PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
By now most of you are aware that the FCC is going forward with the
establishment of license application fees. The date at which this goes
into effect has not been announced, but I have to say I have a couple of
nits to pick with the roll out so far. Nit number one is the ARRL
headline on their webpage, “FCC Reduces Proposed Amateur Radio
Application Fee to $35.” ARRL makes it sound like the FCC did us a
favor. But reducing a proposed fee is meaningless. They didn’t reduce
anything. What they did do is increase the actual fee from zero to $35,
and that’s how ARRL should have said it. Nit number two is how the FCC
framed it in their announcement. The fee is supposed to be based on the
actual cost of processing the applications, but nowhere in the FCC
announcement is there any information about the actual costs the fee is
supposed to address. It comes across as, “Well, we’ve got to charge
them something. They didn’t like the $50 idea so let’s try 35 bucks and
see if it sticks. We’ll tell them it’s a reduction!” Nit number three
is the FCC attitude toward amateur radio support during times of
emergency. They refused to consider that as a basis for exemption. Here
is their statement from the roll out announcement. “… while the value
of the amateur service to the public… with respect to providing
emergency communications, is one of the underlying principles of the
amateur service, the amateur service is not an emergency radio service.”
Really?? The following is taken directly from Part 97 – Rules of the
Amateur Radio Service, specifically paragraph 97.1(a): Basis and
Purpose: ” …enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the
public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly
with respect to providing emergency communications.” That certainly
sounds to me like the original authors of the rules had the expectation
that the amateur service would serve the public as an emergency radio
service. I guess the current crop of bureaucrats running the FCC
didn’t, or wouldn’t, or maybe couldn’t read the rules. …_._ de WM3X,
Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
WINTER FIELD DAY 2021
If you’re all excited after talking with Bob Heil, our special guest at
our January Zoom PARS Meeting, you might want to jump right on the air
for the annual Winter Field Day:
When: Jan 30/32, 2021
Times: Saturday 2 PM EST to Sunday 2 PM EST
Website: WWW. WINTERFIELDDAY.COM
Email: WFDA@WINTERFIELDDAY.COM
From the sponsors: “…The WFD event is a great opportunity for Amateur
Radio operators to get back into action and at same time practice
emergency communications (EMCOMM). Participation can be from the qth
(inside or outside), car, RV, tent, or?
Thank you & Happy New Year!
73
Dave Tabbutt W3DET
WFD Board member”
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are no numbered sunspot regions on
the Sun facing Earth this morning. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux
Index (SFI) at Penticton was 80. Solar activity is expected be very low
through Wednesday. The index is predicted to register 80 today and
then 78 on Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is 84,
no change from last Monday.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet today, quiet to active Tuesday, and then reach minor storm levels
on Wednesday. Two explosions on Saturday sent a pair of coronal mass
ejections toward earth. They should arrive about the same time Wednesday
resulting in G1-class geomagnetic storms. The estimated Kp-index of 1
reported at 7 a.m. local this morning indicates we are currently
experiencing quiet geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, we can expect fair daytime and good nighttime
operating conditions on 80 and 40 meters, fair on 30 and 20, and poor on
the higher bands. The Winter Es season is here. Some west coast stations
were working into New Zealand last evening on 6M. Most of the other
contacts listed on DXMaps were over 1200 km using FT8, a few CW. The
band is open this morning in Europe.
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
For listing in the PARSgram send me your amateur radio related items
that you have for sale, trade, or wanted. PLEASE let me know when you
have have sold your item or your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
**Estate Ham Equipment For Sale**
Eddie Lyon, K4NGR, provided a long list of equipment he is wishing to
sell on behalf of the wife of a fellow ham who passed several weeks ago.
Major items now remaining on the list with prices originally paid
include a Yaesu FT2000/HF Transceiver $2,115 with Yaesu MD-100 Mic $179
and Yaesu external speaker with phone patch and an Ammeritron AL-811H
Amp $999. “These prices are what he had paid for them brand new so
whatever we can get for them to help his wife Pat out will be most
appreciated.” For a complete list of the remianing items or more
information please contact Eddie at ELyon47@aol.com or 540-905-5839.
(20201019, 20201102)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jan 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. Our special guest speaker will be Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil
Sound. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Feb 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom” or at Brantleys Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill
Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* 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
COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION UNDERWAY IN PAMLICO COUNTY
Our Pamlico County Health Department has begin to vaccinate our
residents according to the risk categories defined by the CDC and
NCDHHS. Already, persons 75 and older are being registered for their
first dose. For the details please go to:
https://mailchi.mp/e1c49ecbd978/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-in-pamlico-county?e=adb5dfd6c4
Please mask up in public and stay safe. Happy New Year!
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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