PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Pal Manganaro had passed his
Technician exam. Well he just got his call sign, KO4MHM. Paul is using
a club loaner HT until he gets his own radio, so if you hear him on the
repeater give him a call. _…_ The NC QSO party is coming in two
weeks, on February 28. I will be operating my station using the N4PRS
call sign. The station will be open to PARS members who may not have
the opportunity to operate their own stations. I would particularly
like to invite newer and inexperienced operators. I will be the control
operator, so you don’t have to worry about your class of license. You
can also choose your mode, either SSB or CW. Just give me a call or
drop me an email to set up a time to operate for an hour or two. _…_
de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are no numbered sunspot regions on
the Sun facing Earth this morning. Our current stretch of no sunspots is
now at eleven days. Solar activity is expected be very low through
Wednesday. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton
was 73. The index is predicted to register 73 today, Tuesday and
Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is 83.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet to unsettled today and Tuesday then back to quiet on Wednesday.
The estimated Kp-index of 1 reported at 7 a.m. local this morning
indicates we are currently experiencing quiet geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, we can expect fair daytime and good nighttime
operating conditions on 80 and 40 meters, fair on 30 and 20, and poor on
the higher bands. While we’re back to solar minimum conditions, there
must be some propagation. Gary, NC3Z/4, reports…”Finally after 13
months of working towards DXCC on 160M using strictly FT8 I got my 100th
confirmation. It was 4X1UF/qrp yesterday and he was country # 108 but he
QSL’d immediately via LoTW to get to the magic 100 confirmation. So 160M
has been good to say the least!” Let’s wish for better HF prop come the
end of the month for the NC QSO Party.
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**
Tarheel 75A HF mobile antenna combo. Includes Tarheel 6′ Stainless Steel
Whip, Whip Quick Twist Disconnect, Plus these unused original parts:
Control Cable, Manual Switch, Fuseholder & Fuse, Original box and
Manual. $350. Contact Gary Mitchelson, NC3Z/4, nc3z.gary@gmail.com or
252-745-0655.
PARS CALENDAR:
* Feb 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. Our guest speaker will be Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, ARRL North
Carolina Section Manager. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Mar 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. 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
COVID-19 VACCINE FAQS
Our Pamlico County COVID-19 Task Force has put together answers to the
most frequently asked questions about the vaccines, who should get the
shot(s), what to expect after and how to register. The FAQ is at:
https://mailchi.mp/ae7dacf95fa9/covid-19-vaccine-faqs?e=adb5dfd6c4
Please mask up in public, dry off those webbed feet and stay safe.
73, Jim AI4WL
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