Unchained Preppers

Communications => Radio => Topic started by: JohnyMac on December 31, 2020, 10:06:52 AM

Title: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on December 31, 2020, 10:06:52 AM: -UPDATE - Revised January 23, 2021-

I am going to switch things around this coming Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

1) The Digital part of the net will start at 1900 hrs eastern.

Primary 3.588 Mhz USB Contesta 4/250 1000 on the Waterfall
Alternate 7.035 Mhz USB Contesta 4/250 1000 on the Waterfall
Contingency This email thread
Emergency Text. Do I have your cell phone number?

When the Net Control Station (NCS) calls for checkin's this is the reporting format,

de your call/name/location/ de your call

Once the NCS has gathered checkin's they will post the checkin's calls/name looking for corrections or additional checkin's.

Then the NCS will start reports. Report format will be,

de your call/name/location/traffic if any/your report for around your AO, Covid, unrest, military movement, etc/weather/de your call

2) At 2000 hrs the voice net will commence.

Primary 3.968 Mhz LSB or higher till clear air
Alternate 7.238 Mhz LSB or higher till clean air
Contingency This email thread
Emergency Text. Do I have your cell phone number?

Looking ahead to January 26th (1/27/2021 Zulu) using the propagation predictor, 75/80-meters is 95% or better from northern Florida up north through Lake George, NY and west out to the Mississippi River. Central Florida it is only 85%. Sorry to the folks who try to check in from there.

The reason I am making this change is two part.

Part 1
AMRRON, also holds a digital net also at 2000 hrs eastern on 3.588 at 8PM, Cont 4/250. With digital taking a bit longer to TX/RX and facilitate for the NCS, I thought it wise to have more time before the AMRRON digital net.

Part 2

Once I looked at the propagation predictor, all stations with the exception of central Florida, had a 95% or higher level of TX/RX. Here is a screen shot of NE PA to Knoxville, TN. It is similar north to Toronto, ON., and south to Montgomery, AL.

(http://navigatorbiz.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/screen-shot-0000-Zulu-2000-hrs-EDT-1_27_2021-e1611419352752.png)

Looking forward to seeing you all on the air Tuesday, night. :cheers:

(http://navigatorbiz.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/liberty-tree-12_27_2020-V7-Thumbnail.png)
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 05, 2021, 09:23:36 AM: Don't forget the net tonight, folks.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 05, 2021, 01:59:02 PM: All righty dighty. I've put it on my "To Do' list. Hmmm..... Now just where did I put that damn list? :lmfao:
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: Nemo on January 05, 2021, 02:05:35 PM: Do what I do. Write in on the dry erases board on the fridge.

Then be sure to remember to help cleaning up after dinner so you can remember to read the fridge board.

Neo
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: Gorlo on January 05, 2021, 05:54:08 PM: So Johneymac, I'm curious what is your beef with AmRRON? Most of the AmRRON operators I have dealt with Have been good people, patriots, preppers and very well versed in digital modes on the radio.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 05, 2021, 06:42:17 PM: There is a net from the midwest on 3.963 Mhz splattering over to 3.964 Mhz. and a net above 3.964 Mhz on 3.965 Mhz which is doing its own splattering.

