PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
With the disappearance of sunspots and the gloomy propagation
predictions I was beginning to wonder if maybe building a new station
wasn’t such a good idea. But today I put up an OCF dipole , 40 meter
version. Unlike the usual one third two thirds split, the one I put up
has the feedpoint only 20% of its length from one end. I feed it with a
tuner, of course, but I wasn’t prepared for the results. Maybe it was a
propagation fluke, but I was hearing plenty of signals on 40. The
bigger surprise was that it tuned up just fine on 30, and I was getting
good reports. Time to get to work on the low bands vertical! _…_ I
mentioned at the meeting on Saturday the possibility of running a
combined Technician/General course, as it’s been a while since we did
one. If any of you would be interested in such a course, or know of
someone who might be, please drop me a note to that effect so I can
gauge the level of interest. I can be very flexible on scheduling.
_…_ The next PARS meeting is October 26. That is the meeting when we
have the annual election of officers. We will be electing the officers
of president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. Anyone
interested in running for any of these positions should let me know so I
can put together a slate of candidates. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne,
252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) Sep 28, 2019 MEETING NOTES
* Thirty-two PARS members, visitors and guests attended the breakfast
meeting chaired by President Bill Michne, WM3X, at Brantley’s Village
Restaurant.
* Sam/Dave, KD2T, circulated his recent 13 Colonies award, clean sweeps
using CW and Digital modes.
* Treasurer Wally Wallace, KK4ASP, presented her monthly report.
* Propagation Report: Solar activity continues to be very low; no
Sunspots for 196 days (72%) so far this year. Considering the bottom
year in our previous cycle had 73% of its days without, the bottom for
cycle 24 is near. DX is still to be had on HF especially when using
digital modes.
* Mike Marsh, K4NLC, our ARES coordinator reported 5 training sessions
in August for 13.2 mh and 45 mh of Auxcom training. In Sep there were 4
sessions for 14.4 mh.
The training session on 8 Aug involved set-up and use of fldigi. The
21 Aug SET focused on coms to/from the County Evacuation Center using
both repeater and simplex.
Hurricane Dorian which passed during the early morning of 6 Sep
caused activation of the Pamlico Emergency Net the day prior. Glenn
N4LV, deployed for 48 hours to the Evac center. The net proved a most
valuable resource during the 4 hours the phone lines were down that
Friday. Mike, Bill KR4LO, and Bruce, K4ONC deployed in shifts to support
the County EOC.
Due to set-up and test of State WinLink equipment on 13 Oct, there
will be no ARES training session in October.
Bill Michne observed that the August SET showed a need for more
simplex training and better station equipment, especially antennas. HT’s
with rubber ducks will not do if the repeater fails.
* President Bill reminded all of the VE session next Saturday, Oct 5.
* A tech/general preparation course is a possibility if there is
sufficient interest. Suggestions were for a course after the New Year
and at the PCC Bayboro Annex.
* The President’s Soapbox on what we are called–Amateurs–and the
impression that “Radio” is an “ancient technology” sparked by a Weather
Channel interview has drawn considerable comment. We need to re-title
ourselves and what we do to remain relevant. We are not “amateurs” and
“wireless” might well replace “radio”. “Federally Licensed Wireless
Operators” has been suggested. Thoughts and ideas to Bill please!
* Annual election of officers will occur at the October meeting.
* In New Business, Paul, K4MMB, reported he is advertising the PARS
website on Towndock. The idea is to inform the public on PARS and
generate interest in ham radio. Kudus to Paul on the much improved site.
* Eddie Lyon, K4NGR, has found interest by a few others in gaining
proficiency in CW. Are there more? Perhaps a practice net could be
started. Contact Eddie at elyon47@aol.com.
* The meeting was adjourned at 0950.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are no sunspot regions on the Sun
facing earth this morning. Activity will continue to be very low
according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. On Sunday, the
reported Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 67. The index is
predicted to register 68 today through Wednesday. The SFI 90 day
trailing average is 67.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to active yesterday. It is
expected to be quiet to unsettled today through Wednesday. The estimated
Kp-index of 4 at 5 a.m. local this morning indicates we are currently
experiencing unsettled conditions.
We can expect fair daytime and good nighttime operating conditions on 80
and 40 meters for the next few days. Poor conditions will continue on
the higher bands.
For an explanation of numbers used in our PARSgram, see the excellent
article written by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA at
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items for sale, trade, or wanted for
listing in the PARSgram. PLEASE let me know if your listing is no longer
needed. Listings will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
**For Sale**
– TenTech 411 Amplifier, uses three 811A tubes, similar in size to the
Collins “S” line amplifier. An almost new set of Chinese made 811’s
included. The amp is running vintage US Made 811A’s (higher power
output), and I have a number of additional vintage 811’s included. up to
100 watt drive, up to 600 watt RF output into 50 ohm load. Capable of
full QSK along with a Jupiter or other TenTec transceivers on CW;
possibly with other rigs. Can be operated on 110 volt, I have it wired
for 220 volt (don’t have 220 available in the house, or I might keep
it). Built before 10 meter capability was removed from amps, although I
really used it mostly on 75 and 40. Best pricing information I could
find on these is selling for an average of $650, I’ll sell with the
spare tubes for $525.
– TenTec 229B Tuner, capable of a full 2KW PEP, built as an L-network,
where additional capacitor has been added to cover 160 meters even. Has
a 4-position RF switch. Best pricing information I could find on these
is selling for an average of $250, I’ll sell for $210.
– Full 2KW Rotary Coaxial Switch (from the 1970’s), 5 positions plus one
grounding position, $35.
– B&W 50 ohm Dummy Load/Wattmeter, capable of full power BRIEFLY. Has
10/100/1KW meter. Overheating lamp is small 110 volt bulb and is burnt
out. Working but not sure of accuracy. $50.
– 2KW PEP 1:1 Coaxial to open wire balun (I’ll have to get this down
from the shop attic) available also.
Jim Cason, AC4JC, 252-636-0407 or jlcason@aol.com (20190930)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Oct 5, FCC License Examination/VE Session, Saturday 9am, Oriental
Town Hall, Oriental. Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Oct 26, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s
Village Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Nov 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s
Village Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Tuesdays, Newport Weather Service SKYWARN Practice Net, 9:00 pm
local, Oriental (147.210+ (PL151.4)) and all other local repeaters. This
net for severe weather warning and reporting is continously monitored
upon activation.
* Wednesdays, Pamlico Emergency Net Practice and Rag Chew/ARES, 7:30
pm, Oriental Repeater, 147.210 + (PL151.4).
* Thursdays, “DownEast/Pamlico Six Meter Net”, 8 pm local, 50.200 MHz,
USB. A non-directed open net to promote operation on the ‘Magic Band’.
(For more nets see www.arrl.org/arrl-net-directory-search )
PARS WEB SITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, 561-308-3456, PARSwebman@gmail.com
PARSgram ITEMS
We are always looking for items of interest to PARS members to put in
the PARSgram. If you run across a timely item or think of something you
believe would interest our folks, please send it to me. Thanks.
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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