BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION, OVER AND OUT–
It appears that Bouvet was again too big a challenge. This news on
Sunday afternoon from Dick, K4JJW:
“I’m fortunate to be one of the lucky DXers who have a confirmed QSO in
the log (30m CW) of 3Y0J, the DXpedition currently on Bouvet Island.
(p.70, February issue of QST). Bouvet is the #2 most wanted DX
entity…2nd only to North Korea. It’s a 19 sq. mile island in the
sub-Antarctic with 93% glacier coverage and is the most remote
uninhabited place on earth. It has been the most expensive DXpedition in
history at $760k and follows two prior aborted activation attempts in
2017 and 2019. The 12 man team consists of three Norwegian co-leaders,
two Germans, one Canadian, and six Americans. They traveled to Bouvet
for 13 days on a 102′ sail boat from the Falklands. Plans called for a
glacier camp with 5 tents, 11 antennas, and 12 1KW stations, operating
for 22 days. The teams’ goal was 200k contacts. Unfortunately things
didn’t turn out as planned and the DXpedition is being terminated after
just a one week minimal operation on the island. Zodiac landings were
not possible, and food, fuel, generators, tents and equipment couldn’t
be off-loaded as expected. The first team of operators floated ashore in
their survival suits along with enough gear to establish 2 100w stations
in a single tent camp. A handful of operators operated two K3 radios on
top of two overturned buckets for a week sitting on the ground…no
chairs or table and managed just 6K unique station contacts. They have
just announced via satellite phone that they are running out of food and
fuel and will not attempt to resupply and will go QRT on Monday the 13th
and sail for CapeTown. Everyone is reported safe but exhausted and the
log has been up-loaded via StarLink from the boat.”
Dick, K4JJW
BIT BUCKET
* Our North Carolina QSO Party (NCQP) is coming up soon, on Sunday
February 27th to be exact. The objective for NC Hams is “to activate as
many NC counties as possible and to make contact with everyone”. For the
past few years, we have represented our county pretty well. Here’s what
you need to know– The party is from 10 am to 8 pm on Sunday, Feb 27,
- The exchange is call sign and county, “Pamlico” or “PAM” for us.
Signal report is optional. Bands are 80/75 through 2M; no 160 or WARC
bands. Modes include phone, CW, Digital but no FT8/4. The complete rules
are at www.ncqsoparty.org/rules. This year the 120th anniversary of the
Wright Brothers first flight is being recognized.
* Despite the rainy weather on Saturday, the Pamlico Communications Team
meeting at Station 19 brought out 11 members intent on learning more
about the digital voice modes, especially DMR and the plan for our four
county repeaters. According to Lor, W3QA, for the latter, the ultimate
goal is one system of interconnected repeaters supporting multiple
digital protocols while maintaining our reliable and familiar analog
operation. More on the meeting below.
PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING REPORT
The monthly Pamlico Communications Team (PCT) meeting was held on
Saturday, February 11th, 0900hrs at the South East Pamlico Volunteer
Fire Department, Station 19 in Oriental. The following PARS members
attended: Bruce Perkins, K4ONC; Mike Marsh, K4NLC; Bill Cresswell,
K2ONN; Bill Olah, KR4LO; Brian Shepard, K4LTE; Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI;
Lor Kutchins, W3QA; Cody VanHook, KN4RFG; Bill Michne, WM3X; Jim
Hartmeyer, AI4WL and Wayne Beasley Jr., KO4OJC.
The meeting was called to order by Bruce Perkins at 0900hrs. Bruce made
a brief comment regarding the use of Winlink and the weekly WL nets that
are available. Many of the nets have check-ins using the various WL and
ICS forms, to help maintain your WL proficiency. Two particular nets
were mentioned, WinlinkWednesday.Net and WaveTalkers.Net.
Lor Kutchins then presented an update on the current status of the
repeaters on both the Kershaw and Arapahoe towers. Future plans include
adding internet access to the Arapahoe tower and connecting the DMR to
the NC4ES network as well as replacing a bad feedline on the Kershaw
tower connected to an inactive UHF antenna and possibly adding a C4FM
digital mode.
The balance of the meeting was spent on discussing the digital DMR mode
with an introductory presentation by Wayne Beasley and Lor Kutchins on
how to build a DMR code plug [radio program settings] and the meaning of
the various DMR terms. The next meeting will be a continuation of DMR
radio programing, digital radio operation, and networks.
Meeting adjourned at 1100hrs.
Any amateur interested in the digital modes is encouraged to attend the
next meeting on Saturday, March 4th at 0900hrs.
Bruce Perkins – K4ONC
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reported that solar activity was moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The largest solar event was a M3 flare
yesterday morning. There are 12 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. There were 5 last Monday. The Prediction
Center expects solar activity to be moderate again today through
Wednesday with for M-class flares expected and a 1 in 4 chance for
X-class flares today and tomorrow.
Yesterday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was
- Last Sunday’s was 144. The index is predicted to measure 200 today,
195 tomorrow and 190 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was
157 yesterday. It was 153 last Monday.
It’s been an active week. On Saturday, around noon, there was an X1
flare that caused a HF blackout over South America. Its impact was felt
as far north as the southern US. A blackout occured yesterday and as of
this morning’s 7 a.m. geophysical alert, short radio blackouts are
expected for today for sun-facing areas of the Earth.
The Earth’s geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. It is
expected to be quiet today, quiet to active Tuesday and Wednesday. The
estimated Kp-index of 1.33 reported at 7 a.m. local this morning
indicated quiet geomagnetic conditions then.
For today, the pundits say we can expect good operating conditions on 80
through 15 meters during the night, not good during the day. They will
be good day and poor at night on 10. Best to just turn on the radio and
listen.
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 ARLD006 DX news:
–BURUNDI, 9U. Elvira, IV3FSG and Vladimir, OK2WX are QRV as 9U5R and
9U4WX, respectively, until February 27. Activity is on 80 to 6
meters using CW, SSB, and various digital modes. QSL 9U5R via
IK2DUW and 9U4WX via IZ8CCW.
–NEW HEBRIDES, YJ. Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR are QRV as YJ0A from
Efate Island, IOTA OC-035, until February 23. QSL via K7AR.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items that are for sale, trade, or
wanted and your contact information. 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.
– Sold: Ameritron AL-811.
PARS CALENDAR:
* Feb 25, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Mike Marsh, K4NLC,
252-636-1257 or mike@MarshConsulting.org
* Mar 4, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
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
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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