PARS FIELD DAY TALLY
Chairman Mike Marsh has submitted our 2015 Field Day entry form. Our
claimed score is 1,978 points. This includes the 968 points generated from
the QSOs we reported here last week and 1,010 bonus points. The bonus
points come from such things as operating 100% on Emergency power, having an
info booth, copying the W1AW Field Day Message, making at least 5 contacts
using solar power, and more. Not bad at all for a low key operation. Lots
of fun, lots of good food and lots of “ham talk” on a very hot weekend.
Congratulations to all involved, and especially to Mike Marsh, K4NLC, for
herding all the cats!
PARS BIT BUCKET
We gave you an incorrect phone number for Tom, K8TF last week. His correct
number is 249-9838. He’s asking for help to provide communications for the
Dragonboat Racing Event out at River Dunes on Saturday, August 15. If you
can help, please call him at 249-9838 or email him at fintatom@aol.com
You probably did not notice but Pete AG7C is operating local of late, not
remote. He seems to have the operation via the internet down to a science
so we can’t tell the difference. He promises a few words about his setup at
a future PARS meeting.
EMERGENCY NETS, ARES AND HURRICANE OPERATIONS
(Extracted and adapted from various sources, primarily, The ARES E-Letter
for May 16, 2012)
It’s time for us to assess our hurricane communications readiness. Here’s a
short checklist and a couple of tips:
a.. Monitor major HF hurricane networks during events this season. The
Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz is one of several key players. It
serves either the Atlantic or Pacific during a watch or warning period and
coordinates with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Frequent,
detailed information is issued on nets when storms pose a threat to the US
mainland. In addition to hurricane spotting, local communicators may
announce that residents have evacuated from low-lying flood areas. Other
amateurs across the country can help by relaying information, keeping the
net frequency clear and by listening. See the HWN’s website for more
information. The net works closely with WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at
the NHC.
b.. The SATERN Net (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) provides
emergency communication support to the Salvation Army and populations at
large. They also handle health-and-welfare traffic. SATERN holds high
profile nets on 20 meters (14.265 MHz) during major hurricanes and has a
long history of excellence, discipline and service. Refer to the SATERN
website for more information.
c.. The Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) meets on 14.300 MHz and is
composed of hams who serve and assist those in need of communications on the
high seas. According to its website, the primary purpose of the net is for
handling traffic from maritime mobile stations. The network is recognized by
the United States Coast Guard and has an excellent working relationship with
that agency. The MMSN has handled hundreds of incidents involving vessels in
distress and medical emergencies in remote locations, as well as passing
health and welfare traffic in and out of affected areas. They also work
closely with the NWS and NHC by relaying weather reports from maritime
stations.
d.. The VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net operates by combining both the
EchoLink and IRLP linked repeater networks, while handling critical wide
area communications during major severe weather and tropical events. These
operations have gained national stature in recent years and the net is a
critical partner with WX4NHC. Whenever tropical weather is imposing a threat
to the US mainland and certain other areas of interest, the VoIP WX net will
be fully operational. See the VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net website for
more information.
e.. Print the important local Eastern NC Emergency Frequencies at the end
of this PARSgram. Keep them near your radio. (Please reply to this email
with any omissions or corrections.)
f.. It is a good idea to have the NOAA/NWS weather station
frequencies programmed into your handheld VHF radio memories at
162.400/425/450/475/500/525/550 MHz. My HT has them built in, yours may
not. If yours does not you might want to program them into the “top” seven
channels – meaning the memories with the highest numbers. If you program
only one frequency, program 162.400. The station transmits from New Bern.
With the “usual” channels (favorite repeaters, simplex frequencies, etc)
beginning at memory 1, the WX channels are never more than a few clicks
away. This can be very handy when the clouds roll in. With your HT
programmed local weather information is always available–nice to have while
you are traveling
g.. If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to check your emergency
power situation. When was the last time you exercised your generator?
Thirty minutes under load once a month is a good idea during the season,
once a quarter otherwise. You might also want to change the oil if it looks
like fudge….
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours ending
yesterday at 5 pm local. The largest recent solar event was a B6 flare
observed at 13/0933Z. There are 4 numbered sunspot regions on the disk
facing Earth. Two are about to rotate away. The sunspot count this morning
is 59, well down from the 131 reported by NOAA a week ago at this time. The
Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 116, nearly the same as the 117 in our last
PARSgram. The forecast shows the SFI dropping to 110 by Wednesday. According
to the Space Weather Prediction Center, solar activity is expected to be
very low through Wednesday with a slight chance (10%) for M-class flares.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels (G1) this morning.
