Club News & Activities
Who we are
This South Central Connecticut area amateur radio club offers four repeaters, two with EchoLink and IRLP. Members enjoy weekly breakfast get togethers. We sponsor several weekly nets on the Club repeaters where any amateur operator is welcome. We also assist with volunteer events, such as walk-a-thons throughout the year.
Newly licensed hams or those just new to the SPARC repeaters are always welcome!
SPARC 30 Year Anniversary!
On July 17, 2025, the Shore Point Amateur Radio Club will turn 30 years old!
While K1SOX had purchased the 505 repeater months earlier and the old club WHARA was re-activated in June 1995, the name SPARC was voted on at the following meeting in July.
We will be having an outdoor BBQ event on Saturday, July 19th. July 20th is the rain date.
This will be at the covered pavilion at Wharton Brook State Park. This is in Wallingford near the North Haven line. We are planning on meeting at 12 noon. There are grills available, so bring what you would like to cook or share!
Hopefully we can get some older founding members to attend as well as some newer folks!
More updates to follow!
147.505 & 442.500 Amplifier Update
New Crescend amps have been put into service for the 505 and the 442.500! These has a superior build quality over the Henry amps. The signal reports have been positive.
Thank you to Dan, KB1MMR for the 505 amp!
Net Controls Needed for SPARC Net!
We are in need of net control stations for the 4th Wednesday of each month. Without someone to step up, the nets could go silent for those nights. Please send an email to nets / at / sparc.us with any questions or if you are interested.
Remember this net is what we all make it!
Simplex Net
W1MHz is looking for interested ham operators to restart the simplex net. This is a great opportunity to check your station's range and make improvements!
The net is on our Club Simplex frequency of 145.505 and the nets will be held on Thursdays at 8 PM. Check it out!
SPARC Meetings
The next SPARC meeting is September 8, 2025.
SPARC normally meets on the second Monday of April and September at 7:00 P.M. We meet at the Twin Pines Diner at 34 Main Street, East Haven. Check back for updates! Talk-in is the 442.500 repeater.
The meetings are open to all!
Club Dues / Donations
There are many Club expenses, if you use the SPARC repeaters, please consider a donation.
Please go to the INFO / DONATION section of this site. You can use a credit card, PayPal or mail a check.
Thank you!
CARA Field Day 1995
This video was recently found on an old VHS tape that K1SOX had and forgotten about. Time travel back to Eels Hill almost 30 years ago.
Breakfast Net!
Saturday Mornings at 9:30!
Brenda, KW1YL runs the breakfast net for those not attending the actual Club breakfast. Please check in on the 442.500 on Saturday mornings at 9:30 for the SPARC Breakfast Net.
Way Back Machine
Take a look at what the SPARC website looked like in 2007 and in the 90s!
This website and a Club email service were maintained at K1SOX's house on several servers. Here is the link - Wayback Machine (archive.org)
By the way, our original domain was sparcweb.net and prior to that, we were a subdomain on QSL.net - qsl.net/sparc. Here is a look at what the site look like back in the 90s - Shore Point Amateur Radio Club (archive.org). A lot of the graphics are missing, but you get the idea. Very simplistic by today's standards.
SPARC's website first went live on March 8, 1998.
Check out the MURG Net!
Check out the KW1MH Net on Tuesdays at 6 PM on the 442.500.
Your net control is Brenda, KW1YL. She will be running the net from the MakeHaven Underground Radio Group's station. This net is open to all amateurs.
Streaming Audio Reminder
You can listen to the 147.505 and 442.500 from your phone or the web!
You can download a free app for your Android or iPhone to listen to either repeater live, or you can listen right from this webpage. Click the Repeaters - Live Audio link in the menu for more info!
Additional Activities
Saturday Morning Breakfast
Club Net - Wednesday at 8 PM
Currently, there are no "in person" breakfasts. In the past, we have had these gatherings on Saturdays mornings. If any club members wish to start this up again, lets us know!
Club Net - Wednesday at 8 PM
Club Net - Wednesday at 8 PM
Week 1 - Brenda KW1YL
Week 2 - Brian K1SOX
Week 3 - Meyer AA1NQ
Week 4 - NEED NCS
Week 5 - Craig W1MHz
If we get any others who would like to run the net to give the regulars a night off, please email nets at sparc.us! Thank you and looking forward to hearing you on the net!
SKYWARN and Weather Nets
There are currently no Weather or SKYWARN Nets scheduled, however SPARC repeaters are available for these purposes.
SPARC Facebook Page
SPARC has had a Facebook page for several years but it seems some members are unaware of it. Although, you can always get the latest news here on our website, sparc.us, the Facebook page allows members to interact by posting and replying. Also some posts might not be "Club News" but something you would like to share with the other members. Members' posts will be in the Community section. Please check it out, like and follow the page. Just remember - facebook.com slash followed by our Club callsign!
Amateur Radio Newsline
Amateur Radio Newsline
Click the picture to listen.
Affiliations
