PRESIDENT’S SOAPBOX
We hams spend a lot of time, effort, and money on our radios and
antennas, but the interconnecting cables and connectors are, for the
most part, ignored. Case in point. Some 6 weeks after going silent
following a spacewalk that installed new antenna cabling, the Amateur
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) ham station in the
Columbus module is once again operational. A January 27 spacewalk had
replaced a coax feed line installed 11 years ago with another built by
the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus. While the specific cause of
the problem has not yet been determined, a March 13 spacewalk that
restored the antenna cabling to its original configuration provided the
cure. Moral of the story: a) when preparing cables and connectors,
check them to be sure they are functioning as expected before final
installation, and b) if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. …_._ de WM3X,
Bill Michne, 252-249-1175, drmichne73@gmail.com.
PARS MEETING SATURDAY, MAR 27, 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: MAR 27, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://cravenk12.zoom.us/j/96038396148
Meeting ID: Contact AI4WL at: jth350@embarqmail.com for entrance ID number.
Dial in: 1-646-558-8656
You can join the meeting one of 3 ways:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
0945 Presentation by our special visitor, Bob Heil, K9EID. He should be
joining us at 0945 or so. Expect to hear more about how to set up your
radios for the best audio for casual QSO’s and for working that DX
through pile ups. Be prepared with your questions. Bob has the answers!
If you have questions regarding “Zoom” that you can’t resolve, please
email Steve at rastoban@gmail.com.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported solar activity was low during the 24 hour period ending
yesterday at 5 p.m. local. There is but one numbered sunspot region on
the Sun facing Earth this morning. However, spaceweather.com reports a
new large sunspot emerging on the northeastern limb. Solar activity is
expected be very low through Wednesday with a slight chance for C-class
flares. On Sunday the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was
- The index is predicted to register 77 today, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The SFI 90 day trailing average is 77.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels yesterday. NOAA
expects conditions to be quiet to minor storm levels today, then quiet
to active Tuesday and Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 2 reported at
5 a.m. local this morning reflects our current quiet geomagnetic conditions.
For the next several days, fair daytime and good nighttime operating
conditions on 80 and 40 meters, fair on 30 and 20, poor on the higher
bands. Tropo conditions have remained fair to good for our 6M Downeast
Six Meter Net on Thursday evenings. Even folks with dipoles are easily
making the trip from Pamlico and Craven Counties over to Pink Hill.
For an explanation of the 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**
Tarheel 75A HF mobile antenna combo. Includes Tarheel 6′ Stainless Steel
Whip, Whip Quick Twist Disconnect, Plus these unused original parts:
Control Cable, Manual Switch, Fuseholder & Fuse, Original box and
Manual. $350. Contact Gary Mitchelson, NC3Z/4, nc3z.gary@gmail.com or
252-745-0655. (20210208)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Mar 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. We look for a return visit by Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Audio.
For more info, contact Bill Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or
drmichne73@gmail.com.
* Apr 24, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Virtual Meeting via
“Zoom”. Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, NC Section Manager will be making a
presentation followed by a Q&A session. For more info, contact Bill
Michne, WM3X, 252-249-1175 or drmichne73@gmail.com.
* May 29, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, after over a year perhaps
at Brantleys. Watch this spot.
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
DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH WAITING FOR HERD IMMUNITY
It won’t happen unless more folks get their shots. So maybe 30% of
Pamlico County residents have had at least one vaccination and around 8%
(991) of our folks have had the virus (11 have died of it), to do our
part at least 40% to 60% more (like 7,000) need to get the shot or catch
the virus so we can take off our masks and get on with life. Most would
rather take the shot. The shot’s free and doesn’t hurt, so go get it if
you haven’t. If you need more see:
https://mailchi.mp/29d8cfc5c932/the-path-to-herd-immunity-in-pamlico-county-why-you-should-get-vaccinated-for-covid-19?e=adb5dfd6c4
73, Jim AI4WL
——
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
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