ROBERT G. HEIL, K9EID, SK
Bob Heil will be sorely missed by the radio amateur world. He will also
be greatly missed by the world of rock and roll. Bob passed away on
Friday, March 1st. We thank Mike, K4NLC, for the following:
From the Heil Facebook site:
“Our beloved founder, Dr. Bob Heil, K9EID, is now a Silent Key. Bob
fought a valiant, year-long battle with cancer, and passed peacefully
surrounded by his family. Bob’s lifelong passion for amateur radio was
clear to everyone involved in the hobby. Everything Bob did for the
betterment and growth of amateur radio – from his instructional
handbooks and countless presentations to his support of the ARRL and
youth programs – was based on the foundation and spirit of service. Bob
was an Elmer to all of us. While Bob’s presence will dearly be missed,
his impact on the hobby and everyone in it will forever be felt. On
behalf of Bob to all ham radio operators worldwide, 73.” Heil Ham Radio
And from Paul, K4MMB for the pointer to Heil Sound’s words, quoted in part:
“Today we say goodbye to our beloved founder, Dr. Bob Heil. Bob fought a
valiant, year-long battle with cancer, and passed peacefully surrounded
by his family. Bob’s impact on professional and live sound cannot be
overstated. Driven by a lifelong passion for sound, Bob’s pioneering
work revolutionized how concertgoers experienced live sound… Countless
artists, creators, broadcasters, podcasters, sound engineers, and sound
professionals worldwide continue to be impacted by Bob’s work…” Heil
Sound
We, in PARS, were extremely fortunate to have Bob join us, albeit via
Zoom, at two of our meetings in early 2021. Thanks to Steve Silveria
K04EDA and Paul Jodoin K4MMB, those meetings were recorded and uploaded
to YouTube. You can watch them–attend those meetings–at “N4PRS Radio”
on YouTube– https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpEMfxc7PQixT0rr5xEKtyQ
Quite the guy….
WEDNESDAY’S PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS NET
Last Wednesday (the 27th) there were 6 WinLink check-ins and 15 stations
later on for the evening net.
On the day before, Bill KR4LO, Wayne KO4OJC, and Mike K4NLC, replaced
the Motorola box with a refurbished Kenwood TKR-720. Our net provided a
perfect opportunity to see how it was working. After Bill described the
new rig, we asked those on the net to give us their impressions, a
comparison if possible of the two. Despite a night of strong winds that
caused static buildup on the tower, all reports were positive. The
repeater’s signal was reported to be strong with solid audio. (The
Kenwood’s output is being boosted to about 30 watts by a commercial
amplifier Wayne found down in Orlando.) Much appreciated were the
changes Bill and Wayne built into the new configuration including a
courtesy tone, 5 minute time out, a non-intrusive IDer you can talk
over. The Motorola is going back to Arapahoe.
Thanks to all who checked-in. This being a new month, controller duties
have been passed over to Wayne, K04OJC. Please check-in with him on
Wednesday. 73 Jim, AI4WL
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 with a chance
for M-class flares. There were 7 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. There were 6 last Monday, 6 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 146,
last Sunday’s was 181. Big change. The index is predicted to measure 145
today, 140 Tuesday and 140 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average
was 163 yesterday. It was 163 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels (G2) yesterday with
little impact except for bright auroras around the Artic Circle. The
SWPC expects the field to be quiet to active today, then quiet tomorrow,
and Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 7 a.m. this afternoon was 1.67
indicating quiet conditions.
For today and tomorrow, propagation is expected to be poor on the 80
through 40 meter bands during the day, fair at night. Thirty through 15
are expected to be fair, both day and night. It’s forecast to be fair
during the day, poor at night for 12 and 10. Looks like it will be slow
for the first days of this week. See what you can work anyway.
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 ARLD009 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.
–BENIN, TY. Operators F5NVF, F5RAV and M0NPT are QRV as TY5C from
Cotonou. Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB, and FT8. This
includes being active on Satellite QO-100.
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
——–
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