PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
The ARRL CW Sweepstakes took place over this past weekend. Maybe it’s
just my antenna but I didn’t hear much activity, although I did manage
to make a couple of European contacts in some contest going on over
there. The SSB version of Sweepstakes is coming up in two weeks. That’s
a great chance to make a lot of domestic contacts for awards like WAS
and the CQ counties award, or to see how well you can operate QRP…
_…_ The weather has been cooperating and new antennas are taking
shape here at WM3X. The two big projects are a 4-band vertical for 160
through 30 meters, and a triband yagi for 20, 15, and 10 meters. The
vertical will be totally home brew, and the tribander is a restoration.
I hope to document these projects for the website. …_._ 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 4 pm local. There are no sunspot regions on the Sun
facing earth this morning. Yesterday we had one. It was of the old cycle
and did not last. Friday we also saw one pop-up, then disappear. It was
from the new cycle, Cycle 25. We have had two of the new cycle before
this one, the most recent in July. Here today, gone tomorrow, another
sign we are at the bottom…
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 69. The index is predicted to register 70 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 today, quiet to unsettled Tuesday and then quiet to active
Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 1 at 7 a.m. local this morning
indicates we are currently experiencing quiet conditions.
We can expect good daytime and good 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.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
MARQUESAS ISLANDS, FO. A group of operators will be QRV as TX7T
from Hiva Oa from November 6 to 18. Activity will be on the HF
bands using CW, SSB and FT8 with three or four stations active. QSL
via LoTW.
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**
1) Icom 7600 hf/ 50mhz; latest firmware/software (water fall display
etc), mint condition, original owner, lived an easy life in an air
conditioned, smoke free shack, no contests, just used to listen to old
ladies on Sunday mornings. S/N 0203618. No problems ever. Have the
original invoice for $3349. asking $1250. Fred, W4fae, 252-637-3742
2) Icom 7000, hf/vhf/uhf; 100 watt, split unit; main unit with separate
control head, all cables, manuals, hand mike, original owner, only
used six months of the year. $500. Fred, W4fae, 252-637-3742
3) LDG 100 auto tuner, perfect size and electrical match for the Icom
7000. $80. Fred, W4fae, 252-637-3742
4) West Mountain Rig Blaster Advantage (for digital mode operating}.
With all cables etc. $100. Fred W4fae, 252-637-3742 (20191028)
**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)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Nov 7, Emergency Communications for ARES/AUXCOMM, Thursday, 7-9 pm,
Brinson Building Room 411, Pamlico Community College, Mike Marsh, K4NLC,
252-636-1257 or mike@marshconsulting.org
* Nov 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Dec 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING and Annual Christmas Gift Exchange,
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
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 and
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 offers a means to
advertise radio equipment and other related items for sale or trade.
Since PARS members may have limited internet access, the PARSgram has no
attachments and kept relatively short. Go 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. (20190303)
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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