PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) MEETS SATURDAY
The PCT will meet at Oriental VFD Station 19 on Saturday 7 December at 9
- All are welcome. This meeting will focus on Winlink Global Radio
Email… “a network of amateur radio and authorized government stations
that provide worldwide radio email using radio pathways where the
internet is not present.” Winlink again proved its value after Hurricane
Helene for transmitting Health and Welfare messages, for use in
coordinating logistical support and more. Our own Lor Kutchins, W3QA, a
long time member of the Winlink Development Team, will offer an
introduction to Winlink–the basics for newbies and how to get
started–as well as answer some of those nagging questions folks might
have. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, at K4ONC@aol.com
FOR THE 3 DEC 24 WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET (PCN):
Please use the normal Winlink Net CHECK-IN form. Mike, K4NLC, will be at
the controls. Questions? Contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com
SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY (SRD)
Many of us have participated in years past, some have visited the
Newport NWS Office. SKYWARN spotters provide real time ground truth to
NWS offices by phone, text or radio. This year’s SKYWARN Recognition Day
is December 7, 2024. There will be a SRD special event from 0000 – 2359
UTC on the 7th. The objective is for all amateur stations to exchange
QSO information with as many Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters and National
Weather Service Stations as possible. You can register for SRD at,
www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition. There will be participation
certificates available after the event.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) November 30th, 2024 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
breakfast meeting chaired by chaired by President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
at Brantley’s Village Restaurant.
* There were no upgrades, awards or new licensees reported for the
month. Bruce welcomed back Jim Holley, KI4NSP, a graduate of John
Knauth’s (KF4OIP) license class of February, 2006.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: Great conditions continue. Generally
propagation has been good at night but poor during the day on 40 and
below, good both day and night on 20 through 15, and good day and well
into the night on the 12 and 10 meter bands… We are now seeing more
openings into Europe, South America, and Africa on the 6 meter band.
Expect better conditions on 6 into the Winter months… We may be at the
crest of Cycle 25 but that will not be confirmed until well into 2025.
It won’t bottom until 2030… Check out the article by Carl
Leutzelschwab, K9LA, in the December QST. He talks about DXing on ten
meters during the peak and the VOCAP programs… DX this month includes
Tonga, Central African Republic, Marshall Islands, the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, and more.
* Bruce thanked Wayne, KO4OJC, for calling the Pamlico Communications
Net (PCN) during the month. Mike will take it in December and also
January ’25. Expect to explore more of the Winlink forms.
* The next meeting of the “Pamlico Communications Team” is at 9am on
Saturday, December 7th, at the Station 19 fire house. Lor Kutchins,
W3QA, will lead a discussion on Winlink and how it was used during
Hurricane Helene. Join the group at Brantley’s for breakfast at 8am and
then convoy over.
* Bill Michne, WM3X, told the group that Tom Corwin, KI4NSP, is doing
much better after a long recovery from major surgery. He has moved to
The Gardens of Pamlico” for the duration. Bill plans to outfit him with
a VHF radio so expect to hear him on the Oriental repeater. Tom says to
come visit.
* Bruce reminded us that the December meeting is really a gift
exchange–bring one and get one. It is recommended that all “new” gifts
cost no more than $10-15. Gifts can be out of the “junk” box, under used
or just not wanted. No Hormel Hams please. Business will be brief.
* The group thanked Jim Holley for donating his unused ham stuff out of
the garage that his wife said “just had to go”. It was grabbed up quickly.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 09:50 am.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low today through Wednesday with a chance
for M-class flares.
There are 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 11 last Monday, 6 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 186,
last Sunday’s was 203. The index is predicted to measure 185 today, 185
Tuesday and 170 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 206 yesterday. It was 207 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. The SWPC expects the field to
be quiet to unsettled today, quiet on Tuesday and Wednesday. The
planetary K-index at 7 a.m. this morning was 1.00 indicating quiet
conditions.
Propagation is expected to be about the same as last week: poor during
the day on 80 to 40, fair to good at night; good day and night on 30 to
15; and good day, poor to fair night on 12 and 10M. Go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD044 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–TONGA, A3. Operators LZ1GC and LZ5QZ are QRV as A35GC to December 6.
QSL via LoTW.
–ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2. A large group of operators are QRV as 3D2Y until
December 4. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters, including 6 meters, using
CW, SSB, and FT8.
–Also this month: Central African Republic TL8ES, Marshall Islands
V37WE, Sierra Leone 9L5A, Marquesas Islands TX7N and lots more.
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 if your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
–All gone. Send me something to sell or for you to give away.
PARS CALENDAR:
* DEC 7, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) 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
* Dec 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING and Holiday Gift Exchange, Saturday, 9am,
Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental. 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 — Operational. PL: ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz
NC4ES UHF DMR (NC4ES Network) 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 WEBSITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, PARSwebman@gmail.com
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
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