PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
We held the September PARS monthly meeting on Saturday via ZOOM, with
thanks to our ZOOMmeister Steve, KO4EDA. The meeting was rather lightly
attended, which was unfortunate. Our featured speaker was Dr. Jim
Boehner, N2ZZ, candidate for the position of Roanoke Division Director
of the ARRL. Dr. Jim is no stranger to the ARRL, having held this
position once before. He presented his views on the direction the
League is taking amateur radio, and their failure to secure favorable
outcomes on a number of topics of considerable importance to the amateur
radio community, such as the Amateur Radio Parity Act (dead), the loss
of frequencies, the establishment of application fees, and the loss of
the exemption for RF exposure evaluation for most amateur stations. The
good news is that the upcoming Division Director elections have the
potential to change the composition of the Board such that the League
focuses on the best interests of the operators and the hobby, rather
than on the sale of products and advertising to generate revenue. I
urge our membership to consider the candidates’ positions and to vote
after due consideration of those positions. _…_ Speaking of
elections, PARS will have the annual election of officers at the October
meeting. I am working on developing a slate of candidates for the
President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you would like
to serve in one of those positions, or would like to nominate someone to
serve, please let me know. At this time I would like to inform you that
I will not be a candidate for reelection to the presidency. If my
memory serves me correctly (which it increasingly does not) I have been
in this position for five years. It’s time to pass the gavel and get
back to using the radio. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175,
drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING THIS SATURDAY, OCT 2ND
From Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, Pamlico AuxComm Coordinator–
The Pamlico Communications Team will meet at 0900 hrs. on Saturday,
October 2nd, at the Florence-Whortonsville Fire Department, 5208
Florence Rd., Merritt. All Amateur Radio operators, AuxComm and ARES
members and anyone interested in EMCOM (Emergency Communications) are
invited to attend. We will be discussing the latest work completed at
the W4SLH Oriental repeater site and future plans. Also, there will be a
“Show and Tell” of Emergency Go Kits. Anyone with a Go-Kit is encouraged
to bring it along with the antenna(s) you would use.
The monthly meetings of the Pamlico Communications Team (PCT) are NOT
social events but rather a teaching, learning, building and exercising
for emergency communications. However, the camaraderie is a benefit of a
strong team.
If you plan to attend, please advise me via email so I can obtain a head
count.
And finally, Congratulations are in store for our own Lor Kutchens,
W3QA, for recently becoming accredited by the State of North Carolina in
AuxComm. Lor is the FIRST Pamlico County amateur radio operator to
become an accredited AuxComm operator. Now let’s get some more!
Stay Safe and 73,
Bruce Perkins – K4ONC
Pamlico County AuxComm Coordinator
K4ONC@AOL.COM
REMINDER—MAYSVILLE HAMFEST ON SUNDAY, OCT 10TH
The MAYSVILLE HAMFEST is back after COVID. It will be on Sunday, October
10th at the Rotary Park Community Center, 704 8th Street. (If coming
from New Bern on Business US-17 turn right on 8th Street.) This year it
is being sponsored by Danny Garris, WD4CQ, and other friends of the
Maysville Hamfest. Last of the old fashioned tailgating swapfests,
admission is free… and this year there is something new, a Potluck
luncheon at noon. Those partaking are requested to bring a dish to
share. Walk-in license testing at 11 am. Talk in on GRIFTON 146.685
Repeater (PL 88.5). Hours are 8 am to 3 pm. Door prizes include a
FT-2980R Transceiver. For more information contact Danny Garris, WD4CQ,
at 252-638-4477 or garristv@hotmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) Sept 25, 2021 MEETING NOTES
* Twelve PARS members and guests attended the 9 am meeting chaired by
President Bill Michne, WM3X, via Zoom. Steve Silveira, KO4EDA, was our
technical host.
* Guest speaker, Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, candidate for ARRL Roanoke
Division Director provided a short outline of his background, interests,
and his concerns with the direction of the league and the opportunity
for positive redirection with the coming election. He highlighted his
considerable experience as an ARRL elected official and, as outlined in
his recent postcard and QRZ page (www.qrz.com/db/nz22), his positions on
what he considered to be the major issues. He urged ARRL members to
evaluate the candidates’ experience and positions on those issues and to
vote and return their ballot when they receive it from the ARRL.
* At the conclusion of Dr. Boehner’s remarks, Bill turned to regular
business. He noted that he had begun a technician level course organized
by Mike Marsh, K4NLC.
* Bill presented Wally’s treasurer’s report. The club is solvent.
* Propagation Report: NOAA reports solar activity to be low although
we are up to 5 sunspot regions, an SFI of 88, and chances for C-class
flares daily. The geomagnetic field was reported to be quiet to active
with a minor storm expected Monday. The VHF bands are quiet.
Congratulations to those who worked dxpeditions to Conway Reef and
Comoros last week.
* Jim reported on behalf of Webmaster Paul, K4MMB, that the PARS web
site continues to be active with 154 visitors making 307 visits in the
past 30 days; for the year 3654 visitors, 7039 visits. The statistics
confirm that US visitors tend to return, non-US visitors do not, e.g.,
US had 2541 visitors with 7039 visits, China had 520 visitors making 538
visits, Russia 52 and 55, France 36 for 52. Jim noted that members
should not pass up the “Editor’s Page”.
* Mike Marsh, K4NLC, our ARES coordinator, reported 5 net training
sessions in September. Moving toward an emphasis on preparedness and
communications training, the net format has changed. There is also a
movement toward plain-language reports. The Coast Guard Radiotelephone
Handbook is a helpful guide. Comms connectivity tests on 10 meters and 2
meter simplex were performed this month. Mike mentioned that
maintenance and repairs were made on the PARS repeater antennas and
feedlines last week.
* Bill concluded the meeting by reminding all that October brings the
annual election of club officers. He will be acting as a one man
nominating committee and encouraged members actively support their club.
After 5 years as President, he does not wish to stand for re-election.
“Time to pass the baton.” Will continue teaching classes and actively
participate. Bill Cresswell, K2ONN, led the group in thanking Bill for
doing a wonderful job.
* There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 09:50 am.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was low during the 24 hour period ending
yesterday at 5 p.m. local. There are four NOAA reported numbered sunspot
regions on the Sun facing Earth this morning, three more than last
Monday. The Prediction Center expects solar activity to be low through
Wednesday. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton
was 86. (Last Sunday it was 75.) The index is predicted to measure 86
today, tomorrow and then 84 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing
average is 82.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. NOAA expects
conditions to reach major storm levels today, then quiet to active
Tuesday and Wednesday. NOAA forecasters say that a CME is due to pass by
Earth today causing G2-class storms. The estimated Kp-index of 3
reported at 5 a.m. local this morning reflects our current quiet
geomagnetic conditions.
We can expect fair to good operating conditions today on 80 and 40
meters, fair on 30 and 20, and poor on the higher bands. The VHF bands
are expected to remain quiet.
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 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.
* 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)
PARS CALENDAR:
* 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.
* Nov 27, 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 Communications Net (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
——
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
Society. We are pleased that you asked to receive our weekly newsletter
and hope that you enjoy reading it. If you no longer wish to receive the
PARSgram please let us know by reply email or by email to
jth350@embarqmail.com.