PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) Oct 29, 2016 MEETING NOTES
* Thirty-three PARS members, visitors and guests attended the breakfast meeting chaired by VP Randy Davis, K4WRD, at Brantleys’ Village Restaurant. Our long distance attendee award went to Torrey Neill KA4TMN, our past member who was visiting from Riverside, CA.
* There was no treasurer’s report this month. Wally separately advised two members joined recently, Al Webb KB1N and Eric Baxter N1LDG.
* Mike Hurm, K4HPS, our Pamlico County ARES EC, reported there were 4 Pamlico Emergency Nets in October for 9.5 man-hours. Hurricane Matthew operations involved 336 manhours over the weekend of October 8-9.
* In the VHF report, I reported that although the 6 Meter band seems quiet for “DX”, there is activity. Of the 30 contacts reported on DXmaps just before the meeting, 13 were E-skip, 12 meteor scatter, 1 EME, and 3 tropo, and for one propagation was unknown. Three folks on the most recent Monday 10M net switched to 6M finding stronger signals. None used a dedicated 6M antenna, just whatever antenna they had and would load, OCF, vertical, long wire. Four members showed up for the new Thursday 6M net–Thursdays at 8:pm local on 50.200 MHz USB.
* Bill Michne, WM3X, reminded members that they can renew their ARRL membership through PARS. The club earns a small amount for this service. (Many of us simply renew our ARRL membership at the same time we pay our annual PARS dues).
* Bill proposed members participate in the annual ARRL Frequency Measurement Test on Wednesday, Nov 2nd. Starting at 8 pm it’s easy and fun. See the November QST, page 95 for more information. (See also Bill’s item below).
* Randy reported that our local Scouts had a good time at the annual Jamboree-On-The Air, October 15, this year at Camp Sea Gull.
* Bill Olah KR4LO inquired about interest in another Fox Hunt. There appears to be considerable interest and a number of members had suggestions.
* Bill Olah nominated Bill Michne as President for the coming year completing the slate of officers with Randy Davis, K4WRD and Gail (Wally) Wallace KK4ASP, incumbent VP and Treasurer respectively agreeing to continue in their positions if elected. A quorum being present, the slate was approved and the new officers elected by acclamation.
* All thanked Bill Olah for his long and greatly appreciated service as President.
FREQUENCY MEASURING TEST 2016
From Bill Michne, WM3X–
Try the FMT! Here is an easy and fun event that will teach you something about your HF radio, and spark some friendly competition among our club members. You don’t need a lot of time or a big antenna. In fact, you don’t even need to get on the air. All you need is an HF receiver and enough of a wire stuck in the coax connector to hear the signal.
So what is it? Amateur radio operators have always had the requirement of being able to measure the frequencies of their transmissions to be sure they operated within the ham bands and within the limits of their license privileges. For many years this was commonly done using a crystal calibrator, a device that injected a single frequency tone into your receiver at regular intervals, such as every 50 or 100 khZ. You then tuned in to the tone near the band edge of interest, and adjusted the frequency dial accordingly. Crude but effective, within a couple of kHz. Advances in the digital technologies of frequency generation and measurement have all but caused the crystal calibrators to disappear to the bottoms of junk boxes.
Our modern radios now have digital frequency readouts that show frequency to the nearest 100 Hz, or even the nearest 10 Hz, and in some cases even the nearest 1 Hz! But how accurate are they, really? That’s where the FMT comes in. In the ARRL Frequency Measuring Test, an amateur station sends an unmodulated carrier whose frequency is precisely known to the nearest 0.01 Hz. Your job is to determine that frequency as accurately as you can using your receiver. The duration of the tone is two minutes, so you can take several readings by tuning down from a higher or up from a lower frequency. For the club competition just send your results to me via email (billmichne@embarqmail.com). The event is this Wednesday night, November 2, beginning at 8:00 PM EDT, near but not exactly on 14121 kHz. A 40 meter test will begin at 10:00 PM, and an 80 meter test will begin at 10:25 PM. The test format, rules, and instructions can be found in November QST, page 95, and on the FMT website at www.arrl.org/frequency-measuring-test. You don’t have to record all three frequencies. Just one will do for the PARS competition.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was very low during the 24 hours ending yesterday at 5 pm local. The most recent significant activity was a B1 flare at 0146Z this morning. There is one sunspot region on the disk facing Earth this morning. It is quiet and stable; flare activity remains very low. The sunspot number (SSN) is 12, down from the 14 we reported last Monday. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 76, down one from the 77 recorded at Penticton Sunday 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 slight chance for C-class flares today through Wednesday. The NOAA forecast has the SFI rising to 80 for today through Wednesday. The 90 day trailing average is 87.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was unsettled to active Sunday. The field is forecast to be unsettled to active today, quiet to active on Tuesday and then quiet to unsettled on Wednesday. We still have high speed solar winds spewing from a large coronal hole. The Kp-index was reported to be an quiet 3 at 8 a.m. local this morning.
