PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
I sometimes wonder if the FCC has an unstated objective of regulating
the amateur radio service out of existence. For example, if enacted,
their recent proposal to impose fees for amateur license applications,
renewals, etc., would have the immediate effect of rapidly reducing
applications for new licenses, upgrades, and renewals. This would be
followed by a slower reduction of amateur licensees due to normal
attrition. I have just become aware of yet another initiative that will
hurt at least a portion of the hobby. The FCC is proposing to require
that owners of amateur satellites be required to indemnify.
Indemnification places the liability for any possible damage from a
satellite on an individual or entity. The cost would be prohibitive to
most individuals or entities operating or contemplating operating
amateur radio satellites. The FCC proposal also would require that all
space stations deployed in low-Earth orbits higher than 400 kilometers
(about 250 miles) be able to maneuver with the use of some sort of
onboard propulsion system. This includes tiny satellites such as the
very popular SaudiSat SO-50 (perigee 603 kilometers), which is a cube
that is only four inches on a side. Launched in 2002 it is still in
operation. It is hard to imagine “some sort of onboard propulsion
system” that could be stuffed into a 4-inch cube and maintain
operability for 18 years or more. Indeed, imposition of these
regulations will likely result in the demise of the satellite service,
and the subsequent reassignment of the satellite frequency allocations
to non-amateur corporate interests. Just sayin… …_._ de WM3X,
Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO EMERGENCY NET/ARES SET THIS WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, 21 October, we will have our annual SET. The SET will
begin at 7:30 p.m. local time on the Oriental repeater – 147.210 +
(PL151.4) with a standard check-in from all. Due to COVID-19, Mike
Marsh, K4NLC, plans to call the net from his home QTH instead of the
emergency operations center.
Stations should be prepared to revert to an operational capability as if
all commercial power was lost and the Oriental repeater had failed. Net
control will direct stations to change to the net back-up FM simplex
frequency of 146.55 MHz. K4NLC will then call for check-ins on the
simplex frequency. (The call for check-ins may be repeated by KR4LO, as
back-up net control.) The goal of this exercise is to determine who can
communicate with whom under extreme emergency conditions. Each station
is encouraged to keep a list of who they can hear while in the simplex
mode and send a copy to Mike at mike@marshconsulting.org. This will help
confirm coverage/non-coverage areas and identify nominal relay stations.
After the simplex portion is completed we will shift back to the
Oriental repeater to wrap up the SET. For more information contact Mike
as above or at 252-626-2674.
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. Solar activity is still expected to be very
low with a slight chance for a C-class flare through Wednesday. On
Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 76–it has
not been that high for months. The index is predicted to register 75
today, 74 Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is up
one to 72.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet today, quiet to unsettled Tuesday and reach active levels on
Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 1 reported at 5 a.m. local this
morning indicates we are currently experiencing quiet conditions.
For today, we can expect fair daytime and good 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 ARLD042 DX news:
ANTARCTICA. Members and operators of the Japanese Antarctic
Research Expedition team are QRV as 8J1RL from Showa Research
Station, Queen Maud Land, IOTA AN-015, until January 2021. Activity
is on various HF bands using CW and various digital modes. QSL via
JG2MLI.
BIT BUCKET
Sam/Dave, KD2T, reported in on 11 Oct to advise that the United Nations
Station in New York is back on the air. He worked it on 40 and 30M. The
new call is 4U75UN.
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.
**NEW For Sale**
Heil Fooot Switch, push to transmit. $15.00. Contact Ed Valentine,
W2YPM, at 252-637-3161 or w2ypm@earthlink.net. (20201019)
**For Sale**
SOLD Cushcraft R-6000 vertical antenna for 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20
meters.
**Estate Ham Equipment For Sale**
Eddie Lyon, K4NGR, provided a long list of equipment he is wishing to
sell on behalf of the wife of a fellow ham who passed several weeks ago.
Major items on the list with prices paid includes a Yaesu FT2000/HF
Transceiver $2,115, GAP Titan Vertical $534, Yaesu MD-100 Mic $179,
ICOM-2300H Transceiver and Mag mount Antenna $200, Ten-Tec Argosy HF
Transceiver $300, Ammeritron AL-811H Amp $999, MFJ-269 Antenna Analyzer
$286 and many more items. “These prices are what he had paid for them
brand new so whatever we can get for them to help his wife Pat out will
be most appreciated.” For a complete list or more information please
contact Eddie at ELyon47@aol.com or 540-905-5839.
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
COVID-19 CASES INCREASING IN PAMLICO COUNTY
As of Saturday, our County had tallied 298 COVID-19 cases, 104 of those
were in the Pamlico Correctional Institute. Most of the 298 have
recovered, but 12 are active. There has been two deaths. While our
number of cases may seem low, Pamlico County’s cases-per-capita rate is
higher than several nearby counties. According to the latest Task Force
Report, many cases can be traced to the Fourth of July and Labor Day
holidays and related family/friend gatherings, as well as an outbreak at
a nursing home. Other cases are a result of “community spread” and
cannot be traced to a specific cause. You can find more about the
increase at the URL below:
https://mailchi.mp/3625a6612a7c/understanding-the-rise-in-pamlico-countys-covid-19-cases-and-actions-you-can-take?e=adb5dfd6c4
- Please mask up in public and stay safe. Jim AI4WL
——
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