PAMLICO EMERGENCY NET (ARES) PRACTICE
The Pamlico Emergency Net meets Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm local time on the Oriental repeater (147.210 MHz, CTCSS/PL tone 151.4, standard offset). There are alternate frequencies. If you have not already done so, please PROGRAM YOUR RADIO to use the Oriental 440 repeater on the frequency of 444.350 MHz, standard offset, PL tone 85.4. Net members should also make sure that they have the backup simplex frequency of 146.55 MHz in their radio’s memory. The simplex frequency would be used in an emergency situation if the repeaters fail. Given the uncertain track for Hurricane Matthew, please prepare and test your equipment. Our net controller and County ARES coordinator Mike Hurm, K4HPS, will be listening for you on Wednesday.
EMERGENCY/SKYWARN NET FREQUENCIES
At the end of this PARSgram you will find an updated list of emergency nets, associated repeaters or stations and their operating frequencies and PL tones. You might find it helpful to cut out the list and keep it near your radio. Please let me know if you find errors. Thanks to Janice, KJ4JPE for the list of repeaters used by Newport SKYWARN. Although it is an active repeater, she advises SKYWARN is not currently using Grifton for the Tuesday practice nets. (Repeated from the PARSgram of August 15, 2016)
NORTH AMERICA QSO PARTY PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Glenn Everest, N4LV, let us know that the QSO Party results are out. If you remember, taking up Bill Michne’s idea, PARS fielded two teams (Pamlico Amateur Radio Society A and B) for this event back in August. For PARS, our play was intended to get inactive and new hams on the air with an introduction to friendly contesting. Although not among the top scorers for our first try at this game, our folks didn’t embarrass themselves. You can find the preliminary results for the NAQSO Party at this link: http://ncjweb.com/naqp-scores/preliminary/naqpssb2016augprelim.tx After the team listings scroll down to four-land calls for individual station results.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was very low during the 24 hours ending yesterday at 5 pm local. The most recent significant activity was a B5 flare at 0635Z this morning. There is a new sunspot region on the disk facing Earth this morning after a zero day. The sunspot number (SSN) is 13, down from the 18 we saw last Monday but better than none. The Solar Flux Index (SFI) is 82, just a little lower than the 85, recorded at Penticton Sunday noon a week ago. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, solar activity is expected to be very low for the next three days with a slight chance for C-class flares today through Wednesday. The NOAA forecast has the SFI at 80 for today and tomorrow and then rising to 85 on Wednesday. The 90 day trailing average is 87.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field reached minor storm (G1) levels Sunday. The field is forecast to be quiet to active today and Tuesday and then be unsettled on Wednesday. The earth remains inside a stream of solar wind flowing from a very large coronal hole. The Kp-index was reported to be a quiet 3 at 5 a.m. local this morning.
Expect poor conditions across the bands, however TEP has been reported on 10M offering DX into South America. The VHF bands have been quiet with just a few E skip contacts reported yesterday on DXmaps. Conditions on 6 should improve as we move toward the winter months.
For a fascinating article on a geomagnetic disturbance in September 1941, go to
https://eos.org/features/the-geomagnetic-blitz-of-september-1941
THIS WEEK’S DX CHALLENGE
CENTRAL KIRIBATI, T31. Members of the Rebel DX Group will be QRV as T31T from Kanton Island, IOTA OC-043, beginning October 4 and will be active for 6 weeks. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters. QSL via 3Z9DX. [Located in the central Pacific ocean, we used to know these islands as the Gilbert Islands–ed]
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
No reports this week.
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
* 08/1200-09/2359Z Oct 1.8-28 MHz QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party CW
* 08/1600-09/2200Z Oct 1.8-144 Pennsylvania QSO Party CW Ph Dig
* 08/1600-09/2359Z Oct 1.8-144 Arizona QSO Party CW Ph Dig
* 08/1700-08/2100Z Oct 3.5-28 FISTS Fall Unlimited Sprint CW
* 09/0000-09/0400Z Oct 3.5-14 North American SSB Sprint Ph
(For rules see ssbsprint.com/rules)
See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL Contest Update http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update/ and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Station Web page<http://www.arrl.org/special-events>. For a LIST OF STATE QSO PARTIES, see http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/stateparties.html. (State QSO parties are a great way to get those last states for your Worked All States (WAS) Award.)
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
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* DONATED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Here are two pieces of equipment in excellent condition, fully tested, and completely functional. First is an MFJ Versa Tuner II, model 949B. This antenna tuner is rated at 300 watts maximum, has two coax outputs that are switchable and can be bypassed, and an internal dummy load. It also has balanced line or single wire output. The meter (single needle) reads forward and reflected power in two ranges, 0-30 and 0-300 watts, and SWR. Second is an MFJ Artificial Ground, Model 931. This unit is used for stations that can’t get a good RF ground, such as when the station is not on a ground floor, or when working portable at a camp ground or park. It is rated at 300 watts maximum. User manuals for both units are available for download in pdf format. Prices: tuner, $60.00, artificial ground, $50.00. These are less than half the cost of comparable new units from DX Engineering. Special deal: buy both units for $100 (they are often used together). All proceeds go to PARS. Contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or billmichne@embarqmail.com. (20160926)
* FOR SALE
SGC antenna tuner. This is the SG 235 with Smart Lock. This tuner is attached at the foot of the antenna. It is rated for 500 Watts. It can be used on Marine, Auto and land applications. Totally weather sealed. New from HRO this unit and Smart Lock are just under $1200 from HRO. Get the best for $400.
