PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
We had to cancel our amateur license exam session at the last minute
this past week. The combination of social distancing and shelter in
place really left us no choice. According to the ARRL VEC, many exam
sessions have been cancelled. This has raised the possibility of online
examinations, but there are no plans for this option at this time
because of the three examiner requirement. _…_ It seems to me that
the activity on the bands has increased. Forty and thirty meters seems
to be open earlier in the evening with a lot of European signals on all
modes. Could this be due to shelter in place propagation? Amateur
radio is a great way to socialize while maintaining a safe separation.
…_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
2020 2 METER SPRING SPRINT TONIGHT
The first of five VHF and up Spring Sprints is tonight, April 6, and
they start with the 2 Meter (144 MHz) Band. Lasting only 4 hours, 7 to
11 pm local, all simplex modes (SSB, CW, FM, AM, Digital etc.) are
allowed. Contacts via repeaters or satellite operation are not allowed.
The sprint for 6M is the last of the series and it will be on Saturday,
May 9th. For rules and more information go to
https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2020-information
NEW SKYWARN COURSES
From Erik Heden, NWS Newport–
“We have expanded our virtual weather spotter classes into mid April. We
have added classes that we HAVE NEVER had before, including a Flood
SKYWARN and Advanced SKYWARN. We are also having a Tropical SKYWARN, in
addition to our Basic SKYWARN.” Other classes include Hurricane
Preparedness and COCORAHS Training. For more info and to sign up go to:
https://www.weather.gov/mhx/MHXSkywarn
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are no numbered sunspot regions on
the Sun facing Earth this morning. Solar activity will continue to be
very low through Wednesday according to the Space Weather Prediction
Center. On Sunday, the reported Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was
71, up three from last Sunday. The index is predicted to register 70
today through Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing average
is still 71.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet through Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 1 reported at 5 a.m.
local this morning indicates we are currently experiencing quiet conditions.
We can expect fair daytime and good nighttime operating conditions on 80
and 40 meters, fair both day and night on 30 and 20. Expect poor
conditions on the higher bands. The conditions were indeed good Saturday
night for the NA SSB Sprint Contest. From 8 pm to midnight, 40 was
jammed with contesters moving up and down the band. And there are more
hopeful signs: last week there were reports of Es activity on 6 Meters,
rare for the month of March.
For an explanation of numbers used in our PARSgram, see the excellent
article written by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA at
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
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. Listings will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
**FOR SALE**
1. Titan DX Multiband Antenna SOLD
2. Daiwa CN101L. SWR AND POWER METER. NEW. (COST $130). $45
3. ASTRON POWER Supply SOLD.
NOTE: All 3 items include instructions Contact: Larry Jones,
ljonesnc4@gmail.com or at 252 617-0525. Will consider reasonable offers.
(20200309)
**FOR SALE**by Sam/Dave Bacon, KD2T, davebacon137@embarqmail.com or
252-617-0359 (20200120)
* MFJ-928 Automatic antenna turner will handle 200w CW or SSB. Handles
up to 2 antennas. Tunes with 2 watts. Tunes in15 seconds. Audio SWR
meter. 20,000 memories. 4 memory banks. New $199.95 available for $145.00
* Ameritron 811 HF amplifier. SOLD
* Yaesu SP 2000 Speaker with dust cover. External speaker with filters.
Yaesu grey color. Has dust cover. New at Gigi Parts $184.00 available at
$135.00.
* MFJ-1260 Mic/Rig Switch. Allows you to use 2 mics with 1 rig. MFJ
price is $119.95 Yours for $75.00
* MFJ-471RC Remote Control Antenna Switch. Remote control up to 2
antenna from your shack. Control voltage travel on the feed coax. No
need for a control wire. MFJ price $89.95 Your for $50.00
* MFJ1701 6 Position Manual Antenna Switch. Manually switch between up
to 6 different antennas. Has a scratch on the face. MFJ price $99.95
yours for $50.00
PARS CALENDAR:
* Apr 25, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Venue TBD. For more
info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* May 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Venue TBD. For more
info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Tuesdays, Newport Weather Service SKYWARN Practice Net, 9:00 pm
local, Oriental (147.210+ (PL151.4)) and all other local repeaters. This
net for severe weather warning and reporting is continously monitored
upon activation.
* Wednesdays, Pamlico Emergency Net Practice and Rag Chew/ARES, 7:30
pm, Oriental Repeater, 147.210 + (PL151.4).
* 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 WEB SITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, 561-308-3456, PARSwebman@gmail.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.
Stay safe: 2 Meters is about 6 1/2 feet!
73, Jim AI4WL
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