PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) NOV 26, 2016 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty-seven PARS members, visitors and guests attended the breakfast meeting chaired by VP Randy Davis, K4WRD, at Brantleys’ Village Restaurant.
* Randy provided the treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally, KK4ASP. Last week Wally mailed members their annual renewal forms. Please consider renewing your ARRL membership through the club. It is allowed to retain two dollars from each renewal for club operations.
* With Mike Hurm, K4HPS, being away, there was no Pamlico County ARES EC report this month.
* In the VHF report, Jim, AI4WL, reported openings on 6 Meters are increasing in number and size but unpredictable. DXmaps has been showing more contacts of 1200 miles and even double Es hop contacts of 2400 miles. Members were reminded that we now have a PARS 6 Meter net at 8pm local Thursday evenings on 50.200 MHz.
* Five members (Tom KI4NSP, Randy K4WRD, Tommy W4XMT, Bill WM3X, and Jim AI4WL) participated in the ARRL November Sweepstakes yielding a combined PARS claimed score of 16,284. This was our second venture into “Club Contesting”.
* Randy outlined some of the major issues discussed at the recent club planning meeting led by President Bill Michne, WM3X.
— Consider making the Secretary and Treasurer positions separate; fixing some inconsistencies in the By-Laws.
— Encouraging use of the club Web Site (www.n4prs.org) by increasing content, easing log-in requirements. Gary, NC3Z has populated the “QRZ” page for our club (N4PRS) and initiated a “Facebook” page. Suggestions for content for all are welcomed.
— Increase our participation in public service activities to obtain more club visibility and support our petition for tax exempt status.
— Provide even more support to members and new and aspiring hams. Provide hands-on help for first HF stations and antennas, mentoring, “Elmernars”, class instruction, and VE sessions.
— More club activities, e.g., Fox Hunts, Club Contesting, electronics labs (kit building, programming etc), and increasing participation in Field Day
— Related to increasing participation in club field activities and visibility, Mike Marsh K4NLC, solicited help in finding a travel trailer that the members would convert to a operator friendly communications van. It should be 28-30 ft long, tow-able. The bathroom would remain and air conditioning added. The trailer would be used at Field Day, Croakerfest, Heritage Day, public service events, and as an Emergency Communications Center when required. The initiative sparked lots of interest, suggestions and offers to help with the work.
* Tom Corwin, KI4NSP, reminded all that the club has hand held radios for short-term loan.
* SKYWARN Recognition Day is Saturday, Nov. 3rd. Tom encouraged members to visit the Newport NWS Office and participate in the SKWARN QSO Party.
* Jim encouraged all members support the Amateur Radio Parity Act. The legislation was approved in the US House of Representatives but must be voted upon and passed by the Senate before the current session ends or the effort will fail. ARRL has a very easy and quick way to get a letter to our US Senators urging them to vote yes. (see separate item below).
* An auction of several tower grounding components donated by Chris Mele, W4SLH, followed adjournment.
AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT–PLEASE HELP GET THIS PASSED!
As you should know, this extremely important legislation would enable radio amateurs living in deed-restricted communities to erect efficient outdoor antennas and has taken years of effort by the ARRL and others to reach this point. The bill has been approved by the House of Representatives but is awaiting passage by the Senate. If it does not pass during the “lame duck’ session ending in mid-December, it will die and the entire process will have to be repeated. After being so close to passage, and with even the association of home owners associations agreeing to the wording, that would be a shame.
Our support is needed to get the bill to the Senate floor for a vote and passed. As they say, the clock is ticking. Our task is simple. Go to the ARRL’s Rally Congress page ( https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ ) , enter your ZIP code, fill in your name and address, press enter, and e-mails will go directly to your Senators. We can do this, even if we have already contacted their US Senators for support. You may review and edit the e-mails before they are sent.
Many of us in the County might not be directly affected or require this relief, but then many others of us are. Please do your part.
SKYWARN APPRECIATION DAY IS THIS COMING SATURDAY
SKYWARN Appreciation Day is coming up on Saturday, Dec 3rd from 7am through 7pm at the National Weather Service office just off US-70 on Roberts Road in Newport. Head over, take the very interesting tour and spend some time operating the office’s HF station in the annual NWS QSO Party. SKYWARN Recognition Day began in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League. It celebrates the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN radio operators make to the National Weather Service. The official webpage for the event is: www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio. For more information contact John Hopkins, KJ4JPH, or Janice, KJ4JPE, at hopkinszoo1@msn.com or Hal Austin, NC4HA/WX4MHX at hsa63@yahoo.com, the SKYWARN/Amateur Radio Focal Point at NWS Newport.
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 C1 flare at 0801Z this morning. There are 2 sunspot regions on the disk facing Earth this morning. Both are stable with little threat for strong flares. The sunspot number (SSN) is 31, up from the low SSN 11 we reported last Monday when we had only one visible sunspot region facing Earth. Then, two spotless days followed. For the year we have had 25 days without sunspots. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 83, up seven from the 76 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 staying the same through Wednesday. The 90 day trailing average remains at 85.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The Earth is again passing through a stream of solar wind. The field is forecast to be quiet to unsettled each day through Wednesday. The Kp-index was reported to be a quiet 1 at 7 a.m. local this morning.
Expect fair conditions on 30 and 20 Meters, poor on the higher bands. Fair day and good nighttime conditions are expected on 80 and 40. The 6-Meter band is showing more activity as we head toward Winter, especially mid-mornings. Check DXmaps or for action on USB monitor 50.125 MHz, the calling frequency.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
VU7, LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS. Manoj, VU2CPL, informs OPDX that he is planning to visit Kavaratti Island (AS-011) in the Lakshadweep Islands group [ranked 60th on ClubLog’s most wanted list], along with Siddhu, VU3NXI, between November 29th and December 2nd. They will be active as VU7MS. Activity will be holiday style on 40/20/17/15 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via LoTW or ClubLog’s OQRS. For paper QSLs, please QSL via VU2CPL (with sufficient postage (3GS) and SAE. Please don’t send IRCs). Please visit QRZ.com for more details.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Nil!
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
* 02/2200-04/1600Z Dec 1.8 MHz ARRL 160-Meter Contest, CW
* 04/0000-04/2359Z Dec 28 10-Meter RTTY Contest, Dig
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:
1. Kenwood TS-50S HF Transceiver, asking $275
2. Icom AH-4 antenna tuner( can be used on a boat to tune backstay, asking $150
3. Gap vertical antenna Eagle DX model asking $175 covers 10-40m – 40m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m
4. Icom IC-228H , 2m mobile, asking $75
5. Icom IC-2GAT 2M Handheld, asking $90
6. Icom IC-24AT 2M/440 Handheld, asking $100
7. Icom IC-3210A, 2M/440 mobile, asking $135
8. Icom IC 706MKIIG HF/VHF/UHF (mobile or base station), asking $675
9. Yaesu FT-1500M 2M mobile, asking $75
10. LDG Z100 Autotuner, asking $75
11. MFJ Deluxe Versatuner II, model MFJ 949E, covers 160m to 20M, 300 watts, asking $80
12. MFJ 25 amp Mighty Lite power supply, asking $60
13. Kenwood DC Switching Power Supply PS-40, asking $75
Contact Tom Finta K8TF at 252-249-9838 or fintatom@aol.com
* 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 connected 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)
(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:
* Dec 31, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Michne, WM3X. 252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com.
* Jan 28, 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