Also for sale is a MFJ 994B. This is the automatic tuner. New from HRO it is $235. Sale price is $100.
Both are up and running at my ham shack and can be seen in operation–Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI, 252-249-1257 (20160912)
* “HAM” HOME FOR SALE
A unique Pamlico County property adapted for amateur radio use by former PARS member Tom Davis, N1ZY, (SK) is now available for $230,000. On 9.54 acres, the 3BR, 2BA, 1800-1999 sq. ft home with garage was built in 2006 and recently upgraded throughout. The third bedroom is currently configured as an open study but can be reconfigured by the seller with an acceptable offer. On the property is a 20’x20′ “flex” building originally designed and built for use as a stand alone “ham shack”. It is complete with heat pump and 220/240V. service. There are two concrete pads which originally supported Rohn towers. For more information go to
http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?17zicfisjvxb,7,1 or dial 1-866-200-6443 Ext. 213 for recorded information. (20160822)
* FOR SALE, PRICE REDUCED–Yaesu FT- DX3000
A perfect “10”. Only used lightly by a little old lady on Sunday. I am upgrading and would love to see you have this rig. I hate to part with it but I just purchased a FTDX5000. This is just not the basic rig that others are selling—here is what you get, Like new radio, optional 300 hz cw filter, optional DVS 6 Voice unit, FH-2 touch pad, Hand mic, SP-2000 external speaker w/filters, Nifty Mini-Manual, box and radio manual. I have well over $2200.00 invested. I’ll let it go for $1995.00 $1795, you pay shipping for 2 boxes. Local pickup possible in NC. CONUS only. NO TRADES. PayPal, cash, check (units shipped when check clears). Pictures on request. DON’T MISS THIS ONE!
Sam, KD2T, davebacon137@embarqmail.com or call 252-617-0359 (20160822)
(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:
* Oct 15, Jamboree On The Air, Saturday, Times TBD, Camp Sea Gull, Arapahoe, Randy Davis W4WRD, 249-1680 or randyd@centurylink.net
* Oct 29, PARS Monthly Meeting, Saturday, 9 am, Brantley’s Village Restaurant, Oriental, Bill Olah, KR4LO, 249-0287 or w_olah@yahoo.com.
* Nov 26, 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/
* Chief Editor and Administrator is Greg Wadsworth KM4DZM, 252-322-1033 or gwadsworth1@ yahoo.com
* Web Master is Larry Wall, KK4SEO, wallmailbox@yahoo.com.
ABOUT THE PARSgram
The PARSgram is a weekly email publication for members of the Pamlico
Amateur Radio Society (PARS), an association of amateur radio operators
located in, near, or from Pamlico County, North Carolina. The PARSgram
contains announcements and information about current and planned activities
of the Society and other items of specific interest to its members. Except
to summarize information related to Solar Activity or announce expeditions
of amateur radio operators to unique distant places, special event stations,
and contests, it does not generally repeat information available elsewhere.
The PARSgram does offer a means to make known to its subscribers radio
equipment and other related items for sale or trade. Since PARS members may
have limited internet access, the PARSgram is has no attachments and kept
relatively short. Log on to the PARS Website at https://www.n4prs.org/ for
longer news articles, photos, archived PARSgrams and more. We are always
looking for items of specific interest to our members to put in the
PARSgram. If you run across a timely item or think of something you think
would interest our folks, please send it to me at jth350@embarqmail.com. —
Jim Hartmeyer, AI4WL, Editor (20150406)
73,
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+( PL151.4), 1930 Wednesday
–Backup in order on–
145.230- (85.4) Grantsboro
146.550 simplex
–Other Emergency Nets–
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 USB
Coastal Carolina Emergency Net (LSB), 3.907MHz, 1900 daily
Tarheel Emergency Net (ARES Net — LSB), 3.923MHz, 1930 daily. Backup on
7.232MHz daytime.
Weather Emergency Nets:
WX4MHX Newport SKYWARN NET 2100 Tuesdays
Oriental and ALL OTHER local rptrs monitored upon activation–
Grifton, 146.685-(88.5)
Grantsboro, 145.23- (85.4)
Columbia, 146.835- (131.8)
Swansboro, 146.76- (88.5)
Jacksonville, 147.0- (88.5)
Jacksonville, 145.19- (88.5) Onslow county
Newport, 145.45- (100)
Newport, 444.825+ (88.5) Downeast 440 Linked System
Englehard, 146.71- (131.5) Outerbanks
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