Author Topic: ERIN Net Tuesday March 30, 2021 SOI  (Read 3276 times)

Offline pkveazey

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #25 on: March 15, 2021, 12:34:39 PM »
What is this phone net thing discussed above.  Someone please educate me on this. 

Keep in mind on this stuff I am dumb as a brick under water with a ribbon tied onboard the boat that dropped me in.

Do I wire my phone to a radio or get an app or license and all that stuff.

Nemo

Nemo, do an internet serch on SDR radio. It connects to your computer by USB and all you have to add is a bit of Coax cable and a wire antenna. They start at about $20. With SDR  you can listen to damn near any frequency that you want. DO NOT use  one of those little tiny indoor antennas that connect directly to the unit. You don't need any license to listen. You'll probably need a program for the computer and it probably will come with the radio. If it doesn't, you can download a program for free. AMAZON has SDR radio if you don't want to hunt all over hell and beyond to find one. Also there are Radio websites that allow you to tune in to pretty much whatever HF radio frequency you want and just listen on your computer without using the SDR.

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #26 on: March 15, 2021, 01:01:32 PM »
There are multiple ways to communicate using the airwaves. I will address the three major ways (There are others) of communicating with others across the airwaves. I will also stay away from AM, FM, and SSB 'Carriers' as this starts to get into the weeds for a none ham radio operator.   

CW = (Morse Code) CW stands for Carrier Wave which is interrupted to produce the dots and dashes
Phone = Is voice communication using a mic or microphone to transmit on the airwaves.
Digital = Using a selected program or software that allows someone to type out messages using a keyboard to send (TX) and receive (RX) the typed message.

CW is very useful in that you can TX/RX messages with minimal power (5 to 10-watts) over long distances around the world. The drawback is learning morse code. IMO, to be proficient at CW, you have to be able to TX/RX in excess of 15-WPM.

Most communication is done today using a mic and your voice. Although you can use low power, e.g. 5-watts most hams use 100-watts or more. In essence, it takes more power to drive a voice across the airwaves then the dot and dash of CW. Now with that written, I have made a bunch of contacts using QRP (Low Power) over long distances. I made a QSO (Contact)  on 5-watts with a station in Great Brittan during last years 13 Colonies contest. The challenge is; people using 100-watts or more may step on your transmission and you can't break through.

Digital communication started out as Radio TeleTYpe which was an earlier form of digital. You need a modem to operate this mode and all others like it. It was an early form of TXing text messages across the airwaves not unlike using CW. Digital like CW needs less power to TX/RX. Depending on the day and distance I use 10 to 35-watts to TX. RTTY is dying out as it is slow and being replaced by more robust modes like PSK31, Contestia, Olivia, FT8, along with about a dozen other modes. Within each mode there is about a dozen sub modes to pick from too. For the ERIN net, we use the Contestia mode with a sub mode of 4/250. It is a good middle of the road mode that allows you to type and TX at the same time as you TX at a moderate pace. Some modes allow this too BUT the pace is a lot quicker and requires a high rate of typing speed skills.

I hope that answers some of your questions Nemo. I took the time to explain it as others out there may have similar questions. Thank you for asking it Brother.   :cheers:
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Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #27 on: March 15, 2021, 01:07:32 PM »
To PKv's point, here is a YT video that can get your started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCxFvdLnnDs
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Offline pkveazey

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #28 on: March 16, 2021, 01:22:01 PM »
Well, I decided to install my 40 meter Hamstick on a standoff on the side of my tower. Wow.... 20 years ago I would have had it installed in 30 minutes. So far I have it attached to the standoff and have about the right amount of coax for it. Now all. Have to do is attach it to  tower and connect the coax. Hmmmm.... That might take me about another week or two.

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #29 on: March 16, 2021, 03:50:01 PM »
LOL! No worries brother.  :walkingstick:
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Offline jhm

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #30 on: March 16, 2021, 07:06:37 PM »
80 just closed for me.  FYI - rainin' in GA, nothin' much happening beyond that.

Offline Jackalope

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #31 on: March 16, 2021, 07:09:02 PM »
   Not seeing anyone on the 80 meters digital net tonight.

