PRESIDENT’S SOAP BOX
Quite a cold weekend. It was perfect for spending some time on the radio or at the workbench with a new project. Warmer weather is on the way for later this week, giving us an opportunity to maybe do some much needed antenna work. But why bother, since propagation is so awful? Well, maybe there’s a way to find out for ourselves just how bad, or not, it really is. The January version of the North American SSB QSO Party is coming up in two weeks. As the name says, it’s just North America, and with the 100 watt power limitation simple wire antennas should do fine if that is all you’ve got. Here’s the fun part. Let’s say a bunch of PARS members get on the air and make some contacts. Any bands. Any times during the contest. Then everyone sends me their log data. I will then pool the contacts into groups by band, time of day, location of the contacted station, and any other parameter that might make some sense. Then I’ll plot it all out on maps of North America and we’ll see how propagation compares with predictions. Of course, the more operators, the more contacts, the more times, the more interesting the results are likely to be. I’ll then post the results on the website for all to see. And all you have to do is get on the air! I’ll have more to say about it next week. Bill Michne, WM3X.
CLUB LOG DXCC MOST WANTED JANUARY 2017
Even though long distance propagation may be heading south, particularly on the higher bands, courtesy of Club Log here are the top 30 most wanted entities as of yesterday, January 8, 2017. This list is rebuilt once a month. For more information and to generate your own list go to https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php
Rank Prefix Entity Name
1. P5 DPRK (NORTH KOREA)
2. 3Y/B BOUVET ISLAND
3. FT5/W CROZET ISLAND
4. KH1 BAKER HOWLAND ISLANDS
5. BS7H SCARBOROUGH REEF
6. CE0X SAN FELIX ISLANDS
7. BV9P PRATAS ISLAND
8. KH3 JOHNSTON ISLAND
9. VK0M MACQUARIE ISLAND
10. KH7K KURE ISLAND
11. FT5/X KERGUELEN ISLAND
12. FT/G GLORIOSO ISLAND
13. 3Y/P PETER 1 ISLAND
14. SV/A MOUNT ATHOS
15. YV0 AVES ISLAND
16. ZS8 PRINCE EDWARD & MARION ISLANDS
17. T31 CENTRAL KIRIBATI
18. VP8S SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
19. EZ TURKMENISTAN
20. KH4 MIDWAY ISLAND
21. VP8O SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS
22. VK0H HEARD ISLAND
23. JD/M MINAMI TORISHIMA
24. KH5 PALMYRA & JARVIS ISLANDS
25. PY0T TRINDADE & MARTIM VAZ ISLANDS
26. PY0S SAINT PETER AND PAUL ROCKS
27. FT/J JUAN DE NOVA, EUROPA
28. VP8G SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND
29. YK SYRIA
30. VK9M MELLISH REEF
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was very low during the 24 hours ending yesterday at 5 pm local. The most recent activity was a weak A8 flare at 1213Z this morning. As in last week’s report, there are no sunspot regions on the disk facing Earth this morning–there have been none for the last five days in a row. There have already been seven days without sunspots in this new year. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 72, just below the 73 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. The NOAA forecast has the SFI staying at 72 through Wednesday. The 90 day trailing average is now 78.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. As the earth remains in a stream of solar wind, the field is forecast to be quiet to unsettled today, quiet tomorrow, and then quiet to active on Wednesday. The Kp-index was reported to be 2 at 7 a.m. local this morning.
Expect fair conditions on 30 and 20 Meters, poor on the higher bands. Fair conditions are expected on 80 and 40, during the day and good at night. Activity is increasing on the 6 meter band. Pete, AG7C/4, reported a significant opening on Saturday evening with Mid-west SSB stations being heard here. Most activity of late has been folks using MSK144 or other digital modes playing off meteor tracks.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
5R, MADAGASCAR. Operators Frank/DL2SWW, Gaby/DF9TM and Baldur/DJ6SI will be active as 5R8UR, 5R8UJ and 5R8GC, respectively, from Nosy Be Island (AF-057) until January 12th. Activity will be on various bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. They will use 100 watts into wire antennas. QSL 5R8UR viaDL2SWW, 5R8UJ via DF9TM and 5R8GC via DJ6SI.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Sam/Dave KD2T worked a VK on 17 CW last Monday. No reports since.
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
* 14/1800-15/0559Z Jan 1.8-28MHz North American QSO Party, CW
(see www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf )
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
——————————————————————–
* FOR SALE — Dave’s Cleaning House
2- Bearcat 210 Scanners $10.00 ea SOLD
1- Signalink USB $75.00 SOLD
3- MFJ 1272B TNC/Mic Switch $30.00 ea
1- MFJ 1260 Mic/Rig Switch $80.00
1- Grandmaster memory keyer FREE to a good home GONE
1- MFJ 815B HF SWR/Watt Meter $50.00 SOLD
1- MFJ 817B VHF/UHF SWR/Watt Meter $50.00
1- Yaesu SP2000 Speaker $150.00
1- D104 desk mic $50.00 (may need some work)
Call Sam/Dave KD2T 252-617-0359 or davebacon137@embarqmail.com
(20161219)
* FOR SALE: Yasesu 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, 20161212)
* FOR SALE Icom 745 Transceiver with matching Icom PS 15 power supply and Icom M-8 Desk Microphone. Great back- up radio. All for $400. Contact Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI, 252-249-1257 (20161205)
* FOR SALE:
1. Kenwood TS-50S HF Transceiver, asking $275 SOLD
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 SOLD
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 SOLD
Contact Tom Finta K8TF at 252-249-9838 or fintatom@aol.com
(20161128)
* 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. 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:
* Jan 28, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com.
* Feb 25, 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/ARES, 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 Gary Mitchelson, NC3Z, 252-745-0655, nc3z@arrl.net.
* 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 subscribers a means to make known radio equipment and other related items they have for sale or trade. Since PARS members may have limited internet access, the PARSgram has no attachments and kept relatively short. Log on to the PARS Website at https://www.n4prs.org/ for longer news articles, photos, forums, 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
73,
Jim, AI4WL
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