FOR THE MARCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT NETS (PCN):
Please use the normal Winlink Net CHECK-IN form for the rest of March.
Beaufort Bill, K2TNO, is net controller for the month. BTW, for the 5
March session, Bill registered 17 net check-ins and 17 Winlink
check-ins. Questions? Contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or
K4ONC@aol.com
SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE GREAT EASTERN BALLOON ‘ROUND-ABOUT CONTINUES
On Sunday morning after thirty days in the air, N4PRS (The Pamlico
Balloon) had traveled 67,687 miles and was halfway across the Atlantic.
That works out to 2,256 miles per day. Her speed averaged 94mph.
Sometime during the night before, she had begun her fourth lap around
the world. At 0648 EDT this morning she was already over the eastern
Atlantic heading toward Morocco in 74mph wind.
The Greenville balloon had not been heard from for a couple of days. She
had drifted over war-torn Ukraine so not hearing her tiny signal was not
unexpected. But this morning she’s awake and squawking. At 0628 EDT she
was over eastern Turkmenistan heading due east, nearing the border with
Uzbekistan in 54mph winds. Good news.
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 low during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 5 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be low through Wednesday with 30% chance for
M-class flares.
There are 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 9 last Monday, 11 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 148,
last Sunday’s was 140. The index is predicted to measure 155 today, 160
Tuesday and 165 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 188 yesterday. It was 190 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field reached major storm levels yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field to reach minor storm levels today, be unsettled or at
minor storm levels Tuesday and then quiet to active on Wednesday. The
planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was 2.33 indicating quiet
conditions.
Expect mostly good conditions, but not so good as last week. Look for
fair conditions during the day on 80 to 40, good at night; good day and
night on 30 to 15; and fair 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 ARLD010 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–COMOROS, D6. Elvira, IV3FSG will be QRV as D68Z from Moroni until
March 18. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.
–COCOS (KEELING) ISLAND, VK9C. A group of operators are QRV as VK9CU
until March 11th. Activity is be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY,
and other digital modes with three stations active around the clock.
–ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLAND, VU4. A large group of operators will be
QRV as VU4AX from South Andaman Island, IOTA AS-001, from March 10 to
25. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, including 60 meters, using CW,
SSB, and various digital modes with six stations active.
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.
–NEW FOR SALE: ICOM IC-7610 needs a new home. Purchased new by me from
DX Engineering and has been gently used. Original carton, manual,
cables and whatever USB cables one might need for digital included.
Recently updated with the newest firmware and ready for a new owner.
$2400 inspected at my home, delivered and setup at your home for any
club member. Wayne – KO4OJC – 252-241-1962 (20250310)
–NEW FOR SALE: SB 200 Amplifier by Heathkit. In very good working
order with two extra brand new tubes. Reliable 500-600 watts and can be
pushed for more. $400. Charlie WA4GSI, 919 210-5168. (20250310)
–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 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
* APR 5, 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
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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