Returning to the Airwaves

I got back on the air tonight after a nine month break: work, school, and family will always take priority.   I checked into the Connecticut ARES statewide VHF net and DMR net.  Good to get radioactive again!

Connecticut ARES DMR State Wide Net for March 18, 2018

W8ZY MIKE NCS

REGION 1
N1DID EMILY TRUMBULL

REGION 2
W1XI BRAD MADISON
N1QYB AL DURHAM
K1SEI TOGY KILLINGWORTH
KC1IHA MIKE NEW HAVEN
N1PJD PETER HAMDEN
WA1RJJ ROBERT MILFORD
WA1SFH DOUGLAS MILFORD DEC REGION 2
WZ1V RON CLINTON

REGION 3
N1FNE ROD AEC SOUTHINGTON
AB1GL GEORGE REGION 3 DEC
N1ID JOHN EAST HADAM
K1XFC PHIL SOUTH WINDSOR
N1DN PHIL WEST HARTFORD
N6VOY WINDSOR
KB1PRP ARMANDO NEWINGTON
KC1ERO JASON SOUTHINGTON

REGION 4
KE1R TOM COLCHESTER
KE1LV EDWARD WATERFORD
KB1RAY GROTON
AG1YK
W1JGM

Love my Wick Cushions!

I've been using a pair of Bose QuietComfort 15 Headphones for many years in the radio room.   These headphones are rather old, and work great for HF and CW operations.   I've ignored the ear pad that have slowly worn way over time.  I was thinking of replacing versus repairing the QC 15s.  I decided on replacing just the earpads, and found Wicked Cushions on-line.   I replaced the worn pads with no problem in 10 minutes, and the phone continue their great performance.  Thanks for a great product.

Connecticut ARES State VHF Net March 18, 2018

W8ZY MIKE NCS

CT ARES REGION 1
N1DID EMILY TRUMBULL

CT ARES REGION 2
N1MVM SID GUILFORD
W1ZIP CHRIS AEC ORANGE
K1EIC BETSY SHELTON
K1SEI TOGY KILLINGWORTH
WA1RJJ ROBERT MILFORD
AC1X/M
K1QEX AL EC ORANGE
K1SOX BRIAN WALLINGFORD
WA1SFH DOUGLAS MILFORD DEC REGION 2
K1RSU/M MADISON
KA1YZC PAUL MERIDEN
W1RPN MERIDAN
AF1HS ART AEC NORTH HAVEN
W1YSM ED WALLINGFORD
KC1IHA MIKE NEW HAVEN
N1PJD PETER HAMDEN

CT ARES REGION 3
N1FNE ROD SOUTHINGTON
AB1GL GEORGE MANCHESTER DEC
AB1LZ BILL WHEATOGUE
KB1AEV DANA GREENFIELD MA
KC1BXB MARIE EAST HARTFORD
W1RWP BOB NEWINGTON
K1XFC PHIL EC SOUTH WINDSOR
W1FTE SKIP GRANBY
KB1PRP ARMANDO NEWINGTON
N1DN PHIL WEST HARTFORD
KB1QQI PAUL NEW BRITAIN
K1HEJ LARRY NEW BRITAIN
N1DIJ DAVE NEW BRITAIN
KC1ERO
W1YSM ED WALLINGFORD
K1PAI ROGER WEATHERSFIELD
N1NRP

CT ARES REGION 4
KC1HYM/AE STEVE WILLIMANTIC
N1DSP ROSEMARIE COLCHESTER
KE1R TOM COLCHESTER

CT ARES REGION 5 
K2GAV TED DEC REGION 5
NP2GG DOUG EC NEW HARTFORD
W1DJW DAVE NEW HARTFORD
KA1WPM DANA WINSTEAD
N1NRP
N1ZAC  BETHEL
W1QH HARLAND DANBURY AEC
K1EEQ STEVE NEW MILFORD
KC1EHW
KB1LVW LESLIE NEWTOWN
W1QK
W1JGM
AG1YK STEVE WOODBURY
N1GTW JIM EC WATERTOWN
N1UIL RICH EC WOOLCOTT

Straight Key Centry Club March 2018 Weekend Sprintathon

The SKCC WES montly weekend sprint was held this weekend.  I was able to get a "little" radio time in with 6 contacts with fellow SKCC members.   Stations on 40 meters were generally weak but very readable.   Congrats to Chas K3WW,  Doug N3QW, and Clyde K9JWI for their top scores (as of this writing) for QRO+, QRO, and QRP entries.

