PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
I don’t think I’d be too far off if I said that the single most popular
HF/6 meter transceiver on the market today is the Icom IC-7300. Not
only is it effectively competing with higher priced new radio offerings
by other manufacturers, its price vs. features profile is killing the
used radio market as well. A lot of buyers are thinking, “Why should I
buy this or that nice but 10 year old transceiver for 6 or 8 hundred
bucks when I can get this new Icom beauty for just a couple of hundred
bucks more.” They are so popular that many hams own 2 of them, and for
many new hams it’s their first HF radio. So what’s the problem? Well,
a lot of new hams, and not a few so-called experienced hams, don’t know
how to properly set their audio controls. They crank up the gain and
compression controls and think they are putting out a high power killer
signal. What they are really putting out is a highly distorted signal
at a reduced power level. Enter K0LWC and his excellent video on how to
properly adjust the audio controls on the IC-7300 to get the best
possible signal quality at maximum power
(forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/icom-7300-how-to-properly-set-mic-gain.745427/).
The video opens with a demonstration of what poor adjustment can sound
like, and while the video is aimed at the 7300, the principles should
apply to any rig. Well worth watching. …_._ de WM3X, Bill Michne,
252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
MEET BOB HEIL, K9EID, AUDIO MASTER ON SATURDAY
We expect to have very interesting PARS meetings this and next month. We
will be joined by Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound this month. Next month,
Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, our ARRL North Carolina Section Manager will be
with us. The regular business meeting will run from 9 to 10 am followed
by a break from 10 to 10:15 for check in by those wishing only to see
Bob’s presentation. It will start at 10:15 am. Learn all about Bob and
his fascinating career that started with Amateur Radio on his QRZ Web page.
PARS MEETING SATURDAY, JAN 30, 2021
**** 9:AM VIA “ZOOM” *****
We will be holding this month’s PARS meeting via Zoom. Prior to the
meeting, it is recommended to download the Zoom application to the
device you wish to use. Steve Silveira, KO4EDA, will again be our
technical host for the meeting.
If you are on MacOS or Windows proceed to https://zoom.us. In the top
right corner there is a drop down menu labeled “Resources”. Click the
“Download Zoom Client” link to install. If you are on an iPhone or iPad
get the app from the App Store, and if you are on Android phone or
tablet, get the app from Google Play Store.
Here is the meeting link and ID for the PARS Monthly Meeting:
Topic: PARS Monthly Meeting
Time: JAN 30, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://cravenk12.zoom.us/j/96038396148
Meeting ID: CONTACT jth350@embarqmail.com for ID Number
Dial in: 1-646-558-8656
You can join the meeting one of 3 ways:
1. Click the link to join the meeting, on MacOS and Windows you should
be prompted to Open the Zoom App, and on mobile devices and tablets it
should just open.
2. Open your Zoom App (MacOS, Windows, and Mobile Devices) and click
“Join a Meeting” (or the “Join” Button if already signed in), then type
in the Meeting ID and enter your name and click Join.
3. If you cannot seem to get Zoom working or do not have a compatible
device, dial in via the phone number provided above.
Agenda:
0900 PARS Monthly Business Meeting
1000-1015 Check-in for others attending this month’s presentation.
1015 Special presentation by Bob Heil, K9EID.
If you have questions regarding “Zoom” that you can’t resolve, please
email Steve at rastoban@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was very low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 pm local. There are two numbered sunspot regions
on the Sun facing Earth this morning. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux
Index (SFI) at Penticton was 78. Solar activity is expected be very low
through Wednesday with chances for C-class flares. The index is
predicted to register 78 today, Tuesday and Wednesday. The SFI 90 day
trailing average is 85, the same as last Monday.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. It is expected to be
quiet to unsettled today and Tuesday, quiet on Wednesday. The estimated
Kp-index of 4 reported at 7 a.m. local this morning indicates we are
currently experiencing unsettled geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, we can expect fair daytime and good nighttime
operating conditions on 80 and 40 meters, fair on 30 and 20, and poor on
the higher bands. Lots of activity on 6M this weekend. Good to see
KP4EIT calling CQ on sideband Saturday but there were few takers. Don’t
forget Winter Field Day is coming up next weekend after our PARS
meeting. Looks like fun and you can even operate indoors if you wish.
I’m thinking QRP for a couple of hours off a picnic table near the boat
ramp if the weather’s decent.
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.
**NEW WANTED- ICOM IC-7700 Transceiver**
Wanted, late model with serial number starting with 1. Please contact
Don Smith, KJ4RB, at kj4rb@embarqmail.com or 252-568-4011. (20210125)
**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:
* Jan 30, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. Our special guest speaker will be Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil
Sound. For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Feb 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. Our guest speaker will be Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, ARRL North
Carolina Section Manager. 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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