I am going to make a management decision here and start the net on 3.967.50 Mhz which seems to be clear in my AO.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 05, 2021, 06:48:33 PM: 3.967.50 Mhz LSB
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: wayupnorth on January 05, 2021, 06:51:34 PM: I'm on, not hearing you thou.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: wayupnorth on January 05, 2021, 07:18:12 PM: I did hear a couple people checking in, one was from VA
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 05, 2021, 07:27:44 PM: Having a computer issue. Go ahead and start digital net. I will be on shortly. ;D
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 05, 2021, 07:28:45 PM: OK, I'm listening for the Digital Net at 3.580 USB plus 1000 Hz. What's up with the guy that seems to be sending CW 24 hours a day at 1500 Hz? He's damned irritating since he never shuts up. I'm going to turn on my Automatic Notch Filter and turn those beeps into clicks. I won't be transmitting on the Digital Net because my radio doesn't like the overpowering audio that my computer sends to it. :popcorn:
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 05, 2021, 07:33:25 PM: Cool, I am rebooting my computer. Should be up in 2-3 min. Go ahead and start gentlemen.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: wayupnorth on January 05, 2021, 07:34:07 PM: I'm using my 706 which isn't interfaced with the PC so I'm trying to get my tab or other PC to receive, unsuccessfully so far lol. And yes the CW is getting old.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 05, 2021, 07:37:38 PM: I heard everyone fine on phone. The KG5 station was banging in good, and I heard Joel well too. I just sent a CQ on digital. I agree, the CW dude is a PITA, and he is there often.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: wayupnorth on January 05, 2021, 07:43:01 PM: I'm calling it, good night guys.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 05, 2021, 07:55:04 PM: WUN, Good night.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 05, 2021, 07:57:27 PM: Quote from: Jackalope on January 05, 2021, 07:37:38 PM
I heard everyone fine on phone. The KG5 station was banging in good, and I heard Joel well too. I just sent a CQ on digital. I agree, the CW dude is a PITA, and he is there often.

I went up there and copied the CW and it turned out to be ARRL sending CW code practice. Crap!!! That sure as Hell isn't going to go away.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 05, 2021, 08:52:45 PM: WUN, I heard you on the AMRRON digital net. I signed in and then the site went to pot. :cheers:
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 06, 2021, 08:44:13 AM: I listened on the AMRRON frequency, all I copied was an Iowa ARES digital net.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 5, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 06, 2021, 09:45:32 AM: We had a good ERIN net last night with six checking in. Great job!

Our digital net was not as good. I take 100% responsibility as when I moved over to 3580 Mhz USB Cont 4/250 my computer was frozen. I could not do anything with it. I had to do a 'hard boot' and let it cycle completely before I finally got on around 1945 Hrs. Of course nobody was there.

Back on December 11th, I sent in my radio to GiGiParts to have the MARS mod activated and received it back late Monday. It came back with the memory wiped so I spent yesterday trying to reconfigure the radio. SSB and digital. Lesson learned - Back up your radio before you send it to any where. :troutSlap:

Worried that I had reconfigured something wrong, which was why I was not getting anyone on the ERIN digital frequency. So, I went to the AMRRON Digital frequency 3588 Mhz USB at 2000 hrs eastern. At the appropriate time I checked in with, de call/JohnyMac/Penn/No Traff/Code word for the night and viola! The Net Control Station heard me and checked me in.

There you go.

Thank you for all that participated.

73 & God Bless
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 12, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 12, 2021, 05:18:10 PM: Don't forget the net tonight!
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 12, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 12, 2021, 06:37:41 PM: Well, its about 20 minutes to 7 and I'm all tuned up and ready. As soon as I finish this Cheeseburger and French Fries I'm headed to the radio. I hear a tuner upper right now. :popcorn:
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 12, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 12, 2021, 06:53:13 PM: 1 am on 3.968 LSB due to traffic below me.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 12, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 12, 2021, 07:45:03 PM: Not seeing anyone at 3.580, except the ARRL CW station.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 12, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 12, 2021, 08:13:08 PM: We had the best ERIN net since this past CCP Virus spring. There were 7 check ins on phone (3.968 Mhz LSB) and 5 check ins on Fldigi (3.588 Mhz USB cont. 4/250 1000 on WF).

I have just updated the the phone frequency for next weeks net.

Thank you,
73 & God Bless
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 12, 2021, 09:03:04 PM: Well, after the Phone Net I went down to see what I could do with the Digital Net. I could copy everything but I could not transmit. I've got some homework to do to see what I can do about that. The program thinks it is sending but the radio ignores it.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 12, 2021, 11:09:58 PM: Does your 7300 have an internal modem? If so, we can make it work.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: wynnp4 on January 13, 2021, 03:39:08 PM: Hey y'all I'll try and get in on digital on the 19th.. I am presistant on 7.110 most all the time with JS8CALL.... although as I type this I think I left it on 80m this morning....

