PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
We will have our regularly scheduled PARS meeting this Saturday, with a
new format. Our radio net format served its purpose but was limited to
audio only. The speaker could be heard, but not seen. Another
limitation was that if a ham could not get into the repeater, or
couldn’t hear the repeater, he or she could not participate. To address
these issues we have decided to use the Zoom Meeting format, in which
all participants can be both seen and heard. Since it is an internet
application attendees don’t have to be local. The format also allows
for graphics presentations such as PowerPoint slides. This could
greatly expand the kind of information presented at the meeting.
Elsewhere in this PARSGram you will find instructions for setting up
your computer to run Zoom. It’s easy. If you can point and click a
mouse you can use Zoom. I hope to see more of you on Saturday. Really.
…_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PARS MEETING THIS COMING SATURDAY, SEP 26, 2020
**** 9:AM VIA “ZOOM” *****
We will be holding this month’s PARS meeting via Zoom. Prior to the
meeting, it is recommended to download the Zoom application to the
device you wish to use. Steve Silveira, KO4EDA, will be our technical
host for the meeting.
If you are on MacOS or Windows proceed to https://zoom.us. In the top
right corner there is a drop down menu labeled “Resources”. Click the
“Download Zoom Client” link to install. If you are on an iPhone or iPad
get the app from the App Store, and if you are on Android phone or
tablet, get the app from Google Play Store.
Here is the meeting link and ID for the Saturday September 26, 2020 PARS
Monthly Meeting:
Topic: PARS Monthly Meeting
Time: Sep 26, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Meeting Link:
Email for Link and ID
You can join the meeting one of 3 ways:
- Click the link to join the meeting, on MacOS and Windows you should
be prompted to Open the Zoom App, and on mobile devices and tablets it
should just open.
- Open your Zoom App (MacOS, Windows, and Mobile Devices) and click
“Join a Meeting” (or the “Join” Button if already signed in), then type
in the Meeting ID and enter your name and click Join.
- If you cannot seem to get Zoom working or do not have a compatible
device, dial in via the phone number provided above.
If you have questions regarding “Zoom” that you can’t resolve, please
email Steve at rastoban@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. A new group of sunspots is about to rotate
into view ending a spotless period now up to 32 days. On Sunday the
observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 70. The index is
predicted to register 70 today, Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90 day
trailing average is also 70.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet today and Tuesday, quiet to unsettled on Wednesday. The estimated
Kp-index of zero reported at 5 a.m. local this morning indicates we are
currently experiencing very quiet conditions.
For today, we can expect good daytime and good nighttime operating
conditions on 80 and 40 meters but, like last week, plan for poor
conditions on the higher HF bands. The VHF bands are quiet.
On September 15th, NASA and NOAA announced Solar Cycle 24 ended and
Cycle 25 started in December 2019. Bringing a slowly increasing number
of “reversed polarity” sunspots over the past few months, the new Cycle
arrived quietly. For more, go to https://spaceweatherarchive.com/2020/09/
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.
**NEW ** WANT TO BUY**
This is Mike Scott, I’m the guy that was looking for a SSB for my
sailboat sometime ago. Found one awhile back and I’m installing it on
sailboat and I need about 15 foot of RG 213 U. Lupton’s doesn’t have any
and I’d rather not buy 50 or 100 foot. Can you ask your members if
anyone has some they would like to sell? My email is mjscott@selds.com
(20200921)
** FOR SALE**
Cushcraft R-6000 vertical antenna for 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters.
Rated for 1500 watts, and no redials required. This is a pre-MFJ
version. Current HRO retail is $439.95 plus tax and shipping. My price
$150.00. Local pickup only. A portion of the proceeds will go to PARS.
Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175. (20200810)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Sep 26, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Oct 31, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom” or at Brantleys Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill
Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* 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
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 and
announce expeditions of amateur radio operators to unique distant places
it does not generally repeat information available elsewhere. The
PARSgram offers 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 is sent in text format, 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. (20200920)
VACCINE DEVELOPMENT FOR COVID-19
The Pamlico County COVID-19 Task Force Weekly Update is on vaccine
development and its likely availability here:
https://mcusercontent.com/87916e588364d43fd5a2d013b/files/092d5e04-270e-4439-9474-155356062908/VaccineDevelopmentCOVID_19.pdf
PAMLICO COUNTY COVID-19 TESTING ON SEP 22 AND 23
This event is for any and all county residents who wish to be tested.
For an appointment call the Pamlico County Health Department at
252-745-5111. More info:
https://mailchi.mp/ae9482ae6c99/covid-19-testing-event-sept-22-and-23?e=adb5dfd6c4
73 and please stay safe, Jim AI4WL
——
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
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