DANNY LEE BAKER, N6XWF, SK
We recently learned that our friend and fellow Ham Dan Baker, N6XWF,
passed away on May 30th 2025 at the age of 82 while in the care of
PruittHealth Hospice. A native Californian, Dan moved to Oriental in
1998 to be near the water after working for more than 30 years in the
Commercial Diesel Generator market. He served in the California Army
National Guard and later was active in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Dan
was an early and long time member of the Pamlico Amateur Radio Society.
He was a Technician Plus when he moved to Oriental then earned his
General in 2002 followed by his Extra class license in 2008. He
particularly enjoyed operating during PARS’ annual field days. Dan was
buried June 7th in a private ceremony at Sea. He is survived by his
wife, Joy Carawan Baker and his half-brother, Bob, to whom we offer our
sincere condolances.
PAMLICO EMERGENCY/COMMUNICATIONS NET
Mike, K4NLC, counted 15 WinLink check-ins and 15 net check-ins for the
Pamlico Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, June 4th. Several
switched over to the GMRS UHF repeater now under test on the Kershaw
tower. In anticipation of the EHPC Spring COMMEX on June 17th expect to
do the “DMR post-net net” again this Wednesday. It will be a directed
net. Please listen for guidance from the controller during the PCN.
Please program the Arapahoe NC4ES Chat 1 talk group (TG 27501, TS 1) if
you have not already done so. We may use that talk group, otherwise
Arapahoe Local. Bill, KR4LO has the net for June.
PCT JUNE 2025 MEETING MINUTES
The Pamlico Communications Team (PCT) met on Saturday, June 7th at
0900hrs at Station 19 in Oriental. Fourteen (14) PARS members were in
attendance.
The program was a presentation by Mike Grant, AB1OU, on C4FM System
Fusion radio mode. Mike had a great PP presentation that generated lots
of discussion and comments. As of right now, Bill Michne, WM3X, has the
only C4FM node operational in the local area.
After Mike’s presentation, there was a discussion regarding the upcoming
CommEx on June 17th. Many of the folks present had registered and those
that had not, have until the 15th to do so on NCTERMS.
Following the CommEx discussion, the use of GMRS was discussed. On
Tuesday, June 3rd, Lor W3QA, and Bruce K4ONC, installed a GMRS repeater
for testing on the Kershaw tower. The repeater was donated by Matt
McMahon, WU2V, of Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition.
At the conclusion of the PCT meeting, several members ran some coax
feedline from the attic of the fire station to the radio room. This in
preparation for the install of the antennas and radios in the immediate
future.
Finally, I am maintaining a list of PARS members who have obtained their
GMRS callsign. These call signs will be added next to their Amateur call
signs on the PARS roster for everyone to have. Remember, you are NOT
allowed to use your amateur callsign on GMRS.
Bruce Perkins – K4ONC / WSFZ730
PARS President
GMRS REPEATER OPERATIONAL FOR TESTING — Repeated from 2025-06-2 Issue
From Bruce, K4ONC:
“Lor [W3QA] and I [K4ONC] installed the GMRS repeater at the Kershaw
tower after the ORG meeting [Saturday, May 31]. It is working very well.
Lor and I did some radio checks with Lor at various locations in the
village and me at my QTH, both on handhelds. Most checks were LC. Wayne
[KO4OJC] also checked in from his QTH [Harlowe] on a HT. Wayne was weak
but readable but improved when he connected his HT to a base antenna. We
think the repeater will work well for us. Those with GMRS radios should
set their radios to Channel 21 and Repeater 7. The receive frequency on
your radio should be 462.700, with transmit at 467.700, PL tone of 131.8
+. I am not sure what the power out is but we can always add an amp if
necessary… The current repeater callsign ID is WRDA838 but will be
changed to my callsign, WFSZ730.”
For more information contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com. Signal/reception reports are welcomed.
SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE GREAT EASTERN BALLOON ‘ROUND-ABOUT CONTINUES
So we are now down to one. The Pamlico balloon, N4PRS, has not been
heard from since 4:58pm last Tuesday, June 3rd. According to Lor, W3QA,
she likely was taken down by a massive tropical storm. At a “cruising
altitude” of almost 46,000 ft, she was able to fly above all but the
highest and most turbulent storms… this one got her. Her last signal
had her just offshore from Campeche, Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula.
At the time, she had been floating for 116 days since her Greenville
launch on February 7th and she was within a few hundred miles of
completing 9 full laps around the earth. She had flown 209,127 miles. We
learned a lot about our globe from tracking her.