A high-speed stream of solar wind is buffeting Earth’s magnetic field
primarily affecting the polar regions. Notwithstanding the current storm,
the geomagnetic field is expected be quiet to unsettled today and Tuesday
and then quiet on Wednesday. The Kp-index was reported by NOAA to be a 5 at
0800 local this morning.
The VHF bands were mostly quiet this past week. Sundays appear to be the
exception. E layer skip on 6 Meters has appeared each Sunday for several
hours the past four weekends. For those here in the County, the path
direction yesterday reversed from the Caribbean and Central America to our
upper mid-west. The band was not crowded, signals strong, so contacts were not rushed. A nice afternoon.
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
SEYCHELLES, S7. A group of operators will be QRV as S79HN from July
16 to 20 using CW, SSB and RTTY on 40 to 6 meters. QSL via JJ2VLY,
direct or buro, and LoTW.
QSO QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event
Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Zero; nothing reported.
OTHER ACTIVITY ON THE RADIO:
This info is extracted from the ARRL Letter, from the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar, the ARRL Contest Update or the ARRL Contest Corral. You can
receive the Letter weekly via email as a member of ARRL :
* 18/0800-18/1400Z Jul Trans-Tasman Low-Bands Challenge CW Dig
* 18/1200-19/1200Z Jul DMC RTTY Contest Dig
* 18/1800-19/0559Z Jul North American QSO Party, RTTY Dig
* 18/1800-19/2100Z Jul CQ Worldwide VHF Contest CW Ph Dig
* 19/0900-19/1600Z Jul RSGB Low Power Contest CW
See the ARRL Contest Branch page
ARRL Contest Update http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update/ and the
WA7BNM Contest Calendar
for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the
ARRL Special Event Station Web page
a LIST OF STATE QSO PARTIES, see
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/stateparties.html. (State QSO parties
and the W1AW Centennial Stations are a great way to get those last states on
your Worked All States (WAS) Award list.)
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
——————–
* FOR SALE — Yaesu FT 450 Transceiver, MD 100 desk mike and a Pyramid
35 amp power supply. All for $650 and can be seen in action at my QTH to
check it out. All you will need is an antenna to be on the air. Charlie
Overcash, WA4GSI, charlie@dockline.net or 252-249-1257. (20150601).
* FOR SALE–Hank Aaron WB4ROA, long time PARS member is moving. He is
selling much of his equipment. Brian Shepard K4LTE is handling the sale.
For a Yaesu FT-2000 and other Yaesu transceivers:
RF Mu-tuning kit 80/40m band for $300.00, and RF Mu-tuning kit 30/20m band
for $300.00.
Command Technologies Commander Amplifier 2KW for $1500.00.
Yaesu-7800R 2M/70cm Transceiver for $150.00.
Heil Headset Pro Set Quiet Phone with HC-5 mic for $80.00, retailed for
$155.00.
MXL Studio Condenser Microphone MXL-2003 for $100.00, retailed for $163.00.
Heil Hand Switch for $25.00.
Foot Switch for $20.00.
Array Solutions Six Pack ( remote antenna switch) 2 radios-6 antenna ports
per radio for $300.00, retailed for $450.00.
Array Solutions Rat Pack (remote antenna switch) 6 antenna positions for
$100.00, retailed for $250.00.
Astron SL-11 pwr supply for $50.00, retailed for $89.00.
Bencher Keyer for $150.00.
Plus lots of coax and cables-most coax uses N-connectors and were
professionally made by Cable X.
PL259 adapters for .50 cent ea. (28-total)
UHF Male Crimp (type PL259) connectors $2.00 ea. (37-total)
Type N Male crimp for RG8 $2.00 ea. (15-total)
PL259 Connectors $1.00 ea. (16-total)
PL259 UHF Male to female tee adapter connectors, $4.00 ea. (total-9)
BNC Male to UHF female connectors, $2.00 ea. (total-2)
Added items–
Palstar ZM30 digital antenna analyzer, $200.00
ICOM M1V VHF Handheld radio with HM-125 speaker microphone and a new BC-119N
desk top charger, $175.00
Aceco FC-6002 RF Tracer, $150.00
Contact Brian at k4lte2@centurylink.net or at his cell 252-670-5531.
