FOR THE 26 FEB 2025 WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET (PCN):
Please use the normal Winlink Net CHECK-IN form. Wayne, KO4OJC, will be
at the controls. Wayne reported that there were 17 net check-ins and 16
Winlink check-ins for last Wednesday’s (19 Feb) Pamlico Communications
Net. Questions? Contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
PAMLICO AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (PARS) February 22, 2025 MEETING NOTES
* Thirty members, visitors and guests braved the cold 25 degree morning
and attended the 9 am Saturday breakfast meeting at Brantley’s Village
Restaurant chaired by President Bruce Perkins, K4ONC.
* Congratulations go to Hank, KW1ZRD, who had studied hard and passed
his exam last week to earn his EXTRA ticket.
* Bruce reiterated that name tags with the PARS logo can be obtained
from The SignMan of Baton Rouge,
https://thesignman.com/clubs/pamlicomain.html.
* Bruce delivered the Treasurer’s report on behalf of Wally. The big
expenditure from Repeater Group funds was for a StarLink terminal at the
Arapahoe site. StarLink was found to be the most cost effective way to
provide reliable internet connectivity for the NC4ES DMR repeater into
the NC4ES network. The repeater now broadens network coverage for
Pamlico County and extends coverage into all of our surrounding
counties. [Although, the network’s fundamental purpose is to provide
backup emergency connectivity for the Eastern Healthcare Preparedness
Coalition it is otherwise open to regular amateur use. See
https://www.nc4es.org/ ed.]
Bill Olah, KR4LO, suggested starting a net to promote use of the DMR
repeater, both to learn more about the popular digital mode and for
familiarity in case of emergencies. Lor offered that inexpensive (<$100)
HT DMR radios can be found with surprisingly good quality. He also
offered that the NC4ES system has bridges into other popular networks
and that there are plans to add the PRN. The PRN is a linked DMR
repeater system that serves all of the Carolinas.
The group was receptive to the net idea, likely it will be on the
Arapahoe local talk group. At least initially, it will follow the
regular Wednesday night net.
* AI4WL’s Propagation Report: For the past few days, solar activity
has been moderate; HF propagation excellent on quiet HF bands. Cycle 25
may have a double peak. The second may surpass the earlier NOAA reported
peak in Oct 2024. The HF bands have been crowded; it’s difficult to find
an open FT8 frequency on the hot 10 meter band. HF propagation should
stay very good for the next 2-3 years. DX next week includes Sri Lanka
Nigeria, the Maldives, Comoros, and Christmas Island.
* Bruce thanked Wayne, KO4OJC, for calling the Pamlico Communications
Net (PCN) during the month. Bill Schrader, K2TNO will call the net in
March. Winlink check-ins are increasing, 16 last week. Members were
reminded to check the weekly PARSgram for the form to use when checking in.
* The next meeting of the “Pamlico Communications Team” is at 9am on
Saturday, Mar 1st, at the Station 19 fire house. Lor Kutchins, W3QA,
will guide the group through Winlink set-up, focusing on configuring for
and using HF. Several volunteered to bring their portable stations. In
April, the focus of the group will turn to DMR radios and the DMR mode.
A fox hunt is being considered for this Spring. Lor offered a
“real” fox hunt may be in the future–to track and find a downed
“weather balloon”. Will have to track it as it descends, find it when it
lands.
Another communications exercise will be on Jun 17th. ARES/regular
hams are encouraged to participate. More to come.
Bruce encouraged participation on the Tar Hill Net, 3923KHz.
Check-in is by call sign suffix. It was used extensively during
Hurricane Helene.
* On the Great Eastern Balloon Race: The launch of the three balloons
was on Feb 7th as scheduled. Mike, K4NLC and Brian Shepard, K4LTE,
released the PARS balloon. Two of the three balloons made a quick
rounding. The PARS balloon was first to pass over NC and on to it’s
second lap. It was already over central China this morning according to
Lor. The NC4ES balloon at a higher altitude ran into slower winds and is
far behind. The third balloon was lost in the first hours after launch.
* On repeaters: Kershaw (Oriental – 210) solar was backed up with
commercial power last week during a forecasted long string of cloudy
days that would slow the battery charging rate. Usage being heavy at
times, could otherwise take down the repeater. Arapahoe with light usage
does not have this issue and remained solely on solar. The Kershaw UHF
repeater is down for repair or replacement.
* On Station 19: The Station 19 VFD directors having now given the
go-ahead, efforts are underway to install a dual band FM analog station
and later a HF station for use during exercises and emergencies. It is
hoped to be available for the June 17 COMMEX.
* Charlie Overcash, WA4GSI, took home a flashlight; Jeffery Cuniff, had
the winning number for a Brantleys Gift Certificate.
* There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:15am.
SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE GREAT EASTERN BALLOON RACE CONTINUES
The most recent signals (24/0058Z) reported from N4PRS (The Pamlico
Balloon) placed her over the Pacific Ocean about 1200 miles NE of
Honolulu heading toward California. NC4ES caught slower winds and at
her last report (24/0728Z) had just passed over northern Japan.
Get updates from Matt, WU2V/Chief Balloonist, and follow the high-flyers
at: https://easternhpc.com/nc4es-pico-balloon-information-page/
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The largest solar event of the period
was a X2 event observed at 23/1927Z. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate through Wednesday with a 10-15%
chance for X-class flares, 60% chance for M-class flares. Radio
blackouts reaching the R2 level are likely on the sunlit side of the Earth.
There are 11 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 12 last Monday, 11 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 210,
last Sunday’s was 185. The index is predicted to measure 210 today, 210
Tuesday and 210 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 193 yesterday. It was 192 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to be quiet to unsettled through Wednesday. The planetary
K-index at 7 a.m. this morning was 3.00 indicating quiet conditions.
Expect mostly good conditions to continue. Look for poor conditions
during the day on 80 to 40, fair to good at night; good day and night on
30 to 15; and good day, poor at night on 12 and 10M. Best on 15 and 17.
Go to https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD008 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–SRI LANKA, 4S. Members of the Polish DX Team are QRV as 4S7SPG from
Nilaveli until March 1. Activity is on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB,
RTTY, and FT8. QSL via SP6CIK.
–NIGERIA, 5N. Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as 5N9DTG. Activity
is on 160 to 6 meters using FT8 and FT4 with Superfox and MSHV modes.
QSL via OQRS.
–CHRISTMAS ISLAND, VK9X. A group of operators are QRV as VK9XU from to
March 4. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and other
digital modes with three stations active around the clock.
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 TS-50 hf transceiver 80 thru 10, 100 watt with
external kenwood tuner $400. Also a 6Meter 3 element beam $50. Contact
Bob, WA2FIS, at 732-533-8387. (20250113)
PARS CALENDAR:
* MAR 1, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) 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
* MAR 29, 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 — Down for repair/replacement.
NC4ES VHF DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network) (147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES VHF FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+CTCSS ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz)–Standby
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 WEBSITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, PARSwebman@gmail.com
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
——–
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