PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
Looking for a neat amateur radio related project while you wait for your
yard or garden to dry out, the temperatures to warm up, and the wind to
stop blowing? Check out the January 2021 issue of QST. Therein on page
30 you will find an easy to build Arduino based Morse code trainer.
After reading it l’ve concluded that it’s as much or more about learning
about Arduino capabilities as it is about learning Morse code. After
working your way through this project you’ll no doubt come up with an
endless list of Arduino applications, without learning anything about
the code. _…_ I continue to be impressed by what AMSAT amateurs in
other countries are doing. AMSATDL ( Germany) are monitoring European
and Chinese spacecraft orbiting Mars. We, on the other hand, have
established application fees for amateur radio licenses… de WM3X,
Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail .com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was low during the 24 hour period ending
yesterday at 5 pm local. There is one numbered sunspot region on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. Two more are forming according to
spaceweather.com. Solar activity is expected be very low through
Wednesday. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton
was 78. The index is predicted to register 76 today and then 72 Tuesday
and 70 Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is down two from last
week to 77.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. NOAA
expects conditions to be quiet to unsettled today and Tuesday, then
quiet on Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 1 reported at 7 a.m. local
this morning reflects our current 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, poor on the
higher bands.
On Sunday, 20 meters was jammed with DX during the ARRL International
(SSB) DX Contest. Afternoon signals from Eastern Europe were strong
indicating the actual conditions were better than those forecast. You
could have made great progress toward achieving your DXCC award over the
weekend for sure. The check-ins continue to grow for the Thursday night
DownEast/Pamlico 6M net. Last week we had 9 or 10. Several folks are
using simple dipoles with surprisingly good results.
For an explanation of the 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. (20210208)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Mar 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. We look for a return visit by Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Audio.
For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Apr 24, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, NC Section Manager will be making a
presentation followed by a Q&A session. 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
While the number of COVID-19 cases is declining overall in North
Carolina, we are not seeing a similar decrease in Pamlico County. Our
case rate is remaining fairly steady at 5-7 per day. Even though many of
us have been vaccinated, please mask up in public, keep your distance
and stay safe.
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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