PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) September 27, 2025 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty-four members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
breakfast meeting at Brantley’s Village Restaurant chaired by President
Bruce Perkins, K4ONC.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally.
* AI4WL’s PROPAGATION Report: About half of those present indicated
they had been on HF during the past week. Only a couple indicated they
had been chasing DX. Propagation has been very good over the past month
for casual users and DX chasers alike. A number of DXpeditions were/are
underway including St. Pierre & Miquelon, Christmas Island, Faroe
Island, Micronesia, Market Reef, and Palestine. Other “most wanted”
countries are expected to be on the air through the end of 2025. The
peak of Sunspot Cycle 25 may have past but great conditions continue,
especially on the 30 to 15 meter bands. Current DX opportunities include
the Solomon Islands, Ogasawara, Micronesia and the Marshalls. Check
Paul’s https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ page for reported band conditions.
* ARES/PCN. Mike “great radio voice” Hurm, K4HPS, has completed his
month as Net Controller. Ray Lewis, KR4ABZ, will pick it up next
Wednesday for October.
* The ORIENTAL VFD STATION is nearly complete, only the last details
for the HF antenna remain. The station now has VHF, UHF, and HF
capability and is operational using FM, SSB, GMRS and DMR modes. It is
also WinLink capable. It is available for PCN net controller/emergency
operator familiarization. Contact Bruce for details.
* Thanks to Pete and Martha Newman of “Pete’s Tree Service” and several
PCT members, most of the vital antenna work at the firehouse was
accomplished on October 9th. Pete donated his time and bucket truck for
the tower work. We urge our members to THANK PETE by visiting his “Taco
Truck” (Casa Que Pasa) across from the Oriental Harbor. [The breakfast
Burrito is delicious-ed.]
* The next PCT MEETING will be next Saturday, October 4th. A tour of
the new radio station is planned. Postponed from last month, Bill, KR4LO
and Wayne, K04OJC, will show and talk about duplexers, in this case
special cavity filters for repeaters, and their tuning.
* Bruce reminds us that N4PRS is back on Facebook.
* Bill Michne, WM3X, represented PARS well at the Oriental History
Museum on Thursday, the 18th. He gave a “History Channel” level
presentation on the history of communications at sea. With a short
teaser about early direction finding involving Amelia Earhart, he gets
to return with a full blown Earhart presentation.
* The NC4ES BALLOON has now been acknowledged as lost. It might still
be floating, but her tracker has not been heard since August 21st when
over India. According to Bruce, she had been aloft for 194 days, 17
hours and had traveled 197,000 miles at an average altitude of 45,000
feet. Another balloon launch is being considered, likely in early Winter.
* Bruce advised that the Eastern Health Care Coalition (EHPC)–along
with the 7 other coalitions in the State–is THREATENED by the loss of
federal funding. It is likely that the coalition hospitals will lose
their contingency support, their mobile hospital, back-up mobile
generators, deployment and maintenance of a warehouse full of emergency
supplies, backup communications and lots more. This is a severe blow to
the medical response capability for a major emergency in our area.
* The FOX HUNT and PARS PICNIC are on track for Saturday, October 18th.
All PARS members and their families are invited. Hamburgers and hot dogs
will be grilled at the Oriental Park off Straight Rd. behind the Fire
Station. Those coming are requested to bring a dish to share and folding
chairs. The FOX HUNT runs from 10-12 am. Be at the fire station by 0930
for check-in and quick briefing. The picnic starts at noon or soon
thereafter. PLEASE RSVP to chief cook Mike Marsh, 252-636-1257, or
mike@marshconsulting.org.
* On ECHOLINK–it’s an good tool but takes a little learning and
practice on its use, particularly due to inherent delays–it can be up
to 7 seconds before a transmission is dropped. Check and set your audio
levels using the EchoLink audio test server before use. For a net, use
RF if available: a net is not the place to practice with EchoLink.
Listen to the net controller, he’s in charge. He will likely ask for
ECHOLINK callers to check in separately. [See PARSgram 2025-09-08 for
more tips-ed.]
* Especially in light of the Hurricane Helene experience, Wayne,
KO4OJC, requested that we all SEND A LETTER to our representatives to
support the bill in Congress to ELIMINATE HOA ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS. Lor
pointed out it is an easy “two click” procedure. The official ARRL page
for its homeowner association (HOA) campaign is at
https://www.arrl.org/current-legislation. You don’t have to be a member
to use it. Just click on the “Send Your Letters Now” button, fill in
your call sign. If needed, add any other info requested. Then send.
Those letters will be printed and presented to our reps as a “bundle”.
They won’t be ignored.
* The Maysville Hamfest is on October 12th.
