful hams in UPARC but also to point out this is one of the benefits of being a member of UPARC.
Of course, UPARC is a club of many interests. We have Field Day, … Read the rest
It was a bit humid for November, but it didn’t stop us from having a good time at the 2022 Fall Picnic & Officer Elections.
We were a bit remiss and capturing photos of the event probably due to all the socializing that occurred.
We met new friends and gained a couple new members in the process. The morning started with a fox hunt. It seems Jason N4BOZ and Jack N4KIN did a good job of hiding the fox as it wasn’t found. The annual business meeting was called to order by Jack N4KIN around 11:30. Everyone was welcomed, the voting process was reviewed and several announcements were made. Jason N4BOZ reviewed the monthly treasurers report. W2SUB provided an update … Read the rest
* IMPORTANT * IMPORTANT *
Our Annual Business Meeting & Election is November 5th, and we NEED you to join us! This will be a great time, at a beautiful park with great food, camaraderie, a little bit of official business, and a FOX HUNT!
First, please let us if you’ll be attending, how many in your party, and what you will bring for the potluck! You can do that by filling out the following quick survey. https://forms.gle/pEHfyqBKwWGyBUbB9
Next, IF you cannot make it, please return the Proxy via email or in person to any UPARC board member/officer as we need 1/3 of our membership present (or by proxy) to have a
UPARC and CARS came together for a successful breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe in Clearwater. We had so many people (15 at least) we had to break into two rows! If you haven’t joined us before please thing about it. We meet on the fouth Saturday of the month. Check this link for dates/times:
https://uparc.org/events/list/?tribe-bar-search=breakfast… Read the rest
SPARC, the St. Petersburg Amateur Radio Club held it’s first SPARCfest since the COVID shutdown at Freedom Lake Park in Pinellas Park, FL. There were lots of items to look at and SPARC was unloading a ton of equipment.
The author found a sentimental item that he picked up. Not especially practical in our county with digital and P25 but hey it works so for $10 why not.
Several members of UPARC attended the event.
Alan picked up a fiberglass lineman’s pushup pole for $30 from a guy who paid $20 less than 5 minutes earlier. We all wanted one but there were not enough to go around. Julie NF1T picked up one as well.
Always fun … Read the rest