(20150511, 20150518, 20150622)
* FOR SALE– MFJ-1796 1/2 wave vertical, 2-40 meters, except the 2 and
6 meter radiators have been misplaced. No guarantee they will be found. Does
come with manual and spare radiators. Has 2 QSOs to its credit. Includes a
couple 10 foot pipes for mounting. Assembled, and elements already trimmed.
SWR depends on location and height. $130, which is half the new price. The
price will come down until someone buys it.
Jim Scheer, W4NLD, Jim.scheer@gtri.gatech.edu, or cell or text at
253-876-3733 (20150420)
* FOR SALE–[ Remaining major items from estate of Jim Reynolds,W4YLO.
Proceeds go directly to his widow, Peggy.]
ICOM PS-125 25 amp pwr supply. Orig. price $399
Price is $175.
ICOM PW1 High Frequency Linear Amplifier – HF/50 MHz All Band 1+kW
out. Automatic antenna tuner built-in. This was bought on Jan. 7,
2012,and has had little use. Has orig. box, manual, remote head and
cables. Original price $4,649.95 (cc invoice available).
Will sell for $3000 firm, – pickup in New Bern, can ship but buyer pays.
FOR INFO OR PIX contact Al, W8UT, email anchor@ec.rr.com
(20150330,20150413, 20150420)
——————–
(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. ITEMS listed will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear
otherwise.–Jim).
UPCOMING REGIONAL HAMFESTS:
A complete list can be found on your PARS Website, www.n4prs.org
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jul 25, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
* Aug 15, Dragonboat Racing (PARS Public Service), Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm,
River Dunes Grace Harbor, Tom Finta, K8TF, 249-9838 or fintatom@aol.com
* Aug 29, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
PARS NETS:
* Mondays, Pete’s “Swamp Talk” roundtable, around 8:15 pm local,
28.463 MHz plus or minus, USB. This is an informal forum originally
established to assist our new Hams. The frequency is in the 10M voice
segment open to technician licensees and above. Radio related
topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays, Pamlico Emergency Net Practice and Rag Chew, 7:30 pm,
Oriental Repeater, 147.210 + (PL151.4).
PARS WEB SITE:
https://www.n4prs.org/
Web Master is Larry Wall, KK4SEO, wallmailbox@yahoo.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.
Jim AI4WL
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NC/EASTERN NC EMERGENCY AND NTS NETS
These nets are active continuously during declared emergencies on or near
these frequencies. Scheduled Drills (all times local) shown if known:
Emergency Nets:
Pamlico County (ARES) FM Orient. Rptr, 147.210+(151.4), 1930 Wednesday
–Backup in order on–
145.230- (85.4) Grantsboro
146.550 simplex
Eastern NC, FM Grifton, 146.685-(88.5), 2100 Thursdays
Beaufort County, 146.955 MHz – (82.5) Washington
Craven County, 145.230 MHz- (88.4) Grantsboro
Carteret County, 28.360 MHz SSB
Coastal Carolina Emergency Net (SSB), 3.907MHz, 1900 daily
Tarheel Emergency Net (ARES Net — SSB), 3.923MHz, 1930 daily. Backup on
7.232MHz daytime.
SKYWARN (Weather Emergency Nets):
Eastern NC, FM Grifton 146.685- (88.5), 2100 Tuesdays
Oriental and ALL OTHER local rptrs called and monitored for Tuesday practice
and upon activation.
NWS Hurricane Watch Net, SSB 14.325, On call
Traffic Handling Nets (Nat Traffic System), daily listed by time:
7:45am, 3.927MHz: Carolina Morning Net (SSB) –
6:30pm, 3.923MHz: North Carolina Evening Net (SSB) –
7:00pm, 3.573MHz: Carolinas Net – Early (CW — 20-22wpm) –
8:00pm, 3.571MHz: Carolinas Slow Net (CW, 8-10wpm) –
8:30pm, 146.685MHz-(88.5): Eastern NC Traffic Net (FM, Grifton Repeater)
10:00pm, 3.573MHz: Carolinas Net — Late (CW, 15-18wpm)
ARRL SPECIAL BULLETINS
In a major communications emergency, monitor W1AW for special bulletins as
follows: Voice on the hour, Digital at 15 minutes past the hour, and CW
on the half hour.
Frequencies (MHz)
—————– CW: 1.8025 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475 18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 147.555
DIGITAL Bulletins are sent using 45.45-baud Baudot, PSK31 in BPSK mode and
MFSK16 on a daily revolving schedule:
3.5975 7.095 14.095 18.1025 21.095 28.095 147.555
VOICE: 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160 21.390 28.590 147.555
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