ARFCOM, WEEKLY SSB (PHONE) NET. --Tuesdays @ 8:00 PM EST on 40m. See first post for the latest info. (Page 9 of 208)
|
Originally Posted By Gyprat: This antenna is not the best choice for this net. It really kicks ass for working DX though. I'm tempted to hang a horizontal Delta-Loop for 40 meters, just for this net. Got some 300 Ohm ladder line and some steel copper clad antenna wire from The Wireman, 2 weeks ago. 40 feet above ground should work fine for short range comms. Originally Posted By Gyprat: Originally Posted By aa777888-2: Remember that Gyprat has a big Yagi, and as he turns it in different directions his signal strength may change. My antenna is omnidirectional, but not as awesome  This antenna is not the best choice for this net. It really kicks ass for working DX though. I'm tempted to hang a horizontal Delta-Loop for 40 meters, just for this net. Got some 300 Ohm ladder line and some steel copper clad antenna wire from The Wireman, 2 weeks ago. 40 feet above ground should work fine for short range comms. |
| I run a modified half-square. Originally it was an 80M dipole fed by ladder line (a "doublet" some say), but I added a 1/4 wave 40M vertical element at each end. It's not perfectly resonant, but it tunes up beautifully on 20, 40 and 80, and is nicely omni-directional on 40M without being too noisy. It's up around 65ft high. |
|
Originally Posted By aa777888-2: We may want to call for "ar15.com stations only". It might be nice to pick up some new members, but with non-arfcommers checking in at almost a 1:1 ratio it kind of makes the net go very slowly. Yea, we definitely need to change our strategy. Also, some stations were relatively strong but very hard to understand because of somewhat muffled audio. Others were barely at S1 but their audio was excellent and very easy to read. |
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By Gyprat: Yea, we definitely need to change our strategy. Maybe we should check in here. And then meet on a freq. Thoughts? |
You know that little voice in your head that keeps you from saying things you shouldn’t? Yeah, I don’t have one of those…
|
Originally Posted By MyOtherGlock: Maybe we should check in here. And then meet on a freq. Thoughts? Originally Posted By MyOtherGlock: Originally Posted By Gyprat: Yea, we definitely need to change our strategy. Maybe we should check in here. And then meet on a freq. Thoughts? I like the idea of NC saying something periodically to indicate that the net is intended specifically for arfcom members. Something a little more blatant than just calling for checkins to the arfcom net. It won't scare everyone away, but maybe we'll get a few less random check ins. |
|
Originally Posted By alemonkey: Maybe if NC would every 5 minutes or so throw out something like "This is a net specifically for members of the arfcom forum. Other hams are welcome to check in after Arfcom members have completed check in.". Perhaps that would discourage random check-ins. Let's do this. I was trying to be nice but it bit me in the arse. There is nothing in the FCC rules that prohibits us from having a member only net. So far we only managed to play a 'check in' game, twice in a row.  It'd be nice to have a net for a change. Next time I'll call: "Only ARFCOM members check in at this time"You know, I almost guarantee there will be people calling no matter what we tell them. LOL. It's: "Monkey see, monkey do" syndrome. |
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By MyOtherGlock: Maybe we should check in here. And then meet on a freq. Thoughts? Yep, like Alemonkey said, it defeats the purpose. We have a rule against posting ham calls here, for obvious reasons. We could use our Zello channel for last minute updates and frequency changes. Zello seems to be very resilient when the rest of internet slows to a crawl or when only limited bandwidth is available. Either way, we should not rely on internet based services, including D-Star, Fusion and DMR. I used to listen to SE Patriots Net on 3.961 Mhz. once in a while, even checked in a few times. They didn't seem to have a problem with too many people trying to check in. Maybe it's because they were on 80 meters? They did talk a lot about politics and have a few haters though. Some were nasty SOBs. |
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By Gyprat: Let's do this. I was trying to be nice but it bit me in the arse. There is nothing in the FCC rules that prohibits us from having a member only net. So far we only managed to play a 'check in' game, twice in a row. It'd be nice to have a net for a change. Next time I'll call: "Only ARFCOM members check in at this time"You know, I almost guarantee there will be people calling no matter what we tell them. LOL. It's: "Monkey see, monkey do" syndrome. "At this time I will be taking check-ins ONLY for members of the ARFCOM radio club. Only for the ARFCOM radio club please. We will have a general check in availabile after for non members and interested parties." Then you either have a general check in.... Or not.  Also I liked how you went through the zones by number. That's a good idea. |
There are hundreds of reasons to own a gun but it’s mostly the reasons I can't think of that make me glad to have them.
