PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) December 20, 2025 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty-nine members, visitors and guests attended the 9am Saturday
breakfast meeting and annual gift exchange at Brantley’s Village
Restaurant chaired by President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC. Congratulations
went to Jeff Cunniff who passed his exam Saturday to earn his technician
grant. Bruce recognized our guests from the Carteret County Club: Joseph
DiFabio N2UBI and Van Manuel KN4YCK. They were ferried over by PARS
member Keith Stroud W4WKS.
* Dick Goodwin K4JJW, reported that the ARRL has added a new award,
this one recognizing our country’s 250th Birthday. It’s a 5 Band WAS
that must be accomplished during 2026 and confirmed using LOTW.
* For show-n-tell, Ray KO4ABZ, passed around his newly assembled 9:1
UNUN. Fine work indeed.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. Our D&O
insurance was renewed, prizes for the next Fox Hunt purchased, and dues
letter postage paid.
* AI4WL’s PROPAGATION Report: Like last month, our recent numbers are
down–like a SSN of 33 this morning–and low solar activity reported.
Nevertheless, the HF bands have been crowded, at least with FT4 and FT8
traffic. The forecast for the next few days is for the same, not the
best. Recommend just re-connecting the antenna and turning on the radio.
Check the bands for activity. Make a few contacts. Current DX includes
the South Shetland Islands and Cambodia.
* The NEXT PCT MEETING will be on Saturday, January 3rd at the Oriental
VFD. All are welcome to come and learn more about FOX HUNTING, direction
finding, and the equipment required both for the fox and the hounds. The
next BIG fox hunt will be in the Spring, a two stage hunt likely–find
the first fox to get the frequency for the second fox. Other clubs and
the Sea Scouts will be invited.
* Paul K4MMB, our Webmaster, reported 149 hits and 300 pages visited
during the recent 30 day period. Yes, there’s some phishing but the
WordPress server blocks much of it.
* Bruce briefly reviewed our ongoing relationship with the Oriental
VFD, especially our regular use of their building for PCT meetings, VE
testing, and other events. He suggested that PARS might want to again
make a donation or purchase some equipment not in the VFD budget. From a
discussion with the fire chief, Bruce moved that PARS obtain a Sound Bar
for their Computer Monitor/TV at a cost of no more than $300. The MOTION
was seconded by Bill Olah and APPROVED unanimously.
* Bill Michne WM3X presented a $500 check to Bruce from the estate of
Dan Baker N6XWF. This was a DONATION TO PARS from money received from
the sale of Dan’s radio equipment. Dan was an early and long time member
of PARS who passed last May.
* There being no further business, Bruce then orchestrated the eagerly
awaited gift exchange. There were many very well thought out gifts.
Thank you all! The meeting was adjourned at 10:20am.
NET NEWS
There were 16 WinLink check-ins and 20 voice check-ins for the Pamlico
Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, December 17th. Of the 20
voice check-ins three were via EchoLink (Paul KO4MHM Brevard, K2ONN
Bermuda Run and K2TNO Greensboro). Newcomers included PARS member
KO4OFP, Dick Marsh in New Bern and late arrival, NG4C/M, Connie Mercer
who was in Jacksonville heading home to Elizabeth City.
Mike advised that he will open the net on Christmas Eve and also New
Years Eve. He welcomes those that have a moment to check-in.
Monday night C4FM Net: On the 15th, AI4WL, KO4MHM, KR4LO, K1AUG, and
KR4ABZ participated in the second weekly roundtable hosted by KO4OJC.
KO4MHM logged in remotely from Brevard. All were loud and clear. As more
folks acquire a C4FM capability or crawl out of the woodwork, the
numbers are expected to grow. For local users via RF it’s on 146.310MHz
and remote users via Wires-X room “KO4OJC-Room 3” (DTMF ID 64163).
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low with a chance for M-class flares today,
Tuesday and Wednesday.
There are 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 5 last Monday, 7 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 124,
last Sunday’s was 119. The index is predicted to measure 130 today, 135
Tuesday and 140 on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing
average was 148 yesterday. It was 151 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field be again be unsettled but reaching minor storm levels
today and Tuesday and unsettled to active on Wednesday. The planetary
K-index at 7 a.m. this morning was 3.00 indicating quiet conditions.
Current conditions: Poor during the day on 80 and 40 Meters, fair at
night; good day and night on 30 & 20; fair day and night 17 & 15; fair
day, poor at night on 12 and 10. As always, we recommend you go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD050, ARLD051 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–MADAGASCAR, 5R. Eric, F6ICX, is QRV as 5R8IC from Sainte-Marie
Island, IOTA AF-090, until the end of December. Activity is on the HF
bands using CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4, and on Satellite QO-100.
–SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS. Ivo, LZ1AAW, will be QRV in his spare time as
LZ0A from St. Kliment Ohridski on Livingston Island, IOTA AN-010, from
late December until mid-February 2026.
–CAMBODIA, XU. Tom, DL7BO, will be QRV as XU7GNY from December 22 to
January 18. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters using CW, SSB, and
FT8, and concentrating on the lower bands.
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 60 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
FOR SALE: SWR/wattmeters: MFJ-868 Giant SWR/Wattmeter, 20/200/2,000
watt ranges, 1.8 – 30 MHz, $150. Mirage MP2 VHF SWR/wattmeter,
50/500/1500 watt ranges, 50 – 200 MHz, $125. Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-671-6703, drmichne73@gmail.com. (20251208)
UPDATED… now FREE: Since our HOA does not allow outside antennas, no
need to hang on to the following coax cable:
1-3 Davis coax all SOLD
4. RG213 part # 59912 (no brand name but used outdoors for years with
no issues), 52 feet, new, FREE (Merry Christmas). Mike Grant, AB1OU,
email mgrant291@att.net or 203-981-0215. (20251208)(20251215)(20251222)
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 (20251013)
FOR SALE: Yaesu FT 450D . With spare parts radio . Mobile bracket
included. Works great. $450.00 WB2AII, Ken Boniface (252)658-1012 (20251006)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jan 3, 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
* Jan 31, 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, “Wayne’s World C4FM Net”, 7:30 pm local, using the C4FM
digital mode on the KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X repeater, Baird Creek
(146.310MHz). Those outside RF range may join via Wires-X room
“KO4OJC-Room 3″ (DTMF ID 64163). This is a round-table open to all.
Discussions vary with member interest. Radio topics/questions/issues
welcomed.
* 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
And if we don’t catch you on a repeater before Thursday, we wish you all
a very Merry Christmas….
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
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