PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
The ZK3A Tokelau DXpedition has ceased operations early. It seems there
was a medical issue with one of the island inhabitants, and the boat was
coming to the island to take the patient to a care facility. The ZK3A
team (all in good health) had to leave since there wouldn’t be another
boat for 10 days. Hmmm…10 days isn’t that long, and a good portion of
that was scheduled to be on the island anyway. I think if I was on a
DXpedition and I got stuck on an exotic DX location I’d be delighted.
Several years ago I was an avid downhill skier. On one weekend trip our
group got snowed in at the resort, and had to stay until Thursday. Three
extra days of skiing fresh fluffy powder at half price. What’s not to
like? Well, my boss had a moan, and my wife got over it eventually.
_…_ Only two weeks to go before the annual PARS election. It’s been
quiet, though. I’ve heard no talk of being impeached, and no one has
proposed reducing full legal power to 50 milliwatts in order to save the
ionosphere from man made RF pollution. Seriously, though, if you would
like to run for a position, don’t be bashful. Just toss your earphones
into the ring. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175,
drmichne73@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are no sunspot regions on the Sun
facing earth this morning. Today will be our 210th day without sunspots
so far this year. This works out to 73% matching the percentage of
spotless days at the bottom of cycle 23 in 2008. Although we have 155
days to go in 2019, our current solar minimum is proving to be very deep.
Solar activity will continue to be very low according to the Space
Weather Prediction Center. On Sunday, the reported Solar Flux Index
(SFI) at Penticton was 67. The index is predicted to register 68 today
through Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is 68.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet to unsettled today and then quiet on Tuesday and Wednesday. The
estimated Kp-index of 1 at 5 a.m. local this morning indicates we are
currently experiencing quiet conditions.
We can expect poor daytime and only fair nighttime operating conditions
on 80 and 40 meters for the next few days. Poor conditions will continue
on the higher bands.
For an explanation of numbers used in our PARSgram, see the excellent
article written by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA at
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.
DX CHALLENGE
VP6R, Pitcairn Island. The DXpedition is scheduled to take place between
October 18th and November 1st. Activity will be on 160-10 meters and 6M
EME using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8 (F/H). For more details go to
https://pitcairndx.com. Be sure to click on “How to Work VP6R” at the
top of the home page for the band plan and FT8 instructions.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
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. Listings will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
**For Sale**
– TenTech 411 Amplifier, uses three 811A tubes, similar in size to the
Collins “S” line amplifier. An almost new set of Chinese made 811’s
included. The amp is running vintage US Made 811A’s (higher power
output), and I have a number of additional vintage 811’s included. up to
100 watt drive, up to 600 watt RF output into 50 ohm load. Capable of
full QSK along with a Jupiter or other TenTec transceivers on CW;
possibly with other rigs. Can be operated on 110 volt, I have it wired
for 220 volt (don’t have 220 available in the house, or I might keep
it). Built before 10 meter capability was removed from amps, although I
really used it mostly on 75 and 40. Best pricing information I could
find on these is selling for an average of $650, I’ll sell with the
spare tubes for $525.
– TenTec 229B Tuner, capable of a full 2KW PEP, built as an L-network,
where additional capacitor has been added to cover 160 meters even. Has
a 4-position RF switch. Best pricing information I could find on these
is selling for an average of $250, I’ll sell for $210.
– Full 2KW Rotary Coaxial Switch (from the 1970’s), 5 positions plus one
grounding position, $35.
– B&W 50 ohm Dummy Load/Wattmeter, capable of full power BRIEFLY. Has
10/100/1KW meter. Overheating lamp is small 110 volt bulb and is burnt
out. Working but not sure of accuracy. $50.
– 2KW PEP 1:1 Coaxial to open wire balun (I’ll have to get this down
from the shop attic) available also.
Jim Cason, AC4JC, 252-636-0407 or jlcason@yahoo.com (20190930)
(Please note the correction to Jim’s email address, yahoo not AOL.)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Oct 26, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s
Village Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Nov 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s
Village Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Tuesdays, Newport Weather Service SKYWARN Practice Net, 9:00 pm
local, Oriental (147.210+ (PL151.4)) and all other local repeaters. This
net for severe weather warning and reporting is continously monitored
upon activation.
* Wednesdays, Pamlico Emergency Net Practice and Rag Chew/ARES, 7:30
pm, Oriental Repeater, 147.210 + (PL151.4).
* 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 WEB SITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, 561-308-3456, PARSwebman@gmail.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.
Have a great Columbus Day!
73, Jim AI4WL
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