NET NEWS
We recorded 15 WinLink check-ins and counted 19 voice check-ins for the
Pamlico Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, February 4th. There
were four check-ins via EchoLink: Pete AG7C from Washington NJ, Paul
KM4PA from Brevard and Bill K2TNO from Greensboro. After check-in,
members were asked to comment on their winter storm preparation and
corrections for the next one. Most frequently reported: Low or exhausted
propane, open crawlspace vents & frozen pipes, need form of backup heat.
This storm set records for snowfall and had a long duration sub-freezing
temps.
For this coming Wednesday, Feb 11th, please do your WINLINK CHECK-IN BY
POSTING A POSITION REPORT report with “PamCommNet” in the comments
block. After sending your report, confirm it’s posted by finding
yourself on the map at https://winlink.org/userPositions. That’s where
I’ll look to find your check-in. If you forgot how to do it, extracted
from Lor’s course, here’s how:
– From the main display go to Settings > GPS / Position Report.
– If you don’t have a GPS receiver just click the “Use Current Time”
button to update the report and time.
– Enter your latitude and longitude in the given format…
– In the comment box enter “PamCommNet”. If not at normal QTH, advise.
– Click the “Post Report” button. The report is queued in your “outbox”
for sending when you connect…
– Connect and send. It will be posted to the WinLink database for a year
or until you update it.
Monday night C4FM Net. On the 2nd, eight folks participated in the
weekly roundtable hosted by KO4OJC. For local users via RF it’s on
146.310MHz and remote users via Wires-X room “KO4OJC-Room 3” (ID 64163).
AURORA REPEATER DATA
Reminder that there are two public repeaters on the Nutrien (Aurora)
tower off NC306: a 440 repeater that operates in the DMR mode on the PRN
(NC, SC & VA) network and a 2M FM/C4FM-YSF repeater. (Wires-X soon.)
Both should be reachable from all of Pamlico County.
– KET4TZN/Aurora FM/C4FM (145.270MHz- FM CTCSS 131.8)
– KET4TZN/Aurora DMR (PRN Network) (440.550MHz+ CC1)
NC QSO PARTY SUNDAY MAR 1,2026
Think about spending some time with your friends at the NC QSO
Party. It’s good fun. Based on the past, be prepared to work a pile-up.
Pamlico County is on the most wanted list. Party-goers want to put
Pamlico County in their logs.
The party starts at 10 am and ends at 8 pm. The exchange is simple,
call sign and county (PAM). Bands are 80 through 2 meters, no 160, no
WARC. Modes include phone, CW, and digital (FT8 and FT4 in a separate
“Weak Signal Showcase”).
For more info and the complete rules go to the NC QSO Party Web site
at https://ncqsoparty.org/rules/. For local info from those who’ve
played, contact Jim, AI4WL at 675-3590; Dick, K4JJW at
rdgig1964@gmail.com; or Bill, WM3X, at 249-1175.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate with a 65% chance for M-class and
25% for X-class flares today, Tuesday and Wednesday. Radio blackouts
reaching the R2 level are likely.
There are 8 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 7 last Monday, 9 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 167,
last Sunday’s was 162. The index is predicted to measure 165 today, 160
Tuesday and 155 on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing
average was 151 yesterday. It was 151 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to active yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field be unsettled to active today, quiet to unsettled Tuesday and
the quiet Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 7 a.m. this morning was
1.33 indicating quiet conditions.
Current conditions: Poor during the day on 80 and 40 Meters, good at
night; good day and night on 30 & 20; good day and night 17 & 15; good
day, poor at night on 12 and 10. Please go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD005 DX NEWS and DXWorld.net:
–DESECHEO ISLAND, KP5. A group of operators are QRV using remote
control as KP5/NP3VI until February 14. Activity is on 160 through 10
meters using CW, SSB, and FT8.
–LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS, VU7. Operators VU2RS, VU3DXA, VU24DX, VU29AR and
VU3GDS will be QRV as VU7R from Agatti Island, IOTA AS-011, from
February 8 to 14. Activity will be on 160 through 6 meters, using CW,
SSB, and FT8, and on Satellite QO-100, with up to four stations active.
–SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS. Gabriel, LU1WGB, is QRV as LU1WGB/Z from the
Joint Antarctic Base Orcadas on Laurie Island, IOTA AN-008, until
February 22. Activity is in his spare time on the HF bands using FT8.
–CAMBODIA, XU. Tom, DL7BO, will be QRV as XU7O to 21 Feb. Activity
will be on the HF bands with a focus on the low bands.
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 60 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
FOR SALE: SWR/wattmeters: MFJ-868 Giant SWR/Wattmeter, 20/200/2,000
watt ranges, 1.8 – 30 MHz, $150. Mirage MP2 VHF SWR/wattmeter,
50/500/1500 watt ranges, 50 – 200 MHz, $125. Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-671-6703, drmichne73@gmail.com. (20251208)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Feb 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
* Mar 7, 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/BEACON 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.
Cedar Isl Mark’s Beacons: K4FWS/b FM14ux 144.282 CW; K1MAP/b FM14ux
222.055 CW; K1MAP/b FM14ux 432.305 CW (Very low power for rcvr,
propagation tests)
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Wayne’s World C4FM Net”, 7:30 pm local, using the C4FM
digital mode on the KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X repeater, Baird Creek
(146.310MHz). Those outside RF range may join via Wires-X room
“KO4OJC-Room 3″ (DTMF ID 64163). This is a round-table open to all.
Discussions vary with member interest. 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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