PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
Germany’s amateur satellite organization AMSAT-DL has submitted a
comprehensive proposal to the European Space Agency (ESA) for its Lunar
Amateur Radio Transponder (LunART) lunar lander — a communications
platform on the Large European Lander to support communication and
payload experiments. So instead of being limited to having access to
transponders on low earth orbit satellites for only minutes during each
pass, and with limited range, we will have access to transponders on the
highest orbiting satellite available, namely the moon. This would allow
for world wide communication for several hours during each pass at
appropriate times during the 28 day lunar orbit. Of course, this is
only a proposal at this point, so you have plenty of time to save up for
that 10 GHz satellite transceiver. _…_ With all of the home based
activity during the recent Field Day, coupled with the rules change that
allows pooling individual members’ scores for an aggregate club score,
ARRL has received over 8700 logs, with more coming in via the mail.
Participants who submitted entries online are encouraged to check the
Field Day entries received page to verify that their entries are marked
as complete, and that the club name entered is correct. …_._ de WM3X,
Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are no sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. We have had 152 days this year without; the
solar minimum continues. 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 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. Expect poor conditions on the higher HF bands however
there is some good news. 20 Meters has been long around 0800 local into
the far east most mornings. Those using FT8 may well see China, Japan,
Korea and even Hong Kong and the Philippines. Not bad for the bottom of
the cycle!
For us, the Magic Band was again somewhat fickle for the past week so
not much hope was given for the CQ WW VHF Contest over the weekend. Just
as well for few contacts were made from the “black hole” near
Whortonsville on Saturday. That said, the first station logged was
N2COP, our friend Bill Morine down in Wilmington. A nice surprise. It
looked like he was having a good day.
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.
AND COVID-19 CASES KEEP INCREASING BUT NOT SPIKING HERE… YET
Reported yesterday, demographics of the 43 positive cases in Pamlico
County show that most were/are in the 25-49 age group and 2/3 of the 43
are women. Doing the math, 8 cases for folks above the age of 65. You
can see the NCDHHS data at:
https://mailchi.mp/ec54f82665d6/demographics-of-pamlico-county-cases?e=adb5dfd6c4
We can continue to do our part to avoid the extreme spikes being seen in
Florida, Arizona, Texas and elsewhere. Nothing new here, it’s basically
up to us, self-defense if nothing else: wear a mask in public places,
don’t get too close, avoid gatherings, especially indoors, and wash our
hands. Pretty simple. For more we can do see:
https://mailchi.mp/3b8d167aa82e/its-up-to-us?e=adb5dfd6c4
73, stay safe, Jim AI4WL
——
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