DUAL MODE N4ONC ORIENTAL REPEATER ON LINE
Surprise, the Kenwood dual mode two meter repeater was put into service
on last Thursday morning for a longer period of test and evaluation. The
receive sensitivity issue appears not fully resolved so more adjustments
may be required. In addition, analog Users should be prepared for no
“squelch tail” and no courtesy tone–your signal will drop abruptly
after you unkey. This will take some getting used to as there is no
indication that you have “hit” the repeater. User reports will help iron
out the quirks.
The new Oriental digital repeater is a fully connected component of the
the NC4ES Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (EHPC) DMR Network.
The goal of the network is to support emergency communications, not only
within Eastern North Carolina but with bridge connectivity throughout
the state and beyond. Although it is an EMCOMM purposed network, it is
open to all amateur radio operators. You can find more about the network
at www.nc4es.org.
Extracted from “Utilizing the EHPC Cluster DMR Network”, a couple of
reminders for our DMR users: The network consists of some sixteen 100
watt regional repeaters. The CLUSTER talkgroup is for emergency calling,
hailing, and short–less than 5 minute–QSO’s. This talkgroup is like a
big “party-line”. When using the talkgroup, you are using–KEYING
UP–all the repeaters in the network. Once contact is made, users should
switch to a CHAT talkgroup. This results in only the needed repeaters
being used for the QSO and allows the CLUSTER talkgroup to remain
available for emergencies and calling. If you wish to make only a local
contact, use the LOCAL talkgroup for single repeater QSOs. More on
talkgroups and “Best Practices” can be found on the NC4ES web site
“About” page.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The largest solar event was a X1 flare
observed at 17/0334Z from an emerging large sunspot region. The flare
produced a strong shortwave blackout over southeast Asia and Australia.
The follow-on CME will miss Earth.
There are now 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning, a big jump from only one last Monday. The Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate today, Tuesday and Wednesday.
There is a chance for X-class flares each day. At noon yesterday, the
observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 135. (Last Sunday it
was 101.) The index is predicted to measure 135 at noon today, 130 at
noon Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is 113.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. NOAA
expects conditions be quiet to active today and then quiet to unsettled
on Tuesday and Wednesday. Radio blackouts reaching the R2 level on the
Earth disc facing the Sun are expected. The estimated Kp-index of 2
reported at 8 a.m. local this morning indicates current quiet
geomagnetic conditions.
We can expect fair day and good operating conditions today on 80 to 40
meters, good night and day on 20 through 15. Conditions should be fair
on 12 and 10. Thunderstorms are expected today so be prepared to
disconnect antennas.
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: Hy-gain AV-18HT vertical antenna. Covers 80, 40, 20, 15, and
10 meters. See full specs at dxengineering.com. Antenna is
disassembled and can be delivered within 100 miles or so. $500. A
portion of the proceeds will go to PARS. Bill Michne, WM3X,
drmichne73@gmail.com, 253-249-1175 or 252-671-6703.(20220404)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Apr 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Mike Marsh, K4NLC,
252-636-1257 or mike@MarshConsulting.org
* May 7, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9am,
Florence-Whortonsville VFD. AUXCOMM & ARES–All are welcome. For more
info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* May 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Mike Marsh, K4NLC,
252-636-1257 or mike@MarshConsulting.org
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) Repeater, 147.210 + (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5).
* 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
73, Jim AI4WL
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