|
Originally Posted By aa777888-2: This is who I copied last night. Gyprat's list will be longer: otar BigDaddy timmie668 MyOtherGlock deanq djdsl53 PlayMaker ltcetme hellrzr derek45 photosarf cjk Ohio_Sharkman nmbmxer SmilingBandit Scooter in Vegas My apologies if I did not spell your screen name properly. IMO that's a damn impressive showing. 
|
There are hundreds of reasons to own a gun but it’s mostly the reasons I can't think of that make me glad to have them.
|
Sorry guys, I tried to call 1 time and gave up, the QRM here was the worst I have ever heard it, Navy was flying helos over the house , and blowing shit up 1/2 mile away. The SEALS like to train over here for night ops on some of the ghost fleet, lots of booms and machine gun fire. I think the Helos were putting off some type of noise, it was like a squealing FM carrier across the bands, really wierd. Had a really tough time hearing net control. And this morning it back to normal. I have a hetrodyne on 213 though, it may have been a carrier from a Shortwave station bleeding through. |
|
Originally Posted By aa777888-2: This is who I copied last night. Gyprat's list will be longer: otar BigDaddy timmie668 MyOtherGlock deanq djdsl53 PlayMaker ltcetme hellrzr derek45 photosarf cjk Ohio_Sharkman nmbmxer SmilingBandit Scooter in Vegas My apologies if I did not spell your screen name properly. I had a JS8 QSO immediately afterward with a guy in GA and it was easy, SSB is hard... |
Silent Brigade, 1/20/20: Dangerous wankers to a one. 3rd rate BB
|
It was cool getting in on the net! I could hear Gyprat really good but it sounded I was a little light on his end. I have a Cushcraft R7 with 100 watts out of my 7300 so I'm not usually able to bust through big pile ups but I try to be tenacious and I can generally get through at some point! Gyprat did a great job running things. I think it really helped when he started breaking out by the number in your call sign. That's when I was able to get through. I appreciate everyone being involved and hopefully the net can stay running for awhile. |
|
Originally Posted By aa777888-2: This is who I copied last night. Gyprat's list will be longer: otar BigDaddy timmie668 MyOtherGlock deanq djdsl53 PlayMaker ltcetme hellrzr derek45 photosarf cjk Ohio_Sharkman nmbmxer SmilingBandit Scooter in Vegas My apologies if I did not spell your screen name properly. Pretty close on mine, replacing the v with an "f" has been pretty common my whole life. Hoping to make the net again Tuesday but have also secured some work in the midst of all of this craziness and dfon't know if it will be done in time for me to get on the radio. |
|
Originally Posted By LTCetme: I'd just call it "arfcom: an online group of HF enthusiasts" somthing simple and ambiguous. Originally Posted By LTCetme: Originally Posted By Gyprat: Guys, this time I'll make sure to get all screen names, unless you don't want to give it out. Just say - "No screen name". It's no problem. We will try to come back to each station at least once. It'll be nice to get a situation report from each area but feel free to share anything you want. Question: Should I explain over the air what Arfcom is and where to find us? I'd just call it "arfcom: an online group of HF enthusiasts" somthing simple and ambiguous. Do nothing. A while back I heard some asshole trying to jam the Patriot's net. We're pretty good because we generally keep the political shit off the air but all it would take is a DU clown to start making life a little more difficult for us. The way I see it. |
http://piccoloshash.blogspot.com
Vote "YES" on 'NO'!
