PARSgram 2020-10-19

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

 

  1. Please mask up in public and stay safe. Jim AI4WL

——

This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio

Society. We are pleased that you asked to receive our weekly

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