Posted in: Announcement, Event, Nets

SIMPLEX EXERCISE 4-DECEMBER-2021 AAR

AFTER ACTION REPORT

STATIONS FOR THE NET (145.20)

K4KZM, K8LAZ,  KE4IDW, KK3W, KM4RYN, KO4FBU, N1QFH (NCS), N2ELG, WA3LOK

146.55 SIMPLEX

N2ELG (NCS), KM4RYN, KK3W, K8LAZ, N1QFH, K4KZM, WA3LOK

144.200 SSB

N2ELG (NCS), KK3W, K4KZM, KM4RYN

441.000 DMR

KK3W (NCS), N1QFH, N2ELG, K9LAZ,

28.420 USB

KM4RYN, N1QFH

146.55 FLDIGI

KK3W (NCS), N1QFH

51.500 SSB

KK3W (NCS)

COMMENTS

The net opened at 11.00 AM ET on 145.29 with N1QFH as NCS and checked in 9 stations.

Stations QSY’ed to 146.55 simplex with N2ELG as NCS and checked in 8 stations and reported zip code to NCS.

Stations QSY’ed to 144.200 SSB with N2ELG as NCS, no other stations checked in.

Stations QSY’ed to 441.000 DMR with KK3W as NCS and checked in N1QFH. This had best signal reported.

Stations QSY’ed to 28.420 USB where KM4RYN and N1QfH attempted to contact but was unsuccessful.

Stations QSY’ed to 146.55 FLDIGI with KK3W as NCS and checked in N1QFH. Messages were passed using key-board.

Stations QSY’ed to 51.500 SSB with KK3W. No other stations check into the net.

All stations reported back to 146.29 for wrap-up and comments. Some comments included having antennas needing some work to some stations not being aware when net began (text message to N1QFH). No station reported hardware issues. Stations who stayed on 145.29, NCS were transferred to N2ELG, KK3W,  and K4KZM.

Net concluded at 11.55 PM ET.

Jan-1 2022 Simplex net will not happen due to being new years day.

Next net date 5-FEB-2022


DATE: Saturday 4-December-2021

TIME: 11.00 am 

DURATION: 45-90 MIN

FREQUENCY: Net begins on 145.29- PL110.9

LOGGING: NetLogger for station and assigned alternate NCS

VHF SIMPLEX:

Analog 146.55

SSB – 144.200 (FOCUS AREA)

DMR 145.510 CC-1 TS1- TG-99 (FOCUS AREA)

UHF SIMPLEX:

Analog 446.000

DMR  – 441.000 CC-1 TS1- TG-99 (FOCUS AREA)

HF SIMPLEX:

SSB (FOCUS AREA)

NOTE – frequencies may change based on usage

  • 80m – 3.820 mHz LSB
  • 40m – 7.220 mHz LSB
  • 20m – 14.220 mHz USB
  • 10m – 28.420 mHz USB
  • 6m – 51.500 mHz USB (NEW BAND AND FREQ)

Please note – We will focus on DMR simplex since we did not do this in July. Further, HF will again be tested on the designated frequencies if not in use. RemoteHams.com stations may use their HF capabilities. FLDIGI and SLOWSCAN will also be a focus area on simplex and on the repeater.

GOAL:

  • Station check into 145.29 at net start time
  • Stations operate on assigned simplex frequencies
  • Stations be ready to RELAY messages and stations
  • Stations be ready to assume Net Control duty 
  • Stations begin using pro-words and other practices for simplex nets
PREPERATION:
  • Monday 7pm Voice Com Net on 145.29
  • Daily 6pm NTS Nets on 146.61

NET CONTROL STATION SCTIPT: CLICK for the script

Before the net is established, stations are encouraged to:

1. Fully test radios
2. Setup the 2 simplex frequencies on their radios
3. Become familiar with programming their radios
4. Know how to use reverse when on the repeater
5. Know how to turn on and off squelch
6. Have set up best power and antennas options
7. Have identified a location for optimal performance
8. Station be ready to relay other stations

The Simplex Exercise will be established on 145.29 mHz  and stations will check in.

Once NCS has checked in all stations, the following will occur:

1. NCS will assign an alternate NCS (ANCS)
2. NCS will direct stations to QSY to simplex frequency
3. NCS will make a call for stations on simplex frequency
4. Each station will provide callsign and signal report
5. NCS will record each station’s signal report
6. NCS will direct station to QSY to 145.29 mHz
7. NCS will report findings on the 145.29 mHz Net
8. NCS will ask for comments and then close the net

Stations may desire to remain on the repeater after the net closes to troubleshoot any problem that arise.

Results and summary will be reported on BRARA Scheduled Nets.
Because these exercises test our abilities and capabilities on simplex frequencies, we need to rely on clear communications. Using prowords and signal reports helps remove any use of coded communications such as 10-4 or “copy that”. Please note the use of the proword and when they are used by examples.
READABILITY AND SIGNAL STRNGTH
LOUD AND CLEAR
GOOD READABLE
FAIR READABLE
WEAK READABLE
WEAK UNREADABLE
UNREADABLE
PRO-WORDS

For these exercises, stations should become familiar with use of this list of pro-words.

AFFIRMATIVE – station response to YES or NO question
CORRECTION – error made, continue with last word correctly transmitted
FIGURE (S) – Numerals or numbers follow
I SAY AGAIN – station repeating transmission or portion indicated
NEGATIVE – station response to YES or NO question
OUT – end transmission, no answer is required or expected
OVER – end transmission, response is necessary, go ahead transmit
RELAY (TO) – transmit message to all addressees
ROGER – station acknowledgment of message copied
SPEAK SLOWER – transmission is too fast, reduce speed
WAIT – pause for a few seconds

Examples of use

BB1AA THIS IS AA1BB NEGATIVE OVER

BB11AA THIS IS AA1BB ROGER OUT

THIS IS AA11BB SAY AGAIN CALLSIGN OVER

BB1AA THIS IS AA1BB ASSUME ALTERNATE CONTROL OUT

THIS IS BB11AA FOR NET CONTROL ADDITIONAL STATIONS OVER

BB1AA THIS IS AA1BB RADIO CHECK OVER

AA1BB THIS IS BB11AA WEAK WEAK READABLE OUT

“THIS IS” may be omitted by stations for brevity.

DO’S AND DONT’S

WHEN CHECKING IN, SAY YOUR CALLSIGN SLOWLY EG: “AA1BB OVER”

WHEN CHECKING IN, NO NEED TO SAY “THIS IS”

WHEN CHECKING IN, PLEASE PAUSE BEFORE TRANSMITTING

PRACTICE AND USE PRO-WORDS

ADVOID SAYING YOUR NAME, BREVITY IS BEST

SLOWDOWN, KEEP COOL, PAUSE AS NEEDED

CLICK FMI

CAPAPILITIES TO EXERCISE 

Capabilities for this exercise follows:

  • ID stations capable of DMR, SSB, FLDigi and SlowScan
  • Station use FLDigi and SlowScan as assigned by NCS
  • Use approved pro-words
  • Pass station messages eg brief news item
  • Assign stations as Alternate NCS
  • Alternate NCS report checked in stations

Capabilities to test for next exercise follows:

  • Test HF and integrate component
  • Signal reports and QTH all stations
  • Passing health and welfare
  • Pass digital traffic
  • Pass slow-scan pictures

What we choose to exercise will be by consensus and as suggested by participants.