REPEATER UPDATE
Things move rapidly in the Oriental Repeater Group (ORG) world. The
“Wayne’s World” Yaesu YSF repeater was “relocated” last Wednesday to the
Kershaw tower to use the recently acquired Lupton antenna. The antenna
sits at the top of the tower across from the Oriental Repeater’s. More
accurately, put in place was the original repeater from Baird Creek.
Wayne, KO4OJC, donated it to the ORG. The call has already been changed
to the “group call”, N4ONC. The FM frequency and tone remain the same as
at Baird Creek. Wires-X connectivity to the internet via StarLink will
be coming soon. (Wires-X is available via Bill’s WM3X node and the
KE4TZN VHF repeater in Aurora.)
Bill Olah’s KR4LO UHF FM repeater has also been donated to the ORG. It
is back at the Kershaw site and is now using the ORG call, N4ONC. The
old Kenwood has developed some issues. Bill says, “it’s talking to
itself” so it’s off the air. It is likely to be soon replaced by another
Kenwood.
Look toward these repeaters with their call sign changes to ultimately
make the RepeaterBook.
NET NEWS
Hank, KW1ZRD, reported that there were 19 WinLink and 23 voice check-ins
to the Pamlico Communications/Emergency Net last Wednesday, April 8th.
KM4PA (Brevard), AG7C (Washington, NJ) and K2TNO (Greensboro) checked in
via EchoLink. After check-in, the “relocated” Wayne’s World YSF repeater
was exercised with thirteen members making the switch. Most of them
noticed the expected jump in signal strength with the the much higher
antenna. A simplex test is planned for this Wednesday.
Monday night C4FM Net. On April 6th, seven folks participated in the
weekly roundtable hosted by KO4OJC. Impact of the WIRES repeater
firmware update as well as user options for WIRES internet linking were
discussed. For local users via RF it’s on 146.310MHz. We do not expect
Wires-X to be available for remote users this Monday.
Six hams participated on the DownEast/Pamlico Six Meter Net Thursday
night (KO4OJC, K4JJW, N1ZLE, N2PZG, N11IG, and AI4WL). This is a
continuation of the original DownEast Six Meter net started over 20
years ago by Don Smith, KJ4RB, of Pink Hill who recently became a silent
key. Open to all amateurs–due to the nature of the MAGIC BAND, Don’s
tall tower and multi-element beam–the net has had check-ins from all
over the east coast and mid-west. Now being hosted here with lesser
antennas and lower power, our expectations are much more modest but you
never know if and when we have E-skip on 6 meters. Join us if you can,
Thursdays at 8pm on 50.200 MHz USB.
BIT BUCKET
* Our newest ham, John Clay, received his call within 4 days after
taking his exam only a week ago. His call is KR4LEW. He’s already in QRZ
with lookups.
* Help the National Weather Service folks in Newport. They want to
IMPROVE STORM PREPAREDNESS! If you were in Eastern North Carolina during
the January 31st – February 1st winter storm, they want your feedback.
Your input helps them better prepare for future events. Please take the
Survey by April 17th at:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/d0fb65d20ca04fce8d64beea73f08c96
We took it. It was quick and easy.
* PARS current members were emailed Bill K4TNO Schrader’s PARS CALLS
2026 list yesterday. If you are a member who didn’t receive yours and
want one, contact Bill at wtschrader@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported 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 today, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a
slight chance for M-class flares.
There were 3 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth yesterday
at noon. There were 7 last Sunday.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 99,
last Sunday’s was 118. The index is predicted to measure 95 today, 90
Tuesday and 100 on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing
average was 135 yesterday. It was 137 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. The SWPC expects the field to
be quiet to unsettled today and Tuesday, then quiet to active on
Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was 1.00
indicating quiet conditions.
Current conditions (1059Z/13 Apr): Fair day on 80 and 40 Meters, good 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 ARLD014 DX NEWS and DXWorld.net:
–GUINEA, 3X. Elvira [not the Elvira of the Night], IV3FSG, is QRV as
3X3A from Roume Island, IOTA AF-051, to 25 April. Activity will be on 80
through 10 meters and 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, FT4, and FT2.
–MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1. Take, JG8NQJ, is active as JG8NQJ/JD1 until
mid-May during his spare time. Operation is mostly CW and FT8.
–PALAU, T8. A group of operators is active from Koror Island, OC-009,
until mid-April. Look for T88DZ, T88FM, T88HF, T88MK, and T88SG.
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.
SOLD: Yaesu FT5DR, 5W C4FM/FM VHF/UHF Dual Band Digital handheld.
FOR SALE: Yaesu SP-2000 external speaker with protective cover. Perfect
condition. $100.00. Sam/Dave Bacon at davebacon1943@gmail.com. (20260302)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Apr 25, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* May 2, 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
* May 30, SPRING FOX HUNT and Picnic, Oriental VFD Station 19/Oriental
Dog Park. Straight Road, Oriental. Alternate date, June 6.
SELECTED LOCAL REPEATER/NODE/BEACON STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC FM Oriental (147.210MHz+ CTCSS 88.5Hz) — Operational
N4ONC FM/C4FM-YSF Oriental (146.310MHz- FM CTCSS 131.8) — Operational.
Wires-X coming soon.
N4ONC FM Oriental (444.350MHz+ ENC 88.4Hz) — Test
GMRS Repeater WSFL439 Oriental (Ch 21, Rptr 7 or 462.700MHz+) — Operational
NC4ES DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network)(147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+ 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
KE4TZN/Aurora FM/C4FM/WIRES-X (145.270MHz- FM CTCSS 131.8) —
Operational.
KE4TZN/Aurora DMR (PRN Network) (440.550MHz+ CC1) — 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 N4ONC Oriental FM/C4FM/WIRES-X repeater
(146.310MHz). Those outside RF range will be able to join via Wires-X
room TBD when operational. 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 as the “Pamlico Emergency Net”
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. You can find
archived PARSgrams, articles, meeting notes, propagation information,
and photos of PARS activities there.
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
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