PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
Beth, N2JBR, and I are heading north for a long overdue visit to see the
grandkids. I’m sure I’ll be eating some birthday cake, as the youngest
one will have his first birthday this week. Because of the pandemic I
have not yet met him. Should be quite a trip. Meanwhile, I’d like to
officially congratulate our three newest General Class members. They
are Joe Lupton, N4IBX; Steve Siveira, KO4EDA; and Paul Manganaro,
KO4MHM. de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) MAR 27, 2021 VIRTUAL MEETING NOTES
* Thirteen PARS members and guests attended the 9 am meeting chaired by
Vice President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, via Zoom. Steve Silveira, KO4EDA,
was our technical host. Bob Heil of Heil Sound returned as our special
guest.
* Rewards or upgrades. Bruce recognized Paul Manganaro, KO4MHM; Joe
Lupton N4IBX; and Steve Silveira KO4EDA. The three passed their General
exams after completing Bill Michne’s course and are looking forward to
getting on the HF bands.
* Bruce presented the treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. Our
society is solvent.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: Solar activity has continued to be low.
Yesterday’s reported solar flux of 80 is the same as it was on the day
of our last meeting a month ago. It should be around 100 for longer (and
daily) openings on the higher HF bands. Good news though, we’re seeing
fewer days without sunspots. Spring’s here and soon will come serious
openings on six meters.
* Mike, K4NLC, reported the Pamlico Emergency Net will generate about
14.5 man-hours from 5 sessions this month.
* Paul, K4MMB reported there were 145 visitors (most from the US)
during the month, seven yesterday. The repeater list page continues to
be the most popular. The PARSgram club newsletter archive is the 4th
most visited section on the site. [If you missed an issue, this is where
you can go to catch up–Jim]
* In discussion Gerald, KN4CKL, advised that the Chocowinity Repeater
antenna is pointed toward Washington, hence the difficulty of being
reached from most of Pamlico County. The Bath repeater now hosts the new
Yeasu equipment with analog and digital modes and should be reachable.
Bill, KR4LO, in response to a question on increasing the already fairly
long range of the Oriental repeater, advised that its output is limited
(20W) to insure its reliability. It does not use commercial power so it
is important to avoid depleting the station batteries charged solely by
solar panels.
* Bruce reminded the group that our April business meeting will be
followed by a presentation by Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, our ARRL North
Carolina Section Manager. In line with our discussion last month, if
conditions permit, the May meeting will return to Brantleys Restaurant.
How to best do Field Day this June will be a most important topic at
both meetings.
* Given the benefits virtual meetings provide such as availability of
guest speakers and participation by away and distant members, Bill
wondered if our in person meetings should be also be “Zoomed”. Access to
broadband at Brantleys was questioned.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 0945.
The next meeting will be on Saturday, April 24, via Zoom.
[Note: Bob Heil’s presentation on proper receiver audio adjustments,
views on the use of “compression”, homebrew and kit building and the Q&A
that followed was recorded and will posted on the “N4PRS Radio YouTube
Channel.” You can view it and Bob’s January presentation at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpEMfxc7PQixT0rr5xEKtyQ
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was low during the 24 hour period ending
yesterday at 5 p.m. local. There is one numbered sunspot region on the
Sun facing Earth this morning. Solar activity is expected be very low
through Wednesday. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at
Penticton was 75. The index is predicted to also register 75 today,
Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is down one to 76.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to active yesterday. NOAA
expects conditions to be quiet but then reach minor storm levels today,
then quiet to active Tuesday and quiet to unsettled on Wednesday. High
speed solar wind is again the cause. The estimated Kp-index of 1
reported at 5 a.m. local this morning reflects our current quiet
geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, except during geomagnetic storms, expect fair
daytime and good nighttime operating conditions on 80 and 40 meters,
fair on 30 and 20, poor on the higher bands. Despite the unfavorable
predictions, Gary, NC3Z/4, has been doing well on 10M FT8. He
said…”over the weekend [20-21 Mar] worked 7 new DXCC entities to
include 9J2BS in Zambia. This brings me up to 83 DXCC entities [on 10M]
worked since Aug 2020.” Again, here’s proof that we have to turn on that
radio, listen and then make some noise.
Tropo conditions have remained fair to good for our Thursday evening
Downeast Six Meter Net. Check-in numbers keep rising. As we move into
Spring and Summer expect E layer skip and exciting DX to make regular
appearances on the 6 and even 10 meter bands. It’s been a long while,
but we’ve had folks from the afar check-in to this 20 year old
round-table hosted by Don Smith, KJ4RB, over in Pink Hill.
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.
No listings. Send me one.
PARS CALENDAR:
* 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.
* May 29, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, and after over a year,
perhaps at Brantleys. Watch this spot.
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 AVAILABLE IN PAMLICO COUNTY
The Pamlico County Health Department is now receiving COVID vaccines
fairly regularly. Over 30 percent of Pamlico County residents have
received at least their first shot. Those in groups 1 – 4 are currently
being vaccinated. If you do not know which group you are in, you can
determine your group by taking this survey: https://findmygroup.nc.gov/
If you are in one of those groups, you can call the health department –
252-745-5111 – to schedule your appointment or get on the list.
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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