AFTER ACTION REPORT
STATIONS FOR THE NET (145.29)
K4CNK, K4KZM, K9LAZ, KE4IDW, KF4EZT, KK3W, KN4RYN, KO4DJG, N1QFH (NCS), N2ELG, WS4BSA
146.55 SIMPLEX
KK3W (NCS), KO4DJG, K4CNK, K4KZM, K9LAZ
144.200 SSB
K4LAS (NCS), KK3W, K4KZM, N2ELG, N1QFG
441.000 DMR
KK3W (NCS), N2ELG, K9LAZ,
50.125 USB
KK3W (NCS), N2ELG
3.7220 LSB
N2ELG (N2ELG), KK3W
28.420 USB
N2ELG (N2ELG), KK3W, K3KZM
COMMENTS
The net opened at 11.00 AM ET on 145.29 with N1QFH as NCS and checked in 11 stations.
Stations QSY’ed to 146.55 simplex with KK3W as NCS and checked in 5 stations.
Stations QSY’ed to 144.200 SSB with K4LAS as NCS, and checked in 3 station.
Stations QSY’ed to 441.000 DMR with KK3W as NCS and and checked in 3 station.
Stations QSY’ed to 28.420 USB where N2ELG as NCS and and checked in 3 station.
Stations QSY’ed to 50.125 USB where N2ELG as NCS and and checked in 2 station.
About 40 minutes into the net, power at the shack was lost due to a fire near the grounds of the park. Using his handheld, N2ELG was also to reach KO4DJG to transfer NCS duties. We now realize the need for a GO KIT be made available at the shack using battery backup. The UPS at the shack did not have enough amperage to power the power supplies. While the net was underway, N1QFH NCS and logger N2ELG realized the need for a quiet space and took steps to help ensure that was in place. 6m /50.125 MHz was operated on the IC-7300 by N2ELG using the smaller fan dipole. This is good news and increases the number of working HF transceivers to 6. The net wrap-up was not able to be conducted from the shack and will rely on KO4DJG to relay comments on Monday VoCom net. K2KZM did report when he was on 10m, his radio would shut down. George WN2VNV earlier installed an IC-910 and at that station, the net was opened using an AMP and the 2m/70m rotatable beam. When operating on any frequencies, NCS should ask stations for signal reports and or zip code of the stations. When requested by NCS, SITREP (Situation Report) may be requested of stations.
Net concluded at TBA.
Next net date 5-MARCH-2022
Many thanks to all participating stations
DATE: Saturday 5-FEBRUARY-2022
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
- 60m – 5.330.5 mHz USB (NEW BAND AND FREQ)
- 40m – 7.220 mHz LSB
- 20m – 14.220 mHz USB
- 10m – 28.420 mHz USB
- 6m – 50.125 mHz USB (NEW BAND AND FREQ)
Please note – We will add more focus on HF. Before this net, stations should prep for this. We may in the future begin looking at WINKINK as an added capability to exercise. There are many facets to this and we have a few local experts we can leverage for tech support. We may try a version of “PLAYING TELEPHONE” to test our accuracy.
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.
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
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
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.