PARS BREAKFAST MEETING THIS COMING SATURDAY
Our next meeting will be at 0900 Saturday, February 24, in the back room
of Brantleys Village Restaurant on Broad Street in Oriental. Please park
along the side or out back. We hope to see you all there. Come early for
breakfast with your fellow hams. For more information contact Pamlico
Amateur Radio Society President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com
The improving repeater situation always has something new. How best
should we distribute our member list, new and upcoming DXpeditions, NC
QSO party… Lots more to talk about plus a chance for a Brantleys Gift
Certificate.
NEW SENATE BILL TO ELIMINATE HOA ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS
From The ARRL Letter for February 15, 2024:
“On January 30, 2024, US Senators Roger Wicker (MS) and Richard
Blumenthal (CT) introduced S.3690, the Senate companion bill to
H.R.4006, introduced last June. Both bills reflect the Congressional
campaign efforts by ARRL to eliminate homeowner association land use
restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of an
Amateur Radio Operator to install and operate amateur station antennas
on residential properties they own.” [Hopefully, these bills will pass
and finally some relief.-ed]
WEDNESDAY’S PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS NET
Our number of check-ins went down last Wednesday, there were 12 of us.
We had 18 last week. That’s actually a good thing. It was Valentines
Day. We hope it was a good day for your and yours.
We had eight WinLink Check-ins. Several checked in but did not make the
1930 net so I guess that makes our count 15, not twelve. Lor’s antennas
were down, suspect the other two were making some points on Valentines
Day. BTW, for February, any message type will do, standard message,
ICS-213, or the Net Check-In form. Which ever works for you.
On Tuesday, the Merritt circuit had a 2 1/2 hour power outage due to
wind damage. It affected over 1900 customers. Not to worry, it would not
have bothered our net. All our members reported having some form of
back-up power be it generator, battery, or solar. Some interesting
comments. Folks said: …we had no commercial power for 5 days after
Hurricane Florence–it’s safer to store propane than gasoline in your
garage–old gas is not good–consider a dual-fuel generator and be able
to use propane or gas–there are inexpensive gas-to-propane conversion
kits, like around $25–trade in your old rusty small propane tanks at
Walmart when you get a new bottle–the cost of Chins 100AH LIPO
batteries has dropped (but the way they are constructed may have
changed)–watch your propane burn rate with a whole-house generator
because delivery is iffy [as is finding gasoline after a big
storm]–solar is good but not so in a Pine forest….
Thanks to all who checked-in. Hope to talk to you again on Wednesday.
Jim, AI4WL
NEARBY BEACONS
If you get a chance and have the capability, please see if you can hear
Mark’s beacons. From Mark, K1MAP, out by the Cedar Island Ferry:
“During February and March, 3 beacons are on the air from Cedar Island.
144.282, 222.054 and 432.315. Please send reception reports to Mark,
K1MAP, caseyhardware@gmail.com.”
NC QSO PARTY THIS SUNDAY, FEB 25,2024 – REMINDER
The party starts at 10 am and ends at 8 pm. The exchange is simple,
call sign and county (PAM). Bands are 80 through 2 meters, no 160, no
WARC. Modes include phone, CW, and digital but no FT8 or FT4.
As in recent years, Bill Michne, WM3X, will fire up his rig, put up
the PARS CALL SIGN, N4PRS, and open the doors to members, guests, and
friends who wish to come to the party. Stay an hour, stay longer. Let
him know that you are coming.
For more info and the complete rules go to the NC QSO Party Web
site at www.ncqsoparty.org. For local info from those who’ve played,
contact Jim, AI4WL at 675-3590; Dick, K4JJW at
rgoodwin41@suddenlink.net; or Bill, WM3X, at 249-1175.
EHPC COMMEX RATPAC PRESENTATION THIS THURSDAY
On Thursday 02-22-2024 at 9PM on Zoom, the RATPAC will have a live
presentation by Matt McMahon, WU2V, on the results (AAR) from the 2023
EHPC COMMEX. At the end of the presentation, Matt will briefly discuss
the upcoming 2024 COMMEX.
If you wish to participate in or just watch the presentation, check out
the RatPac website link for login instructions at https://www.ratpac.us.
When you sign in to the Zoom presentation, please do so by using your
First Name, Call Sign and Location, example: Bruce, K4ONC, NC.
Matt has a very interesting slide presentation and is a very good
presenter that I am sure you will enjoy.