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 19, 2021, 02:54:12 PM: Don't forget the nets tonight!
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 19, 2021, 05:52:42 PM: Quote from: JohnyMac on January 12, 2021, 11:09:58 PM
Does your 7300 have an internal modem? If so, we can make it work.

I was told by another Ham that the 7300 does have an internal modem and that I should be able tp use the USB port on the 7300 to connect to the computer and it should receive and transmit Data. Well, I've got the USB hooked up to the computer and I've gone through the menus to make it transmit. So far, nothing. Receives great but I just can't seem to make it transmit Data. The DM780 program shows it transmitting but the radio doesn't key up.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 19, 2021, 05:56:06 PM: Well, it's almost 6 PM so I'll try to be on and listening in an hour or less.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: bennington.camper on January 19, 2021, 07:23:30 PM: Quote from: Jackalope on January 19, 2021, 02:54:12 PM
Don't forget the nets tonight!

Listening from S VT...
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: Tom Paine on January 19, 2021, 07:51:54 PM: Ref voice net 1900 eastern. I was station you heard as partial call sign "WH". Calling from Central Florida. Very noisy but I could hear you most times.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 19, 2021, 08:02:44 PM: It was rough copy tonight. At times, I could hear Johny and PK well, but most of the time stations were right at the noise level. However, the 5 station boomed in, as he usually does.

Only caught a few letters on the digital net. The AMRRON net is coming in well now.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 19, 2021, 08:22:57 PM: We had six check in on voice seven if you could you Tom Paine ;). Jackalope, you came in weak but fully readable tonight. Are you running 100 or higher wattage?

We had five folks check in on digital tonight.

Good participation tonight.

I would like your opinion on this proposal.

Move digital to 1900 hrs eastern as it takes a bit more time to TX/RX and voice to 2000 hrs eastern. Currently, 75/80-meters is 100% in most of the eastern seaboard at that time. Thoughts?

Thanks for participating.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 19, 2021, 09:33:52 PM: The wattmeter on my tuner indicated 200-250 watts.

The time change makes sense. Can't wait for band conditions to improve.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 19, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 20, 2021, 07:44:57 PM: Quote from: Jackalope on January 19, 2021, 08:02:44 PM
It was rough copy tonight. At times, I could hear Johny and PK well, but most of the time stations were right at the noise level. However, the 5 station boomed in, as he usually does.

Only caught a few letters on the digital net. The AMRRON net is coming in well now.

Jackalope, you are going to think I'm nuts but I'll tell you what I'm running and you'll think that it is impossible. I have a 160 meter Dipole with the feed point at about 30 feet that tunes to 80 meters just fine. I have a 80 meter Vertical Ham Stick mounted to a pole about 7 feet off the side of my tower and up about 35 feet (no radials). The 160 meter dipole is very noisy and doesn't hear or talk as well as the Ham Stick. The Ham Stick is very quiet and talks to whoever it can hear. I would suggest a $20 Hamstick just to see what it does for you. Its not like you'd be investing a fortune in something that might not work. I got into Ham Sticks by accident back when I tried running HF mobile and I ran one coax to the back of the Blazer and mounted a 10 meter, a 40 meter, and 80 meter Hamstick to one mount and let the radio and antenna tuner sort it out. It worked great and when I removed the HF from the car I put the 80 meter and 10 meter sticks up on the tower. The 40 meter Hamstick is next to my Radio bug out bag.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 21, 2021, 09:00:47 AM: Interesting Pkv.

Patriotman has decided to get his 10-element yagi up higher so he can hit a repeater north of him. I am sure he will write an article about project so I do not want to steal his thunder however...

I could see someone putting a hamstick like what PKv described on the peak of their house. If the peak of the house isn't high enough put one of a pole made of 3 or so, 10' long pieces of black pipe screwed together and affixed to the side of the house or outbuilding.