John, K0FCT should be recognized for his work to put the Wyoming / Nebraska State Line on the air for this WES!   I have included a photo of his operation courtesy of the SKCC website.

CT ARES FOR MARCH 11, 2018

Connecticut ARES State Wide Training Net for March 11, 2018
Partial Check-in as recorded by N1DN

 N1DN's Net Summary Report for: Connecticut ARES Net
 Date: 2018/03/11  Frequency: 147.345
 Created by N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log
 Version 6.1  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Number Stations = 30+

WA1SFH 599 DOUGLAS CT
N1MVM 599 SIDNEY CT
W1ZIP 599 CHRISTOPHER CT
K1SEI 599 Tage CT
W1YSM 599 ED CT
WA1RJJ 599 ROBERT CT
KA1YZC599 Paul CT
AF1HS 599 Arthur CT
K1SOX 599 BRIAN CT
W1RPN 599 Seth CT
KC1GLN599 Kevin CT
K1SCI 599 STEWARD CT
KB1NMO599 ETHYL CT
W1RWP 599 Bob CT
AB1LZ 599 BILL CT
NC1J 599 G Daniel CT
KB1PRP 599 ARMANDO CT
KB1VIP 599 William CT
KC1BXB 599 MARIE CT
K1AH 599 VINCE CT
K1PAI 599 Roger CT
KB1QQI 599 PAUL CT
AB1GL 599 GEORGE CT
KC1ERO 599 Jason CT
K1XFC 599 PHIL CT
N1DN 599 PHIL CT
K1HEJ 599 LARRY CT
W1FTE 599 Charles CT
KC1DWP 599 Jeffrey CT
KC1HYM599 STEVEN CT

Newington ARES Net

 N1DN's Net Summary Report for: NEWINGTON ARES Net
 Date: 2018/03/11  Frequency: 145.450
 Created by N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log
 Version 6.1  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Number Stations = 8

KB1QQI 599 PAUL         CT
W1RSX 599 MIKE         CT
W1RWP 599 BOB         CT
K1SCI 599 STEWARD CT
KB1PRP 599 ARMANDO CT
N1DN 599 PHIL         CT
AB1GL 599 GEORGE CT
AB1LZ 599 BILL         CT

Announcements:

March 18, 2018

Southington HamFest

ARES meeting will be held at 11:00 am

April 7, 2018

Region 3 ARES Meeting

South Windsor Firehouse

Invitations via Everbright pending

April 1, 2018

Trapwood 50k Event

Communications Support

Penwood Park

Contact AB1LZ ATSIGN ARRL DOT NET

WESCON NTS Net for March 7, 2018

 N1DN's Net Summary Report for: WESCON Net
 Date: 2018/03/07  Frequency: 145.410
 Created by N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log
 Version 6.1  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Number Stations = 14

K1LYP 599 JOHN CT
K1XFC 599 PHIL CT
N1TAA 599 TRAVIS CT
KB1NMO599 ETHYL CT
N1KHW 599 BILLY CT
K1AH 599 VINCE CT
K1STM 599 ANNE CT
KC1NS 599 NANCY CT
W1SVC 599 STEVE CT
K1HEJ 599 LARRY CT
W1YSM 599 ED        CT
KC1IWX599 JOE       CT
KD1XH 599 STEVE CT
W1APN 599 ADDISOCT

WESCON NTS Net 2018 March 05

 N1DN's Net Summary Report for: WESCON Net
 Date: 2018/03/06  Frequency: 145.410
 Created by N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log
 Version 6.1  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Number Stations = 13

K1STM 01:31 599 599 ANNE CT USA NCS
K1XFC 01:33 599 599 PHIL CT USA LIAISON CPN NO TRAFFIC
WA1SFH01:34 599 599 DOUg     CT USA LIAISON REGION 2 ARES
K1LYP 01:35 599 599 JOHN CT USA
N1TAA 01:35 599 599 TRAVIS CT USA
K1AH 01:35 599 599 VINCE CT USA
N1DN 01:35 599 599 PHIL CT USA
N1KHW 01:35 599 599 BILLY CT USA ECHOLINK
KC1NS 01:36 599 599 NANCY CT USA
W1ATN 01:37 599 599 ADDISONCT USA
K1TOB 01:37 599 599 LYNN CT USA
K1HEJ 01:38 599 599 LARRY CT USA
KC1HYM01:38 599 599 STEVEN CT USA ECHOLINK

