In the fall of
1972, the system was moved to a much higher location on the WWDL-FM radio
tower on West Mountain in Scranton. In 1975 the LVRA/AARC was called upon
again when yet another flood occurred in Luzerne County. Later that same
year, the LVRA officially rejoined their parent organization and invested
in excess of one thousand dollars to improve their repeater system. Training
in emergency and public service communications became a major part of the
AARC. Its lessons proved to be valuable with Amateur Radio involvement
in the Johnstown, Three Mile Island and the Scranton mine disasters. It
was decided, in 1981, to change the AARC's name to one that was more representative
of its area of interest and membership. The name Scranton Pocono Amateur
RAdio Klub, SPARK, was decided upon. A constitution was written and the
license K3CSG was given by the FCC. SPARK has undergone many changes to
accommodate the evergrowing interest with Ham Radio in this area.
SPARK still believes that Amateur Radio should
not only be a hobby for its operators, but that it should be a way to assist
the general public by providing routine and emergency services when needed.
SPARK is affiliated with the Emergency Management Agency of Lackawanna
County and stands willing to provide communication support required in
the event of a disaster. SPARK promotes National Weather Service SKYWARN
program, which utilizes Amateur Radio to spot severe weather and encourages
its members to become affiliated. We also aid local chapters of various
charitable organizations with taheir annual races and walk-a-thons, by
providing communication support to enhance the safety of the participants.
SPARK provides a wide spectrum of services
geared toward the Amateur Radio community. At present, we are the only
Amateur Radio club that owns and maintains and autopatch equiped repeater
system and PACKET radio node. The repeater, K3CSG/R on 146.340/940 MHz,
and packet node, SPK on 145.050 MHZ, are open to all hams, but the autopatch
is exclusive to use by SPARK members. Both systems are presently located
on the WWDL-FM towers as previously mentioned. At an elevation of 2200
feet, we are able to provide coverage to Lackawanna, Luzerne and parts
of Bradford, Monroe, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. SPARK conducts
the Lackawanna County AREC NET Wednesday evenings at 8 PM on K3CSG/R. This
is a directed net designed for emergency traffic. When no disaster is declared,
the net is used for routine traffic handling and training. Bulletins regarding
general Amateur Radio information and SPARK events are announced weekly.
Informal check-ins with or without traffic are always welcome!
SPARK is dedicated to the promotion of Amateur
Radio by offering testing sessions to the public and to other Hams. We
have three highly experienced Contact Volunteer Examiners, CVEs, representing
the ARRL. Laurel and W5YI groups with more than a dozen Volunteer Examiners
under their guidance. Testing is held the second Wednesday monthly, 7 PM
at Dunmore High School.
"Keynotes Quarterly" is the official
newsletter of SPARK. It contains articles, by and for our members, concerning
SPARK functions, general Amateur Radio information and associated topics
of interest. KQ is distributed to the members in attendance during the
February, May, August and November SPARK meetings. Funds are allocated
during these meetings and the remaining newsletters are mailed shortly
thereafter.
For its members, SPARK has purchased a liability
insurance policy. This policy is tailored to fit our needs and covers ALL
members participating in a club authorized function. As soon as an individual
is accepted for membership, insurance protection begins.
SPARK participates annually in the ARRL FIELD
DAY held in late June. The principle behind FIELD DAY is to make radio
contacts in a less than optimal location, using simple antennas and generator,
battery or solar power. In its purest form, FIELD DAY is used as a training
tool for Amateurs to experience what it may be like to operate duringduring
an emergency situation. We normally have our effort situated at a park
in the Scranton area. As a new member, you are encouraged to attend, lend
a hand and experience all that FIELD DAY means to SPARK. If you would like
to operate one of our radios outside of your privileges, don't hesitate
to ask a member to be your control operator. After all, how will you learn
something new if you don't jump at an opportunity.
Members of our club routinely participate
in the PA QSO PARTY. This is an on-the-air radio contest, held in early
October, that draws massive attention nationwide. Unlike FIELD DAY, SPARK
members operate their own stations, whether mobile or stationary and combine
scores for a cumulative total. You need not worry about having HF privileges,
since there is plenty of action to be found on VHF and UHF as well!
Finally, SPARK conducts its meetings the
third Tuesday of every month on the second floor of the Christian Education
Building at the Hickory Street Presbyterian Church in South Scranton. The
meetings are designed to accomdate the business necessary to SPARK's future.
Presentations and seminars are also given during these meetings. As a member,
you are encouraged, but not required, to attend and give your input or
make suggestions. The meetings begin at 7:30 PM. Please feel free to attend
whether you are a ham or thinking about getting your license. We would
be glad to have you. For more information or to receive an application,
contact K3CSG at the email address below. The information will be forwarded
to you at your email address or at your snail mail address. Applications
are only snail mailable. 73 from the Officers of SPARK.