PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
The amateur radio satellite community suffered a serious setback on
September 2, when a Firefly Alpha rocket had to be destroyed about 2
minutes after launch. The rocket was carrying several satellites
equipped with amateur radio gear for a variety of applications and
experiments. Many of these satellites involved high school and college
students in the design and building process. A satellite project takes
months, sometimes years, of hard work and dedication just to build it.
Then there is the problem of finding a launch opportunity. That’s a bit
more involved than just calling for a cab. The entire process is
fraught with opportunities for failure. But there have been more than
enough successes over the decades since the first OSCAR flew to justify
continuing. The benefits of doing so are compelling, for example, in
developing interest in STEM careers. Several European countries, and
China, are vigorous promoters of strengthening the interface between
space science and amateur radio. Shouldn’t we be doing the same? …_._
de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was very low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. There are 3 NOAA reported numbered
sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this morning. Although the
Prediction Center expects solar activity to be low today and Tuesday,
there is a slight chance for M-class flares. On Wednesday activity will
be very low with a chance of C-class flares and possibly an M-class
flare. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was
- (Last Sunday it was 94.) The index is predicted to measure 86 today
and then 82 tomorrow and Wednesday. This Monday the SFI 90 day trailing
average is 82.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. NOAA expects
conditions to be quiet through Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 3
reported at 5 a.m. local this morning reflects our current quiet
geomagnetic conditions.
We can expect fair daytime and good nighttime operating conditions today
on 80 and 40 meters, good on 30 and 20, and poor on the higher bands.
We had SFI numbers over 100 for several days last week. Nice to see DX
that we have not seen or heard for a while–such as China, Vietnam, Hong
Kong, and Mongolia–starting to appear again… And in the other
direction, Lebanon, Israel, and the UAE.
The VHF bands were quiet through Saturday. There was some short skip
along the East Coast during the ARRL September VHF contest on Sunday.
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.
DX NEWS
Extracted from the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1531, KB8NW editor–
CONWAY REEF,3D2/C, is in the news again this week. Dom, 3Z9DX of the
Rebel DX Group will go QRV on Conway Reef o/a Sept 17th for a 10 day
stay as 3D2CR. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and
FT8/FT4. Some suggested freqs include:
FT8(F&H) – 1840, 3567, 7056, 10131, 14090, 18095, 21091, 24911 and 28091 kHz
FT4 – 3575, 7047.5, 10140, 14080, 18104, 21140, 24919 and 28180 kHz
9N, NEPAL. Kiyo, JA7NQQ, active as 9N7NQ from Katmandu, Nepal, will be
there until September 23rd. Activity is limited. During the past week he
has been on 40/17/15 meters using FT8. Watch between 0500-830z and
1230-1515z. QSL via JA7NQQ by the Bureau.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
For listing in the PARSgram send me your amateur radio related items
that are 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 For Sale: Icom IC-746PRO HF plus 6 and 2 meters, SSB, AM, FM, CW
100 watt transceiver. Tested for full power output on all bands.
Includes hand mic and original manual. $500, plus shipping if
necessary. This radio was donated to PARS, and proceeds will go to the
club. Contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or 252-671-6703,
drmichne73@gmail.com. (20210913)
* For Sale. SCS PTC-IIex Modem licensed with PACTOR III. This modem
functions as it should and comes with the installation guide, the USB to
RS232 cable and the CD. This modem was recently in use on my IC-7300,
until I upgraded. In very good condition and works great. The 9095 cable
available from Farallon Electronics or HRO. $550. Bruce, K4ONC@aol.com,
252-626-2730 (20210719)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Sep 25, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Oct 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
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
PARS YOUTUBE CHANNEL–N4PRS RADIO
Videos of recorded PARS Meetings, presentations, and club activities can
be viewed on on the N4PRS Radio YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpEMfxc7PQixT0rr5xEKtyQ
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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