WESCON Net for March 2, 2018

WESCON FOR FRIDAY MARCH 2, 2018 as recorded by N1DN

K1LYP JOHN NCS WALLINGFORD
K1XFC PHIL SOUTH WINDSOR LIASON CPN QTC 2 K1STM 1 N1DN BOOK 2 GLASTONBURY BERLIN
K1HEJ LARRY NEW BRITAIN QTC 2 K1STM
N1DN PHIL WEST HARTFORD QTC 1 K1STM
KB1NMO ETHYL NEWINGTON
W1YSM ED WALLINGFORD
K1MTD MARY ANDOVER
N1TAA TRAVIS COLUMBIA
K1STM ANN SOUTHINGTON
KC1NS NANCY NORTHFORD
WA1CRS SPARKY WATERBURY
W1SVC STEVE CONVENTRY
K1AH VINCE ENFIELD
KC1IWX JOE GROTON

Hartford Tolland County SKYWARN Weathernet March 1, 2018

Checkins and Conditions as recorded by Phil, N1DN - net participant

STATION	NAME	LOCATION	TEMP	SKY	WINDS
K1PAI	ROGER	WEATHERSFIELD	52	OVERCAST	N 6-12
KC1HYM	STEVE	MOBILE WILLIMANTIC	49	OVERCAST	CALM
W1COD	JOHN	WEST HARTFORD	52	CLOUDY	S 3
NC1J	DAN	WHEATOGUE	50	OVER
K1MTD	MARY	ANDOVER	49	CLOUDY	N 1-5
K1AH	VINCE	ENFIELD	50	OVER	E 9
N1IMW	DENNIS	LONG MEADOW. MA
K1TOB	LYNNE	WINDOM	49	OVERCAST
N1DN	PHIL	WEST HARTFORD	51	OVERCAST	NW 3-12
K1DBL	DAVE	WINDSOR	49		E 2
KA1KNW	GREG	MOBILE ROCKVILLE
KC1IWX	JOE	GROTON	49		SW 15

NET COMMENTS

FLOOD Watch

1 to 3 inches rain

local and urban flooding

wind advisory

gusting 31 to 39 mph sustained

gusts approaching 50 mph

NW and NE parts of Ct most snow

Skywarn Training Manchester EOC pre-registration required Saturday April 28

N1DN Station Activity Report February 2018 (SAR and PSHR)

SAR & PSHR
N1DN - Station Activity Report
MO YR      Originated / Sent / Received / Delivered
Nov 16          0 / 6 / 18 / 4     Total 28
Dec 16          0 / 12 / 12 / 4   Total 28
Jan 17           0 / 9 / 21 / 3     Total 33
Feb 17          0 / 12 / 31 / 4    Total 47
Mar 17          0 / 32 / 24 / 6    Total 62

Jan 18     
Feb 18          0 / 21 / 7 / 2       Total 30

Public Service Honor Roll
MO YR         1          2          3          4          5          6          Total
Nov 16         33        28         0           0          0          10         71
Dec 16         40        28          0          0          0          10         78
Jan  17         19        33          0          0          0          10         62
Feb 17          24        40         0          0          0          10         74
Mar 17         32        40         0          0          0           10        82
Jan 18
Feb 18        23            30       0          0         0             10       63

Categories
1-Participation in a Service Net Check-in
2-Handling formal radiogram messages
3-Serving in an ARRL sponsored volunteer position
4-Participation in scheduled, short term, public service events
5-Participation in an unplanned emergency response
6-Develop and maintain a digital relay system, web page, or email list oriented toward amateur radio public service

Kenwood TM-D710G Resources

I'm using a Kenwood TM-D710G for Home Base VHF work and Packet activity.   Here are some good on-line resources for the D710.  Let me know your suggestions.   Phil, N1DN


Basic APRS Settings
KC9RMU Chris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_uHaf8CdFQ&list=PLDMugICWOHFZn-8JkSV2KEnAJ7H4oKTTb


WG5L and W5JBL
Cross Band Repeating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGnwKkAnSTE&index=2&list=PLDMugICWOHFZn-8JkSV2KEnAJ7H4oKTTb

Jack - Basic Setup and Repeater Programming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dixlFnyZD5A&list=PLDMugICWOHFZn-8JkSV2KEnAJ7H4oKTTb&index=7

N1CY
Basic Features and Programming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM-miIlbXDQ&t=413s

N1DN 10 Meter Beacon is on 28.284 MHz

My 10 meter beacon is on the coordinated frequency 28.284.   Check out the listing of 10 meter beacons at http://www.qsl.net/wj5o/bcn.htm

ALL Beacon Reports are most appreciated!

