PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
I don’t know about you but I’m saturated with the news coverage of the
Coronavirus thing. It seems like everything we might do outside our
homes is being postponed or canceled in order to limit the spread of the
virus by direct contact. But wait! The virus is not spread by radio
contact, and with all the new free time you are getting from those
postponements and cancellations you can spend more time making contacts
on the radio. You’re safe even if the other person is infected. It’s a
virus that can’t infect your computer, and if you use LotW you don’t
have any exposure to the virus hitchhiking on foreign or domestic QSL
cards. You don’t have to wash your hands after each QSO. You can also
use the new free time to try out a new band or mode, or start working
toward upgrading your license. How about assembling that kit you bought
a few years ago and put on a shelf because you didn’t have the time to
build it. The list of ways to use the new found time is endless. …_._
deWM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
DOWN EAST HAMFEST POSTPONED
The 29th Annual Down East Hamfest scheduled for April 4th at Lenoir
Community College in Kinston has been postponed. Thanks to Janice,
KJ4JPE and Bruce, K8SL, for this information.
The ARRL has a new Web page that lists all hamfests and conventions that
are reported as cancelled or postponed due to the corona-virus:
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search/page:1/keywords:Canceled/model:Event
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hours
ending yesterday at 5 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 70. The
index is predicted to register 70 today 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 through Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 1 reported at 5
a.m. local this morning indicates we are currently experiencing quiet
conditions.
We can expect fair daytime and good nighttime operating conditions on 80
and 40 meters, fair on 30 and 20 and poor conditions 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.
QSO CORNER
This is the place to post contacts with DXpeditions, Special Event
Stations, or special QSO’s you would like to share.
Last week we received an email with photos from Buck Buckowski, AA4SN
reporting on a CW contact he had with Luc, I1YRL, who lives near Turino.
That QSO apparently developed into quite a friendship. They exchanged a
few mementos. One of the items that Buck sent Luc was a PARS cap! We
will share the photos (with the cap on display) and Buck’s email on the
N4PRS web site soon.
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**
1. Titan DX Multiband Antenna (cost $500) New, but has been in
storage for several years. $150. 25’ tall, 25 lbs. Included with the
antenna, a 12 ft., 1 1/2” diam., heavy-wall steel pipe for a mast
mount/extension. Specs and other details available at the GAP website:
gapantenna.com. Covers 10m – 80m, needs no radials; center feed; triple
wall tubing.
2. Daiwa CN101L. SWR AND POWER METER. NEW. (COST $130). $45
3. ASTRON POWER Supply (COST $140). New. $50 Linear DC Supply 13.6
VDC 20 Amps with Meters; Output Voltage: 13.8 VDC (+0.05 V) Internally
Adjustable (11-15 V.)
NOTE: All 3 items include instructions + mounting and tuning
instructions for the antenna. Contact: Larry Jones, ljonesnc4@gmail.com
or at 252 617-0525. Will consider reasonable offers. (20200309)
**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:
* 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.
* 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.
* Apr 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.
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.
Stay safe: Make your contacts by radio!
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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