“REPORT FROM BREVARD NC”
That was the subject line from Paul KO4MHM Manganaro’s Winlink message
that he sent by HF radio that arrived in my in-box Saturday morning. As
most of you know, he and his wife, Anne, recently moved to Brevard and
are still getting settled. With Paul’s permission, I am sharing his
message…
QUOTE
Winlink has automatically forwarded this message…
Subject: Report from Brevard NC
Message ID: Y4IM717Q6FKI
Date: 2024/09/28 14:31
From: KO4MHM
To: KO4OJC; AI4WL; K4NLC; K4ONC
Source: KO4MHM
CMS Site: CMS-B
Greetings all, by the time you read this, you already know how
devistated the entire western part of NC is. As of Saturday morning most
counties still have no power, cell service or internet. The roads and
bridges that cross the many rivers are impassable or unsafe from
flooding and/or downed trees so most communities are cutoff.
I’m damn fortunate to have power from the grid and no trees on the
house. No cell or internet, but the 2 inches of water in the basement is
gone. I setup an OCF antenna Friday night and hope I’ve setup VARA HF
correctly. Several of my neighbors down the street closer to the French
Broad River have homes inundated with flood water from the river. It’s
going to take months for the area to recover.
Interestingly the only repeater that seems to have good propogation and
power is N2GE on Mt. Mitchell 145.790 and has served as main
communications for the hams in the area and most can reach it with an
- All for now.
Paul KO4MHM
END QUOTE
At 3:55pm this Sunday afternoon, Paul responded that it was ok to share.
I’m taking liberty and providing his text response:
QUOTE
Definitely. I’ve heard that on HF that Winlink HF is being used by hams
in western NC to relay info. It’s great! Cell Text messaging is only
sporadic and at different times and locations. I’m in one of those spots
now. No voice yet. Many thanks to Lor and the others for WinLink.
It’s really sad but entire communmunities have been crushed by the
flooding. Brevard is ok but the black mountain swannanoa was
unfortunately underwater. Power is being restored around our area but no
internet yet so stores and gas stations are cash only.
Interstate 26 is now open south and east. Asheville and Hendersonville
got flooded badly and no westbound traffic on 40 from those areas.
I should have gotten a Starlink system when I was in pamlico county. Oh
well. Who Knew. Thanks again Jim and all the best to the PARS members. Paul
END QUOTE
So sad. So relieved that Paul and Anne made out OK.
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) July 27, 2024 MEETING NOTES
* Eighteen 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. Bill
Michne’s Hi-Gain antenna modification finished and after re-connection
of radials will be ready for a trial run.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. Wayne’s
sale of donated top end amplifier significantly increased the club’s
balance.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: Moderate solar activity, quiet
geomagnetic field, likely next several days. HF conditions continue to
be fair across the bands but poor daytime on 160-20 meters, poor
nighttime on 12 and 10. Six meter propagation still terrible. DXers
present agreed that bands 20 through 10 have been hot last several
weeks. High power not needed. DX in October includes North Cook,
Vanuatu, Nauru, and Rodriques Islands.
* Bruce thanked Mike, K4NLC, for calling the Pamlico Communications Net
(PCN) during the month. Beaufort Bill, K2TNO will take it in October,
Wayne, KO4OJC in November, Mike again in December.
* Paul, K4MMB, reported 146 visits to the PARS Web pages during the
past 30 days. Noted visits went up after a contact with K4MMB looked at
his QRZ page where he mentioned the N4PRS web page. He encouraged us to
do the same. [Do check out Paul’s QRZ page. He’s done lots of
interesting stuff.-ed]
* Bruce briefed the group on first reports coming out of mountainous
Western NC on the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Helene: many
towns and villages have major damage and are isolated, 960,000 without
power, most counties no phone or cell service, VIPER and other emergency
communications disrupted, I40, I26 and over 403 other major state
highways severely damaged and closed, and where phones work, 911
services are overwhelmed with calls for help and much more.
* The discussion that followed re-emphasized the need to be prepared,
especially for those of us living at greater risk for hurricanes. The
Helene disaster shows that a WinLink capability should be at the top of
the list for us hams.
* The Pamlico Communications Team will NOT meet in October. Bruce is
expecting to be deployed to Western NC to assist with recovery efforts.
* Wayne, K04OJC, did another intriguing and timely show and tell, this
time with Tripp, KI4KEB, on portable equipment for Parks on the Air
(POTA). Now, lightweight DC-to-daylight capable in many cases and
battery/solar powerable, this equipment is also perfect for emergency
operation.
* Mike Hurm, K4HPS, had the winning number for a Brantleys Gift
Certificate; Jeffery Cuniff, took home a DX Engineering coffee cup.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:14 am.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2025
From Bill Michne, WM3X (drmichne73@gmail.com; 252-671-6703): The
regular PARS monthly meeting for October 26 will feature the annual
election of club officers. As in the past, members in attendance will
cast their vote for president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
Note that any member in good standing may run for any office. If you
would like to nominate someone, including yourself, for any position,
please let me know. We will also accept nominations from the floor.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was moderate during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate today through Wednesday with a
good (55%) chance for M-class flares. Radio blackouts reaching the R1
(minutes) level are likely.
There are 9 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 7 last Monday, 5 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 197,
last Sunday’s was 163. The index is predicted to measure 200 today, 200
Tuesday and 200 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 214 yesterday. It was 214 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to be at quiet to active today, and quiet on Tuesday and
Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was 1.33
indicating quiet conditions.
Expect propagation to be poor during the day on 80 to 40, good at night;
good day and night 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.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD036 DX news:
— ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2. Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as 3D2V and
3D22 until October 30. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using primarily
FT8 in the SuperFox and MSHV modes. QSL via Club log.
— REUNION ISLAND, FR. Michal, OM2DX is QRV as TO2DX until October 7.
This includes being an entry in the CQ Worldwide DX RTTY contest. QSL to
home call.
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 Elecraft KPA500 amp and KAT500 tuner wired for 220V but have
the 120V cable. Approximately 30 watts in produces 500 watts out. Used
very little. Also included, KUSB, KXUSBa, and phono cables. All boxed
in original cartons with printed manuals. Purchased new from Elecraft
6/2022. $2500. Please contact Wayne Beasley, KO4OJC, at 252-241-1962 or
hwaynebeasley@gmail.com (20240909)
–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:
* CANCELED-OCT 5, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am.
* OCT 26, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* NOV 2, 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. 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
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
——–
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
Society. We are pleased that you asked to receive our weekly newsletter
and hope that you enjoy reading it. If you no longer wish to receive the
PARSgram please let us know by reply email or to pamlicoham@pamlico.net.