PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
With the extended restrictions due the pandemic, and the associated
generally lower level of social activities on the part of many people, I
thought sure the monthly PARS meeting would be a yawner. Au contraire,
mes amis! It turned out to be the best meeting so far since we were
forced to abandon Brantley’s. For starters, the ZOOM technology allows
for folks to check in from anywhere in the lower 48. So we had some
well known but now distantly relocated PARSians check in to the meeting.
They were the King’s, Susan, KI4NSS, and Jamie, KJ4JK, and Randy,
K4WRD. It was not only great to hear them, but to see them as well.
Dick, K4JJW, announced that he had received his DXCC Honor Roll sticker.
This is a major lifetime operating achievement. CONGRATULATIONS,
Dick!! Jim, AI4WL, updated us on the giant sunspot developing in the
very early cycle 25. The sundits (a solar watching subspecies of
pundits) are now suggesting that C25 could be a great one, in contrast
to what they were saying just a few months ago. We had a great
discussion about the wonderful donation of an Icom IC-746PRO by the
family of Bill Pedersen, KM1C (SK). The radio will be housed at the
Pamlico Community College and used for both HF and VHF communications by
ARES during emergencies such as hurricanes. We had a great show and
tell by Lor, W3QA, on a high altitude balloon project he’s working on.
Unlike weather balloons, for example, that are designed to burst at a
certain altitude, Lor’s balloon will stop expanding at a particular
altitude, and remain intact. It will then be carried by upper
atmosphere winds around the world as long as the balloon remains intact.
The payload carries a GPS receiver and a small transmitter that sends
position information continuously. Paul, K4MMB, gave a nice update on
the n4prs.org website. He is always looking for photos and articles on
what the club members are doing. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne,
252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) SEP 26,2020 VIRTUAL MEETING NOTES
* Seventeen PARS members attended the 9 am meeting chaired by President
Bill Michne via Zoom. Steve Silveira, KO4EDA, was our technical host.
* Dick, K4JJW, received his DXCC Honor Roll Sticker reflecting
confirming 331 entities to his credit.
* Bill presented the treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. He reminded
all that the club gets to keep two dollars from each ARRL renewal made
through the club. The 2021 call for dues letters were sent out this week
to those active in 2020.
* Propagation Report by Jim, AI4WL: Solar activity improving with 4
Sunspot regions facing Earth, one of them being the largest in years.
M-class flares are possible daily. Bill mentioned a study forecasting
Cycle 25 will be the best in years contrasting with most specialists’
view of another quiet one.
* Mike, K4NLC, reported the Pamlico Emergency Net generated 10.45
man-hours from 4 sessions in Nov with WinLink check-ins dwindling. IC
classes (100,200,700 & 800) have been updated, purging of NC AUXCOMM
database continues. Even though certification is encouraged, local ARES
participation is still needed, especially to report local conditions
during emergencies.
* The donated IC 746Pro will be placed at the PCC Emergency Evacuation
Center in the security office. With renovation of the building, the
existing VHF feedline will need to be replaced/re-routed. Antennas for
HF were discussed.
* Paul, K4MMB, reported attempts to access the PARS web site by some
with suspect intent continue. The software used does a good job of
blocking unauthorized access. There were 108 visitors during the month
looking at 179 pages. He called for folks to send photos and information
about ham related activities for the popular “what’s happening” page.
* In following discussion, Steve advised that with the corporate Zoom
account he uses for our meetings, all foreign access is blocked and all
attendees have to come through the “waiting room”.
* Bruce, K4ONC, reminded all that COVID-19 cases are increasing in the
County and reported that a couple of PARS members have caught the virus,
one having to spend a week in the hospital. Be wary about your
surroundings and follow the 3 W’s. Bill urged washing hands with HOT
water rather than cold. It’s much more effective.
* The results of Field Day 2020 are in the Dec issue of QST. PARS’
aggregated score of 5 members individual scores was our highest in years.
* Generating considerable enthusiasm, Lor, W3QA, in a “show & tell”,
talked about his balloon tracking project “Operation Eastern Express”.
The project’s “super pressure balloon” will carry a small solar powered
20 mw. transmitter transmitting GPS locations via WSPR as it circles the
world at an altitude of around 47 thousand feet. It is hoped that the
design will support a number of orbits.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1018.
The next meeting will be on Saturday, December 26th, via Zoom.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are 6–that’s right, 6–sunspot
regions on the Sun facing Earth this morning. The largest solar event of
the period was a M4.4 event on 29 Nov at 1131Z, the biggest flare in
over 3 years and it was from a region not yet facing Earth. This flare
produced a HF blackout over the South Atlantic disrupting communications
below 10MHz. There is a 35% chance for an M-class flare for the next
three days and a slight chance (10%)for X-class flares. On Sunday the
observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was 116. The index is
predicted to register 115 today, 113 Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90
day trailing average is up to 78.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field reached unsettled levels yesterday. It is
expected to be quiet today, quiet to active on Tuesday on Wednesday. The
estimated Kp-index of 2 reported at 7 a.m. local this morning indicates
we are currently experiencing quiet geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, we can expect fair daytime and good nighttime
operating conditions on 80 and 40 meters, good on 30 and 20, and fair on
17 & 15. On the 25th, Gary, NC3Z, reported that 10M was continuing to
“produce well” and he logged contacts with stations in Hawaii and
Tanzania. He uses a Hex Beam at 35 ft. The VHF bands have been mostly
quiet in North America. Have faith, the Winter Es season is coming.
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:
* 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.
* Jan 30, 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
Please mask up in public and stay safe.
73, Jim AI4WL
——
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