NO PARSGRAM NEXT MONDAY
The next issue should be in your inbox Monday, October 24th.
PARS BIT BUCKET
* In Whortonsville, we made it through the passing of Hurricane Matthew relatively unscathed. Trust you did too. Phone & internet out for a while as was commercial power, lots of deadfall to be dealt with. As for the phone outage, that’s why we have ham radio.
* Tom, KI4NSP, reported that SKYWARN was active through the storm on most of the local repeaters. He notes that a record 14 people checked in on the Oriental repeater alone..
* The Scouting world’s Jamboree on the Air is this weekend. Camp Sea Gull is the site for Pamlico County’s activities. Randy Davis, K4WRD, our coordinator is still looking for some help, especially on Saturday, the 15th. If you can give him a hand for a couple of hours, please contact him at randyd@centurylink.net or 249-1680
* At our October meeting, we will elect our officers for CY2017. The nominating committee is still looking for folks to stand for election, particularly for the office of President. Both Randy Davis, K4WRD and Gail (Wally) Wallace KK4ASP, incumbent VP and Treasurer respectively, plan to stand for re-election at the October meeting. If you wish to be nominated please contact Mike Marsh, K4NLC, 252-636-1257, or Randy.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was low during the 24 hours ending yesterday at 5 pm local. The most recent significant activity was a B8 flare at 0438Z this morning. The sunspot number (SSN) is 40, up from the 13 we saw a week ago Monday. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 98, higher than the 82 in our last report. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, solar activity is expected to be very low for the next three days with a slight chance for C-class flares today through Saturday. The NOAA forecast has the SFI at 95 for today and tomorrow and then 90 on Saturday. The 90 day trailing average is 88.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. The field is forecast to be quiet then reach minor storm levels today, reach major storm levels Friday and then unsettled to active on Saturday. All this is due to a Coronal Mass Ejection followed by solar winds from a large coronal hole. The Kp-index was reported to be at minor storm levels Kp-5 at 5 a.m. local this morning.
Expect poor conditions across the bands with fair conditions at best on 17 and 15 today.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE, S9. Peter, DL1RPL, Soeren, DL3RKS, Dieter,
DL1AWD, Hans, DL1AOB, Rocco, DG5AA and Rich, DK8YY will be QRV as S9YY from Sao Tome Island, IOTA AF-023, from October 8 to 23. Activity will be on the HF bands, including 2 meters and 70 cm, using CW, SSB and various digital modes. QSL to DH7WW.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Dick K4JJW reported Sunday: “DX propagation seemed to have turned the corner during the past several days. Nearly all bands have been active with DX and I spent some time on 40m and 80m and worked these entities on CW….Rodriguez Is., Sao Tome Is., Morocco, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Sri Lanka plus many European countries. I was on the air in the evening during Hurricane Matthew and was amazed at the lack of QRN static during the storm. Noise levels on 80m and 40m were only S1-S2 when the bad weather and lightning was close by. Very unusual. After generally lousy conditions all summer it’s good to hear the bands coming alive again.”
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
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* DONATED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Here are two pieces of equipment in excellent condition, fully tested, and completely functional. First is an MFJ Versa Tuner II, model 949B. This antenna tuner is rated at 300 watts maximum, has two coax outputs that are switchable and can be bypassed, and an internal dummy load. It also has balanced line or single wire output. The meter (single needle) reads forward and reflected power in two ranges, 0-30 and 0-300 watts, and SWR. Second is an MFJ Artificial Ground, Model 931. This unit is used for stations that can’t get a good RF ground, such as when the station is not on a ground floor, or when working portable at a camp ground or park. It is rated at 300 watts maximum. User manuals for both units are available for download in pdf format. Prices: tuner, $60.00, artificial ground, $50.00. These are less than half the cost of comparable new units from DX Engineering. Special deal: buy both units for $100 (they are often used together). All proceeds go to PARS. Contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com. (20160926)
* FOR SALE
SGC antenna tuner. This is the SG 235 with Smart Lock. This tuner is attached at the foot of the antenna. It is rated for 500 Watts. It can be used on Marine, Auto and land applications. Totally weather sealed. New from HRO this unit and Smart Lock are just under $1200 from HRO. Get the best for $400.
Also for sale is a MFJ 994B. This is the automatic tuner. New from HRO it is $235. Sale price is $100.
Both are up and running at my ham shack and can be seen in operation–Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI, 252-249-1257 (20160912)
* “HAM” HOME FOR SALE
A unique Pamlico County property adapted for amateur radio use by former PARS member Tom Davis, N1ZY, (SK) is now available for $230,000. On 9.54 acres, the 3BR, 2BA, 1800-1999 sq. ft home with garage was built in 2006 and recently upgraded throughout. The third bedroom is currently configured as an open study but can be reconfigured by the seller with an acceptable offer. On the property is a 20’x20′ “flex” building originally designed and built for use as a stand alone “ham shack”. It is complete with heat pump and 220/240V. service. There are two concrete pads which originally supported Rohn towers. For more information go to
http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?17zicfisjvxb,7,1 or dial 1-866-200-6443 Ext. 213 for recorded information. (20160822)
* FOR SALE, PRICE REDUCED–Yaesu FT- DX3000
A perfect “10”. Only used lightly by a little old lady on Sunday. I am upgrading and would love to see you have this rig. I hate to part with it but I just purchased a FTDX5000. This is just not the basic rig that others are selling—here is what you get, Like new radio, optional 300 hz cw filter, optional DVS 6 Voice unit, FH-2 touch pad, Hand mic, SP-2000 external speaker w/filters, Nifty Mini-Manual, box and radio manual. I have well over $2200.00 invested. I’ll let it go for $1995.00 $1795, you pay shipping for 2 boxes. Local pickup possible in NC. CONUS only. NO TRADES. PayPal, cash, check (units shipped when check clears). Pictures on request. DON’T MISS THIS ONE!
Sam, KD2T, davebacon137@embarqmail.com or call 252-617-0359 (20160822)
(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 REGIONAL HAMFESTS:
A complete list can be found on your PARS Website, www.n4prs.org
PARS CALENDAR:
* Oct 15, Jamboree On The Air, Saturday, Times TBD, Camp Sea Gull, Arapahoe, Randy Davis W4WRD, 249-1680 or randyd@centurylink.net
* Oct 29, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
* Nov 26, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
PARS NETS:
* Mondays, Pete’s “Swamp Talk” roundtable, around 8:15 pm local, 28.463 MHz plus or minus, USB. This is an informal forum originally established to assist our new Hams. The frequency is in the 10M voice segment open to technician licensees and above. Radio related 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/
* Chief Editor and Administrator is Greg Wadsworth KM4DZM, 252-322-1033 or gwadsworth1@ yahoo.com
* 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