For Captain Erick Foster, Wexford, PA KIA 29 Aug, 07.
Rangers lead the way.
Inspected by #26
Vote "YES" on 'NO'!
For Captain Erick Foster, Wexford, PA KIA 29 Aug, 07.
Rangers lead the way.
Inspected by #26
|
Originally Posted By LT_Beaker: wow I hear all the NE and mid west stations like they're next to me but I cant hear NC at all If you can hear at least part of the pileup but not net control try shouting 'relay arfcom' someone will hear you and check in for you. It WON'T be a real QSO but it WILL be a legitimate check in. |
http://piccoloshash.blogspot.com
Vote "YES" on 'NO'!
For Captain Erick Foster, Wexford, PA KIA 29 Aug, 07.
Rangers lead the way.
Inspected by #26
Vote "YES" on 'NO'!
For Captain Erick Foster, Wexford, PA KIA 29 Aug, 07.
Rangers lead the way.
Inspected by #26
|
Originally Posted By Gyprat: You know, I almost guarantee there will be people calling no matter what we tell them. LOL. It's: "Monkey see, monkey do" syndrome. Quick fix. When the pileup gets too full of outsiders simply tell everyone to go to the alternate. 1. WE know which one that one is 2. Everyone that hears net control on the primary should hear them on the alternate. After all, it's the same band. I bet this is because of the waterfall we create. You might have to go back and forth every so often but you should be able to get rid of most of the outsiders. That's what I'd try, anyway. FWIW |
http://piccoloshash.blogspot.com
Vote "YES" on 'NO'!
For Captain Erick Foster, Wexford, PA KIA 29 Aug, 07.
Rangers lead the way.
Inspected by #26
Vote "YES" on 'NO'!
For Captain Erick Foster, Wexford, PA KIA 29 Aug, 07.
Rangers lead the way.
Inspected by #26
|
Here is a list of check-ins for the net last Tuesday. Couldn't get back to the shack earlier. We can do this again on Tuesday, next week, if y'all want to. I'll ask for ARFCOM member check-ins ONLY. Some check-ins were taken by AA777888-2 (Thank you!) Sorry if I spelled your screen name(s) wrong. Let me know if you are not on the list. ------------------------------------------- Jester_MP BidDaddy004 AleMonkey Weaponeer1911 JustinBowser AA777888-2 (NC) Otar Derek45 Photsarv CJK PanPat72 PWA_Commando ScooterInVegas Catskilldraht LTCetme Mojohn Timmie668 MyOtherGlock DeanQ BJDFL53 PlaneMaker Hellrzr Ohio_Sharkman NMBMixer SmilingBandit UMDRanger Penrod72 Gyprat (NC) ------------------------------------- Total: 28 (edited) |
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By piccolo: Quick fix. When the pileup gets too full of outsiders simply tell everyone to go to the alternate. 1. WE know which one that one is 2. Everyone that hears net control on the primary should hear them on the alternate. After all, it's the same band. I bet this is because of the waterfall we create. You might have to go back and forth every so often but you should be able to get rid of most of the outsiders. That's what I'd try, anyway. FWIW Thank you Pic. Great suggestions. Jumping to the alternate frequency may work but it may be busy too. I can set my second receiver to that frequency to "keep an eye" on it. Also I don't want to make an impression like we are trying to have some covert military net. I try to ask for Arfcommember only check-ins first. Non-members will be welcome to check in later (if they want to wait that long  ). We'll se how it pans out.
