PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) MEETING THIS SATURDAY
The next meeting of the Pamlico Communications Team will be 0900
Saturday September 7th at the Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Road
just north of the intersection with NC-55. Originally formed to focus on
emergency communications, this group meets monthly not only to discuss
EMCOMM but also technical and operational issues of current interest.
Topics have been wide ranging–from antennas and grounding to proper
knife sharpening, even how to sharpen drill bits. Expect to talk about
local and regional repeaters and repeater network upgrades and plans,
emergency communications exercises, new technology, new equipment, new
software, portable and remote operation, HF/VHF radio propagation and
more. Here’s where you can get your questions answered! At this meeting
the group will discuss and update our Primary, Alternate, Contingency,
Emergency (PACE) communications plan. For more information contact Bruce
Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) July 27, 2024 MEETING NOTES
* Nineteen members, visitors and guests attended the 9 am Saturday
breakfast meeting chaired by President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, at
Brantley’s Village Restaurant.
* There were no upgrades or new licensees reported for the month. Dick
Goodwin, K4JJW, did it again. He worked & logged CY9C while briefly down
the hall. This prompted a discussion on the rule for a control operator
to be present while transmitting. Rules can’t keep up with technology.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. The only
expenditure was for renewal of the N4PRS domain. Auction proceeds
significantly increased both the club’s and Repeater Group’s coffers.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: Moderate solar activity, active
geomagnetic field, R2 blackouts all likely next several days. HF
conditions will be fair across the bands but poor daytime on 160-20
meters, poor nighttime on 12 and 10. Six meter propagation still terrible.
* Bruce thanked Charlie, WA4GSI, for calling the Pamlico Communications
Net (PCN) during August. Charlie obviously became comfortable as the
month progressed–smooth job. Mike, K4NLC, will take the net in
September. Volunteers for October and November are needed.
* The Pamlico Communications Team will meet on 7 September to work on
the local PACE Plan. [See announcement elsewhere-ed.]
* Paul, K4MMB, reported 184 visits to the PARS Web pages during the
past 30 days.
* Bruce repeated that the PARS equipment auction was a success. One New
Bern ham significantly supported our club and went home with a truck
load of bargains. Separately, Wayne has listed a donated AL1500 Amp, a
singular value at $3000, on Ebay and QRZ. Eham was also suggested.
* Blue water sailors, Jeanne (KQ4UTN) and Brian (KQ4UVY) Tourville were
recognized as newly licensed and our newest members. Already active on
the Oriental repeater, they are soon to pursue their General ticket.
* Bill, K2TNO, recorded the recent special Zoom session with Frank
Donovon, W3LPL, on DXing during the Solar Max. It was recommended that
the very large file (over 1 hour long) be posted on YouTube.
* Since most members know each other only through the monthly PARS
breakfast and since our members have varied and interesting backgrounds
and interests, Bruce wants to recognize our folks from time to time.
Bruce started by recognizing Mike Hurm, K4HPS. Mike is retired from the
FBI and now spends much of his time as a Shriner, devoted to providing
the special care too many young children need.
* Wayne, K04OJC, did an intriguing show and tell on the equipment and
software he uses for remote operation, ways to extract the IF signals to
for spectrum displays, SDR Play as a second receiver, on-line SDR sites
and more. He plans to call the Wednesday night net in January from
Florida. [See if you can tell-ed.]
* Dodge Hickman, KJ4CFE, had the winning number for a Brantleys Gift
Certificate; Brian Shepard,K4LTE, took home a PARS front license plate.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 am.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local.The largest solar event of the period
was a M5 event observed at 01/1322Z. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate today through Wednesday with a
slight chance–a 10% chance–for X-class flares. Radio blackouts at the
R2 (10’s of minutes) level are likely on sunlit side of the Earth. There
are 10 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this morning.
There were 10 last Monday, 10 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 226,
last Sunday’s was 233. The index is predicted to measure 230 today, 240
Tuesday and 245 on Wednesday. The SFI 90 day trailing average was 211
yesterday. It was 208 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to active yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to be unsettled today and then be quiet Tuesday and Wednesday.
The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was 2.0 indicating quiet
conditions.
Expect propagation to be poor during the day on 80 to 40, good at night;
good on 30 to 15; and good day, poor night on 12 and 10M. Go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
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 ARRL’s ARLD032 DX news:
— GEORGIA, 4L. Stephane, F4JZW is QRV as 4L/F4JZW until September 30.
Activity is on 80 to 6 meters. QSL via LoTW.
— ST. PAUL ISLAND, CY9. A group of operators are QRV as CY9C to
September 5. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and
SuperFox and regular F/H FT8.
— PITCAIRN ISLAND, VP6. Bill, G0VDE will be QRV as VP6WR from September
5 to 15. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via M0URX.
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 if your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 90 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
–FOR SALE Kenwood Power Supply. This Kenwood KPS-15 Power Supply will
do 22 amps continuous and will run a 12 volt solid state 100 watt HF
transceiver. With original box and instructions. Input:100-130 Vac (220
Vac Internal Jumper), Output:13.8 Vdc, 25A Peak. Warranted for 1 year by
KB1WE. Replacement or Money Back Guarantee. Price $80.00 Contact Wayne
Estabrooks,KB1WE, at westabro@earthlink.net or at H (252) 833-4497, Cell
(919) 218-4012 (20240729)
–FOR SALE Astron Linear Power Supply RS-50 with digital volt and
ammeter on front panel. Some scratches on paint. Price$290. Contact
Wayne Estabrooks,KB1WE, at westabro@earthlink.net or at H (252)
833-4497, Cell (919) 218-4012 (20240729)
–FOR SALE Pneumatic Launcher. Complete with detailed instructions,
spinning reel, extra projectiles and swivels. This device will put a
fishing line, 20 lb test over a tree 100 feet tall. Includes spinning
reel. Air pump or compressor not included. Eight available. Contact
Wayne for more details or photos. Price $197. ea. [Demonstrated at the
July PARS meeting–ed.] Contact Wayne Estabrooks,KB1WE, at
westabro@earthlink.net or at H (252) 833-4497, Cell (919) 218-4012
(20240729)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Sep 7, 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
* Sep 28, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. 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. PL: ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz
NC4ES UHF DMR (NC4ES Network) 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 for 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, PARSwebman@gmail.com
Enjoy your Labor Day, a day set aside nationally since 1894 to celebrate
the “contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity,
and well being.”
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
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