PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) October 25, 2025 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty-six members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
breakfast meeting at Brantley’s Village Restaurant chaired by President
Bruce Perkins, K4ONC. Bruce welcomed new members Kathy Lilieholm and Pat
LeFebre, N1ZLE, to the club. Kathy’s dad was a member of PARS years ago.
She has his equipment and will join “Ann’s class” in pursuit of her
amateur radio license.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally.
* AI4WL’s PROPAGATION Report: In response to Bruce’s question regarding
new awards, Dick K4JJW offered his DX report, in short, advising that
conditions are good and for folks to spend some time on HF. Jim reminded
all that updated band conditions are to be found Paul’s
(https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/) PARS web site. Current DX
opportunities include Somalia, Burundi, Wallis and Futuna.
* The next PCT MEETING will be next Saturday, November 1st. Bruce
reminded us that all sorts of topics are undertaken, from WinLink
history and set-up guidance, Hurricane Helene feedback and lessons
learned, tuning of repeater duplexer cavities, to knife and drill bit
sharpening. All are welcome. A fox hunting how-to class was suggested.
* Mike, K4NLC, joined by others, offered advice on using EchoLink, the
biggest issue being adapting to the delays involved. Radio users have to
listen for the repeater carrier to drop after an EchoLink user’s
transmission. It may be a few seconds. It may take some learning, but
EchoLink is a good tool to have when away from the area.
* Our (Pamlico Amateur Radio Society) Facebook page has photos of the
Fox Hunt and Picnic. Both were declared a big success. According Matt
McMahon, WU2V, PARS is the only club around that hunts the fox. He
appreciates the opportunity to participate as it relates to EHPC’s
search and rescue mission. Kudu’s go to the “FoxMan”, Bill Olah KR4LO,
who delights in making the Fox difficult to find. It was a definite
challenge this time. Six teams searched, two found it. The rest of the
hounds got hungry and headed for the park. Thanks also went to Mike, our
experienced hamburger chef and to Wayne, K04OJC, and Charlie, WA4GSI,
–our organizers–for finding a great location in our own back yard.
Some of us thought that we could have stayed longer, done more POTA,
chatted more, maybe played some horseshoes, kicked a soccer ball, swayed
on the swings… and socialized still more. Good to see spouses, great
to see a few kids. The potluck was fantastic, side-dishes delicious,
deserts all too fattening. Consideration will be given to revisiting the
park for Winter Field Day in late January and even Field Day on the 4th
weekend in June.
* Bill, KR4LO, reported intermittent desensing issues with the Wayne’s
World KO4OJC repeater. That won’t stop the C4FM test net on the repeater
in lieu of the next few Monday night 10 meter nets.
* The Oriental Repeater Group will consider acquiring another Starlink
unit, now available at significant discount, for the Kershaw repeater.
This will provide on site internet connectivity to support EchoLink and
other applications with improved reliability, improve communications
throughput (reduce delay between exchanges), and other benefits.
* The work party to take down antennas at Tommy (SK) Bank’s house will
be after next week’s PCT meeting.
* Election: Bill Michne, our nominating committee of one, after
announcing the annual election, received no nominations. At the meeting
none were made from the floor. He announced that all current officers
had agreed to serve for another term. That being the case, Bill Olah
moved that the nominations be closed and the slate of incumbents be
elected by acclamation. There were no objections. Officers for the
2025-2026 term are:
President- Bruce Perkins, K4ONC
Vice President – Wayne Beasley, KO4OJC
Secretary – Jim Hartmeyer, AI4WL
Treasurer – Gail (Wally) Wallace, KK4ASP
* Drawing winners: Dick, K4JJW and Paul, KO4MHM, both took home HRO
cups and PARS bumper stickers; Tripp Beasley, KI4KEB, had the winning
ticket for the Brantleys Gift Certificate.
* There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 am.