|
NRA - Life Member
|
I'll try to be first again this coming week, have a better antenna up (if its still up after the storm last night) so I'll be a bit stronger. Originally Posted By Gyprat: Here is a list of check-ins for the net last Tuesday. Couldn't get back to the shack earlier. We can do this again on Tuesday, next week, if y'all want to. I'll ask for ARFCOM member check-ins ONLY. Some check-ins were taken by AA777888-2 (Thank you!) Sorry if I spelled your screen name(s) wrong. Let me know if you are not on the list. ------------------------------------------- Jester_MP BidDaddy004 AleMonkey Weaponeer1911 JustinBowser AA777888-2 (NC) Otar Derek45 Photsarv CJK PanPat72 PWA_Commando ScooterInVegas Catskilldraht LTCetme Mojohn Timmie668 MyOtherGlock DeanQ BJDFL53 PlaneMaker Hellrzr Ohio_Sharkman NMBMixer SmilingBandit Gyprat (NC) ------------------------------------- Total: 26 |
U.S. Army Warrant Officer, 920B & 915E, CW5
Joined:
Feb 2001
Posts:
30295
EE: 100% (5)
MT, USA
|
Originally Posted By Gyprat: Thank you Pic. Great suggestions. Jumping to the alternate frequency may work but it may be busy too. I can set my second receiver to that frequency to "keep an eye" on it. Also I don't want to make an impression like we are trying to have some covert military net. I try to ask for Arfcommember only check-ins first. Non-members will be welcome to check in later (if they want to wait that long ). We'll se how it pans out.Originally Posted By Gyprat: Originally Posted By piccolo: Quick fix. When the pileup gets too full of outsiders simply tell everyone to go to the alternate. 1. WE know which one that one is 2. Everyone that hears net control on the primary should hear them on the alternate. After all, it's the same band. I bet this is because of the waterfall we create. You might have to go back and forth every so often but you should be able to get rid of most of the outsiders. That's what I'd try, anyway. FWIW Thank you Pic. Great suggestions. Jumping to the alternate frequency may work but it may be busy too. I can set my second receiver to that frequency to "keep an eye" on it. Also I don't want to make an impression like we are trying to have some covert military net. I try to ask for Arfcommember only check-ins first. Non-members will be welcome to check in later (if they want to wait that long ). We'll se how it pans out.I'm sorry, gentlemen, but this is terrible suggestion for filtering unwanted stations, and not at all a good idea for running nets. Ten or twenty stations will never all successfully make the move. Some who had no QRM will now have QRM. People may need to tune up again, causing more QRM. Late check-in's may have trouble finding the net. And, most important of all, channel occupancy, that ugly truth of ham radio operations (nobody owns a frequency ), will have been lost and will have to be re-established. Strongly not recommended.Instead, you now have a very good database of ar15.com related call signs. If you get one that is not on the list, simply ask if the station is an ar15.com member. If the answer is yes, ask for a screen name (or have them PM it to you if they are shy). If the answer is negative, then politely say "I'm sorry old man, but the net is currently only taking check-in's from ar15.com members, please standby." Then move on with more check-in's. |
|
I've checked in both weeks, have yet to make a list. I'm going to IM Gyprat. Its almost like those from down South don't want us from NY there? (And I am in upstate, like 5 hours from the crazy) I will say its pretty cool how many check in from ARFCOM, and how well I hear signals from everywhere but nearby - the 8's and 9's come in strong, and a little less so Gyp and Florida. I used to be on the air a good bit, and have just gotten back into it in the last 3 years thanks to arfcom. I must say, although I have handled HF SSB and CW traffic before on the NTS, and plenty of 2m repeater stuff, I have never checked into a random net before like so many are doing with the arfcom net. Sure, I might hearf an 80m SSB net with some topic (left handed old geezers, or 80m time recliner net, something I can relate to) I jump on, but a random net with a title I have no clue about? Seems odd, but radio has changed a lot since I quit and reappeared. |
