PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
President Bill is busily preparing for the first meeting of the
Technician Operator Course tonight at PCC. To register, contact Bill
Michne at 252-249-1175 or by email to drmichne73@gmail.com . The soapbox
will be back next week.
BIT BUCKET:
* We’ve been phished! Or more accurately PARS has been phished. The bad
guys are using the names of club officers–President Bill in this
case–in an attempt to extract money in the form of gift cards for
“charitable” purposes. Be aware. Read your emails closely. Look at the
From address. If it looks suspicious, it’s probably a scam. And, of
course, don’t open any attachments or click on a URL.
* “See you in the next NC QSO Party!” I received my post card
reminder, did you get yours? It’s coming up Sunday, March 1st. Lots of
fun. For more info see www.ncqsoparty.org
* Sam/Dave, KD2T, is looking to get into “eqsl”. He’s looking for a
quick lesson on how to use it. If you can help him out, give him a call
at 252-617-0359.
* The WINLINK HANDS-ON SERIES is getting underway. This newly revised
self-paced series of tutorials and exercises is sure to get you up to
speed. If you want to get on-board, send an email to Lor Kutchins, W3QA,
at lor.kutchins@gmail.com
* And, for you over-the-air TV folks, FOX Channel 14 finally finished
its upgrade and turned up the power just in time for the Super Bowl. If
you are missing WYDO, you might want to do another rescan, it’s now on
RF channel 19.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 4 pm local. There are no sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. 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 72. The
index is predicted to register 70 today through Wednesday. The more
important SFI 90 day trailing average is holding at 71.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. It is
expected to be quiet through Wednesday . The estimated Kp-index of 1
reported at 7 a.m. local this morning indicates we are currently
experiencing quiet conditions.
Again, we can expect fair daytime and good nighttime operating
conditions on 80 and 40 meters for the next few days. Fair conditions
both day and night are expected on 30 and 20. Poor conditions will
continue on the higher bands.
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.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
COCOS ISLAND, TI9. Jorge, TI2JV, Dmitry, RA9USU, Mats, RM2D and
Andrey, UA3AB are QRV as TI9A from February 2 to 8. Activity
will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB and FT8 with three
stations active. QSL via UA3DX.
Also look for Tanzania, 515TT; Nauru, with several C2 calls; and Kuwait,
9K59NLD.
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.
**FOR SALE**by Sam/Dave Bacon, KD2T, davebacon137@embarqmail.com or
252-617-0359 (20200120)
* MFJ-928 Automatic antenna turner will handle 200w CW or SSB. Handles
up to 2 antennas. Tunes with 2 watts. Tunes in15 seconds. Audio SWR
meter. 20,000 memories. 4 memory banks. New $199.95 available for $145.00
* Ameritron 811 HF amplifier. Conveniently plug it into your nearest
120 VAC outlet — no special wiring needed. Three tough 811A
transmitting tubes, extra heavy duty power supply, all HF band coverage,
pressurized ventilation, tuned input, adjustable ALC & more. The AL-811
covers all HF bands. You can operate the AL-811 on all modes. Depending
on band gets approximately 600 watts output PEP SSB and 500 watts output
CW. You even get 400 watts on demanding continuous modes like RTTY,
SSTV, FM and AM. 2 extra 811 tubes comes with the amp. No box. Non
smoking house. Manual included. New from Ameritron $1099.95 Asking $600.00
* Yaesu SP 2000 Speaker with dust cover. External speaker with filters.
Yaesu grey color. Has dust cover. New at Gigi Parts $184.00 available at
$135.00.
* MFJ-1260 Mic/Rig Switch. Allows you to use 2 mics with 1 rig. MFJ
price is $119.95 Yours for $75.00
* MFJ-471RC Remote Control Antenna Switch. Remote control up to 2
antenna from your shack. Control voltage travel on the feed coax. No
need for a control wire. MFJ price $89.95 Your for $50.00
* MFJ1701 6 Position Manual Antenna Switch. Manually switch between up
to 6 different antennas. Has a scratch on the face. MFJ price $99.95
yours for $50.00
PARS CALENDAR:
* Feb 3, Technician Class Radio Operator Course, Mondays through March
30, 6:30 pm, Pamlico Community College, Brinson Building Room 411. For
more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Feb 6, Emergency Communications for ARES/AUXCOMM, Thursday, 7-9 pm,
Brinson Building Room 411, Pamlico Community College, Mike Marsh, K4NLC,
252-636-1257 or mike@marshconsulting.org
* Feb 29, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Mar 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Apr 4, FCC License Examination/VE Session, Saturday 9am, Oriental
Town Hall, Oriental. 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.
73, Jim AI4WL
——
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
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