PAMLICO EMERGENCY/COMMUNICATIONS NET
There were 18 WinLink check-ins and 19 voice check-ins for the Pamlico
Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, October 22th. Two members
(K2ONN and K2TNO) checked in via EchoLink. After check-in, Ray KR4ABZ
had operators await his call and respond using their battery powered
“last resort” radio. Fifteen did so. Most responded they were using
HT’s, a few required connection to base antennas. Ray will be out of
town for the next net on October 29th. Mike, K4NLC, will stand in for
him. Charlie, K04YWM, is on tap for the month of November.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low through Wednesday with a very slight
chance for M-class flares.
There are 7 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 8 last Monday, 7 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 124,
last Sunday’s was 154. The index is predicted to measure 120 today,
Tuesday and on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing average
was 153 yesterday. It was 154 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field be quiet to active today, then be quiet to unsettled
on Tuesday and Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning
was 1.00 indicating quiet conditions.
For now, look for fair conditions during the day on 80 to 40 Meters,
good at night; good day and night on 30 and 20; fair day and night on 17
and 15; fair day, poor at night on 12 and 10. Go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD043 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–BURUNDI, 9U. A large group of operators will be QRV as 9U1RU from
October 29 to November 7. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW,
SSB, and various digital modes.
–WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS, FW. A group of operators will be QRV as
FW5K from Wallis Island, IOTA OC-054, to November 7. Activity will be on
160 to 6 meters with three stations active. QSL via LoTW.
–SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCIA, HK0. A group of operators are QRV as
5K0UA from San Andres, IOTA NA-033, until November 3. Activity is on 160
to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items that are for sale, trade, or
wanted and your contact information. PLEASE let me know when you have
have sold your item or if your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
FOR SALE: Like brand new IC-7300 with side rails in original box and all
documents. Special pricing for PARS members, only $750. Photos on
request. Dennis Had, W4USR, email w4usr@att.net or 919-345-2223 [He says
he’s thinning his herd-ed.] (20251013)
FOR SALE: DRAKE L 4B amp with power supply, Harbuck upgrades in great
condition for its age, Manual. Asking 1200 obo. Scott Pollard at
deputyscoot@gmail.com. (20251013)
FOR SALE: Fox Hunt Offset Attenuator. $40.00. Like new. Arrow Antenna
4Mhz Offset Fox Hunt Attenuator. The gold standard of fox hunt
attenuators. See specs at http://arrowantennas.com
Dick Goodwin K4JJW rdgjg1964@gmail.com 252-349-5613 (20251006)
FOR SALE: Yaesu FT 450D . With spare parts radio . Mobile bracket
included. Works great. $450.00 WB2AII, Ken. (252)658-1012 (20251006)
FOR SALE Husky generator, 5000 watt, 6250 watt starting, with Subaru
engine. Always used non-ethanol gas, & stored inside. Starts easily.
$300. Al Parker, W8UT, New Bern, email anchor@ec.rr.com (20250922)
PARS CALENDAR:
* NOV 1, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. All are welcome. For
more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Nov 6, Oriental History Museum presents a Community GMRS Orientation,
Thursday, 6:30pm, Oriental Town Hall. All are welcome. Bring your GMRS
HT. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com
* Nov 29, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
REPEATER/NODE STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC FM Oriental (147.210MHz+ CTCSS 88.5Hz) — Operational
GMRS Repeater Oriental (Ch 21, Rptr 7 or 462.700MHz+) — Operational
NC4ES DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network)(147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+ CTCSS ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz) — Standby
NC4ES DMR Florence (NC4ES Network)(445.6625MHZ- CC1) — Operational
WM3X-ONC C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530MHz smplx) — Operational
KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X Baird Creek (146.310MHz- CTCSS 131.8) — Operational.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Pamlico 10 Meter Net, 7:30 pm local, on or near 28.464 MHz,
USB. A non-directed net for technicians and above. Radio
topics/questions/issues welcomed. NOTE–ON MONDAY, OCT 27, this net will
meet on the KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X Baird Creek (146.310MHz-) repeater on
C4FM to explore interest in a continuing C4FM net.
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) VHF Repeater, 147.210+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5). A directed
net open to all. Net activates on call during emergencies.
* 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 WEBSITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, PARSwebman@gmail.com
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
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