Expect fair conditions on 30 and 20 Meters, poor on the higher bands. Poor day and fair nighttime conditions are expected on 80 and 40. The VHF bands have been mostly quiet with some Sporadic E, meteor shower, and tropospheric scatter activity. Conditions are expected to improve in the coming Winter months.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
SAMOA, 5W. Hiro, JF1OCQ and Taka, JH1BED will be QRV as 5W7X and 5W0ST, respectively, from October 31 to November 9. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home calls.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Nada….
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
* 05/1700-05/2100Z Nov 3.5-14 MHz RSGB International Sprint, SSB Ph
* 05/2100-07/0300Z Nov 1.8-28 ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW CW
* 06/0900-06/1700Z Nov Any High Speed Club CW Contest CW
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 are a great way to get those last states for your Worked All States (WAS) Award.)
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
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* (NEW) FOR SALE Lightly used Ameritron AL-811H in good working order. Output power is 800 Watts PEP, 600 Watts CW. It uses four rugged, fully neutralized low cost 811A PA tubes. A backup set of four tubes is included with the amplifier. The dimensions are 13.5″ W x 8.5 H x 14″ D. The operating weight is 32 lbs. I am the second purchaser/owner of this amplifier. The first owner is an active PARS member. This Amplifier has the factory modification for operation on 10 meters. A copy of the manual is included. Asking $500. Contact Bill Cresswell, K2ONN at 252-249-0148. (20161024)
* DONATED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Here are two pieces of equipment in excellent condition, fully tested, and completely functional. First is an MFJ Versa Tuner II, model 949B. This antenna tuner is rated at 300 watts maximum, has two coax outputs that are switchable and can be bypassed, and an internal dummy load. It also has balanced line or single wire output. The meter (single needle) reads forward and reflected power in two ranges, 0-30 and 0-300 watts, and SWR. Second is an MFJ Artificial Ground, Model 931. This unit is used for stations that can’t get a good RF ground, such as when the station is not on a ground floor, or when working portable at a camp ground or park. It is rated at 300 watts maximum. User manuals for both units are available for download in pdf format. Prices: tuner, $60.00, artificial ground, $50.00. These are less than half the cost of comparable new units from DX Engineering. Special deal: buy both units for $100 (they are often used together). All proceeds go to PARS. Contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com. (20160926)
* FOR SALE
SGC antenna tuner. This is the SG 235 with Smart Lock. This tuner is attached at the foot of the antenna. It is rated for 500 Watts. It can be used on Marine, Auto and land applications. Totally weather sealed. New from HRO this unit and Smart Lock are just under $1200 from HRO. Get the best for $400.
Also for sale is a MFJ 993B. This is the automatic tuner. New from HRO it is $235. Sale price is $100.
Both are up and running at my ham shack and can be seen in operation–Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI, 252-249-1257 (20160912)
* “HAM” HOME FOR SALE
A unique Pamlico County property adapted for amateur radio use by former PARS member Tom Davis, N1ZY, (SK) is now available for $230,000. On 9.54 acres, the 3BR, 2BA, 1800-1999 sq. ft home with garage was built in 2006 and recently upgraded throughout. The third bedroom is currently configured as an open study but can be reconfigured by the seller with an acceptable offer. On the property is a 20’x20′ “flex” building originally designed and built for use as a stand alone “ham shack”. It is complete with heat pump and 220/240V. service. There are two concrete pads which originally supported Rohn towers. For more information go to
http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?17zicfisjvxb,7,1 or dial 1-866-200-6443 Ext. 213 for recorded information. (20160822)
* FOR SALE, PRICE REDUCED–Yaesu FT- DX3000
A perfect “10”. Only used lightly by a little old lady on Sunday. I am upgrading and would love to see you have this rig. I hate to part with it but I just purchased a FTDX5000. This is just not the basic rig that others are selling—here is what you get, Like new radio, optional 300 hz cw filter, optional DVS 6 Voice unit, FH-2 touch pad, Hand mic, SP-2000 external speaker w/filters, Nifty Mini-Manual, box and radio manual. I have well over $2200.00 invested. I’ll let it go for $1995.00 $1795, you pay shipping for 2 boxes. Local pickup possible in NC. CONUS only. NO TRADES. PayPal, cash, check (units shipped when check clears). Pictures on request. DON’T MISS THIS ONE!
Sam, KD2T, davebacon137@embarqmail.com or call 252-617-0359 (20160822)
(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:
* Nov 2, ARRL Frequency Measuring Test, Wednesday, 8 pm, Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com.
* Nov 26, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com.
* Dec 31, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.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).
* Thursdays, Pamlico Six Meter Net, 8 pm local, 50.200 MHz, USB. A non-directed open net to promote operation on the ‘Magic Band’.
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.
PARSgram ITEMS
We are always looking for items of interest to PARS members to put in the PARSgram. If you run across a timely item or think of something you believe would interest our folks, please send it to me. Thanks.
73,
Jim AI4WL