The Sedalia Pettis Amateur Radio Klub (SPARK) became an official ARRL recognized club on May 13, 1935. The FCC had been formed in 1934. We were originally in the 9th call district but eventually became the 0 call district.
The club had 3 names over the years.
1935 – 1976 Amateur Radio Club of Central Missouri
1976 – 1996. Sedalia Amateur Repeater Association (SARA)
1996 – PRESENT Sedalia Pettis Amateur Radio Klub (SPARK)
Originally there were 2 clubs. One an amateur radio club and the other was a repeater club. The membership overlapped so there was eventually just one club.
In the mid ’90s the club met in the Central Bank basement at 14th and Limit. Members would then drink coffee at the Hardees across the street afterwards and actually take care of most club business then. The repeater was located on the south side of town. Steve, KE0CYW was paid for the repeater but he later refunded that money to the club.
On May 13, 2020 the club had an 85th anniversary birthday party for the club. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the club did the next best thing. An on air meeting was conducted using the 2M repeater. There were 30 in attendance where 2 hours was spent reminiscing and talking about the club.
The club callsign is WA0SDO
This call was first assigned to the club on 12/31/1988
and was selected to represent WA0SeDalia mO.
The SPARK club is very active, our membership includes many hams outside the Sedalia and Pettis County area. We have several active repeaters in the area supporting a wide variety of frequencies and modes including 2M, 1.25M, DMR, APRS, and FUSION. We conduct on air meetings as well as special events and social get togethers such as Parks on The Air, Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, The annual SPARKFEST hamfest, Field Day, and much more.
The club has a large number of active Volunteer Examiners who are available for license testing at the monthly meetings or by special arrangement. Members are available to help with equipment installation, setup, programming, or what ever to help you get on the air.
An expanding population of club members are women. The group has grown to the point where they have created their own inter-club organization calling themselves the SPARKLERS.
A club member donated a communication trailer project to the club which has been greatly expanded to become a serious asset to both the club and the community. In addition to amateur radio bands and modes including voice, digital, and HF we are also able to support non-ham frequencies in the GMRS service and the State of Missouri MOSWIN trunk network. Because of the nature of where the communication trailer might be dispatched to, it also has a substantial first aid kit that includes an AED.
On air club meetings are every Sunday at 7:30pm on the 2M repeater.
Regular club meetings are monthly on the First Saturday starting at 8:30am.
Check the club website for the details.
If you are a ham, interested in becoming one, want to get back into the hobby, or have an interest in amateur radio you will find SPARK to be a friendly and welcoming folk.
SPARK is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.
SPARK is an ARRL affiliated club.
SPARK is also recognized as an ARRL Special Service club.