PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) September MEETING NOTES Oct 1, 2022
* Twenty PARS members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
Field Day breakfast meeting chaired by President Mike Marsh, K4NLC, at
Brantley’s Village Restaurant.
* No awards or upgrades were reported. Bill, WM3X, briefly described
his plan to put up a simplex C4FM WiresX access node, the major
components being a FT-200DR VHF/UHF dual band transceiver and a WIRES-X
HRI-200. These two components will provide Internet to RF C4FM digital
communications for local C4FM capable users. It is not a local repeater.
Bill is awaiting delivery of equipment and registration. Expect a trial
in several weeks. Dick, K4JJW, reported the demise of his Yaesu FT-7700
transceiver and its replacement with a new FT-7610 dual receive SDR
transceiver.
* Mike delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally.
* Paul, K4MMB, again reported the large number bot probes to access the
restricted pages. All but one have been stopped by the web application.
The “repeater page” remains the most visited, followed by “What’s
Happening”.
* Propagation Report: NOAA and spaceweather.com reported a fairly
active Sun generating M-class flares, sporadic short HF blackouts and 6
sunspot regions. A large very active sunspot group is rotating into
view. The solar flux 90 day average is 127 (118 last month) indicating
good conditions continuing on 40 through 15 Meters and openings on the
10 meter band. Good propagation is evident from QRP FT8 operation using
a “QDX” SDR digital transceiver this week obtaining 2,896 miles per watt
(10,426 miles, 3.6w) in a contact with VK5PO in Australia on 20 meters.
Current DX opportunities include South Cook Islands (E5) and Antarctica.
* The 2022 Maysville Hamfest is coming up on Sunday, Oct 9th, 8a-3p, at
the William Frost Park.
* ARES/Pamlico Communications Net: Mike reported 4 nets in September
generating 26 manhours. Bruce, K4ONC, our county AUXcomm lead, activated
a Special Weather Net for Hurricane/Tropical Storm IAN on Friday, Sep
- Although operating at a low activation level, the State EOC through
the Eastern Branch Office, had requested ground-truth weather and damage
reports. The Pamlico net opened at 9 am (10 operators), 12 (9),3 (16),
and 6 pm (10). Our operators provided the information which was
summarized and submitted.
* The “Code Red” system, reportedly provides the most timely tornado
warning, “My Radar” provides a good visual display of a tornado track.
During the storm, a tornado was reported near Whortonsville at about
1445 hours moving north-west. No damage was reported.
* Bruce, announced the next Pamlico Communications Team meeting will be
on October 8th at the Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Road.
* The Fox Hunt was briefly discussed. Some members have antennas, at
least 6 want to assemble them. Bill, KR4LO, will host an antenna
building session at a time to be announced. Mike from the New Bern club
demonstrated his TV antenna direction finder.
* On Towers and Repeaters…
– In late July the Oriental Repeater Group (ORG) became aware that Dr.
Ron Benfield was selling the Arlington Place Tower but would consider
reserving space for amateur radio as part of the sales agreement. He was
immediately contacted. The group had to work quickly, the sale was to
close September 30.
– Much paperwork was done to formalize both the ORG and its
relationship with Dr. Benfield. Frequencies of the repeater needed to be
coordinated with SARA. A 15 year lease at $1.00 for tower space was
negotiated with Dr. Benfield. That the repeater would be used as needed
to support emergency services was included to justify its presence.
Dr.Benfield agreed to become a 6th member of the ORG to further empower
the group in its relationship with the new tower owner.
– A initial look at the tower revealed unused but untested hardline
already in place. Hardline was found in NY and purchased. Bill, KR4LO,
retrieved it. Other components were obtained.
– On Wednesday, Sep 28th, the ORG’s hired climber along with Lor
Kutchins, W3QA, Perkins, Marsh and Olah, tested the existing unused
hardlines. One was exceptionally good and reached the 320 ft height
desired. One of Bill’s VHF antennas was connected and tested. A small
microwave dish facing Kershaw was installed and connected. A remaining
cable was also tested. All were tagged as belonging to the ORG. The
purchased hardline was not required and likely will be sold.
– Space in an equipment building was identified. Power will be
available until replaced by the ORG with solar.
– The group should have their grand-fathered lease confirmed by
mid-October.
