PAMLICO EMERGENCY NET (ARES)
Mike Hurm K4HPS, our Pamlico County ARES EC, held the annual Simulated
Emergency Test (SET) on Jun 1st at 7:30 pm in place of the regular
practice. Control was from the Pamlico County Emergency Operations Center
(EOC). After check-in on the Oriental Repeater, stations were called on the
Grantsboro Repeater, then directly in simplex mode on 146.55 MHz. Fifteen
stations participated including WA4GSI, KM4COD in Stacy, KJ4EJH/M in
Carteret County, KJ4CFE, KR4LO, K4NLC, KI4NSP, KJ4JPE in Carteret County,
K2ONN, KG4QHM/P at the Pamlico County Evacuation Center, K4WRD, AI4WL, K8TF,
and WA3JPY base via a Morehead City remote station.
The test was timely. The County is awaiting the arrival tonight of TS
Colin, the third named storm in this young 2016 Hurricane Season. It is
expected to pass offshore but drop 2 to 4 inches of additional rain on the
County by tomorrow afternoon. Some downpours are expected to be intense.
The Pamlico Emergency Net meets Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm local
time on the Oriental repeater (147.210 MHz, CTCSS/PL tone 151.4, standard
offset).
PARS FIELD DAY 2016
ARRL Field Day is coming the weekend of June 25 and 26. Field Day is a
relaxed fun event during which hams try to contact as many US
and Canadian stations as they can. After considering the amount of effort
that goes into setting up our classical field day off the grid operation,
several of our members concluded that we wouldn’t have enough
operators to justify it. Instead, a few of our members have volunteered to
open their stations to host guest operators. This is an opportunity for our
members, potential hams, friends and neighbors to operate an amateur station
with the assistance of an experienced operator at their side!
As a guest operator you may, if you wish, use your own call sign (within the
limits of your license) and keep and submit your own log. You can visit
more than one host station to try different radios, antennas, and modes.
Single sideband? Plenty of that. FM? Sure. Digital? Lots of PSK31 and
maybe even some RTTY. Morse code? There will be some slow speed operators
and all will slow down for you if you ask –your host can help you with the
copy. You can try making QRP contacts. And then experienced operators can
be guest operators to try out new radios or even visit the guest QTH to help
the guest get on the air with their own stuff. (We call this the “traveling
host”).
What a great way to do Field Day! Operate on your own schedule in an air
conditioned bug free environment. Enjoy the fun of Field Day operating
without the hassle. Field Day runs from 2 pm local on Saturday, Jun 25
through 5 pm local on Sunday, Jun 26.
Host stations so far:
* Bill WM3X — New Kenwood TS-990S, CW, SSB, hf (249-1175)
* Glenn N4LV — IC 7600, RTTY, CW, SSB, hf (day/night operation) (249-1351)
* Jim AI4WL — IC 746 PRO/IC 7000, SSB, Dig, CW, vhf, hf (249-1984)
* Jamie KJ4JK — IC746 PRO, Dig, SSB (249-1549)
* Tom KI4NSP — IC 756 PRO III, SSB (249-1590)
Please call a host above to schedule your time. If you want to be a host,
just reply to this PARSgram or give Bill a call. For more info contact WM3X,
N4LV, AI4WL, or KJ4JK.
VHF CONTEST THIS WEEKEND
ARRL’s annual June VHF contest will be this coming Saturday and Sunday. The
contest begins at 1800 UTC on Saturday, June 11, and continues through 0259
UTC on Monday, June 13.
For this contest, participants in the US and Canada (and their possessions)
work stations in as many different Maidenhead Grid Squares as possible,
using the bands above 50 MHz.
The June VHF Contest occurs at the start of the summer Sporadic E season
when intense openings on 6 meters and even 2 meters are possible. The
contest timing opens up many additional propagation possibilities including
tropospheric ducting, aurora, and even meteor scatter and moonbounce. With
many HF transceivers on the market equipped for 6 meters and sometimes for
other VHF/UHF bands, getting on the air for this event is easier than
ever….
During a band opening even a simple antenna will work . A 6M dipole is
just under 10 feet long and if up at 18 feet will do just great. Put one
together and give 6 Meters a try.
The exchange is your 4 character grid square; most of us are in FM15. If you
are in doubt, look yourself up on QRZ. For 6 Meters, listen for activity on
the calling frequency (50.125 MHz). You will find most USB stations on or
above the calling frequency. CW operators normally operate below 50.100.
