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WinLink Thursday beginning again

WinLink Thursday exercises have begun again.

Go here for information and download the exercise PDF:
https://www.emcomm-training.org/Winlink_Thursdays.html

I participated last year and found each exercise to be not only informative but a lot of fun.  Every weekly exercise added a layer of complexity and a new challenge.  As a result, quite a bit was learned regarding the capabilities and previously unknown inner workings of using WinLink.

If you are already using WinLink, then you are set. If your equipment is set up for digital modes, like FT8, then you are very close and you may only need to add the software.  There is a local VHF FM WinLink node on 145.07 WAØSDO-10.  You can use Packet Radio for access.  Or, WinLink using VARA-HF modem software works very well on HF.  Once you have WinLink working, the PDF, mentioned above, pretty much leads you click by click on what you need to complete the exercise.

The exercise runs 0000Z to 2359Z on Thursday. Usually on the weekend following the Thursday exercise, they publish a map showing all the check-ins.  It would be cool to see lots of spots show up here in central Missouri.

Harry, KØTV

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February Meeting

NOTE MEETING DATE: Our February 5th meeting will be held at Sedalia-Pettis County EMA Headquarters located at 1511 N. Ohio in Sedalia. After the meeting we will conduct a testing session for locals who want to upgrade or for new Tech’s. If you would like to test please pre-register with Bret(W0VK), his email address is hota2@hotmail.com. It’s that time to pay your club dues for 2022. Hope to see everyone there.

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Bothwell Auxiliary January 2022 Volunteer of the Month

Every month, the BRHC Hospital Auxiliary selects one of their volunteers to be recognized as a volunteer of the month.  January 2022 saw SPARK member Harry Burford, KØTV in the spotlight.  Harry has been working with the Amateur Radio station installed at the hospital for over 12 years.  He started as a Red Cross volunteer, but those volunteers were recently absorbed into the Auxiliary organization after the Red Cross closed offices in Missouri.   Here is a copy of the article from the Auxiliary newsletter. .

[pdf-embedder url=”https://wa0sdo.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022_01-BRHC-art-color.pdf” title=”2022_01 BRHC art color”]

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December Meeting: What a great meeting we had today. With over 30 members in attendance President Bret (WOVK) started it off with the year in review. We had many highlights happen during the year thanks to the outstanding members that our club is blessed with. With starting the year having over the air meetings on our repeater because of COVID, to Field Day, acquiring our club owned Ecom trailer, SPARKFEST 2021, and the SET, POTA, and Turkey Trot communication duties. We truly had a busy year with those just being the highlights. On a more somber note we lost one of our own, Bob (KE0CYR) who became a silent key on September 11th. Preparations are beginning to be discussed for 2022. We are going to be going full steam ahead to insure that 2022 will be just as fun and exciting thank in part to our fabulous members.

During our meeting 2 awards of appreciation were presented to a couple of members who exemplify great leadership to SPARK. The 1st award was presented by President Bret to Scott (KJ4MWF) for his outstanding contributions and dedication to our club. The 2nd award was presented by Bret to Paul (KD0ETL) for his expertise in being a outstanding leader during our SET exercise.

The board is excited about the opportunities that our club will have in 2022. With such a great group of members, anything is possible.

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Parks On The Air

Just a few photos of the POTA event held at Katy Trail State Park on November 27th. Several contacts were made making it a successful activation. Special thanks to Scott (KJ4MFW) for organizing this event.

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December Meeting


NOTE MEETING DATE: Our December 11th meeting will be held at Sedalia-Pettis County EMA Headquarters located at 1511 N. Ohio in Sedalia. Meeting topics will include planning for the upcoming year. After the meeting we will conduct a testing session for locals who want to upgrade or for new Tech’s. If you would like to test please pre-register with Bret(W0VK), his email address is hota2@hotmail.com. It’s that time to pay your club dues for 2022. Hope to see everyone there.

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POTA


To SPARK club members; on Saturday morning, 27 November 2021, one of our members needs some assistance in a Parks on the Air activity. KJ4MFW will be activating the Sedalia Depot (Katy Trail) as part of the Parks On The Air (POTA) challenge. Scott is looking for club members to support his efforts in radio operations to help activate this location. Here are some reasons you may wish to come help:

You want to help a club member activate a POTA location
You are interested in learning more about Parks on the Air
Your are free on 27 November (and thank you)
You know how to take pictures or you wish to be in pictures!
You want KJ4MFW to owe you a favor!
You currently owe KJ4MFW a favor! LOL

So, on the morning of the 27th we need to make 15-20 QSOs from the caboose to complete the activation. We can go on as long as we are having fun; but the requirement is 15 QSOs. I like to make a few more than the required amount because sometimes the reporting of QSOs has errors. The last time I did this, it took about 90 minutes to complete the effort. If this is a happy success, perhaps our club could begin to do regular POTA events. If not, just consider it an event where you helped a fellow club member.

If you can help, please contact:

Scott//Hambone: KJ4MFW@GMAIL.COM

If you are curious to lear more about POTA, YouTube: POTA

Or, check our https://parksontheair.com or https://pota.app/ To learn more.

Finally, I recently activated a POTA park… Here is my video from my experience: