Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Weather and Traffic Report

47 degrees and raining

Getting much needed moisture to Southern New England
Storm Tracks from yesterday, my birthplace of North Alabama noted
Growing up, I recall most tornado threats were at night, as the data suggests













Great WESCON Net 

Tonight with much traffic passed amongst net members:

 N1DN's Net Summary Report for: WESCON Net
 Date: 2016/12/01  Frequency: 145.410
 Created by N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log
 Version 5.3  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Number Stations = 7

KB1NAL Leon CT
K1LYP JOHN CT
KB1NAL Leon CT
N1KQG HERB MA
KC1EER Amanda CT
K1XFC Phil CT
W1YSM EDWARD CT
N1DN             Phil CT

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

NTS Message Handling Instructions

Weather in FN31ot

55 degrees, too warm for November, and much needed rain

Unsettled Condition in the Southeast

Terrible fires in the Smokey Mountains Region
Tornado Activity near my birthplace in Sand Mountain, Alabama


WESCON VHF Traffic Net good activity tonight

 N1DN's Net Summary Report for: WESCON Net
 Date: 2016/11/30  Frequency: 145.410
 Created by N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log
 Version 5.3  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Number Stations = 13

K1LYP 599 JOHN CT
K1STM 599 ANNE CT
N1DN 599 Phillip CT
KB1NMO599 Ethel CT
K1AH 599 Vincent CT
KB1ZAC 599 David CT
AG1YK 599 Steve CT
N1SCR 599 Scott CT
KC1EZV 599 Richard NH
KC1DIQ 599 Michael CT
K1MLG 599 Michael CT
K1MTD 599 Mary CT
KB1FFT 599 Scott MA

**note Richard, KC1EZV from New Hampshire hitting the Vernon CT Repeater tonight!

I've received NTS Traffic with Message Handling Instruction

Handling Instructions (ARRL FSD-218 2/91) 

HXA__ (Followed by number.) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee within [....] miles, (If no number, authorization is unlimited.). 

HXB__ (Followed by number.) Cancel message if not delivered within [....] hours of filing time; service originating station. 

HXC Report date and time of delivery of the message back to the originating station. 

HXD Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered, report date and time and method of delivery (by service message). 

HXE Delivering station get reply from addressee, originate message back. 

HXF__ (Followed by a number.) Hold delivery until [date]. 

HXG Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll call or other expense involved, cancel message and send service message back to originating station. 

Monday, November 28, 2016

100 Watts, and the Rest of the Story

Christian Cudnik, K0STH, host of the "100 Watts and a Wire" Podcast shares the story of how a listener compared one of his contributors Steve, WA5SAT, to the great broadcaster Paul Harvey.

As a child growing up in rural Alabama, I recall Paul Harvey being a staple of daily news radio. My grandparents would tune their radio to the local AM station for daily mandatory episodes of The Obituaries, and sometime later that afternoon... Paul Harvey.

You see, the local station would read the listing of deceased community members on the air each day. A somber organ hymn would be playing in the background. This sound simplistic and perhaps humorous today. However, in my Grandparent's time "The Obituaries" was an important way of connecting and keeping in touch with their neighbors using amplitude modulated radio waves.

The second equally important ritual was tuning to Paul Harvey's news commentary on the ABC Radio Network. His measured, staccato style of delivering news and personal commentary was required listening. As a kid, I don't remember much of what he said, but the WAY he delivered the news I will never forget. Dramatic pauses, crescendos, and perhaps the most eloquent use of silence.......on the air. Paul Harvey always seemed to be there. I recall his conservative views as a teenager, and even remember hearing him on the radio during those long drives back and forth to college in the 1980s.

Listening to Christian's podcast today, I made some connections between Paul Harvey, the art of communication, and my passion for amateur radio. My kids don't know who Paul Harvey was, but they all remember "So God made A Farmer" from the Superbowl.

I don't believe Mr. Harvey was an amateur operator, but man he would have commanded 80 meters like no other. Thanks to the 100 W&W podcast, I've taken time to listen to Paul Harvey once again.


