PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
Since we did not have a typical Field Day setup, I decided that we
should have a “regular” meeting for the month of June. With the covid
thing going on that meant a net format for the meeting. Judging from
the information on the news we may be having net format meetings for
some time to come. The main topic for discussion was Field Day
operations. Some of our members said they would be operating from home
in either class 1D or 1E. If you operated and will be submitting your
score to the ARRL using their website, be sure to select “Pamlico
Amateur Radio Society, Ltd.” from the drop down menu so your score will
be added to the club’s aggregate score. _…_ I worked CW only (2
points per QSO). There were a lot of stations on 20 and 40, and not
surprisingly, most of them were in classes 1D or 1E. While I didn’t
work any other modes, I could see a lot of action on the phone and
digital portions of the bands on the pan display. Field Day started
several decades ago and the field setup format has been unchanged until
this year. I can imagine a lot of scenarios in which amateur radio
communications support during civil emergencies is heavily dependent on
home stations. Perhaps ARRL will consider changing some of the rules to
encourage more home based participation. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne,
252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS)June 27, 2020 VIRTUAL MEETING NOTES
* Eleven PARS members checked-in to the 9 am meeting net on the
Oriental Repeater. It was controlled by President Bill Michne using the
club call, N4PRS.
* There were no reports of awards, upgrades or special QSO’s.
* Bill presented the treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. The only
activity was to pay the annual rental for our post office box.
* Propagation Report: Solar activity remains very low with no sunspots
for 11 days in a row. The solar minimum continues. For Field Day weekend
we should have good conditions on 80 and 40 Meters, poor on the higher
bands. Six meters was active this morning on FT8 so we hope for some
good E layer skip.
* Regarding Field Day, Bill invited all to operate his station which
will be using the club call, N4PRS. Jim reminded the members not to
forget that copying the W1AW Bulletin adds 100 bonus points to your
score as does operating with emergency power for 1E stations. Visiting
operators under 18 earn 20 bonus points for each contact. Most
important, list our club, the “Pamlico Amateur Radio Society, LTD.” on
your entry. Bruce added that there are bonus points for WinLink messages
so check out the Field Day rules for formal messages. Bill asked those
operating to monitor the Oriental Repeater over the weekend for more on
Field Day.
* Paul provided the monthly numbers for hits on the club web site: 3
today, 6 yesterday, 25 over the last 7 days, 212 during the last 30 and
1,515 the last 12 months.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned/net closed
at 0915.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are mp sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. According to the Space Weather Prediction
Center activity will continue to be very low through Wednesday. On
Sunday the reported Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 69. The
index is predicted to register 68 today, Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI
90 day trailing average is 69.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet to unsettled Tuesday and Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 0
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. Expect poor conditions on the higher HF bands.
It appears that activity on 6 Meters has slowed. Too bad, we were hoping
for better over Field Day Weekend. It started well for us on Saturday
morning but faded by the afternoon.
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
For listing in the PARSgram send me your amateur radio related items
that you have for sale, trade, or wanted. PLEASE let me know when you
have have sold your item or your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
** FOR SALE**
HyGain 18 AVQ 10 thru 80 ground mounted vertical. Base section ruined by
Florence, replaced with new section from HyGain, antenna not
reinstalled. Antenna in 3 sections for transport – base, middle and top
with counterpoises, longest about 8 feet. $100 and you transport. Call
Art KB1TX at 252-571-1752. (20200511)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jul 29, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
Radio or at Brantleys 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. Please wear your mask at the “Piglet”, it helps to keep you
and those around you a bit safer.
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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