|
Originally Posted By penrod72: I've checked in both weeks, have yet to make a list. I'm going to IM Gyprat. Its almost like those from down South don't want us from NY there? (And I am in upstate, like 5 hours from the crazy) I will say its pretty cool how many check in from ARFCOM, and how well I hear signals from everywhere but nearby - the 8's and 9's come in strong, and a little less so Gyp and Florida. I used to be on the air a good bit, and have just gotten back into it in the last 3 years thanks to arfcom. I must say, although I have handled HF SSB and CW traffic before on the NTS, and plenty of 2m repeater stuff, I have never checked into a random net before like so many are doing with the arfcom net. Sure, I might hearf an 80m SSB net with some topic (left handed old geezers, or 80m time recliner net, something I can relate to) I jump on, but a random net with a title I have no clue about? Seems odd, but radio has changed a lot since I quit and reappeared. I'm awfully sorry. It's just the reality of HF communications. Propagation isn't always perfect. I don't care where you are from, down South or downtown New York City. Heck, I'm from the Wild East, not native to this area either. . Most of the check-ins were coming from the west - northwest. My antenna was facing that way too, most of the time. |
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By alemonkey: Yeah, it seems weird to me to check into a net without knowing anything about it. Italians often call first and ask for my callsign after I reply to them. LOL. It doesn't matter if I call CQ ASIA, CQ AFRICA etc. It's like "shoot first, ask questions later".
|
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By aa777888-2: I'm sorry, gentlemen, but this is terrible suggestion for filtering unwanted stations, and not at all a good idea for running nets. Ten or twenty stations will never all successfully make the move. Some who had no QRM will now have QRM. People may need to tune up again, causing more QRM. Late check-in's may have trouble finding the net. And, most important of all, channel occupancy, that ugly truth of ham radio operations (nobody owns a frequency ), will have been lost and will have to be re-established. Strongly not recommended.Instead, you now have a very good database of ar15.com related call signs. If you get one that is not on the list, simply ask if the station is an ar15.com member. If the answer is yes, ask for a screen name (or have them PM it to you if they are shy). If the answer is negative, then politely say "I'm sorry old man, but the net is currently only taking check-in's from ar15.com members, please standby." Then move on with more check-in's. Yep. Lets keep it simple. Hopefully we'll be able to come back to each checked-in station at least once to find out how they are doing. |
NRA - Life Member
|
Originally Posted By Gyprat: Italians often call first and ask for my callsign after I reply to them. LOL. It doesn't matter if I call CQ ASIA, CQ AFRICA etc. It's like "shoot first, ask questions later".  true |
NRA Life Member
USPSA-IPSC
Phuc cancer
I liked this place a lot better when it was a gun forum.
USPSA-IPSC
Phuc cancer
I liked this place a lot better when it was a gun forum.
Maniac has responded with a scornful remark
Joined:
Jan 2005
Posts:
79795
EE: 100% (1)
NE, USA
|
Originally Posted By alemonkey: Wow, the band is noisy tonight. Glad it's not just me. I can barely hear NC. |
At this point in time, are you of the opinion that nothing that's come out about Andy or his wife should be looked into in regards to conflict of interest, or, regarding his wife, quid pro quo shenanigans?
|
Good signal here in VA also |
|
Originally Posted By SmilingBandit: Glad it's not just me. I can barely hear NC. Originally Posted By SmilingBandit: Originally Posted By alemonkey: Wow, the band is noisy tonight. Glad it's not just me. I can barely hear NC. |
U.S. Army Warrant Officer, 920B & 915E, CW5
Joined:
Feb 2001
Posts:
30308
EE: 100% (5)
MT, USA
|
Net control suffering a little with QSB for me in NY. WOAH! just swung his Yagi to the north and now boomin'! Woot! EDIT: 20 over 9 now. Fabulous. |
Mandrake, in the name of Her Majesty and the Continental Congress; come here and feed me this belt, boy!