PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
When the cause of some natural phenomenon is well understood, it is
possible to make accurate predictions about it. For example, eclipses
of the moon and of the sun are predictable with great precision. Not so
much with sunspot cycles. The solar physics community is getting better
at it, usually by looking at what solar properties correlate well with
the actual sunspot numbers, sizes, durations, etc,. and then developing
computer models to make predictions. So here’s a new one, being
advanced by a Stanford solar physicist. The number of spots during the
2 or 3 years of a cycle peak correlate nicely with the difference in
the sun’s polar magnetic field strengths during the minimum prior to the
cycle of interest. Using that idea he is predicting that the upcoming
cycle 25 will be somewhat stronger than cycle 24, with no evidence to
support a Maunder minimum event for the foreseeable future. Translation:
propagation will improve over the next several years, and we won’t have
another ice age any time soon. _…_ My email inbox is not exactly
packed with nominations for PARS officer elections at the October
meeting. So keep them coming. I’ll wait. …_._ de WM3X, Bill
Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) SEP 26,2020 VIRTUAL MEETING NOTES
* Fifteen PARS members attended the 9 am meeting chaired by President
Bill Michne via Zoom. Steve Silveira, KO4EDA, was our technical host.
* There were no reports of awards or special QSO’s. Bill reported that
former member Ron Turner now living in Dunn, after inquiring about an
Extra Exam here, successfully passed his exam remotely. Bill is going
to research the process for application here. Bruce Arnold advised the
NB club is doing on-site testing on the even months at the Rehms Fire
Department. The Morehead club is still testing on the odd months
* Bill presented the treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. Dues from
PARS exam class graduates, Steve and Bud, will be applied to 2021.
Membership for the year in which the course is accomplished and exam
passed is free.
* Propagation Report by Jim, AI4WL: Solar activity remains low. 1 new
Sunspot region, small but active, caused a C1 flare affecting Pacific HF
Sep 25th. Solar Flux 90 day average is 70. We are experiencing some
geomagnetic activity due solar wind from coronal holes. Fair night
conditions exist on 80, 40, & 20 meter bands, poor otherwise. VHF bands
are closed. Bill noted that Tom, KI4NSP, is making European contacts on
20M SSB daily, but Bill’s seeing few on CW. Jim and Lor, W3QA, both
recommended digital modes. FT8 users are producing lots of signals and
we’re seeing more JS8, PSK.
* Mike, K4NLC, reported the Pamlico Emergency Net generated 11.02
man-hours from 4 sessions in Sept, lots of in-outs. A Simulated
Emergency Test (SET) is planned for Wed, Sep 21, simplex based. Bill,
KR4LO, offered his strong station ILO the EOC for this exercise. The
goal is to identify who can talk to who via simplex in worst case
situation. A connectivity diagram could result. Steve offered a GIS tool
that could map participating stations. Separately, Jim was advised that the
the Stacy 440 repeater is connected to the Linked Repeater Network
(LRN). The LRN is used daily at 1900 for a NTS net and for the monthly
Hospital Net, 2nd Tuesday’s at noon.
* Paul, K4MMB, reported only 49 visitors to the N4PRS.org web site in
the last 30 days while the average is about 160/month. Most visitors
looked at the repeater page and the “What’s Happening” page and the
PARSgram. Given the challenges of weekly emailing of the PARSgram, Bill
opened a discussion of not emailing it but only posting the PARSgram to
the web site. For a variety of reasons, including information
management, security, distribution control and readership (push vs.
pull) it seems best to continue as is in the near term.
* PARS election is in October. Bill, recognizing that our officers have
been in office for years asks for others to help. A discussion of
virtual balloting by very few participating members ensued. Mike
suggested that the current officers continue at least until the members
can meet in person. Bill will elicit their willingness to again serve
while hoping others will step forward.
* Steve, KO4EDA, demonstrated some of the capabilities of the Zoom
meeting application by using a tour of his desktop. He identified many
of the key user features and controls. Follow-on discussion indicated
significant member support for this new tool be it for meetings,
informal classes or for real time “how-to” help.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1018.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are two sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. The newest, AR2775, is also a member of Cycle
- On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 73.
The index is predicted to register 73 today through Wednesday. The SFI
90 day trailing average is 71.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet today through Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of zero reported
at 5 a.m. local this morning indicates we are currently experiencing
quiet conditions.
For today, we can expect good daytime and nighttime operating conditions
on 80 and 40 meters and fair conditions on 30 and 20. Expect poor
conditions on the higher HF bands. The VHF bands remain quiet.
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.
DX CHALLENGE
From ARLD041 DX news:
MARSHALL ISLANDS, V7. Randy, KX4QD is QRV as V7/KX4QD from
Kwajalein and is active on 40 and 20 meters using FT8 normally after
0600z. QSL to home call.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
For listing in the PARSgram send me your amateur radio related items
that you have for sale, trade, or wanted. PLEASE let me know when you
have have sold your item or your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
**FOR SALE**
Cushcraft R-6000 vertical antenna for 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters.
Rated for 1500 watts, and no redials required. This is a pre-MFJ
version. Current HRO retail is $439.95 plus tax and shipping. My price
$150.00. Local pickup only. A portion of the proceeds will go to PARS.
Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175. (20200810)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Oct 31, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Nov 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom” or at Brantleys Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill
Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* 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/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, 561-308-3456, PARSwebman@gmail.com
YOUR PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY OFFICERS
President–Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175. drmichne73@gmail.com
Vice President–Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-249-6015, k4onc2020@gmail.com
Treasurer–Gail (Wally) Wallace, KK4ASP, 410-804-1750,
wallyandwill@gmail.com
Secretary/Newsletter Editor–Jim Hartmeyer, AI4WL, 252-249-1984,
jth350@embarqmail.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.
- Please mask up in public and stay safe. Jim AI4WL
——
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