PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
The long anticipated and hoped for easing of the COVID-19 restrictions
in North Carolina turned out to be insignificant. Essentially, if you
are over 65 years of age there has been no change. The next projected
date for additional easing is May 22. While still more than a month
before Field Day, ARRL is continuing to suggest that the event will be
very different than in the past. They continue to encourage individual
as opposed to the traditional club style of participation. The 2020
Field Day rules remain pretty much the same as they always have, though,
so I anticipate that club participation will be slim to none.
Personally, under the circumstances, I like the idea of individual
participation in class 1D or 1E, as it is still an operating event, and
would test our ability to operate our home stations under emergency
conditions. I hope the League will reconsider their decision not to
allow pooling of individual member scores into single club scores, much
like the unlimited club scoring in DX contests which has been quite
successful. …_._ 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. So far, this year we have had 100 days
without. Solar activity will continue to be very low through Wednesday
according to the Space Weather Prediction Center. On Sunday, the
reported Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 68. The index is
predicted to register 68 today through Wednesday. The SFI 90 day
trailing average is 70.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet today and Tuesday, quiet to unsettled Wednesday. The estimated
Kp-index of 2 reported at 5 a.m. local this morning indicates we are
currently experiencing quiet conditions.
We can expect fair daytime and good nighttime operating conditions on 80
and 40 meters. Expect poor conditions on the higher bands. The 6 Meter
Sprint was Saturday night. Nice to see activity and Es for those who
got on their radios. Even from greater Whortonsville and using a 40M OCF
dipole, some DX (1,100 miles) was to be had. I must admit it was all on
FT8, no sideband was heard, some CW. Morning 40 Meter gray line still
offers some great opportunities into the Western Pacific and Asia.
Surprised to find VK9NK, Norfolk Island 8759 miles distant, fairly
strong Sunday morning. Turn on your radio, make some noise!
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.
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.
** NEW FOR SALE**
HyGain 18 AVQ 10 thru 80 ground mounted vertical. Base section ruined by
Florence, replaced with new section from HyGain, antenna not
reinstalled. Antenna in 3 sections for transport – base, middle and top
with counterpoises, longest about 8 feet. $100 and you transport. Call
Art KB1TX at 252-571-1752. (20200511)
**FOR SALE**
1. Titan DX Multiband Antenna SOLD
2. Daiwa CN101L. SWR AND POWER METER. NEW. (COST $130). $45
3. ASTRON POWER Supply SOLD.
NOTE: All 3 items include instructions Contact: Larry Jones,
ljonesnc4@gmail.com or at 252 617-0525. Will consider reasonable offers.
(20200309)
PARS CALENDAR:
* May 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Venue TBD. For more
info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Jun 27-28, ARRL Field Day, TBD, 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.
Stay safe. DX is good!
73, Jim AI4WL
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