PCN SIMPLEX, KERSHAW (ORIENTAL) REPEATER AND MORE
During the weekly Net on Wednesday, January 10th, the Pamlico
Communications Net conducted a simplex exercise. At 1930 hrs the Net
began with normal, regular check-ins on the Arapahoe repeater, 147.285.
There were a total of 13 voice check-ins and 8 Winlink check-ins. After
that, all participants were asked to QSY to simplex mode (talk around)
on 147.210. Net control remained with Bruce, K4ONC, but Bill, KR4LO, was
added as alternate Net control operator. Out of the original 13
operators, we had 9 simplex check ins with K4ONC and 10 check ins with
KR4LO.
Three operators were unable to connect with either K4ONC or KR4LO on
simplex during the exercise. Since then, several have corrected their
situation and are now operational on 147.210 Simplex. It is recommended
that all operators program individual channels on their radios with some
simplex frequency. The Pamlico Communications Team PACE Plan lists the
following simplex frequencies in the following priority order: 147.210;
146.520; and 146.550.
As of this writing, the KERSHAW 2 METER REPEATER N4ONC at 147.210, +
88.5Hz, is BACK ON THE AIR with a BIG thanks to Lor, W3QA. This machine
is using a used controller while the new one that was purchased back in
March 2023, is back at the manufacturer being repaired. Additional
upgrades at the Kershaw site are in the works, so stand by for further
information as we go forward. In addition, the Arapahoe 2 meter
repeater, NC4ES, 147.285, will soon be switched to DMR and placed on the
NC4ES network. For those of you who work DMR or plan to do so, [you are
urged] to download the NC4ES Cluster Dashboard at http://cluster.nc4es.org.
Bruce – K4ONC
K4ONC@aol.com
252-626-2730
CLIPPERTON DXPEDITION
Bill Schrader K2TNO recently reminded me that the 2024 dXpedition to
Clipperton Island is underway. The MV Shogun carrying the team and
equipment left San Diego Thursday, Jan 11th, on its 1,600 miles plus
voyage to the Island. Once they arrive o/a the 17th they will set up and
operate for 16 days as TX5S with 8 positions using Elecraft equipment.
You can track the Shogun at https://share.garmin.com/TX5S. There’s a
very interesting write up about Clipperton on Wiki at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipperton_Island. Scroll down to the
history and view the video of the crew of the USS Concord landing a jeep
and hooking up a radio. An overview of past Amateur Radio dXpeditions is
at the bottom. Better yet, check out the article in this month’s QST,
page 87-88. It includes the band plan–very helpful. Clipperton is
number 37 on Clublog’s most wanted list.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low today through Wednesday with a chance
for M-class flares. There are 12 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun
facing Earth this morning. There were 10 last Monday, 4 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 188,
last Sunday’s was 167. The index is predicted to measure 190 today, 190
Tuesday and 185 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was 151
yesterday. It was 148 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet yesterday. The SWPC expects the field to
be quiet today, quiet to unsettled tomorrow and Wednesday. The planetary
K-index at 7 am this morning was 1.67 indicating quiet conditions.
For today and tomorrow, propagation is expected to be poor the 80
through 20 meter bands during the day, good at night. Propagation is
predicted to be good day and night for 17 and 15; good day, poor at
night for 12 and 10, all about the same as expected last Monday. No
matter, turn on your radio and work what’s out there.
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 TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARLD002 DX news:
–CLIPPERTON ISLAND, FO. Look for TX5S to be QRV for 16 days
beginning January 17. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW,
SSB, RTTY, FT8, 6 meter EME, and active on various Satellites. QSL
via operators’ instructions.
–WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS, FW. Jean-Gabriel, F4CIX is QRV as FW1JG
from Wallis Island, IOTA OC-054, until the end of January. Activity
is on 40 to 6 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW.
–PALAU, T8. Operators JH6WDG, JA6KYU, and JA6EGL are QRV as T88AQ,
T88HS, and T88SM, respectively, from Koror Island, IOTA OC-009,
until January 18. Activity is on various bands and modes. QSL
T88AQ via JH6WDG, and T88HS and T88SM direct to home calls.
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. Thanks, Jim.
–FOR SALE: K9AY low band receive antenna for 160-40m, just in time
for the fall/winter low band DX season. $110. Price includes a four
direction control box (N-E-S-W), exterior weatherproof direction
switching relay box w/connector, two 85’ wire loop elements (#18
insulated stranded Cu clad), insulators, installation instructions and
schematic diagram. It requires a single 25’ support such as a pole or
tree limb, and about 18’ radius for the loops. It’s ready to install,
good condition and fully checked out. Just add your own RG-59 feedline
and Cat 5 control cable. Dick Goodwin K4JJW rgoodwin41@suddenlink.net
252-633-7873 (20231113)
–FOR SALE:
#1 – YAESU SWR & POWER METER 1.6-60MHz YS-60. Working. Exceptional
little unit — needs a better home. $60.00 Pickup in Merritt.
#2 – MFJ Artificial Ground MFJ-931. Works as it should (at least, it did
when I last used it). Dusty & lonely & needs a new home. $90.00 Pickup
in Merritt.
#3 – ICOM IC-735 HF Transceiver. Used. Working. Missing the plastic
cover over the slider controls. $225.
Contact Jan, KK4LSQ, 252-239-3953 or kk4lsq.onc@gmail.com (20231218)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jan 27, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Feb 3, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. All are welcome. For
more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
REPEATER/NODE STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC VHF FM Oriental — Operational
N4ONC (old KR4LO) UHF FM Oriental — Operational.
NC4ES VHF FM/DMR Arapahoe — Operational
NC4ES UHF DMR Florence — Operational
WM3X-ONC VHF C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530 simplex)– Operational
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Pamlico 10 Meter Net, 7:30 pm local, on or near 28.464 MHz,
USB. A non-directed net open to technicians and above. Radio
topics/questions/issues welcomed.
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) VHF Repeater, 147.210+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5). A directed
net open to all. Net activates on call during emergencies.
* 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 Editor
——–
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