ARRL NOVEMBER SWEEPSTAKES COMING SOON–LET’S PLAY!
From President Bill Michne, WM3X–
The SSB version of ARRL’s November Sweepstakes is coming up in just two weeks, November 19-21. Operating details can be found on the ARRL website. Since it’s basically a US and Canada event, low power and simple antennas will net lots of contacts. It’s a good way to add to your totals for WAS awards. It’s also a good way to gain operating experience, learn about short and medium range propagation, and how you might want to make improvements to your station. And since PARS is an ARRL affiliated club, all participating members can pool their scores and submit a club score. I’ll have more to say about that next week. Meanwhile, check out the brief description of the event on page 94 of the OCTOBER QST, which contains a link for first time operators [www.arrl.org/sweepstakes –ed.]. Bill Michne, WM3X.
SKYWARN APPRECIATION DAY, FIRST SATURDAY IN DECEMBER.
SKYWARN Appreciation Day is coming up on Saturday, Dec 3rd from 7am through 7pm at the National Weather Service office just off US-70 on Roberts Road in Newport. Head over, get the tour, and spend some time operating the office’s HF station in the annual NWS QSO Party. SKYWARN Recognition Day began in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service. The official webpage for the event is: www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio. For more information contact John Hopkins, KJ4JPH, or Janice, KJ4JPE, at hopkinszoo1@msn.com or Hal Austin, NC4HA/WX4MHX at hsa63@yahoo.com, the SKYWARN/Amateur Radio Focal Point at NWS Newport.
FREQUENCY MEASURING TEST (FMT)
It appears that only two PARS members performed the FMT last Wednesday night, Bill WM3X and me, AI4WL. As you might recall, Game 7 of the World Series between the Cubbies and the Cards was also going on that night. There are priorities. Anyway, remember the idea was to measure the frequency of an unmodulated carrier sent by an amateur station as precisely as possible when you know only the approximate frequency of that carrier. Actually, for this test, a carrier was sent by several stations on three bands; by one station on 20, two on 40 and two on 80 Meters. Five short transmissions total.
So how’d we do? In short, the exercise showed that both of us could measure the frequencies accurately within the precision of the display of our equipment or better. With a new Yaesu FT-991 which has a display resolution of 10 Hz, my closest reading of the 5 was 2.24 Hz from the actual carrier, worst was 6.30 Hz off. Using his Kenwood TS-990 which can be set at 1 Hz resolution and averaging multiple readings, Bill’s closest measurement was within 0.01Hz–even better than his display! Bill puts it down as beginner’s luck, I doubt that.
The test did not take much time to do, it was fun, and it’s good to know that our radios are on the frequency we think they are. Hopefully, the next test won’t be on the night of the Super Bowl or some such and more PARS folks will give it a try.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was very low during the 24 hours ending yesterday at 5 pm local. The most recent significant activity was a B1 flare at 0502Z this morning. There are 2 sunspot regions on the disk facing Earth this morning. Flare activity remains very low. The sunspot number (SSN) is 23, up from the 12 we reported last Monday. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 76, the same number as recorded at Penticton Sunday a week ago. 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 Wednesday. The NOAA forecast has the SFI rising to 78 by Wednesday. The 90 day trailing average is 86.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. The field is forecast to be quiet to unsettled today and Wednesday. It is forecast to reach active levels on Tuesday when the effects of a Coronal Mass Ejection impact our Earth’s magnetic field. The Kp-index was reported to be an quiet 1 at 7 a.m. local this morning.
Expect fair conditions on 30 and 20 Meters, poor on the higher bands. Fair day and good nighttime conditions are expected on 80 and 40. Most activity on 6 Meters reported on DXmaps has been digital using meteor scatter.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
5R, MADAGASCAR. Eric, F6ICX, will be active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island (AF-090, WLOTA LH-0491) between November 6th and February 4th, 2017. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters, mainly CW, but some SSB, RTTY, and PSK63, using a FT450 with 100 watts into various GPs or Inverted-Ls and a Hexbeam for 20-10 meters. There will be no online log during his activity. QSL via his home callsign (QRZ.com). Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog and LoTW.
And if you feel lucky and the propagation gods are generous:
CAMBODIA, XU. A large group of operators are QRV as XU7MDC from Phnom Penh until November 13. Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY with up to five stations active. QSL via IK2VUC.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
No reports.
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
* 12/0001-13/2359Z Nov 28 MHz International Fall Contest, Digital
* 12/0700-13/1300Z Nov 3.5-28 JIDX Phone Contest Ph
* 12/1200-13/2359Z Nov 1.8-50 SKCC Weekend Sprintathon CW
* 12/1400-13/0200Z Nov 1.8-50 Kentucky QSO Party CW Ph Dig
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 are a great way to get those last states for your Worked All States (WAS) Award.)
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
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* (NEW) FOR SALE: $50.00 160m coaxial receiving loop. Rotatable loop with built in 160m transistorized preamplifier and two 12vdc bias tees to power the built in preamp. Measures approx. 6’ x 6’ square, 1/2” copper pipe, sealed system. Ready to go, works great, excellent condition. Mount on a ground level support with or without a rotor, connect small diameter coax and you’re receiving low noise and DX on Top Band. Includes complete construction plans, schematic. Designed by Dick Stroud, W9SR. See plans in QST article archives, p.35, June ‘06. Selling because my 6m antenna needed the rotator and I erected a K9AY multi-band receiving loop system for the low bands. Dick Goodwin K4JJW Fairfield Harbour 252-633-7873 rgoodwin41@suddenlink.net
(20161107)
* FOR SALE Lightly used Ameritron AL-811H in good working order. Output power is 800 Watts PEP, 600 Watts CW. It uses four rugged, fully neutralized low cost 811A PA tubes. A backup set of four tubes is included with the amplifier. The dimensions are 13.5″ W x 8.5 H x 14″ D. The operating weight is 32 lbs. I am the second purchaser/owner of this amplifier. The first owner is an active PARS member. This Amplifier has the factory modification for operation on 10 meters. A copy of the manual is included. Asking $500. Contact Bill Cresswell, K2ONN at 252-249-0148. (20161024)
* 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 993B. 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:
* Nov 26, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com.
* Dec 31, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.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).
* Thursdays, Pamlico Six Meter Net, 8 pm local, 50.200 MHz, USB. A non-directed open net to promote operation on the ‘Magic Band’.
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.
ABOUT THE PARSgram
The PARSgram is a weekly email publication for members of the Pamlico Amateur Radio Society (PARS), an association of amateur radio operators located in, near, or from Pamlico County, North Carolina. The PARSgram contains announcements and information about current and planned activities of the Society and other items of specific interest to its members. Except to summarize information related to Solar Activity or announce expeditions of amateur radio operators to unique distant places, special event stations, and contests, it does not generally repeat information available elsewhere. The PARSgram does offer a means to make known to its subscribers radio equipment and other related items for sale or trade. Since PARS members may have limited internet access, the PARSgram has no attachments and kept relatively short. Log on to the PARS Website at https://www.n4prs.org/ for longer news articles, photos, archived PARSgrams and more. We are always looking for items of specific interest to our members to put in the PARSgram. If you run across a timely item or think of something you think would interest our folks, please send it to me at jth350@embarqmail.com. (20150406)
73,