The Greenville balloon, NC4ES, continues to amaze. A week ago we
reported she took that short cut across the North pole from Russia to
the Arctic Ocean above Canada. This week, after floating across the top
of the world to and across Greenland, she turned north to cross the pole
again. By yesterday afternoon she was just like the Beatles song, “Back
In The USSR”– this time in Northwestern Siberia. So, how do we figure
the laps? Nine? Maybe. No matter, we’ll just keep listening for her tiny
signal and tracking her path.
Tracking the balloons continues to be great fun. Again, our congrats go
to Matt, Lor, and the rest of the balloon crew.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low with a (25%) chance for M-class flares
through Wednesday.
There are 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 5 last Monday, 7 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 115,
last Sunday’s was 150. The index is predicted to measure 115 today, 115
Tuesday and 115 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 152 yesterday. It was 154 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to active yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to reach minor storm levels today, then be quiet to active on
Tuesday and Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was
2.67 indicating quiet conditions.
Look for fair conditions during the day on 80 to 40, good at night; good
day and night on 30 to 15; and fair day, poor at night on 12 and 10M.
Expect 6 Meter Es activity, especially during the afternoon. Go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD023 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–FAROE ISLANDS, OY. A group of operators are QRV as OY6FRA, OY/W9MK,
and OY/K4LT to tomorrow, 10 June. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters
using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL all calls via WB2REM.
–JERSEY, GJ. A large group of operators are QRV as MJ/OP2D until June
13. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, and on
Satellite QO-100, with four stations active. QSL via LoTW.
–ALASKA, KL7. Neha, VU2HUM and Pineit, VU2TUM will be QRV as KL7/VU2HUM
and KL7/VU2TUM, respectively, around Prudhoe Bay and parts of
southeastern Alaska from June 7 to 20. Activity will be on the HF, and
V/UHF bands. QSL to home calls.
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 if your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
–FOR SALE: POTA/Field Day package, $550.00. Includes all the accessory
gear that you need for a high quality POTA/Field Day packaged station.
It’s a plug and play set-up. Just plug in your transceiver (IC-7300 or
similar) and you will be on the air in minutes with 100w, all day long.
Multi-band, 80-10m. New cost of components was $1200+, package price is
$550. Package includes:
1. Marine/RV deep cycle 27dc 180A battery in a portable battery box that
includes a digital amp meter and volt meter, and 4 Anderson Power Pole
outputs.
2. Battery Booster, MFJ-4416-C mounted on battery box. The booster is
electronically quiet and rated at 25 amps cont. It works great and will
keep the system output at a constant 13.8V even when the battery voltage
drops to 10.8v. Lots of capacity for full power, all day long.
3. Max Gain Systems, MK-4-HD heavy duty 25′ fiber glass push up mast,
4′ locking sections.
4. Drive on mount for the 25′ Max Gain mast.
5. ICOM AH-4 auto-tuner, 200w, 160-10m (on base of mast)
6. 50′ of pre-wired connecting power cable and RG-59 coax…all cables
needed to get on the air.
7. Inverted L antenna (on storage reel) reconfigurable, 54’/83′, #18
“silky” wire, 100′ 1/8″ Dacron rope.
Contact: Dick Goodwin, K4JJW, rdgjg1964@gmail.com 252-633-7873
Fairfield Harbour (20250519)
–FOR SALE: FOR SALE: Astron VS-50M 50-amp power supply. Like new
condition with original box and paperwork. LED upgrade installed for
both meters. This item currently sells for over $500. First $375 takes.
Mike, AB1OU, 203-981-0215.(20250428)
–FOR SALE: SB 200 Amplifier by Heathkit. In very good working order
with two extra brand new tubes. Reliable 500-600 watts and can be pushed
for more. $400. Charlie WA4GSI, 919 210-5168. (20250310)
–FREE: ICOM IC 700. Marine SSB, old, free, probably good for parts
only. Does not tx on 8. Glenn Sikes, KG4RYZ, New Bern, 305-744-8000
(20250519)
PARS CALENDAR:
* June 25, Hurricane Preparedness Seminar, Wednesday, 6:30pm-8pm,
Oriental Town Hall. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* June 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* June 28-29, ARRL Field Day, home operation. To add your score to those
of other PARS members for a combined club score, list your club
affiliation as “Pamlico Amateur Radio Society, LTD”. For more info,
contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* July 5, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) 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 (147.210MHz+ CTCSS 88.5Hz) — Operational
N4ONC (old KR4LO) UHF FM Oriental — Down for repair/replacement.
GMRS Repeater (Ch 12, Rptr 7 or 462.700MHz+ PL 131.8Hz) — TEST
NC4ES VHF DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network) (147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES VHF FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+CTCSS ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz)–Standby
NC4ES UHF DMR (NC4ES Network) 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 WEBSITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, PARSwebman@gmail.com
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
——–
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