With that written, if I remember, you have two good antennas up now. One being a horse fence (http://hamuniverse.com/w6hdgfandipole.html) antenna. Most likely you are in a geographic bowel of sorts and height would probably help.
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: Jackalope on January 21, 2021, 09:52:45 AM: Quote from: JohnyMac on January 21, 2021, 09:00:47 AM

With that written, if I remember, you have two good antennas up now. One being a horse fence ([url]http://hamuniverse.com/w6hdgfandipole.html[/url]) antenna. Most likely you are in a geographic bowel of sorts and height would probably help.

I actually briefly switched to a 31' vertical, but didn't notice a big difference in signals. I've got a Bilal Isotron for 80 meters that's new, still in the box. I may try setting that up to see how it works, because they are somewhat directional. At this point, I have three decent hf antennas. Part of the problem is the topography, seeing I'm at the bottom of a small bowl in the middle of a 2000' plateau. Never been in a bowel, I wold think they're dark and smelly. ;D
Title: Re: ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: patriotman on January 21, 2021, 11:06:04 AM: Quote from: JohnyMac on January 21, 2021, 09:00:47 AM
Interesting Pkv.

Patriotman has decided to get his 10-element yagi up higher so he can hit a repeater north of him. I am sure he will write an article about project so I do not want to steal his thunder however...

I could see someone putting a hamstick like what PKv described on the peak of their house. If the peak of the house isn't high enough put one of a pole made of 3 or so, 10' long pieces of black pipe screwed together and affixed to the side of the house or outbuilding.

With that written, if I remember, you have two good antennas up now. One being a horse fence ([url]http://hamuniverse.com/w6hdgfandipole.html[/url]) antenna. Most likely you are in a geographic bowel of sorts and height would probably help.

You are more than welcome to steal my thunder since I am using the plan you suggested to build the antenna. :pirateThumbUp: But yes, I hope to have it up this weekend with an article as well.
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 26, 2021, 06:22:38 PM: OK, I'm a bit confused about Net times. 7pm for voice and 8pm for digital. Has it been swapped around to 7 for digital and 8 for voice? I know there was some mention of it. Anyway, I'll be listening at 7pm for the voice net tonight. I hope I don't screw up and get it wrong. :facepalm:
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 26, 2021, 06:29:10 PM: Digital 7 Pm 1900 hrs eastern
Voice 8 PM 2000 hrs eastern
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 26, 2021, 06:44:23 PM: Okey Dokey, I'll set up to listen to the Digital followed by the Voice. :popcorn:
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: wynnp4 on January 26, 2021, 07:07:38 PM: Lots of noise on band...got you though!!

Sent from my SM-T290 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 26, 2021, 07:48:20 PM: jUST A fyi, WE ARE RECEIVING SPLATTER FROM A STATION JUST BELOW US AT 3.967 mHZ. PK is looking for some clear air north of 3.968 MHZ. please stand by
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 26, 2021, 07:50:02 PM: Moved net to 3.970 Mhz do to platter from another QSO south of our origional Primary frq. See ya. there.
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: JohnyMac on January 26, 2021, 08:15:21 PM: Even with the poor weather up here in NE PA and much of the Mid Atl. region, we had four folks check in for the digital net at 1900 hrs and seven stations check in for the phone net at 2000 hrs.

I like doing the digital followed by the phone. If you do too let me know. The good bad and ugly. This way the folks who want to go on the AmRRon digital net at 2000 hrs eastern.

73 & God Bless Brothers and Sisters :cheers:
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: wynnp4 on January 26, 2021, 08:35:58 PM: Good nets! Glad to hear everyone!

Sent from my SM-T290 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE ERIN PACE PLAN 2021...January 26, 2021
Post by: pkveazey on January 26, 2021, 10:23:22 PM: I copied everything on the digital net but my digital program won't work with Windows XP so all I can do is let the computer copy the messages. The voice net was good except there was a harsh noise that was very distracting. Fortunately I have the new IC 7300 and I fiddled and fooled with all the filtering and cleaned it up so I could copy just about everything. It sounded thin and bright but at least I was able to kill that annoying noise. I also think the reversing the order of the nets was a good move.