NET NEWS
We recorded 18 WinLink check-ins addressed to N4PRS and counted 22 voice
check-ins to the Pamlico Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday,
February 11th. Twelve operators sent position reports for their check-in
as requested in last week’s PARSgram. Of the 22 voice check-ins three
were via EchoLink: Bill K2ONN from Bermuda Run, Paul KM4PA from Brevard
and Bill K2TNO from Greensboro.
If you were not able to try position reporting, please try sending your
check-in via a position report this week. The instructions were in last
weeks PARSgram. It’s archived at
https://www.n4prs.org/parsgram-2026-02-09/. The PCT is building a map of
and for those likely to be available in emergencies. For the rest of us,
please use the regular Net Check-in Form.
After regular net check-in, we will ask those that can do so to switch
to FM simplex on 146.55 MHz and listen for a call from the NCS. It will
be at our emergency location, the Oriental VFD, Station 19. Simplex is a
contingent mode on our current PACE
(Primary-Alternate-Contingent-Emergency) Plan. The objective is to
identify those who can communicate with the station directly. For those
who can’t, to identify who they can hear as likely relay stations. We
request that all stations keep a list of stations that they can hear.
After the simplex test we will return to close the net on the Oriental
Repeater.
Monday night C4FM Net. On the 9th, seven 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).
TOUR OF THE EHPC REGIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER (ROC)
From Bruce, K4ONC–We have been invited to a tour of the ROC and a
short briefing on how amateur radio supports regional EMCOMM on
Saturday, March 7th, 10am to 12pm. I want to see how many PARS folks
would be interested in a road trip to Greenville to participate in this
tour. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn what is available in ENC for
disasters and have a hands on tour of the equipment. Of primary interest
for amateur radio operators would be the Field Communications Truck,
FC1. Matt will have FC1 setup and operating in the back lot and explain
the capabilities. Perfect time to see some of the equipment that will be
set-up for this Spring’s Air Show at MCAS Cherry Branch in May. Both Lor
and I plan to attend to assist in the tour. The approx. travel time from
Oriental to the ROC (2100 Stantonsburg Rd) is 1.5 hrs. Please contact me
via email at k4onc@aol.com if you wish to attend. Thanks, Bruce
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 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
There are 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 8 last Monday, 7 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 118,
last Sunday’s was 167. The index is predicted to measure 115 today, 115
Tuesday and 110 on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing
average was 150 yesterday. It was 151 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was reached minor storm levels yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field be quiet to minor storm levels today, quiet to active
Tuesday and then quiet to unsettled Wednesday. The planetary K-index at
7 a.m. this morning was 3.00 indicating quiet conditions.
Current conditions: Poor during the day on 80 and 40 Meters, fair at
night; good day and night on 30 & 20; fair day and night 17 & 15; poor
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 ARLD006 DX NEWS and DXWorld.net:
–DESECHEO ISLAND, KP5. A group of operators are QRV using remote
control as KP5/NP3VI until March 3rd. The end date has been extended
from Feb 12th. Activity is on 160 through 10 meters using CW, SSB, and
FT8. Take advantage of this opportunity!
–THE GAMBIA, C5. Przemo, SP3PS, and Magda are QRV as C5SP and C5MB,
respectively, from Sanyang until March 2026. Activity is on 40, 20, 15,
and 10 meters using SSB, FT8, and FT4.
–PALAU, T8. Operators JA3AVO, JH3LSS, and JA3HJI are QRV as T88MB,
T88CZ, and T88DN, respectively, from February 14 to 22.
–CAMBODIA, XU. Tom, DL7BO, is QRV as XU7O until February 21. Activity
is 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.
NEW FOR SALE: Are you suffering from drooping wire antennas?
Here is your solution–the famous K4JJW tensioner system. Spring loaded
to keep the tension on those antennas. I have 3 for sale. The original
price was $70.00 each. Now offered for just $45.00 each. Call Sam/Dave
KD2T @ 252-617-0359. (2026216)
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
NOTE: This meeting is subject to cancellation due to conflict with ROC tour.
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
——–
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.