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #32 on: March 16, 2021, 07:11:39 PM »
Yeah, neither do I.  :o
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Offline jhm

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #33 on: March 16, 2021, 07:14:26 PM »
I got a net on 80m.  Can barely get it though

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #34 on: March 16, 2021, 07:25:12 PM »
mOVED DIGITAL TO 7.110 MHZ USB CONT 4/250
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Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #35 on: March 16, 2021, 07:55:42 PM »
on freq at 7.238 Mhz LSB
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Offline Maypop52

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #36 on: March 16, 2021, 08:08:26 PM »
JohnnyMac, I checked into the 40 meter net and all was great.  Conditions are changing here in western NC.  I am only able to get bits and pieces now.
I will keep listening and if I can't get back in, I will try again next week.

Offline Jackalope

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #37 on: March 16, 2021, 08:40:54 PM »
    Johny and Mike were coming in very well here.  KG5, Brian, was readable too.  I didn't hear the other stations.  It won't be long and we'll have the thunderstorm static popping up. 

Offline jhm

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #38 on: March 16, 2021, 08:44:23 PM »
Digital net went great for me.  Phone net was lost to QRM. 

Sort of getting the hang of this stuff.  Yay me.

Offline pkveazey

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #39 on: March 17, 2021, 01:20:41 AM »
Oops.... I had the radio on and the computer on and got busy and when I got back to the radio it was 7:40. No problem, I'll just catch the Phone Net at 8:00. Ooops...... I got busy again and missed it again. :facepalm:

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #40 on: March 17, 2021, 10:31:48 AM »
Okay, here is my AAR after last evening's two nets.

1) 3.588 Mhz digital no checkins but me  ;D
2) Switched to alternate 7.110 Mhz and had four checkins. FL., GA., OH., PA.
3) At 2000 hrs eastern we had six checkins. TN, 2xFL., NC, MS., PA.

I was impressed with how folks moved to the alternate on digital with ease. Thank you. 

Great job folks!  :bravo:
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Offline cooter

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 23, 2021 SOI
« Reply #41 on: March 17, 2021, 06:23:45 PM »
On the 2000 net JM started at 57 here in FL, and worked up to 59 by closing time.
The TN station was 59 all the way through, and MS was 59+20.
I  could only hear part of the call signs for the  other FL sta. and the NC sta.  I think NVIS on 80 M might have worked for those.  The FL station for sure.

(Is there a way to turn off auto-correct?  It is my new worst enema 😃).

Offline Nemo

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 16, 2021 SOI
« Reply #42 on: March 17, 2021, 06:47:13 PM »
AMAZON has SDR radio if you don't want to hunt all over hell and beyond to find one.

This type thing?

https://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESDR-Smart-Bundle-R820T2-Based/dp/B01GDN1T4S/


And plug in, wire up the antenna and that will let me listen/speak through my HP laptop?  I presume software for tuning is available?

Or ?   Remember the brick thing about me on this subject.


Nemo
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Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 23, 2021 SOI
« Reply #43 on: March 17, 2021, 07:11:21 PM »
Auto Correct Cooter?
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Offline cooter

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 23, 2021 SOI
« Reply #44 on: March 18, 2021, 09:59:14 AM »
Auto-correct:  When you type in one thing and the computer thinks you actually meant something else and replaces what you typed.  For instance when I typed in FL last night, it replaced that with TO.  :what: 
I notice it doesn't do it on the computer I'm using today, but my kindle does it a lot.

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 23, 2021 SOI
« Reply #45 on: March 18, 2021, 10:45:15 AM »
Got it Brother. It is a computer issue not a site issue. Thanks  :cheers:
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Offline jhm

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 23, 2021 SOI
« Reply #46 on: March 23, 2021, 08:02:04 PM »
Got nothing so far on 40m. LOL never mind.  I am just dumb today.

Was busy talking on JS8 and lost track of the time.  :facepalm:
« Last Edit: March 23, 2021, 08:07:09 PM by jhm »

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 23, 2021 SOI
« Reply #47 on: March 23, 2021, 08:22:01 PM »
Good net tonight.

We had four on the digital net and five on the voice net.

It looks like 40-meters is coming into its own.

73 & God Bless folks

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Offline pkveazey

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 30, 2021 SOI
« Reply #48 on: March 30, 2021, 07:41:07 PM »
Well, I went out and cut the grass in the front yard and got back into the house about 7:10 and copied the digital net. I'm tuned up and ready for the Phone net. :popcorn:

Offline jhm

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Re: ERIN Net Tuesday March 30, 2021 SOI
« Reply #49 on: March 30, 2021, 07:46:28 PM »
Digital Net was good. A lot of QRM on 7.238 (and the nearby environs). Can't hear nuttin'