GENERAL CLASS LICENSE UPGRADE COURSE–
PARS’ amateur radio General Class upgrade course is scheduled for Monday
evenings beginning January 5 and ending March 2 with the exam to be held at
Pamlico Community College, 5049 Highway 306 South, Grantsboro, NC 28529.
THIS IS A CHANGE IN LOCATION. We will be using Room 412 in the Brinson
Building, the middle building of the complex. The classes will run
6:30-8:30 PM. You do not need a Technician Class license to take the
course, but you must pass the Technician Class exam before you can take the
General Class exam. [You may do both at the same exam session.] The course
fee is $30.00, which includes the textbook, the ARRL General Class License
Manual, 7th edition. If you choose to obtain the textbook on your own, the
course fee is waived. The exam fee is $15.00. YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS
COURSE BY DECEMBER 19 to allow sufficient time for textbook delivery during
this busy time of the year. To register, contact Bill Michne by phone
(252-249-1175) or email (billmichne@embarqmail.com). ***FRIDAY, DECEMBER
19, IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THE GENERAL COURSE IF YOU NEED A
BOOK.***
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity reached moderate levels during the 24
hours ending this morning at 7 am local. The largest recent solar event was
a M1 flare observed at 14/1933Z. There are currently 11 numbered sunspot
regions on the disk. The sunspot count this morning is 175, a most
significant jump from the 58 reported by NOAA last Monday. The Solar Flux
Index is 166 also up from the 132 in last week’s PARSgram. According to the
Space Weather Prediction Center, solar activity is likely to be at moderate
levels with a 10 % chance for an X-class flare for the next three days
(15-17 Dec). There is a 55 % chance for M-class flares.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field activity reached minor storm levels during
the past 24 hours. The geomagnetic field is expected to vary between quiet
and unsettled with a chance for active levels during the next 3 days. The
K-index was reported by NOAA to be an unsettled 3 at 0700 local this
morning.
For those interested, the Space Weather Prediction Center is in the
process of completely revamping its site. The URL for the homepage is
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/. At the bottom are two key indicators of Solar
and Geomagnetic activity, the GEOS X-Ray Flux that shows flares and the
Estimated Planetary K-Index that indicates geomagnetic conditions. For all
the details find Space Weather “Communities” at the center of the page and
click on “Radio Communications” .
.THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
LAOS, XW. Bruce, 3W3B will be QRV as XW4XR from Vientiane from
December 15 to January 2, 2015. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters
using CW and SSB. QSL via E21EIC.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event
Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
“Loud and Clear”. That’s the report for Pete, AG7C, up at his “other place”
in New Jersey, After a move from a travel trailer along the river to an
antenna restricted neighborhood that would normally quash most forms of ham
radio, Pete went remote. He uses a Remoterig RRC-1258 two unit set to
control his “remote station” at home in Pamlico County via the internet. It
took a while to assemble all the bits and pieces and to sort out the issues
involved with dynamic IP addressing, but everything came together last
Friday. Now, when talking to him on the radio you will never know if he’s
here or there unless you ask. Congratulations Pete!
OTHER ACTIVITY ON THE RADIO:
This info is extracted from the ARRL Letter, from the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar, the ARRL Contest Update or the ARRL Contest Corral. You can
receive the Letter weekly via email as a member of ARRL :
* December 17 — NAQCC Milliwatt Sprint (CW) – Attn WM3X, K2ONN!
* December 18 — Russian 160 Meter Contest (SSB, CW)
* December 20-21 — OK DX RTTY Contest
* December 20-January 4 — Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party (CW, SSB,
Digital)
* December 20-21 — Croatian CW Contest
* December 21 — ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW)
See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the
ARRL Contest Update http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update/ and the
WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html>
for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the
ARRL Special Event Station Web page<http://www.arrl.org/special-events>. For
a LIST OF STATE QSO PARTIES, see
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/stateparties.html. (State QSO parties
and the W1AW Centennial Stations are a great way to get those last states on
your Worked All States (WAS) Award list.)
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS.
* W1AW Centennial Stations W1AW/9 in Indiana
and W1AW/7 in Montana are QRV until 2359z on December 16. In
addition, W1AW/3 in Maryland, W1AW/KH6 in Hawaii and W1AW/4 in
Georgia will be QRV starting at 0000z on December 17. They will be
active until 2359z on December 23.
* BELGIUM, ON. Members of the Radioclub of G.T.M. in Kruibeke will be
QRV using special event call sign ON70BUTS until January 14, 2015 to
commemorate the Battle of the Bulge. QSL via ON4CFB.