"And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said I need a caretaker...so God made a farmer" Paul Harvey 1918-2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRDaPEaDJ7E

73
Phil, N1DN
36 degrees, cloudy, rain on the way

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Maryland Slow Net



(Article Written 11/27/16 for RAG CHEW, the Straight Key Century Club Newsletter)

I can thank the SKCC for getting me on the air using CW.  Since that first QSO with my CW elmer (Ron, AC2C) I continue to enjoy the many activities and awards that SKCC offers.  While I try operating many different modes and bands, I keep coming back to manual telegraphy on 40 and 80 meters as my favorite part of ham radio.  I'm always looking for new ways to pursue this part of the hobby.

Thankfully, about a year ago I found the "Maryland Slow Net" or MSN.   The MSN is a CW traffic and training net sponsored by the Anne Arundel Radio Club in Maryland. To quote from the MSN web site, the "MSN is a section net and is a member of the National Traffic System (NTS). MSN meets daily at 7:30 PM prevailing Eastern Time on 3563 KHZ. All are welcome."

Now I had heard some traffic nets on my local VHF repeaters, and admittedly didn't find them very interesting at first.  I don't think I understood the National Traffic System, or how this could help build my CW skills.  And CW traffic handling seemed difficult (if not mysterious) to me.  I wasn't certain how to get started.

Enter the Maryland Slow Net!  The MSN is a great group of CW operators, with net manager Bruce W8CPG.  You check into the MSN and are immediately welcomed like an old friend.  (By the way, you don't have to live in Maryland to participate.  The propagation most nights on 80 meters makes for easy copy along the East Coast).  While the MSN handles traffic (messages) just like other NTS nets, the magic of this net is their "Traffic Handling Course".

Each night you check-in, you are paired up with an instructor who will send you a set of 3 "radiogram messages" using the ARRL radiogram format.  Each message is a small lesson on the National Traffic System, and how to send/receive CW traffic.  This is a great concept - you get to practice receiving CW messages AND participate in a course on CW traffic handling.

If you like SKCC, I think you are going to love the MSN.  Most of the instructors use straight keys, and the lessons start at around ten to 12 words per minute.  The instructors will match the speed you are comfortable with.  I've made some new radio friends on the MSN, and even ran across a fellow SKCC member.  I'm well into their traffic handling course, and now have the confidence to send a CW radiogram through this and other slow nets.  I hope to participate in my state and regional nets soon.  By the way, I've now gotten interested in my local VHF traffic nets; a novel use for my microphone!  I'm keeping track of my service on the nets, and hope to make Public Service Honor Roll soon.

You can find information on the Maryland Slow Net at their web site:  http://www.bdb.com/~msn
Also, check out my blog for info and resources related to NTS and CW traffic handling on my blog.

73,
Phil, N1DN
SKCC 6482s

Saturday, November 26, 2016

VOIP Skywarn Hurricane Prep Net for 2016Nov26

VOIP Skywarn Hurricane Prep Net
WX1DER Daryl Little Rock AR NCS
(notes recorded by N1DN)


Tropics
Atlantic Basin - no activity
Eastern Pacific Basin - Otto degenerated to low
Severe Weather - Marginal risk Severe t storms nebraska, kansas, oklahoma, north central texas.  monday to tuesday slight right t storms louisiana and mississippi.  tornados possible.   mon-tues flash flood eastern arkansas, mississippi, and western alabama.

next weekend skywarn recognition day
hamradio.noaa.gov more info
net will one hour earlier 7:00 pm eastern, to coincide end of skywarn recognition day

question of the week - what are you doing preparing for winter now that hurricane season is over?

skywarn coordinators / liaisons checkin
wa3toy KURT PASADENA MD 41 DEG 30.03 WINDS 2-5 W NO PRECIP
KJ4EJH KJ4JPE - JOHN AND JANICE - NEWPORT NC, 40 DEG
W3TDH - 41 RH 56% WINDS NW 12 30.23 AND RISING,
KJ4JPE
WB8YYS PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO, 38 DEGREES, DP 26 RH 60% WINDS sw 6, BAROMETER 30.27 RISING,

