SPARC Annual Christmas Feed

Just a reminder; don't forget to attend the annual SPARC Christmas Feed at the Golden Coral on US Highway 29, Spartanburg,  December 2nd, 2014.  Doors open at 6 PM, club members are free, guests will have to pay at the register.  We will have door prizes as well as a grand prize; winner to  be determined by drawing.  There will be no meeting at the Herald Journal Building.    CU there,  73
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Upcoming Events and Announcements for December 2015

As 2014 comes to an end we will have opportunities for fun, fellowship, and service.  Our December business meeting will be held on December 2, 2014, at the Golden Corral located at 1492 W. O. Ezel Boulevard, Spartanburg, SC.  We will begin at 6:30 pm.  Club members will eat for free (courtesy of the Club) and guests/visitors, who are always welcome, will be dutch treat.  Don't miss this evening of fun and fellowship. 

And finally, we are looking forward to 2015.  It's time to renew, don't forget to pay your 2015 membership dues.  Congratulations to the new club officers  Ginny Reid  KC2ZBY , Ann Thompson  KI4MEE , Lisa Davis N4BOO.  Also, we are accepting volunteers for the 2015 Assaults on Marion and Mt. Mitchell.  The Assaults will take place on May 18, 2015 and we need volunteers for numerous rest stops and sags.  So start planning now for this great event and opportunity to serve our community.  This event has a huge economic impact on our community and our service helps the event organizers serve it's participants.  But most of all, it's fun way to enjoy a great hobby and friends.  So start planning now to ensure you can join us for this awesome event!

Bill Drake Christmas Music Festival 2014

Once again SPARC will be facilitating parking for the Bill Drake Christmas Music Festival this year.  The program will begin at 2 PM on Dec 7th;  doors are open to the public at 1 PM.  SPARC members should plan to be at the parking area between 12:15 and 12:30.  The usual Saturday before breakfast has been cancelled.  However, SPARC will provide donuts and coffee to participants after the event.  Since the usual coordinator of the event, Lester Collins, is unable to participate this year, there are a few details that will have to be handled by other participants.  Further info will be provided as it is worked out.

If you plan to participate, please let any board member know ASAP.

GA - SC D-Star University Jan 17th 2015

The Aiken SC D-STAR Club will hold a one day CSRA D-STAR University on January 17, 2015 at University of South Carolina, Aiken campus, Aiken South Carolina.

It will start at 12 noon and run till around 5PM E.

 

This one-day D-STAR workshop will provide information and training on all levels of D-STAR, the Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio.  Classes will be organized to allow participants on all levels from new users to repeater system administrators gain knowledge about D-STAR’s digital voice and data technology.  The goals and objectives are to present D-STAR definitions, equipment, DVAPs, Dongles, linking, D-Rats and comprehensive training for programming the radios. There will also be presentations and demonstrations on advancements in D-STAR high speed data communications and other emergency communications techniques using D-STAR equipment. There will be time for “hands on” instructions how to program D-STAR radios without a computer. And come early and DSTAR experts will be available to program your DSTAR radio for you.

 

The class will be given by the experienced instructors of the Georgia D-STAR group and DSTARinfo.com who have presented dozens of seminars and training across the country, such as John Davis, WB4QDX, Ed Woodrick, WA4YIH, and Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC who developed the DVDongle and DVAP, and others will present high speed data and other advancements in communication using D-STAR systems. The target audience for this session is those new to DSTAR, emergency management, hospital administrators and the more advanced D-STAR users.

 

No matter what your D-STAR experience, if any, there will be a wealth of information provided so that the beginner can go home and put his/her equipment on the air and the more advanced operator can explore the new data transfer methods which will have Emergency Management application.

 

The class will feature will cover topics of interest to beginning D-STAR users including:

·       D-STAR basics

·       D-STAR user registration process

·       Getting started with your D-STAR radio

·       Programming your D-STAR radio

·       Using DR mode for easy D-STAR operation

·       Updating your memories

·       Linking to repeaters and reflectors

More experienced users will enjoy:

·       Using the DV Dongle and DV Access Point (DVAP)

·       Making and using a Hotspot with a Raspberry Pi

·       D-STAR Nets and Reflectors

·       Using D-STAR data capabilities including D-RATS and the ICOM ANDROID free application

·       Where to find D-STAR Resources

·       History and Competitive Analysis between, DSTAR, DMR, FUSION, and P25

·       A look at operating DSTAR Voice on the HF bands.

 

 

The cost for the D-STAR University is free, light refreshments will be served. You may register for this course by sending an email to kq4kk@aikenradio.org.  More detailed information about class schedule and instructors will be forthcoming.