(Courtesy of the ARRL DX Bulletin)
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
——————–
* WANTED — If anyone has a General Class License Manual, 7th ed., they are
not using, I could use one for the duration of the course, January 5 through
March 2. Contact Bill Michne, WM3X, at 249-1175 or
billmichne@embarqmail.com. (20141215)
* FREE — Coax. Belden 8281 video cable (blue jacket), 78 ft piece; RG-59U
two pieces (yellow jacket). Pick up in Morehead City or New Bern, contact
Stephen Freeman, KK4JOP, 252-725-3845. (20141215)
* Sold– NEW DC POWER SUPPLY —- Astron RS-35A 13.8 vdc 35 amp
* FOR SALE — WIRE ANTENNA — “Radioworks” Carolina Windom 40 — Specs
and installation requirements can be found on the Radioworks site. Total
length is 66 feet. This antenna is 4+ years old but was only in the air 1
year. Requires a tuner (or an older radio with real tuning knobs). Although
wire is weathered, the balun and matching unit are like new, and all
connections were kept sealed where required. Retails new for about
$140……..yours for $40 CASH, … no offers please. Picture available
on request. Located in Greenville, with free delivery to Oriental.
Contact Don Corley, WA4DX , at 252-916-7085. (20141208)
* FOR SALE–DRAKE R-8A communications receiver in like-new condition; no
cosmetic flaws, all knobs and meters intact, nesting spiders chased out.
Asking price $500. Comparable to those on Ebay advertised at $695.
Contact Jamie King KJ4JK at (252) 514-7497or kj4jk@arrl.net (20141006)
* FOR SALE– Remaining items from Jim Reynolds’ (W4YLO)
station. Jim Reynolds W4YLO is in a care center with late stages of
Parkinson’s disease. His wife would like to sell his shop tools and
equipment and gain back the garage. If you have any interest in these items
please call me, Ed Valentine, and set up a visit time to view them.
– Sorenson Power regulating transformer. 1000VA – About 60 lbs.
– Radial Arm Saw 14 inch blade. Delta. Extra Blades
– Icom IC-CP1 mobile charger $5. Use with IC2A/AT/E Transceiver
– 6 mtr cavity transmitter. $15
– Dentron Super Tuner ( Rated very good tuner in QRZ) $125
– MFJ 261 Dummy Load. 15 watts, 100 watts Peak. New $42 Sell for $20.
– B&K Scope 30Mhz with 4 Tektronix Probes.. Make offer.
– Logic probe for TTL & Cmos $5
Jim Reynolds equipment is clean and tested. Nonsmoking house.
– Icom 756 Pro 2 Transceiver w PS $1300
– Icom IC 7600 transceiver purchased new 3 years ago, little used, $2800
– Icom PW-1 KW amp. $3650
– Icom SP21 speaker $75
All manuals & cables & original boxes.
– Icom Receiver IC-R70 with service manual. 100 Kc. to 30 Mhz. Like new.
$295
– Icom AH4 Antenna Tuner $190 + 50+ft of control cable & RG8X
– Xantrex True Charge Dual 20 Amps. with remote battery monitor $175
– Xantrex 1500 watt Inverter. $125
– Steel work Table on wheels with compartments. 3ft. w x 5ft. long x 4ft. h
& heavy.
– HP Photosmart Scanner Printer HP8450 with Software & Cables, $20
– HP Scanner HP3570 with Software & Cables, $15
Contact Ed Valentine W2YPM at 252 637-3161 or
w2ypm@earthlink.net for information and pricing.
(20140602//20141124)
——————–
(Send me your amateur radio related items for sale, trade, or wanted for
listing in the PARSgram. PLEASE let me know if your listing is no longer
needed. ITEMS listed will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear
otherwise.–Jim).
UPCOMING HAMFESTS:
* February 7, 2015: Richmond Frostfest, Richmond Raceway Complex,
Richmond, VA, http://www.frostfest.com
* April 4, 2015: 43rd Annual RARSfest/North Carolina State Convention,
Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, State Fairgrounds,
Raleigh, NC, http://www.rars.org/rarsfest
PARS CALENDAR:
* Dec 27, PARS Christmas Breakfast & Gift Exchange, Saturday, 9 am,
Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental. Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or
w_olah@yahoo.com.
* Jan 5 – Mar 2, PARS General Class License Preparation Course, Monday
evenings,6:30-8:30 PM, Room 412 in the Brinson Building,Pamlico Community
College, 5049 Highway 306 South, Grantsboro. TO REGISTER FOR THE COURSE
contact Bill Michne, WM3X, at 252-249-1175 or by email at
billmichne@embarqmail.com. DON’T WAIT to register, materials need to be
ordered!
* Jan 31, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
* Mar 2, 2015, Amateur Radio License Exam Session, Technician, General, and
Extra, Monday evening, time TBA. Room 412 in the Brinson Building, Pamlico
Community College, 5049 Highway 306 South, Grantsboro. For more information,
and TO REGISTER FOR THE EXAM, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, at 252-249-1175 or
by email at billmichne@embarqmail.com.
PARS NETS:
* Mondays, Pete’s “Swamp Talk” roundtable, around 8:15 pm local,
28.463 MHz plus or minus, USB. An informal forum originally established
to assist our new Hams, this freq. is in the 10M voice segment open to
technician licensees and above. Radio topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays, Pamlico Emergency Net Practice and Rag Chew, 7:30 pm,
Oriental Repeater, 147.210 + (PL151.4).
PARS WEB SITE:
https://www.n4prs.org/
Web Master is Larry Wall, KK4SEO, wallmailbox@yahoo.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.
73, Jim AI4WL