PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
Here’s a new challenge for HF operators. The addition of Prince Edward
Island as a separate entity to Canadian sections brings the total number
of US and Canadian sections to 84. The ARRL Sweepstakes contest is
pretty much a domestic event in which operators try to contact all 84
sections within a 24 hour operating period. The SSB version of the
event is coming up on November 20 – 22. You don’t need high power or
big antennas to make a lot of contacts and have a lot of fun. The CW
version was this past weekend. Unfortunately I was not able to
participate due to some equipment issues. -…- You still have time to
submit your comment on the proposed license application fees.
Instructions for how to do it can be found at www.arrl.org. -…- PARS
VP Bruce, K4ONC, and I are planning to attend a ZOOM meeting this week
of several NC club presidents and program chairs to discuss what clubs
are doing to stay active during the pandemic. Hopefully we’ll get some
new ideas for us to use. …-.- de WM3X, Bill Michne, 252-249-1175,
drmichne73@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was low during the 24 hours ending
yesterday at 5 pm local. The largest solar event was a C2 flare observed
at 8:15 Saturday evening, our time. There are two sunspot regions on the
Sun facing Earth this morning. Even though one of them is the largest so
far of the new cycle, solar activity is still expected to be low with a
slight chance of an M-class flare through Wednesday. On Sunday the
observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 90, well up from the 77
reported last Monday. The index is predicted to register 90 today, 88
Tuesday and 86 Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average is 74.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. It is
expected to be quiet through Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of zero
reported at 4 a.m. local this morning indicates we are currently
experiencing quiet geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, we can expect good daytime and good nighttime
operating conditions on 80 and 40 meters and also 30 and 20; fair
conditions day and night on 17 and 15. Poor conditions continue on 12
and 10. That said, Gary, NC3Z, reported early last week that 10 meters
has been showing life and some good DX, especially for FT8 users. The
VHF bands remain mostly quiet
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
For listing in the PARSgram send me your amateur radio related items
that you have for sale, trade, or wanted. PLEASE let me know when you
have have sold your item or your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise.–Jim.
**For Sale**
Heil Foot Switch, push to transmit. $15.00. Contact Ed Valentine, W2YPM,
at 252-637-3161 or w2ypm@earthlink.net. (20201019)
**Estate Ham Equipment For Sale**
Eddie Lyon, K4NGR, provided a long list of equipment he is wishing to
sell on behalf of the wife of a fellow ham who passed several weeks ago.
Major items now remaining on the list with prices originally paid
include a Yaesu FT2000/HF Transceiver $2,115 with Yaesu MD-100 Mic $179
and Yaesu external speaker with phone patch and an Ammeritron AL-811H
Amp $999. “These prices are what he had paid for them brand new so
whatever we can get for them to help his wife Pat out will be most
appreciated.” For a complete list of the remianing items or more
information please contact Eddie at ELyon47@aol.com or 540-905-5839.
(20201019, 20201102)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Nov 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom” or at Brantleys Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill
Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Dec 26, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom” or at Brantleys Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bill
Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* 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
SlowCOVIDNC, THE NEW APP FOR WARNING OF COVID EXPOSURE
SlowCOVIDNC is the official COVID-19 Exposure Notification app for the
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). It
leverages smart phone and Bluetooth technology to let app users know if
they may have been exposed to COVID-19, enabling them to quickly act to
protect themselves and their community. SlowCOVIDNC users can
anonymously share a positive COVID-19 test result through the app to
notify other app users who may have been in close contact with them of
their exposure. Read more about the app at the URL below:
https://mailchi.mp/5f33ed4a9f9b/theres-an-app-for-that-slowing-the-spread-in-pamlico-county?e=adb5dfd6c4
As of Nov 4th, our County had tallied 336 COVID-19 cases. Most had
recovered, but 13 were still active including 4 at the Prison and 3 at
Congregate Living Facilities. The tally represents a 25% increase in
cases since Oct 1st.
73. Please mask up in public and stay safe. Jim AI4WL
——
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
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