INTRO TO DMR AT THE PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) APRIL MEETING
Lor Kutchins, W3QA, presented an overview of Digital Mobile Radio
(DMR) at the April meeting at the Oriental Fire Station Saturday. Over
15 PARS members attended. For some, the digital mode had been a
mystery…code plugs, talk groups, zones, vague concepts at best, for
others it was a good refresher. The Q&A session after was lively.
Programming help was provided for those that needed it and brought their
radios. Most benefited from information on the Arapahoe and Aurora
repeater. They are now both network connected repeaters but on different
networks. The Arapahoe NC4ES repeater is part of the Eastern Healthcare
Preparedness Coalition emergency system (see https://www.nc4es.org/ ).
The Aurora KE4TZN repeater is one of 75 or so repeaters in the PRN
network (See https://ncprn.net/ ) that extends through the Carolinas and
into Virginia. Both welcome all amateur operators.
For those that were not able to attend, Lor recommends viewing the
YouTube Video at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5FAFt1QCtC0 he used as
part of his presentation. Wayne, KO4OJC, recommends a short follow-on
video, TheSmokinApe’s top 10 DMR websites, at
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q93RJ0eGF-Y that reviews videos that dig
deeper into the popular digital mode.
For those that didn’t, you can bring your charged up radio, laptop
and connecting cables to the May meeting for programming help. For more
info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
SO WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE GREAT EASTERN BALLOON ‘ROUND-ABOUT CONTINUES
When last reported Sunday night two of the balloons are floating over
and across the Pacific Ocean heading east. The Pamlico balloon, N4PRS,
on lap number 6 at 8:38pm EDT had passed north of Honolulu at about
70mph, turned south, and was about 800 miles southeast of the Hawaiian
Islands on a line toward Panama. Her course will likely change. The
Greenville balloon, NC4ES, on lap 5 and apparently trying to catch up,
at just before midnight was making way on a more northern track well
above the island chain. The third and most recently launched balloon on
its second lap is assumed lost, its WU2V call not being heard for over
10 days. It was over the Eastern Pacific when last reported.
Get updates from Matt, WU2V/Chief Balloonist, and the links for tracking
the balloons at:
https://easternhpc.com/nc4es-pico-balloon-information-page/ and on his
EHPC Facebook page.
PAMLICO EMERGENCY/COMMUNICATIONS NET
–Wayne, K04OJC, reported 15 WinLink check-ins and 19 net check-ins for
the Pamlico Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, April 9th.
–From Mike, K4NLC, PCN Net Manager, an invite from CISA:
“Join the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) during
Emergency Communications Month for an educational webinar on Wednesday,
April 23, 2025 at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET! This webinar will cover Primary,
Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) Planning, which helps to
promote and maintain operability, interoperability, and continuity of
emergency communications.”
Webinar Registration Link:
https://cisa.webex.com/weblink/register/r4e8132bf85a6f6843558e5f27bde0c27
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was high 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
slight chance for an X-class flare, much better chance (55%) for M-class
flares. Radio blackouts reaching the R2 level are expected.
There are 5 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 9 last Monday, 6 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 164,
last Sunday’s was 167. The index is predicted to measure 160 today, 150
Tuesday and 140 on Wednesday. The much more important SFI 90 day
trailing average was 178 yesterday. It was 178 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field to be quiet to active today and Tuesday and unsettled
to major storm levels on Wednesday. The planetary K-index at 5 a.m.
this morning was 3.33 indicating quiet conditions.
Expect good conditions for the next several days. Look for poor
conditions during the day on 80 to 40, only fair at night; good day and
night on 30 to 15; and good day, poor at night on 12 and 10M. It’s still
best on 15 and 17. TEP and F2 activity although not heavy has continued
on the The six meter band. Go to https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for
the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD015 DX news and DXWorld.net:
–FRENCH POLYNESIA, FO. Haru, JA1XGI is QRV as TX7XG from Fakarava
Island, IOTA OC-066, to April 16. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters
using CW, some SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.
–OGASAWARA, JD1. Koji, JI1LET and Takeshi, JA1UII are QRV as JD1BOI and
JD1BON, respectively, from Chichijima, IOTA AS-031, to April 17.
Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4.
–MARSHALL ISLANDS, V7. Randall, KX4QD is QRV as V73HW for the next two
years. Activity is in his spare time on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters
using SSB and FT8.
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: 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)
PARS CALENDAR:
* APR 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
* May 3, 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 (147.210MHz+ CTCSS 88.5Hz) — 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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