The RatPac (Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee)
has Zoom meetings twice a week on various amateur radio related topics.
If you can’t join live, the presentations are recorded for viewing on
YouTube later in the week. Check out the RatPac for past and future
presentations on their website: https://www.ratpac.us.
Hope to see as many folks as possible this Thursday, February 22nd at
9pm on Zoom, you will not be disappointed!
Bruce Perkins – K4ONC
Pamlico County AUXC Coordinator
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 pm. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low today through Wednesday with a 40%
chance for M-class flares. There are 6 numbered sunspot regions on the
Sun facing Earth this morning. There were 7 last Monday, 8 the Monday
before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 157,
last Sunday’s was 180. The index is predicted to measure 160 today, 160
Tuesday and 165 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was 164
yesterday. It was 160 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to be quiet to unsettled today and tomorrow, quiet on
Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 7 am this morning was 1.67
indicating quiet conditions.
For today and tomorrow, propagation is expected to be poor on the 80 and
40 meter bands during the day, good at night. Thirty and 20 should have
fair day and good night propagation. Propagation is predicted to be good
day and night for 17 and 15; good day, poor at night for 12 and 10.
Last week we saw Guyana, 8R7X; Juan Fernandez Islands, CE0; as well as
Saba & St. Eustatius, P5J, all strong and workable. We look for more
DXpeditions next week to be equally workable. Now’s the time to log ’em.
For an explanation of the 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 TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARLD007 DX news:
–TONGA, A3. Operators YT1AD, YU3AA, RC9O and UA9OLY will be QRV as
A35AD, A35AA, A35LY, and A35RC, respectively, from February 20 to
27.
–JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND, CE0. A large group of operators are QRV as
CB0ZA and CB0ZEW from Robinson Crusoe Island, IOTA SA-001, until
February 24. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters, including 60 meters,
using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8 in DXpedition mode.
–WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS, FW. Operators LZ1GC and LZ5QZ will be
QRV as FW8CG and TX8GC, respectively, from Wallis Island, IOTA
OC-054, from February 19 to March 9. Activity will be on 160 to 10
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items that are for sale, trade, or
wanted and your contact information. 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. Thanks, Jim.
–NEW For Sale: MFJ-259B antenna analyzer covering 1.8 – 170 MHz. The
unit includes the MFJ-66 dip meter adapter coils for determining the
resonant frequency of LC circuits. It also includes ten rechargeable
NiMH AA Energizer cells, and an AC adapter for using the analyzer and
charging the batteries, as well as complete operating manuals. I am
selling because I need an instrument that covers up to 500 MHz. The
price to PARSGram readers is $125. Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-671-6703, or
drmichne73@gmail.com. (20240219)
–FOR SALE:
- Yaesu FT2DR handheld, digital/analog C4FM includes radio, antenna,
box and data cable $300 obo
- Kenwood TS-820S, operational with strong tubes gives 100+ watts out!
Includes radio, kenwood box, power cord, hand mic and spare donor parts
rig $475 obo
- I’m looking for a backup/ secondary hf + 6m solid state rig so I will
be open to trades or working out a deal if your interested in any of my
listed items!
Contact Cody, KN4RFG, at 252-229-4542 or codyakamudduck2005@gmail.com
(20240122)
–FOR SALE:
#1 – YAESU SWR & POWER METER 1.6-60MHz YS-60. Working. Exceptional
little unit — needs a better home. $60.00 Pickup in Merritt.
#2 – MFJ Artificial Ground MFJ-931. Works as it should (at least, it did
when I last used it). Dusty & lonely & needs a new home. $90.00 Pickup
in Merritt.
#3 – ICOM IC-735 HF Transceiver. Used. Working. Missing the plastic
cover over the slider controls. $225.
Contact Jan, KK4LSQ, 252-239-3953 or kk4lsq.onc@gmail.com (20231218)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Feb 24, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Mar 2, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. All are welcome. For
more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
REPEATER/NODE STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC VHF FM Oriental — Operational
N4ONC (old KR4LO) UHF FM Oriental — Operational
NC4ES VHF FM/DMR Arapahoe — Non-operational.
NC4ES UHF DMR Florence — Operational
WM3X-ONC VHF C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530 simplex)– Operational
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Pamlico 10 Meter Net, 7:30 pm local, on or near 28.464 MHz,
USB. A non-directed net for technicians and above. Radio
topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) VHF Repeater, 147.210+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5). A directed
net open to all. Net activates on call during emergencies.
* 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
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
——–
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