PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
We are still on track for the Technician license course at the college
beginning next Monday evening. At this point, however, we have very few
registrants. While I’m still keen to run the course, the dates, times,
and venue may have to be adjusted. _…_ In a rather unusual move the
ARRL Board of Directors did not reelect CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX. An
interim CEO has taken over, and a search committee has been convened.
…_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) JAN 25, 2020 MEETING NOTES
* Twenty-six PARS members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am
breakfast meeting chaired by President Bill Michne, WM3X, at Brantley’s
Village Restaurant.
* Sam/Dave, KD2T, reported reaching his 9th band DXCC after getting his
endorsement for 160M. Dick, K4JJW has his stamps for 300 countries on
40, 30, and 20M, all since moving to his current QTH in 2000!
* Bill presented the treasurer’s report and updated the group on the
club’s liability insurance policy. The current policy covers liability
for a premium of $320 but does not provide Directors and Officers
coverage. It could be added for an additional premium of $750. Much less
expensive, coverage for both through an ARRL vendor was found for
$200/year. It will start when the current policy expires in February.
* Propagation Report: Solar activity continues to be very low. After
10 days of none, one sunspot region from old cycle 24 appeared
yesterday. We can expect a mix of old and new cycle sunspots as we move
into the new cycle. The Solar Flux Index 90 day average has already
risen over the last month from 69 to 71. The geomagnetic field has been
very quiet. Expect slowly improving conditions, especially on the 80 to
20 meter bands.
* Mike Marsh, K4NLC, our ARES coordinator, reported 4 training sessions
in January for 10.8 mh. The next ARES/AUXCOMM meeting will be 7 p.m.
February 6th at PCC, a go-kit show and tell.
* Rather than purchase an expensive ($60) replacement lamp for the
club’s projector purchased in 2008, it was agreed to purchase a new
projector (NTE $300) and sell the old one.
* Only one person has registered for the Winter Technician course
slated for Monday nights at PCC. Rescheduling to another night will be
investigated to allow interested station 25 firefighters and others to
take the course.
* Priscilla, N4TNP, thanked those who removed her hurricane damaged
antennas and Bill, WM3X, for restoring her VHF station to operable
condition.
* Bruce, KS8L, advised that Bike MS information has been emailed to
those who assisted in past years. He asked that others that wish to help
this year contact him (at 252-670-2937). The event will be on 26-27 Sep
2020.
* Paul, K4MMB, reported the club web site (www.n4prs.org) has had 179
visitors this month. Members were reminded by Jim, AI4WL, that
the PARSgram is archived on the site soon after it is emailed to
members. Given email distribution to yahoo and AOL users has become
unreliable, consideration is being given to stop emailing the newsletter
as it is available on the website.
* Following the business meeting, Lor Kutchins, W3QA, presented an
overview of WINLINK, the Winlink Global Radio Email system. The system,
now over 25 years old, consists of radio messaging connectivity that
uses amateur and government frequencies that interfaces with the
internet to provide a robust means of utilitarian as well as emergency,
and relief communications. Lor announced a NEW WINLINK individually
paced “COURSE”, a set of 10 tutorial exercises that will explore the
features of WinLink, not only for PARS members but also for AUXCOMM
members statewide. TO PARTICIPATE CONTACT Lor at lor.kutchins@gmail.com
and receive your first task.
FOUND AT PARS MEETING
Found on the floor in the meeting room after the PARS meeting last
Saturday, 01/25/20: One (1) magnet clasp for a name tag which is worn on
a shirt. If you are missing yours, please email Bruce Perkins at
K4ONC@aol.com.
TECHNICIAN COURSE STARTS MONDAY 3 FEB, HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
Amateur radio operators use wireless technology to communicate with
other amateurs around the corner, around the country, and around the
world. This course prepares the student to pass the examination for the
entry level Technician Class amateur radio operator license. The course
covers the relevant FCC regulations, equipment, operating procedures,
and the fundamentals of wireless technology, and finishes with the
license examination. Knowledge of Morse code is no longer a requirement
for any amateur license. The course will be held at the Pamlico
Community College, 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Monday evenings beginning on
February 3rd and ending on March 30th. There is no course fee. The
textbook and examination fees are $33.00 and $15.00, respectively. For
more information, and to register, contact Bill Michne at 252-249-1175
or by email to drmichne73@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 4 pm local. There is one numbered sunspot region on
the Sun facing Earth this morning. It is of the old cycle, cycle 24.
Solar activity will continue to be very low according to the Space
Weather Prediction Center but with a slight chance for a C-class flare
through Wednesday. On Sunday, the reported Solar Flux Index (SFI) at
Penticton was 75. The index is predicted to register 75 through
Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing average is 71.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet today and Tuesday, quiet to unsettled Wednesday. The estimated
Kp-index of zero reported at 7 a.m. local this morning indicates we are
currently experiencing very quiet conditions.
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.
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
**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.
PARS CALENDAR:
* 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
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