PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
The FCC has announced that remote testing for amateur licenses is
acceptable so long as all the security requirements can be met. As
usual, the devil is in the details. A west coast group is putting
together a remote testing program which involves considerable personnel
and technical support, a level of effort that is justified by their
monthly test session volume of as many as 50-70 examinees. By contrast,
PARS quarterly test sessions have only 1 or 2 examinees. I support the
PARS VE’s monitoring developments in this area to help determine if
remote testing would be a viable option for us. _…_ l am just
finishing up a smart voltage monitor kit from qrpkits.com, which was
reviewed in May QST. The quality of this kit is outstanding, and the
downloadable pdf manual is highly detailed and in color. They have an
extensive list of reasonably priced useful kits available. Check them
out if you are looking for a project to combat Corona boredom. …_._ de
WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
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 however spaceweather.com reports a new cycle
spot may be emerging. 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 69, the
same as last Sunday’s reading. The index is predicted to register 70
today through Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is 70.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet to unsettled levels 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. Expect poor conditions on the higher bands. Es and TEP
propagation on 6 meters was being reported by DXmaps yesterday. Most of
the FT8 contacts were from the NE to lower mid-west and from Florida
into the Caribbean. CQ’s from Whortonsville brought no joy.
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**
1. Titan DX Multiband Antenna SOLD
2. Daiwa CN101L. SWR AND POWER METER. NEW. (COST $130). $45
3. ASTRON POWER Supply SOLD.
NOTE: All 3 items include instructions Contact: Larry Jones,
ljonesnc4@gmail.com or at 252 617-0525. Will consider reasonable offers.
(20200309)
PARS CALENDAR:
* May 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Venue TBD. For more
info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Jun 27-28, ARRL Field Day, TBD, 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.
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.