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Link Posted: 7/17/2024 7:16:00 PM EDT
[#1]
If things get dicey, lmk. I don't  do great on 20m with some stations, but I can NC if needed.
Link Posted: 7/17/2024 7:45:46 PM EDT
[#2]
Looks like I won’t be home in time tonight. Plus T-storms inbound. See y’all next week.
Link Posted: 7/17/2024 8:43:31 PM EDT
[#3]
Band was a little on the weak side for me, but I copied everyone.

4 stations + NC tonight.
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 2:19:02 PM EDT
[#4]
I'll be present to NC tonight, thunderstorms permitting (and the probability is pretty high today.)
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 7:34:30 PM EDT
[#5]
First reminder out at 2230Z. Band seems pretty quiet here, but WSPR is showing a ton of activity on 20M in CONUS so it's probably workable.
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 7:37:21 PM EDT
[#6]
Had you S6   S/N +3 db
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 7:54:58 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Mach:
Had you S6   S/N +3 db
View Quote


Thanks for the report!
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 8:08:51 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm having a strange sound card issue so I can't decode anyone even though I hear fine on the radio itself.
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 8:48:45 PM EDT
[#9]
6 total people tonight. One was relayed in.
Link Posted: 7/24/2024 9:20:17 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By GreenDragon:
6 total people tonight. One was relayed in.
View Quote


Thanks, GreenDragon!

This was by far the strangest failure I've ever had, the Icom 7300's sound card enumated the transmit codec, but not the receive. I thought the band was just so quiet that's why the waterfall was empty, but no, fldigi switched to a different input with no sound when it couldn't get the 7300.

Still not completely resolved, even after shutting down the 7300 and rebooting. I think it has something to do with pulseaudio but not sure what or why.

I won't be around to NC next week so won't know for sure I'm back operating until a couple weeks from now.
Link Posted: 7/29/2024 10:10:17 PM EDT
[#11]
As a reminder the 7/31 and 8/7 nets will need to be run by a volunteer NC as I'll be tied up with work.

I've updated the thread title for 7/31.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 8:27:41 PM EDT
[#12]
One checkin tonight. 20m isn't great for me on this net, so not sure if others tried and we didn't connect.
Link Posted: 7/31/2024 8:56:13 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By GreenDragon:
One checkin tonight. 20m isn't great for me on this net, so not sure if others tried and we didn't connect.
View Quote


Thanks for NCing, GD!
Link Posted: 8/7/2024 2:03:22 PM EDT
[#14]
I should be around to NC tonight's net barring thunderstorms, which are in the forecast.
Link Posted: 8/7/2024 7:47:13 PM EDT
[#15]
Hearing thunder but the lightning detector is being pretty chill right now, so still
on for the net but might have to pull the plug if it gets close.
Link Posted: 8/7/2024 8:29:25 PM EDT
[#16]
20M seemed a bit weak to me tonight, but I copied everyone ok. The noise level here
was about S5 but very quiet, if that makes sense -- just pure hiss with a few lightning
spikes here and there.

We had 4 stations + NC this week.
Link Posted: 8/12/2024 1:00:37 AM EDT
[#17]
I’m fiddling with my signalink at present. Did anyone pick me up calling cq arfcom 7140 or 7120 kHz?
Link Posted: 8/12/2024 1:19:00 AM EDT
[#18]
I wasn't monitoring, if anyone is it's probably on 20M.

You might have better luck announcing you're testing with its own message and requesting a listen.

I'm heading off to bed now but tomorrow afternoon/evening could set 30 minutes aside to do radio if you need.
Link Posted: 8/14/2024 12:38:59 AM EDT
[#19]
We need a volunteer NC this week.

I may attempt to check in if I'm able but have other matters at the QTH I have to deal with at net time.
Link Posted: 8/14/2024 7:33:21 PM EDT
[#20]
I sent out a 30 min warning. Not sure if my RX is working. If someone could send out some type of msg prenet, I'd appreciate it
Link Posted: 8/14/2024 8:05:36 PM EDT
[#21]
I’m on frequency but not sure if I set up the signalink right.
Link Posted: 8/14/2024 8:20:17 PM EDT
[#22]
I hear yall but  can’t read much of if.
Link Posted: 8/14/2024 8:40:17 PM EDT
[#23]
2 checkins plus NC. Band was rough for me, I don't do great on 20m as it is. If I have time tomorrow,  I need to get on the roof and make sure my antenna is ok.
Link Posted: 8/14/2024 9:05:19 PM EDT
[#24]
Turns out I was using my 17m rather than 20m hamstick, tuned the SWR was alright.  Heard all but NCS very well.
Link Posted: 8/20/2024 9:55:54 PM EDT
[#25]
I should be around to NC this week's net, though severe t-storms storms are forecast for tomorrow
afternoon, so we'll see how it's going at net time.
Link Posted: 8/21/2024 9:29:40 AM EDT
[#26]
I'm out for tonight,  nothing new to report here.
Link Posted: 8/21/2024 7:18:16 PM EDT
[#27]
My tuner is acting very broken, trying to get it resolved before net time... don't count on hearing
the net reminder messages.
Link Posted: 8/21/2024 7:55:23 PM EDT
[#28]
OK, working at reduced power (100W) with one reminder out at 1655Z.

Link Posted: 8/21/2024 8:27:22 PM EDT
[#29]
Conditions seemed a little weak but not noisy this week.