* Drawing winners: Buck, AA4SN, won a PARS engraved tile; Ann Clement
took home a couple of PARS coasters; and Ken, WB2AII, had the winning
ticket for the Brantleys Gift Certificate.
* There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:01 am.
FOX HUNT AND PARS PICNIC – OCTOBER 18
The FOX HUNT and PARS PICNIC are on track for Saturday, October 18th.
All PARS members and their families are invited. Hamburgers and hot dogs
will be grilled at the Oriental Park and soccer field off Straight Rd.
behind the Fire Station. Please bring a side dish or desert to share,
folding chairs, any special beverages. Water will be available. The FOX
HUNT runs from 10-12 am. Be at the fire station by 0930 for check-in and
quick briefing. The picnic starts at noon or soon thereafter. You don’t
have to do the Fox Hunt to enjoy the picnic. PLEASE RSVP to chief cook
Mike Marsh, 252-636-1257, or mike@marshconsulting.org. He needs to know
how much to buy!
PAMLICO EMERGENCY/COMMUNICATIONS NET
We counted 15 WinLink check-ins and 17 voice check-ins for the Pamlico
Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, September 24th. Two of the
voice check-ins were via EchoLink by distant members (KO4MHM from
Brevard, K2TNO from Greensboro). Twelve members from the County and
beyond responded to Bruce’s simplex call from the Oriental Fire Station.
Ray, KR4ABZ will be our net controller for the month of October. Please
listen for him this coming Wednesday.
After check-ins are taken Ray plans ask those that can to switch to your
HT or battery powered “last resort” radio and respond to his call on the
Kershaw repeater. Use an external antenna if needed. He’s likely to ask
what you are using.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate through Wednesday with a 55%
chance for M-class flares, a slight chance for X-class flares. Radio
blackouts reaching the R2 level are likely.
There are 9 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 10 last Monday, 5 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 171,
last Sunday’s was 122. The index is predicted to measure 175 today, 180
Tuesday and 180 on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing
average was 149 yesterday. It was 146 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field be quiet to active today, be quiet to unsettled Tuesday and
then quiet Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was
3.67 indicating quiet conditions.
For now, look for poor conditions during the day on 80 to 40 Meters,
good at night; good day and night on 30 to 15; good day, poor at night
on 12 and 10. Go to https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest
observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD039 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–UGANDA, 5X. Pista, HA5AO, will be QRV as 5X2I from September 29 to
October 10. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8.
QSL via LoTW.
–SOLOMON ISLANDS, H4. Bernhard, DL2GAC, is QRV as H44MS from Malaita
Island, IOTA OC-047, until November 25, and then January 25, 2026, to
April 10, 2026. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using SSB and FT8.
–MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1. Take, JG8NQJ is QRV as JG8NQJ/JD1 until
December while working at the weather station here. Activity is in his
spare time on the HF bands using CW and some FT8.
–CHRISTMAS ISLAND, VK9X. Janusz, SP9FIH, is QRV as VK9/SP9FIH until
October 3. Activity is on 30 to 10 meters using FT8 and SSB.
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.
SOLD Complete station for two meters. $100.
FOR SALE Husky generator, 5000 watt, 6250 watt starting, with Subaru
engine. Always used non-ethanol gas, & stored inside. Starts easily.
$300. Al Parker, W8UT, New Bern, email anchor@ec.rr.com (20250922)
HELP NEEDED
Help Needed With WSJT new version (3.0-rc1)
I need someone’s help with the new version (3.0-rc1) when connecting it
with DXLab Suite. Is anyone in the club using DXLab suites? Please call
Sam/Dave KD2T, 252-617-0359, davebacon1943@gmail.com. Best 73, Sam/Dave KD2T
PARS CALENDAR:
* Oct 4, 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
* Oct 18, PARS FOX HUNT and PICNIC, Saturday, 10am until…,Oriental
Soccer Field and Park behind Station 19 VFD and opposite the Dog Park
off Straight Rd. For more info, contact Wayne Beasley, KO4OJC, at
wayneb@ec.rr.com or 252-241-1962.
* Oct 25, PARS MONTHLY MEETING/ELECTION OF OFFICERS, Saturday, 9am,
Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental. 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 FM Oriental (147.210MHz+ CTCSS 88.5Hz) — Operational
GMRS Repeater Oriental (Ch 21, Rptr 7 or 462.700MHz+) — Operational
NC4ES DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network)(147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+ CTCSS ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz) — Standby
NC4ES DMR Florence (NC4ES Network)(445.6625MHZ- CC1) — Operational
WM3X-ONC C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530MHz smplx) — Operational
KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X Baird Creek (146.310MHz- CTCSS 131.8) — 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
——–
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. This and previous PARSgrams are
archived on the PARS Website. If you no longer wish to receive the
PARSgram please let us know by reply email or to pamlicoham@pamlico.net.