SPARK Meetings
Our meetings are a great place to get started in Amateur Radio. At these meetings
you can meet local HAMs and learn more about Amateur Radio. In Amateur Radio everyone
likes to talk about their rigs and share information - it's a learning experience for
all. You may even meet your "Elmer" (HAM mentor) to help you along. You don't have to
have your Amateur license to come when they occur in person.
SPARK meetings are held every month on the first
Tuesday. The meetings start at 7:00 PM and the October meeting will be held at:
Northampton Christian Church
1409 Todds Lane
Hampton, VA 23666
The monthly SPARK pre-meeting dinner is held at:
Anna's Italian Restaurant
1156 Big Bethel Road
Hampton at 1800 hours
What is Ham Radio?
Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a worldwide hobby that combines people,
communications, electronics, and technical innovation. There are over
700,000 American radio amateurs and over 2,000,000 worldwide. Operators use radio
to talk across town, around the world, and even through satellites, all without the Internet.
It is educational, fun, and a way to become and stay connected with those with a common
interest and technology. Amateur radio has proven itself as a critical resource during
times of emergency, aiding in the saving of lives, weather spotting, and the
restoration of services and infrastructure.
Although people join the hobby for many reasons, all gain a basic knowledge of communications technology and
operating principles, demonstrated by passing at least the basic Technician class FCC multiple choice
examination. Operators gain additional operating privileges by passing the General class and Amateur
Extra class exams. The fact is that this is a lifelong learning experience; no ham knows everything
about the hobby and is always working to expand his or her knowledge.
Who is a Ham?
Amateur Radio operators come from all walks of life: doctors, engineers, secretaries, teachers,
college students, kids, retirees, politicians, truck drivers, actors, missionaries, and your neighbor.
Amateur Radio welcomes all and treats all licensees alike, regardless of age, sex, income level,
ethnicity, or nationality.
Why join the hobby?
Amateur radio is an “anytime hobby”. You can communicate from almost anywhere: from a mountaintop, a park,
your home, or your car, all without the Internet or a cell phone network. When regular communications
fail during an emergency, hams can aid emergency communications efforts by working with public service
agencies and local government emergency management offices. Hams support every major disaster response.
You will also see them supporting public service events as practice, such as parades, biking and running
events, and any place where there is a mass gathering of people.
Hams have a wide variety of methods to communicate with other hams, to include microphone, computer, or
Morse Code key. Operators explore specialized operating modes, like communicating with the International
Space Station, through amateur satellites, by bouncing signals off the moon, using meteor shower trails,
or sending and receiving TV. Additionally, contesting is a popular weekend past time, where the objective
is to contact as many hams as possible in a specific location in the U.S. or around the world.
Not all the hobby Is about communicating, per se; experimentation with electronics, software, and kit building
are popular aspects. Many senior operators become licensing class instructors and volunteer examiners to help
ensure license and license upgrade candidates are successful in progressing through the hobby. Amateur radio
is also a social endeavor, with over 2,000 clubs and emergency management organizations across the country.
Unlike most hobbies, cost is up to the licensee. The study guide for each licensing class is $30, practice
exams on the Internet are free, and the cost of the exam is $15. Your first radio can be under $100. A lot
of used equipment is always for sale as you expand your capabilities.
How do I begin?
Our club meetings are a great place to get started: interact with local hams, learn more about the hobby,
ask questions, and contribute good ideas. In Amateur Radio everyone likes to talk about their radios (rigs)
and share information and experiences. You will probably meet your mentor (Elmer) to guide your progress.
A license is not required to attend. At the meeting, we announce class and exam dates. Typically we hold
four classes and six exam sessions a year.
Meetings are held at Northampton Christian Church 1409 Todds Lane, Hampton, VA 23666, on the first Tuesday of the month at 1900 hours (7:00 p.m.) At the meeting, we announce
class and exam dates. Typically, we hold four licensing and upgrade classes and six exam sessions a year.