Note–The frequencies between are reserved for making contacts with stations
outside the US and Canada.
For details and rules go to http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf
PARS BIT BUCKET
It’s been reported that Dave Purifoy, N4ENE, is now a member of the elite
DXCC Honor Roll. Congratulations Dave!
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours ending
yesterday at 5 pm local. The most recent activity was a B1 flare at 0627Z
this morning. There are NO numbered SUNSPOT REGIONS on the disk facing
Earth. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) was 79 at noon yesterday, down from the 83
recorded at Penticton a week ago. According to the Space Weather Prediction
Center, solar activity is expected to be very low for the next three days
with a only a slight chance for C-class flares. The NOAA forecast has the
SFI dropping to 78 today and tomorrow and back to 82 on Wednesday. The 90
day trailing average is 92.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels yesterday. The
field is forecast to reach minor storm levels again today. The Earth is
again in a stream of solar wind flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. On
Tuesday it should be quiet to unsettled and by Wednesday it should be quiet.
The Kp-index was reported to be an unsettled 4 at 8 a.m. local this
morning.
Expect only fair conditions on 30 and 20 Meters and poor on the higher
bands. Poor day and only fair night conditions are expected on 80 and 40.
On Saturday, the Sun facing Earth went blank and the sunspot count went to
zero for the first time since 2014. According to Spaceweather.com, the
latest images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory reveal no significant
dark cores. As we well know, Cycle 24 is on the wane so the first blank Sun
was overdue. We are moving toward a Solar Minimum to arrive in 2019-2020.
Between now and then, there will be lots of spotless suns.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
SAINT MARTIN, FS. John, K9EL will be QRV as FS/K9EL from Orient Bay
from June 5 to 23. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL to home call.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event
Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Nothing heard except Dick, K4JJW, making contacts on 6 Meters. Bill,
WM3X, reportedly is working DX stations that nobody else can hear with his
new TS-990S !
OTHER ACTIVITY ON THE RADIO:
This info is extracted from the ARRL Letter, from the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar, the ARRL Contest Update or the ARRL Contest Corral. You can
receive the Letter weekly via email as a member of ARRL :
* 11/1100-11/1300Z Jun Asia-Pacific Sprint, SSB 14-21 MHz
* 11/1200-11/1300Z Jun Portugal Day Contest, CW Ph, 3.5-28
* 11/1200-12/2359Z Jun SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, CW 1.8-50
* 11/1800-13/0259Z ARRL June VHF Contest, CW Ph Dig, 50 and up
See www.arrl.org/june-vhf for details
See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the
ARRL Contest Update http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update/ and the
WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html>
for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the
ARRL Special Event Station Web page<http://www.arrl.org/special-events>. For
a LIST OF STATE QSO PARTIES, see
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/stateparties.html. (State QSO parties
and the W1AW Centennial Stations are a great way to get those last states on
your Worked All States (WAS) Award list.)
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
——————————————————————–
* FOR SALE–
The following equipment is being sold because I no longer have the time to
use it or the space to store it. Unless otherwise noted, all units are
fully functional at or above their manufacturer specifications.
Cosmetically they are 9+ out of 10, showing only signs of routine use.
Asking prices are based on the average of recent completed transactions for
the same or similar units on eBay, or are approximately one half of the
original price, and are believed to represent the current market value.
Pictures are available on request. Shipping if necessary is not included.
Local pickup is preferred. All sales are final. Contact Bill Michne at
252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com.
Heathkit HW-9 CW QRP transceiver. Covers 250 kHz of the following bands:
80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters. Includes PSA-9 power supply,
HFT-9A antenna tuner, and HM-9 SWR/watt meter. I am the original
owner/builder. The transceiver circuit is original with the exception of
the replacement of two capacitors in the keying circuit to improve the
keying wave shape, as recommended by AB7MY. Using only simple wire
antennas, in the last year I have worked all states and 27 DX entities with
this rig. $400.00.
Yaesu FT-897 HF/VHF/UHF all mode transceiver. Maximum power outputs are:
160-6 meter, 100 W; 2 meters, 50 W; 70 cm, 25 W. Includes the FC-30
automatic antenna tuner, YF-122C narrow filter for CW/digital modes, and
MMB-80 mounting bracket. Does not include the internal batteries for
portable operation as I never purchased them. $700.00.