We had four stations plus NC in tonight's net.
Link Posted: 8/28/2024 1:21:13 PM EDT
[#30]
I should be around to NC this evening's net. Some thunderstorms forecast but not looking like an issue at the moment.
Link Posted: 8/28/2024 8:33:27 PM EDT
[#31]
Conditions seemed to get quite a bit weaker during the net, but I copied everyone.

We had four stations + net control this week.
Link Posted: 8/28/2024 8:44:40 PM EDT
[#32]
I thought my gutter antenna worked pretty good. Copied all except PPO at 100%, but didn't hear a peep or any copy at all on PPO. Weird
Link Posted: 8/28/2024 9:53:43 PM EDT
[#33]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By weaponeer1911:
I thought my gutter antenna worked pretty good. Copied all except PPO at 100%, but didn't hear a peep or any copy at all on PPO. Weird
View Quote


You were booming in to AZ, it reminded me of a year or two ago when you were always S9+ every single time.
Link Posted: 8/29/2024 6:35:42 AM EDT
[#34]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By weaponeer1911:
I thought my gutter antenna worked pretty good. Copied all except PPO at 100%, but didn't hear a peep or any copy at all on PPO. Weird
View Quote
I only heard NCS and you, so the gutter was doing it.  

I was playing with the gutter last week with a wire wrapped PVC coil and internal radio tuner.  I made contacts on 20,30, and 40.  I will try on the net when the summer finally gives up and its pleasant outside.  I am on the lookout for a thread cutter for PVC so I can make a tuneable coil and maybe some kind of L matching network.
Link Posted: 8/29/2024 9:07:56 AM EDT
[#35]
@DarkLordVader
Don't forget that when loading the gutter, some wire is needed elsewhere for the other 1/2 of the antenna.
73,
Rob
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 12:05:56 PM EDT
[#36]
I should be around to NC this week's net.
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 5:23:21 PM EDT
[#37]
I'm out for tonight,  working late.
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 6:46:01 PM EDT
[#38]
Having a hard time some nights.  Sometimes I can hear check in responses but never NC.  I also can listen on WEBSDR and hear everyone, just not getting here.   I would like to do a relay, but am not sure when to jump in and risk walking on someone.  

What I think I will do is jump right in behind someone's check in with RELAY included and wait for someone that can hear me and NC to call for my report.  Will that work?
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 7:25:17 PM EDT
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cobullseye:
Having a hard time some nights.  Sometimes I can hear check in responses but never NC.  I also can listen on WEBSDR and hear everyone, just not getting here.   I would like to do a relay, but am not sure when to jump in and risk walking on someone.  

What I think I will do is jump right in behind someone's check in with RELAY included and wait for someone that can hear me and NC to call for my report.  Will that work?
View Quote


That would be fine, I've slacked off on calling for relays but I can do that again. For people that forgot
how that works, if you hear a call and NC doesn't, when NC calls for relays you jump in with your call
and "relay for CALLSIGN." When it's the station that's getting relayed turn, you get to repeat NC's
call that it's their turn and then repeat whatever they send.

Link Posted: 9/4/2024 7:33:44 PM EDT
[#40]
First reminder out at 2330Z.
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 7:55:32 PM EDT
[#41]
Going with the gutter tonight.  SWR was low 2s so tuneable on the radio.

Attachment Attached File

Link Posted: 9/4/2024 8:43:43 PM EDT
[#42]
Good net, can definitely tell fall is coming and 20M is getting a little harder, though.

We had five stations (one via relay) plus NC for tonight's net.
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 9:09:12 PM EDT
[#43]
thanks for the Relay effort tonight.  Need to see if it just my location or an antenna. **0L
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 9:11:23 PM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cobullseye:
thanks for the Relay effort tonight.  Need to see if it just my location or an antenna. **0L
View Quote


I didn't hear you at check-in, but you were quite strong here in Central Texas during your comment.
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 9:22:56 PM EDT
[#45]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cobullseye:
thanks for the Relay effort tonight.  Need to see if it just my location or an antenna. **0L
View Quote
It worked better than I thought with a compromised antenna and 20w.  There were a few errors in your checkin, but the message came through 100%.

I got about 50% from TX, 100% from MO, and 0% from IN.  NCS was 90-100%, getting better later.
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 9:38:39 PM EDT
[#46]
I couldn't hear Colorado directly at check-in, IF I got locations right, CO was relayed from North Carolina back to AZ. The band must have been changing. Later,  I (MO) copied part of the relay from CO and all from NC, had to be band condx. I wonder if 40M might be better.
73,
Rob
Link Posted: 9/4/2024 9:47:47 PM EDT
[#47]
We probably are getting close to the time to switch to 40M.

I had about 60% copy on CO during the message, pretty much zero copy on check in.

I'm a bit surprised I don't hear CO stronger given how well I hear TX.
Link Posted: 9/11/2024 1:31:01 PM EDT
[Last Edit: seek2] [#48]
I'll be around to NC this week's net. Still aiming for 20M but after 2330Z's initial announcement will
QSY to the 40M frequency (7120 KHz) to test 40M propagation after last week's weak 20M results
to do a propagation check -- if 40M significantly outperforms 20M, we may switch bands.
Link Posted: 9/11/2024 7:36:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: seek2] [#49]
2330Z remind out, on 7120 right now (2326Z) looking for 40M prop reports and hearing nothing so far.

ETA: got a partial copy, back to 14067.5 now. 40M isn't outperforming 20M at the moment.
Link Posted: 9/11/2024 8:40:20 PM EDT
[#50]
Not too bad, and one of our larger nets for the past few months.

I have 6 stations + NC for tonight's net. Prop was a little weak, but steady with no deep fades.

Page / 38
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