TEXT BOX CHECKINS
KC8FQV
W4CFH
N1DN
KJ4PWY
WA4MDQ
KA1VRF
KM4HYO

Friday, November 25, 2016

Connecticut Local Radio Nets


A Search Net Database reveals the following listing:

Net NameFrequencyLocal DaysLocal Time 
Area 2 ARES145.29 -
2 M
Area 3 ARES Emergency Net147.345 +
PL 77
M8:00 PM
ARES Region 4 North147.225 + (156.7)
W
ARES Region 4 South147.060 + (156.7)
M8:00 PM
Bears of Manchester Emergency Net145.11 -
2 M9:15 PM
Bears of Manchester Traffic Net145.11 - (77.0)
Sn, M, T, W, Th, F
Bears of Manchester Traffic Net147.345 +
S9:15 PM
Connecticut ARES Region II Operations Net147.505 146.505 (77)
446.925 - (77)
145.290 - (110.9)
2,4 M7:00 PM
CT ARES HF NET3.965
Th6:15 PM
Eastern Connecticut Traffic Net146.730 - (156.7)
Dy
G.N.A.R.C./A.R.E.S. Net146.775 - (100)
1 M8:00 PM
Hartford Tolland County Skywarn146.79 - (82.5)
1,3,4 Th9:00 PM
Hartford Tolland County Weather147.000 + (127.3)
2 Th9:00 PM
Litchfield County Skywarn146.850 - ((141.3)
2 Th8:00 PM
Litchfield County Skywarn145.370 - (77)

147.270+ (77)147.285 +(77)
444.650 + (77)444.550+ (77)
1,3,4 Th8:00 PM
Local Newington ARES147.480
Sn
NARL General Information Net145.45 -
224.84 -
Th7:30 PM
New Haven and Middlesex County Skywarn147.505 - 1 Mhz (77)
145.29 - (110.9)
Th7:00 PM
North East Weak Signal group N.E.W.S. VHF and above activity net144.250 USB
Th8:30 PM
Northern CT Emergency Net147.347 +(77.0)
Saturday9:15 PM
Nutmeg VHF Traffic NetWednesdays147.090+(110.9)
Thursday thru Tuesday 146.685- (141.3)
Dy
Shore Point Amateur Radio Club General Info and Talk Net147.505 -1 MHz (77)
444.500 + (DPL073)
224.500 - (77)
446.925 - (77.)
W8:00 PM
SKYWARN, Fairfield147.39 +
146.535
when needed7:30 PM
SKYWARN, Hartford/Tolland147.00 +
Th9:00 PM
SKYWARN, Litchfield CoPrimary 145.370 - (PL 77.0) Backup 146.850 - (PL 141.3)
M8:00 PM
SKYWARN, Middlesex Co145.29 - (PL 110.0)
when needed
SKYWARN, New Haven Co Weather Net147.505 (input) (PL 77.0) 146.505 (output)
Th7:30 PM
SKYWARN, New London Co147.06 - (PL 156.7)
W8:00 PM
SKYWARN, Windham Co147.225 + PL 156
7
Wednesday8:00 PM
Southeastern Connecticut ARES Net146.67 - (PL 156.7)
M8:00 PM
Southern Connecticut Ragchew Net52.54
Sn8:00 PM
Western Connecticut Net147.18 + (141.3); 147.12 + (141.3); 145.41 - (141.3)
Dy8:30 PM
Windham County Skywarn147.225 + (156.7)
F

NTS Training Links


There's a wealth of education about the National Traffic System (NTS) on the web.   However, I had to do a little bit of searching here and there.  This is a working list of references that I've found helpful in my NTS studies:


ARRL Table of Contents
http://www.arrl.org/table-of-contents-nts-methods-and-practices-guidelines

Quick and Dirty CW Netiquette by Alan Wormser, N5LF
http://www.qsl.net/n5lf/cw-nts.html

NTS Talk Revitalizing the National Traffic System
http://ntstalk.wikidot.com/activity:traffic-nets

Send along links that you have found helpful.  

73, Phil