PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) FEB 24,2024 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
breakfast meeting chaired by President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, at
Brantley’s Village Restaurant.
* There were no upgrades reported for the month, however, Dick K4JJW
reported passing another milestone. He had just confirmed his latest DX
entity, number 2,600! How did he do that when there are only 340 or so
of them? It’s because you also count bands and modes.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. The club’s
doing OK.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: A show of hands indicated over half of
the group had been on HF during the week but only one, K2TNO, noted the
major event of the solar season, a X6.3 class flare centered over Hawaii
on Thursday afternoon. We were on the trailing edge of the 1 hour plus
HF blackout, the third blackout caused by the same sunspot group. No
CME’s were Earth directed.
* Jim reminded all that the NC QSO party is tomorrow. Bill Michne again
offered his shack to members, guests and even prospective hams to visit
and operate using the club call.
* Paul, K4MMB, reported the PARS Web site had 212 visitors in the past
30 days. Paul estimates we have around 30-40 repeat users. He announced
that “Craig the Croaker”, the RADIO FISH, will swim above the big blue
tractor’s hood during next Saturday’s parade. Oriental is celebrating
its 125th birthday.
* ARES/PCN. Bruce advised that there will be NO PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS
TEAM meeting on that Saturday, March 2nd, due to Oriental’s birthday
festivities. The next is scheduled for April 6th.
* The method of distributing a club roster was discussed. Of the
several options, there was agreement that it will be distributed to our
active members via email as a PDF attachment.
* The next and anxiously awaited FOX HUNT and hounds’ lunch will be on
Saturday, April 20th. It will start at the Oriental Fire Station on
Straight Road. As to cost for prizes and lunch, Bill Olah moved that an
amount not to exceed $300.00 from PARS funds be allocated for the event.
Charlie Overcash seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
* The configuration of an updated Kenwood repeater with amplifier for
Kershaw is nearly complete. Change over should go unnoticed by users. As
earlier reported, the Motorola will go back to Arapahoe.
* Mike, K4NLC, relayed that a new tower has been raised by PCS
Phosphate/Nutrien just east of NC-306 south of the NC-306/NC-33
intersection. A multi-mode Amateur radio repeater is part of the
project–analog FM, C4FM, and DMR. The repeater could be in testing as
early as March 7th. [It’s in the RepeaterBook. Check it for initial
configuration/setup -ed].
* Bill Schrader, K2TNO, in an ad-hoc show-and-tell talked antennas.
Bill displayed and talked about a 2M Moxon antenna he built and intends
to use vertically for fox hunting. [We could all envision Phyllis in the
car through the sunroof turning the thing and yelling turn right… no,
turn left.-ed] He also showed and talked about a little dual band
antenna he crafted for regular use.
* Bill, K2ONN, drew the winning number for a Brantleys Gift
Certificate; Mike, K4HPS a PARS coaster, and Phyllis Schrader, a Yaesu
baseball cap.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 am.
WEDNESDAY’S PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS NET
On February 21st we had 8 WinLink check-ins and 13 make the evening net
at 1930 hours. Four of those WinLink check-ins used the WinLink Net
Checkin Form, 3 others used an ICS-213 and one, the standard message
form. Use whichever best for you.
In answer to a rather vague question… “what’s your thing now in ham
radio”, we found our folks doing lot’s of interesting stuff. Some examples:
James City Mike likes to chase Special Event Stations and contesting;
Minnesott Mike is into digital operation, FT8 and FT4. Airport Landing
Bill is maintaining and upgrading our repeaters, getting back into RTTY
contesting, and loves building “Epic” antennas. Wayne is into networking
and remote operation [from like Croatia, Texas, Florida–wherever Louise
takes him]. Then there’s Bee Man Mike who’s fallen to the Wires-X/C4FM
rabbit hole. Bruce has been chasing several WinLink Nets, doing some
DXing [and spending Tuesdays doing comms stuff for the EHPC]. Arlington
Bill is learning how to use his new Yaesu FT-710 and doing some storm
related antenna repair. Beaufort Bill just completed a 2M Moxon homebrew
antenna so he can find the fox in April and is getting back into CW and
RTTY with his new-to-him 7300. Scott, up in Pactolis, is also chasing
some DX, playing with DMR, and FT8. Oriental Bill is deep into old gear
restoration, like old TenTecs and a Kenwood TS-511S with an old National
receiver in the queue. And that’s just some of the stuff that I
scribbled down. We do have an active crew.
Thanks to all who checked-in. Looking forward to next Wednesday and
trying out an updated Kenwood Kershaw repeater. The Motorola is going
back to Arapahoe. Jim, AI4WL
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 pm. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate today through Wednesday with a 70%
chance for M-class flares and a 30% chance for X-class flares. Radio
blackouts reaching the R1 (several minutes) level have occurred, more
are likely. There were 6 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing
Earth this morning. There were 6 last Monday, 7 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 181,
last Sunday’s was 180. The index is predicted to measure 180 today, 175
Tuesday and 175 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was 163
yesterday. It was 164 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to be quiet to unsettled today, tomorrow, and Wednesday. The
planetary K-index at 1 pm this afternoon was 1.67 indicating quiet
conditions.
For today and tomorrow, propagation is expected to be poor 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. Forty and 20M were packed yesterday for the QSO party.
Last week we saw Guyana, 8R7X; Juan Fernandez Islands, CE0; as well as
Guyana ER7 and St. Helena, all strong and workable for us here on the
east coast.
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 ARLD008 DX news:
–WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS, FW. Operators LZ1GC and LZ5QZ will be
QRV as FW8CG and TX8GC, respectively, from Wallis Island, IOTA
OC-054, from February 19 to March 9. Activity will be on 160 to 10
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.
–TEMOTU PROVINCE, H40. A large group of operators are QRV as H40WA
from Pigeon Island, IOTA OC-065, until March 7. Activity is on 160
to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, with five to six stations
active. QSL via M0URX.
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: MFJ-259B antenna analyzer covering 1.8 – 170 MHz. The unit
includes the MFJ-66 dip meter adapter coils for determining the resonant
frequency of LC circuits. It also includes ten rechargeable NiMH AA
Energizer cells, and an AC adapter for using the analyzer and charging
the batteries, as well as complete operating manuals. I am selling
because I need an instrument that covers up to 500 MHz. The price to
PARSGram readers is $125. Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-671-6703, or
drmichne73@gmail.com. (20240219)
–FOR SALE:
- Yaesu FT2DR handheld, digital/analog C4FM includes radio, antenna,
box and data cable $300 obo
- Kenwood TS-820S, operational with strong tubes gives 100+ watts out!
Includes radio, kenwood box, power cord, hand mic and spare donor parts
rig $475 obo
- I’m looking for a backup/ secondary hf + 6m solid state rig so I will
be open to trades or working out a deal if your interested in any of my
listed items!
Contact Cody, KN4RFG, at 252-229-4542 or codyakamudduck2005@gmail.com
(20240122)
–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:
* Mar 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Apr 6, 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
NEARBY BEACONS
If you get a chance and have the capability, please see if you can hear
Mark’s beacons. From Mark, K1MAP, out by the Cedar Island Ferry:
“During February and March, 3 beacons are on the air from Cedar Island.
144.282, 222.054 and 432.315. Please send reception reports to Mark,
K1MAP, caseyhardware@gmail.com.”
REPEATER/NODE STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC VHF FM Oriental — Operational
N4ONC (old KR4LO) UHF FM Oriental — Operational
NC4ES VHF FM/DMR Arapahoe — Non-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 for 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.
* 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
——–
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 to pamlicoham@pamlico.net.