PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
We had our first quarterly VE session for 2020 at the town hall on
Saturday. We had two examinees, and both passed their respective tests.
Ken Boniface of New Bern passed the Technician test for a new license,
and Rick Manzer, also of New Bern, successfully upgraded to Extra Class.
Both expressed interest in attending the next PARS meeting.
Congratulations to both! _…_ I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday
season. I’m looking forward to a great ham radio year. In addition to
our regular activities like Field Day and hopefully a license course or
two, I’d like to have some after meeting discussions on topics of
general interest such as WinLink, working FT8, etc. Let me, or
Vice-President Bruce, K4ONC, know if there is a topic you want to hear,
or one you could present. There’s gotta’ be a ton of things we can
learn about. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175,
drmichne73@gmail.com
BIT BUCKET
–Last week in my notes of the PARS meeting on December 28, 2019 I wrote
that that the “Intro to WinLink” class would be after the February
meeting. It is tentatively scheduled to follow the January meeting
depending on Lor Kutchins’ availability.
–We received a short note from Marijane Sipple, NP2AZ. She wishes all
her PARS friends a Happy New Year.
–Sam/Dave, kD2T, reported last week that he just worked his 100th
country for DXCC on 160 Meters. He expected his last one to be confirmed
quickly by LOTW.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 4 pm local. There is one sunspot region on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. Like the “Christmas Eve Sunspots” it is
reportedly from new Cycle 25.
Solar activity will continue to be very low 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 72 through
Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing average is 70.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to active yesterday. It is
expected to be quiet to unsettled today and Wednesday, quiet on Tuesday.
The estimated Kp-index of 1 reported at 7 a.m. local this morning
indicates we are currently experiencing quiet conditions.
We can expect good daytime and good nighttime operating conditions on 80
and 40 meters for the next few days; fair conditions both day and night
on 30 and 20. Poor conditions will continue on the higher bands. DXMAPS
is reporting significant Es activity on 6M across Europe, mostly FT8, at
mid-day.
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.
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 Fred Elsner, W4fae, 252-637-3742 (20191028)
1) Icom 7600 SOLD
2) Icom 7000 SOLD
3) LDG 100 auto tuner, perfect size and electrical match for a Icom
7000. $80. Fred, W4fae, 252-637-3742
4) West Mountain Rig Blaster Advantage (for digital mode operating}.
With all cables etc. $100.
**For Sale ** by Jim Cason, AC4JC, 252-636-0407 or jlcason@yahoo.com
(20190930 updated 2019-12-09)
– TenTech 411 Amplifier, uses three 811A tubes, similar in size to the
Collins “S” line amplifier. An almost new set of Chinese made 811’s
included. The amp is running vintage US Made 811A’s (higher power
output), and I have a number of additional vintage 811’s included. up to
100 watt drive, up to 600 watt RF output into 50 ohm load. Capable of
full QSK along with a Jupiter or other TenTec transceivers on CW;
possibly with other rigs. Can be operated on 110 volt, I have it wired
for 220 volt (don’t have 220 available in the house, or I might keep
it). Built before 10 meter capability was removed from amps, although I
really used it mostly on 75 and 40. Best pricing information I could
find on these is selling for an average of $650. ** Any Reasonable
offers will be seriously considered.**
– TenTec 229B Tuner, capable of a full 2KW PEP, built as an L-network,
where additional capacitor has been added to cover 160 meters even. Has
a 4-position RF switch. Best pricing information I could find on these
is selling for an average of $250. ** Any Reasonable offers will be
seriously considered.**
– Full 2KW Rotary Coaxial Switch SOLD
– B&W 50 ohm Dummy Load/Wattmeter, capable of full power BRIEFLY. Has
10/100/1KW meter. Overheating lamp is small 110 volt bulb and is burnt
out. Working but not sure of accuracy. $50.
– DX Engineering DXE-BAL050-H05-A 2KW Continuous, 5KW Intermittent 1:1
Coaxial Balun. This sells for $139.99 new, will sell for half that
price, $70. Has never had more than about 600 watts put through it.
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jan 25, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. 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
Society. We are pleased that you asked to receive our weekly newsletter
and hope that you enjoy reading it. If you no longer wish to receive the
PARSgram please let us know by reply email or by email to
jth350@embarqmail.com.