UPARC

Jamboree-on-the-Air a Success

By Jack Kinney on October 18, 2022

The Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club went to Lutz, FL to help Boy Scout Troop 12 participate in the 2022 Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) event. We assisted with training, license testing, setup and operation of amateur radio equipment. The most important part was getting the Scouts on the air so they could learn about our hobby and work toward a Radio Merit Badge. Contacts were made around the US as well as Ireland, Germany, LY5A in Lithania and ZS6CCY in South Africa.

Here the Scouts were learning from Ryan KO4KGP about how a Satellite can be used to talk to different parts of the planet and even the ISS in outer space! The team tried really hard to make an ISS … Read the rest

OCTOBER 1ST – MONTHLY MEETING INFORMATION

By Jason Esterline on September 28, 2022

Without knowing the exact severity of impact Hurricane IAN will have on North Pinellas County we wanted to let you know that viability of having our meeting this Saturday is being evaluated at this time and we will formally announce a meeting, postponement, or even cancellation on Friday 9/30.

Aside from power outages and possible damage to our area, we also have to factor whether or not PHFD #65 will be accessible to us.

We will send out notice both by email and SMS alert – so if you don’t receive those messages please text UPARC to 84483.

STAY SAFE, HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS and monitor our repeater, W4ACS, and NI4CE if possible… Read the rest

UPARC Elections – Board Member Nominations

By Jack Kinney on August 12, 2022

From: Fred Botero W2SUB

UPARC members, it is time to solicit nominations or interest to serve on the Board of Directors for our upcoming election in November. As discussed in our recent meeting, the following people cannot run again for their current position per our Bylaws which limit the number of consecutive one year terms to two terms: Jack Kinney – President, Alan Streitman – Vice President and Dee Hooker – Secretary. However, these individuals can be nominated for and serve on different Board positions.

I have been selected as leader of the Nominating Committee along with supporting members, Mike Branda and Ron Appel. This committee must submit a slate of qualified members to the Board in the October meeting … Read the rest

Ken Martens – WK4KM – Services Announced

By Jason Esterline on July 9, 2022

SERVICES: Ken’s interment will be at Bay Pines National Cemetery (10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33708) on Friday July 29th @ 11:00am. A celebration of life with refreshments will be held at Dunedin Golf Club Restaurant (1050 Palm Blvd, Dunedin) immediately following.… Read the rest

2022 ARRL Field Day Recap

By Jack Kinney on June 29, 2022

Take a few minutes to read our 2022 ARRL Field Day Recap… Read the rest

July Meeting – Special Guest Presentation by Tim Duffy K3LR

By Jason Esterline on June 27, 2022

Tim Duffy K3LR

Tim Duffy K3LR – Photo by DX Engineering This month’s presentation is about the K3LR Contest Station — by our Special Guest Tim Duffy! Tim has been an active contest operator for 49 years. He has hosted over 145 different operators as part of the K3LR multi operator DX contest efforts since 1992 – which have made over 800,000 QSOs… This is a presentation you don’t want to miss!

Zoom details available upon request – please use the Contact Page to request

… Read the rest

Detailed map of Field Day Site

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on June 25, 2022

For anyone that has not been to the site before, it is at 1716 N Belcher Road in Clearwater. We operate in the Clearwater Fire Training Center which is behind the fire house off of Belcher Road. This is just south of Sunset Point Road and north of the railroad tracks. Turn off of Belcher and follow the directions on the map below.

Come into the doors up the ramp and follow the signs. We are on the east side for the building. Setup begins at 8-9 AM and operating starts at 2:00 PM Saturday. Talk-in on 147.12 + 600 (PL 100 Hz). You can also email info@nulluparc.org or call me at 727-437-2771 as a last resort if … Read the rest

Ken Martens – WK4KM, Silent Key (SK)

By Jason Esterline on June 7, 2022

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of longtime member, and friend — Ken Martens. Ken has been with UPARC for many years, serving as Secretary for a year, and as part of the Net Controller Team until recently. Ken also enjoyed being an Old Goats Member on 3.910Mhz daily. He was always quick to offer help, advice, and a touch of humor to every conversation.

No services have been announced at this time, but full military honors are expected to take place at Bay Pines – we will keep the club informed as more information is provided.

Please keep his wife Cloyce, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.

73 WK4KM, we’ll catch you down the … Read the rest

Announcing ARRL Field Day 2022 – June 25th and 26th.

By Tom Schaefer NY4I on May 27, 2022

Deadline to signup to be guaranteed meals has passed. Feel free to attend but plan on bringing your own meals.

ARRL Field Day is a combined event to test our ability to setup radio communication under less than ideal conditions–think temporary antennas, generators and radio gear. Our event this year is a combined event with two clubs—the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and the Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club (UPARC). The date is June 25thstarting at 2:00 PM until Sunday June 26th at 2:00 PM. Setup generally begins in earnest at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning. The location for all of this is the Clearwater Fire Department Fire Training Center at 1716 N. Belcher Road in Clearwater. Click here… Read the rest

UPARC in the Park May 2022

By Jack Kinney on May 22, 2022

On May 21st, The Upper Pinellas Amateur Radio Club held one of its UPARC in the Park events. UPARC in the Park is a mini-field day where we setup 1-2 radios, antennas and have some outdoor radio fun for a few hours. All radios used battery power at this event.

The event had two operating positions. Dee W4DCH brought his Icom 7300 to use for phone contacts. A 20Ah battery was used for power.

Morris K7LSV was doing FT8 on his uBITX v6 QRP rig with a mag loop antenna and at one point he did it under Tesla power!

Alan W4UB had hoped to run two different antennas. Unfortunately the SWR on one them was not respecting his “Band … Read the rest