FOR THE 5 FEB 2025 WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET (PCN):
Please use the normal Winlink Net CHECK-IN form. Wayne, KO4OJC, will
again be at the controls, this time from his veranda overlooking the
swimming pool in the warmth of the sun’s evening glow. BTW, Wayne
reported that there were 10 net check-ins and 10 Winlink check-ins for
last Wednesday’s (Jan 29) Pamlico Communications Net. Questions? Contact
Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
PCT WINLINK EXPRESS BASICS AT THE PCT MEETING
The Pamlico Communications Team (PCT) met on Saturday, Feb 1st at 0900
in Station 19. Lor Kutchins, W3QA, continued his Winlink review class
with 14 participants. We were able to follow along with Lor on our
laptops as he described and explained the various settings and icons on
the Home Page of Winlink Express. The various sessions used to send
messages were explained. Since we did not have an HF radio available,
Lor showed the group how to send a message via Telnet Winlink
(internet). Many in the class then sent Lor a message via Telnet from
their laptops. During the next PCT presentation, we hope to practice
sending messages via HF radio. Overall, most of the participants really
enjoyed the class–many stayed until noon! Many questions were answered
and a greater understanding was gained on the operation and value of
communicating via Winlink.
In preparation for the next class, it is suggested that you review many
of the topics under the “Help Index” listed under the “Help” tab on the
upper right corner of the Winlink Express Home Page. It may help you
answer some of the questions you may have regarding Winlink.
NC4ES / N4PRS PICO BALLOON RACE LAUNCH FRIDAY OR SATURDAY
Matt McMahon, WU2V, and Lor Kutchins, W3QA, will be launching a pico
balloon, NC4ES, for an “around the world” adventure again this year.
However, to make things even more exciting, the pair have included a
second balloon, with our club callsign, N4PRS. So, get your bets ready
(no $ please), to see which balloon can navigate around the globe more
times than the other.
Both balloons will be launched at approximately the same time, under the
same conditions. As it stands now, they are hoping to launch this coming
Friday or Saturday, Feb 7th or 8th, depending on the weather and the Jet
Stream. Due to the logistics, the launch will take place in the
Greenville area. All PARS members are invited to attend this event and
two lucky members will be picked to actually launch the balloons and
start them on their world adventure. A drawing will be held prior to the
launch to determine the lucky pair.
If you are interested in joining many of us in a caravan to Greenville
for the launch, please send me an email to K4ONC@AOL.COM, asap. Those
who signed up at the PCT meeting do not need to respond. I will then
notify you on Thursday the 6th which day and time the launch will occur.
More than likely it will be a morning launch. But, all this depends on
the forecasted weather conditions and the Jet Stream.
We will meet at the CVS parking lot, at the corner of NC Hwy 55 and Hwy
306. At that time I will provide you with the location of the launch
site and where to meet in Greenville. After the launch, Matt has offered
to provide everyone with a tour of the Eastern Healthcare Preparedness
Coalition (EHPC) and State Medical Assistance Team 100 (SMAT-100) HQ and
warehouse. You would be amazed and impressed with the equipment that is
on site and ready to be deployed to an emergency.
For more info and links to tracking sites go to:
https://easternhpc.com/nc4es-pico-balloon-information-page/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2xQVbil26gK2jAd9p_YpqUv7o5AXC8MSVAyn-akeRahC_VoVIFNdbmGyI_aem_tUjUaCCmCfgWQjYscXHqnw
Any questions may be sent to me at my email address.
Bruce Perkins – K4ONC
NC AuxComm
EHPC / SMAT 100 COMU
K4ONC@aol.com
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The largest solar event of the period
was a M5 event observed at 02/1404Z. The Space Weather Prediction
Center expects solar activity to be moderate with a slight chance for an
X-class flare today through Wednesday. Radio blackouts reaching the R2
level are expected.
There are 8 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 9 last Monday, 8 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 216,
last Sunday’s was 171. The index is predicted to measure 215 today, 215
Tuesday and 215 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 194 yesterday. It was 199 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was unsettled to active yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field to be quiet to active today and Tuesday and then quiet
to unsettled on Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 7 a.m. this morning
was 1.33 indicating quiet conditions.
Expect mostly good conditions to continue: poor conditions during the
day on 80 to 40, fair to good at night; good day and night on 30 to 15;
and good day, poor at night on 12 and 10M. Best on 15 and 17. Go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD005 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–NIGERIA, 5N. A group of operators are QRV as 5N9DTG from Abuja for the
next two weeks. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using mostly FT8 and
FT4. QSL via Club Log.
–THE GAMBIA, C5. Operators LB0OG, SP1C, SP1FM and SQ1GU will be QRV as
C5PL from February 1 to 6. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW,
SSB, FT8 and FT4. This includes activity from Tanji Bird Reserve, POTA
GM-0004, WWFF C5FF-0004. They will sign C5PL/p from West Kiiang Marine
National Park, POTA GM-0008, WWFF C5FF-0001. QSL via LoTW.
–MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1. Take, JG8NQJ is QRV as JG8NQJ/JD1 until early
March. Activity is on various HF bands using CW and some FT8. QSL via
JA8CJY.
–SEYCHELLES, S7. Bruni, VE3BRU will be QRV as S79/VE3BRU from Eden
Island, IOTA AF-024, from February 4 to 20. Activity will be on 40 to 10
meters using CW and SSB. QSL via LoTW.
–Cocos-Keeling and Marshall Islands later this month.
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.
–FOR SALE: Kenwood TS-50 hf transceiver 80 thru 10, 100 watt with
external kenwood tuner $400. Also a 6Meter 3 element beam $50. Contact
Bob, WA2FIS, at 732-533-8387. (20250113)
PARS CALENDAR:
* FEB 22, 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 1, 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
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 DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network) (147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES VHF FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+CTCSS ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz)–Standby
NC4ES UHF DMR (NC4ES Network) Florence — Operational.
WM3X-ONC VHF C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530 simplex)– temp non-op
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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