– The current plan is to relocate the Motorolla dual mode repeater from
Kershaw to Arlington and operate it initially only as a DMR repeater. It
will be connected to the Kershaw site by microwave thence into the NC4ES
network by internet. At Kershaw, the dual mode Kenwood repeater with
options to multi-mode, now being repaired, will be re-installed or the
original 20 plus year old FM repeater will be put back into service.
– The Kershaw site needs work. The old 220 MHz control hardline needs
repair or replacement. It will be for the microwave connection. American
Tower requires replacement of the aging clamps on the hardline to the
VHF antenna.
– Although the relationship with American Tower is good, the members
were reminded that use of the Kershaw tower is by gentleman’s agreement.
* Past President Bill Michne, WM3X, as nominating committee determined
that existing officers have agreed to serve for another year. Charlie
Overcash, WA4GSI, seconded by Bill Olah, moved that the election be held
at this election. It was unanimously approved. After determining there
were no nominations from the floor, Dick Goodwin, seconded by Olah,
moved to accept the slate as presented. It was approved by acclamation.
Elected Officers for the 2022-23 Year are:
Mike Marsh, K4NLC, President
Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, Vice President
Jim Hartmeyer, AI4WL, Secretary
Gail (Wally) Wallace, KK4ASP, Treasurer
* Bruce thanked the volunteers who signed up to help at the Ol’ Front
Porch Music Festival. Due to TS IAN, the events were moved inside and
their service was not required.
* Paul Manganaro, KO4MHM won the monthly drawing. He received a
Brantley’s Restaurant $20 gift certificate. Mike, K4NLC, won a PARS
License Plate.
* There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:24 am.
REMINDER–MAYSVILLE HAMFEST NEXT SUNDAY, OCT 9TH
From Danny Garris, WD4CQ, NBARC President:
What: *** 2022 MAYSVILLE HAMFEST ***
Where: Maysville Community Building, William H. Frost Park, 703 8th St.,
Maysville, NC 28555 (Same Place As Always)
When: October 9, 2022 (Always 1st Sunday In October)
Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: ** ALWAYS FREE **
Contact: Byron Highland, K4BMH, President Maysville Hamfest Assoc,
bhighland@nc.rr.com 252-347-1498
Small but fun, Maysville is the closest Hamfest to Oriental. Never can
tell who you might run into or what kind of good stuff you might find.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The largest solar event was a X1 flare
at 4:25 pm EDT. It produced a HF radio blackout (R3) over the Pacific
Ocean and Western North America that lasted almost an hour.
There are 6 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 5 last Monday. The Prediction Center expects solar
activity to be moderate with a 70% likelihood of M-class flares and with
a chance for X-class flares today, tomorrow and Wednesday. A large
unstable sunspot group just emerging could compound the action and bring
almost two weeks of high solar activity as it moves across the Sun
facing Earth.
At noon yesterday, the observed Solar Flux Index (SFI) at Penticton was
- Last Sunday it was 135. The index is predicted to measure 155 at
noon today, then 155 Tuesday and 145 Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing
average was 128 yesterday, up three from last Sunday.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. It is
expected reach minor storm levels today, major storm levels Tuesday and
then return to quiet to active on Wednesday. The estimated Kp-index of 4
reported at 11 a.m. local this morning indicated unsettled geomagnetic
conditions.
Except during intense flare activity, we can expect fair to good
operating conditions on the HF bands but poor on both 40 and 10 meters
at night.
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.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARLD039 DX news:
SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, E5. Jim, E51JD is now QRV on 20 to 10 meters
using SSB. QSL to home call.
MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1. Take, JG8NQJ/JD1 is QRV until December 15
and has been active using CW on 17 meters around 0900z. QSL via
JA8CJY.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
For listing in the PARSgram send me your amateur radio related items
that are 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: Yaesu FT-2000. 100 watt version. Frequency display module
replaced within the last year. Comes with a hand mic and external SP8
speaker. The speaker is for transceiver audio only, i.e., the phone
patch circuitry is not connected. The transceiver itself is fully
functional and in excellent condition. $800.00. Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-671-6703, drmichne73@gmail.com. (20220919)
For Sale:
* MFJ-815B SWR/WATT Meter. $50
* MFJ-994B Automatic Intellituner rated at 600 Watts. $150
Contact Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI, at 919-210-5168. (20220801)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Oct 8, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Oriental
VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. AUXCOMM & ARES–All are
welcome. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com
* Oct 29, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Mike Marsh, K4NLC,
252-636-1257 or mike@MarshConsulting.org
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) Repeater, 147.210 + (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5).
* 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
73, Jim AI4WL
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