DENNIS GIORGIO, KD2DSY, SILENT KEY
We sadly report the passing of “Denny”, Dennis Giorgio, KD2DSY, on
Saturday, March 15th. As a result of a severe stroke several years ago,
Denny, had been a resident of Pruitt Nursing Home in New Bern. Over
time his condition worsened and he passed yesterday. He became a member
of PARS in 2014 soon after moving to the county. Our condolences go to
his devoted sister Susan and the rest of Denny’s family. Susan advised
that Denny loved animals and he would have liked any donations in
remembrance be made to animal shelters, rescues or organizations that
contribute to their welfare.
SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE GREAT EASTERN BALLOON ‘ROUND-ABOUT CONTINUES
On Sunday morning N4PRS (The Pamlico Balloon), had for the fourth time
reached the Pacific. By 8 pm our time she was already between the
Marshall and Hawaiian islands taking a more southern track across.
The Greenville balloon (NC4ES), still on her third lap, has started
making better time. On Sunday afternoon she was passing over Montana.
Her tiny signal was already being heard by Bill, KR4LO. She was last
reported 12 hours ago nearing Bismark, ND.
A third balloon was launched last Thursday. It was assigned Matt’s call,
WU2V. It made a quick trip across the Atlantic, across the top of
Africa, glanced off Greece then down to reach the Persian Gulf by
yesterday. This morning it is nearing Nepal.
Get updates from Matt, WU2V/Chief Balloonist, and follow the high-flyers
at: https://easternhpc.com/nc4es-pico-balloon-information-page/
FOR THE MARCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT NETS (PCN):
Please use the normal Winlink Net CHECK-IN form for the rest of March.
Mike, K4NLC took the net last week, Beaufort Bill, K2TNO will have it
this week. [BTW, for the 12 March session, there were 20 net check-ins
and 15 Winlink check-ins if I counted correctly–ed.] Questions? Contact
Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
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 40% chance for
M-class flares, a 10% chance for X-class flares.
There are 13 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 5 last Monday, 9 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 186,
last Sunday’s was 148. The index is predicted to measure 180 today, 180
Tuesday and 185 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 188 yesterday. It was 188 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled yesterday. The SWPC expects
the field to be quiet to active today and Tuesday, be quiet to unsettled
on Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m. this morning was 3.00
indicating quiet conditions.
Expect mostly good conditions for the next several days. Look for poor
conditions during the day on 80 to 40, 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 ARLD011 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–SOUTH COOK ISLANDS, E5. Frank, DJ5NQ is QRV as E51ANQ from Rarotonga
during the month of March. Activity is holiday style on the HF bands
using CW and SSB.
–MICRONESIA, V6. Richard, WE9G will be QRV as V6WG from Kosrae Island,
IOTA OC-059, from March 18 until April 1.
–ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLAND, VU4. A large group of operators are QRV as
VU4AX from South Andaman Island, IOTA AS-001, until Mar 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.
–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)
–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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