PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS NET (Wednesday Night Net)
From Bruce Perkins, K4ONC:
The 01/03/24 Pamlico Communications Net (PCN) had a total of 15 voice
and 8 Winlink check-ins. They ranged as far as K4WSP, Scott, in Pactolus
to the NW and Charlie, KO4YWM, on Trent Creek to the East.
As a reminder, the Net will have Net Control Operators (NCO) on a
monthly rotating bases. This is a great opportunity to polish up your
skills as a NCO. You will be provided with the involved scripts and
current check-in rosters, If you would like to be a NCO for a Wednesday
nite or the entire month, please contact K4ONC, Bruce Perkins at
K4ONC@aol.com or at 252-626-2730.
So far the following folks have signed up to be Net Control Operators in
2024:
January – K4ONC – Bruce Perkins
February – AI4WL, Jim Hartmeyer
March – KO4OJC – Wayne Beasley Jr.
April – WA4GSI – Charlie Overcash
PCN SIMPLEX OPERATION will be re-evaluated THIS WEDNESDAY, Jan 10th.
After initial check-in on the Arapahoe repeater, those who checked-in
will be directed to switch their radios to the published frequency of
the N4ONC Oriental Repeater (147.210 MHz), simplex mode. They will be
called first by the NCO, then by Bill, KR4LO, if they are not heard by
the NCO.
If you have stored the Oriental repeater in memory, on many radios you
can simply select “simplex” instead of your current setting of “CTCSS”
or “ENC.” This also called the “talk around” mode that can be used to
communicate if the repeater has failed.
For more information about the PCN contact Bruce at 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com
PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM JANUARY 2024 MEETING REPORT
The Pamlico Communications Team (PCT) met on Saturday, January 6th at
0900 hrs at Southeast Pamlico Vol FD Station 19. The eighteen (18)
amateur radio operators who attended, enjoyed a presentation by Bill
Olah, KR4LO, on Baluns and Ununs. The presentation included the types of
baluns and ununs to use for various antenna types ie. half wave, random
wire, dipole and OCF and how to make them. Bill passed around to the
group several baluns/ununs that he had made along with corresponding
diagrams and photos. Bill’s presentation was well received and appreciated.
To conclude the meeting, Lor Kutchins, COML, W3QA, gave the group an
update on the N4ONC 2 meter repeater at the Kershaw tower. He is
currently working on a used controller that was donated by Matt McMahon,
WU2V, and hopes to have that repeater up and operational shortly. The
“new” controller that was purchased several months ago will be sent back
to the manufacturer in Oregon for repair.
Once the N4ONC 2 meter is back up and operational, the NC4ES 2 meter
analog repeater on the Arapahoe tower will be switched over to DMR full
time. It will also be put on the NC4ES network. Currently, it is only
operational on DMR locally.
The meeting was adjourned at 1100 hours. Those attending were: K4ONC,
KR4LO, K4NLC, W3QA, K4LTE, K2TNO, KW1ZRD, K2ONN, KO4YWM, AI4WL, KI4KEB,
NT2I, WA2FIS, KO4MHM, WA4GSI, WM3X, KN4RFG and KO4OJC (online).
The next meeting will be held on Saturday, February 3rd at 0900 hours at
Station 19. The presenter will be Bill Schrader, K2TNO. Bill’s
presentation will be how to properly sharpen chisels, knives and other
sharp objects! All are invited.
Bruce Perkins – K4ONC
BIT BUCKET
From Paul the Webmaster–
Is anyone else interested in stamp collecting Radio Postage Stamps. Are
there any other Philatelic nerds amongst us radio heads out there too?
Please get in touch with me if so. Contact K4MMB at
PARSwebman@gmail.com . If not, remember to check out N4PRS.org, your
web page for club radio doings. Happy New Year!
[Do check out the PARS website, especially the “Editor’s Page.” The
bottom line from Paul’s January 4th New Year’s guidance: “Curse solar
storms freely, radiate often and Mind how you go.” …Right On!–ed.]
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low today through Wednesday. There is a
chance for M-class flares and a slight chance for an X-class flare.
There are 10 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 4 last Monday, 8 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 167,
last Sunday’s was 146. The index is predicted to measure 165 today, 165
Tuesday and 165 again on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was
148 yesterday. It was 149 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. The SWPC expects the field to
be quiet to unsettled today and tomorrow then be quiet on Wednesday. The
planetary K-index at 7 am this morning was 0.67 indicating very quiet
conditions.
For today and tomorrow, propagation is expected to be poor to fair on
the 80 through 20 meter bands during the day, good at night. Propagation
is predicted to be good day and night for 17 and 15; good day, poor at
night for 12 and 10. No matter the prediction, turn on your radio and
give a listen!
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 TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARLD001 DX news:
–EAST KIRIBATI, T32. Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as T32TT
from Christmas Island, IOTA OC-024, until January 12. Activity is
on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4. QSL via OQRS. [Now’s
the time. They will be gone soon. -ed.]
–ANTARCTICA. Norbert, VK5MQ is QRV as VK0AI from Casey Station. QSL
to home call.
–INDIA, VU. Members of the West Bengal Radio Club will be QRV as
AT24GSM from Sagar Island, IOTA AS-153, from January 9 to 16. QSL
via VU2JFA.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items that are for sale, trade, or
wanted and your contact information. 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. Thanks, Jim.
–FOR SALE: K9AY low band receive antenna for 160-40m, just in time
for the fall/winter low band DX season. $110. Price includes a four
direction control box (N-E-S-W), exterior weatherproof direction
switching relay box w/connector, two 85’ wire loop elements (#18
insulated stranded Cu clad), insulators, installation instructions and
schematic diagram. It requires a single 25’ support such as a pole or
tree limb, and about 18’ radius for the loops. It’s ready to install,
good condition and fully checked out. Just add your own RG-59 feedline
and Cat 5 control cable. Dick Goodwin K4JJW rgoodwin41@suddenlink.net
252-633-7873 (20231113)
–FOR SALE:
#1 – YAESU SWR & POWER METER 1.6-60MHz YS-60. Working. Exceptional
little unit — needs a better home. $60.00 Pickup in Merritt.
#2 – MFJ Artificial Ground MFJ-931. Works as it should (at least, it did
when I last used it). Dusty & lonely & needs a new home. $90.00 Pickup
in Merritt.
#3 – ICOM IC-735 HF Transceiver. Used. Working. Missing the plastic
cover over the slider controls. $225.
Contact Jan, KK4LSQ, 252-239-3953 or kk4lsq.onc@gmail.com (20231218)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jan 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Feb 3, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. All are welcome. For
more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
REPEATER/NODE STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC VHF FM Oriental — Down for repair.
N4ONC (old KR4LO) UHF FM Oriental — Operational. Please ID.
NC4ES VHF FM/DMR Arapahoe — Operational
NC4ES UHF DMR Florence — Operational
WM3X-ONC VHF C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530 simplex)– Operational
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Pamlico 10 Meter Net, 7:30 pm local, on or near 28.464 MHz,
USB. A non-directed net open to technicians and above. Radio
topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) VHF Repeater, 147.210+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5). A directed
net open to all. Net activates on call during emergencies. While N4ONC
VHF is under repair this net meets on the Arapahoe repeater 147.285+
(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 Editor
——–
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