SOLD Ten Tec Omni VI HF transceiver. Includes the matching…
Ten Tec Titan 425 legal limit linear amplifier. This unit consists of a
lightweight desktop RF deck containing the two 3CX800A7 ceramic tubes and a
separate remote power supply with hypersil transformer. The RF deck can be
switched between HV ranges, the higher one for full legal limit output, and
the lower one for high duty cycle modes such as RTTY. The unit features an
overdrive limit circuit to protect the tubes, and a rapid switching circuit
for preventing “hot switching” during QSK and VOX operation. $1200.00.
Kenwood TS-830S ham band transceiver. Includes the matching SP-230 speaker,
the VFO-230 digital VFO, and the MC-50 microphone. The unit has a full
complement of Fox Tango filters for both CW/RTTY and SSB operation
installed. These filters have very steep skirts to provide exquisite
selectivity. This is a hybrid radio, mostly solid state, but with tubes in
the driver and final amplifier stages. The sale includes two sets of
replacement tubes. I recently had the radio professionally restored to full
original specifications. $800.00.
Kenwood TS-940S solid state 160-10 meters transceiver and general coverage
receiver. This radio does not transmit, and has limited receive function.
If the transmit function can be reestablished it is probably worth
repairing. Otherwise it is good for parts. $75.00. (20160509)
*FOR SALE — Yaesu FT-450 Transceiver, MD 100 desk mike and a Pyramid
35 amp power supply. All for $550 and the FT-450 alone for $450. All you
will need is an antenna to be on the air. Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI,
charlie@dockline.net or 252-249-1257. (20160509).
* FOR SALE — BX Free Standing Tower, rotor/controller and Mosley
Yagi Antenna
A) Tower-Mod.- BX 40Ft – 5-8Ft sections – with tilt mounting base plate and
wall mounting bracket.
B) Antenna – Mosley 3 element MOD. TA-33 JR (20-10-15)
C) Hi-gain CD-45-11 Rotor & Controller with 140+Ft control cable.
D) Mast – 7’6″ X 2″ .
E) Needs–New Thrust Bearing, suggest a Glen Martin Eng. model TB-25 (Has 6
lock down mast bolts) Grad 5 or higher – Nuts, Bolts, Washers for tower
assembly. Documentation included. Asking–$650.00 ( estimated new —
1800+ ) Contact — Dan Baker (N6XWF) @ (252) – 249-2922
(20160411)
(Send me your amateur radio related items for sale, trade, or wanted for
listing in the PARSgram. PLEASE let me know if your listing is no longer
needed. ITEMS listed will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear
otherwise.–Jim).
UPCOMING REGIONAL HAMFESTS:
A complete list can be found on your PARS Website, www.n4prs.org
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jun 25-26, ARRL Field Day. PARS activity at host stations.
* Jul 30, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
PARS NETS:
* Mondays, Pete’s “Swamp Talk” roundtable, around 8:15 pm local,
28.463 MHz plus or minus, USB. This is an informal forum originally
established to assist our new Hams. The frequency is in the 10M voice
segment open to technician licensees and above. Radio related
topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays, Pamlico Emergency Net Practice and Rag Chew, 7:30 pm,
Oriental Repeater, 147.210 + (PL151.4).
PARS WEB SITE:
https://www.n4prs.org/
* Chief Editor and Administrator is Greg Wadsworth KM4DZM, 252-322-1033 or
gwadsworth1@ yahoo.com
* Web Master is Larry Wall, KK4SEO, wallmailbox@yahoo.com.
ABOUT THE PARSgram
The PARSgram is a weekly email publication for members of the Pamlico
Amateur Radio Society (PARS), an association of amateur radio operators
located in, near, or from Pamlico County, North Carolina. The PARSgram
contains announcements and information about current and planned activities
of the Society and other items of specific interest to its members. Except
to summarize information related to Solar Activity or announce expeditions
of amateur radio operators to unique distant places, special event stations,
and contests, it does not generally repeat information available elsewhere.
The PARSgram does offer a means to make known to its subscribers radio
equipment and other related items for sale or trade. Since PARS members may
have limited internet access, the PARSgram is sent in text format and kept
relatively short. Log on to the PARS Website at https://www.n4prs.org/ for
longer news articles, photos, archived PARSgrams and more. We are always
looking for items of specific interest to our members to put in the
PARSgram. If you run across a timely item or think of something you think
would interest our folks, please send it to me at jth350@embarqmail.com. —
Jim Hartmeyer, AI4WL, Editor (20150406)
73,
Jim, AI4WL