73

Phil, N1DN

Radiogram Message Number

The radiogram message number is the very first part of the Preamble, and is assigned by the station originating the number.   I've noticed that some operators use sequential numbers, and others start from zero every January 1.  I've decided to use sequential numbers, and I'm up to message number 105 after about 16 months of working with traffic nets. 

The message number stays with the message UNCHANGED throughout its course all the way to the point of delivery.   

 Service messages are generated to notify the originating station if a message can not be delivered.  If the message is a service message, then the letters SVC are placed in front of the message number.  I've only heard a SVC message once, and I don't think this is used often today.

Connecticut ARES Region 3 Save the Dates

Announcements from DEC George, AB1GL for CT ARES Region 3:

March 18, 2018 is the Southington Hamfest

April 7, 2018 Connecticut ARES Region 3 Meeting
Southwindsor Fire Department Headquarters
Prelim Agenda included morning training session for ECs, potluck lunch, and afternoon session open to all ARES Members.

ARRL Radiogram Format

This is the standard ARRL Radiogram that is published in many forms.   I've printed this out and used it to copy my lessons from the Maryland Slow Net.  Over time, I've come to copy, send, and receive messages on my computer using a running table in MS Word.

This table allows me to keep track of messages to send, relay, or in need of delivery.  I can also quickly search my message database for common text.

-----
Reference:  The Official Download Page for the KV5R Reformat of the ARRL NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines

A List of National Traffic System Reference Guides

There are some great online references for learning about National Traffic System procedures.  While nothing substitutes for on-the-air experience, these references guides have helped me quite a bit.  They serve as my continuing education in Traffic Handling and as the references for material found here on my blog.

American Radio Relay League (ARRL) NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines
I suspect this is the NTS Bible and it's volumes can be found on the ARRL website.

The Official Download Page for the KV5R Reformat of the ARRL NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines

KV5R has taken the ARRL pages on NTS above and assembled them into an EXCELLENT resource.  This is my "go to guide" on NTS operations. 

"An Instructors Guide to Training Traffic Handlers" by Mark W. Rappaport W2EAG is a very nice digestible resource that is posted on the Hit and Bounce Net Website.    Thanks Mark for this great paper - it's on my reading list.

Radio Relay International has released their RRI Traffic Operations Manual 2017.  This is perhaps the most contemporary resource and it's located on my digital bookshelf.  

Ideas for Message Originators

I think part of the fun of participating in NTS Traffic Nets is originating messages to other amateur radio operators.  I will periodically send messages to fellow members of the Straight Key Century Club.

Some good ideas for message topics comes from James Wade, WB8SIW as referenced on the TEX NTS Home Page:

• Thank you for joining our club / association
• Thank you for renewing your membership in xxxx
• Thank you for the QSO or for participating in xxxx contest
• Thank you for applying for xxxxx award.  Your application is being processed.
• Congratulations on obtaining xxx award.
• Birthday or anniversary greetings to friends and relatives.

Reference:  http://www.k6jt.com/

Looking for CN

I'm looking for the Connecticut Net (CN) CW NTS net this evening.  I think it only runs on weekends on 3.533.   I picked a bad night, for there's a ton of CW activity on 80 meters this evening for the ARRL International DX CW contest.   I then changed over the 3.565 and caught the MARICW net, the Massachusetts Rhode Island CW Net - a very nicely run slow / med speed CW net that seems to move traffic on a regular basis!   Thanks to NCS KW1U for a nice welcome.

WESCON Wester Connecticut Traffic Net for February 16, 2018

Checkins as Recordewd by N1DN

K1LYP JOHN NET CONTROL STATION
KC1BXB MARIE EAST HARTFORD 1 THROUGH
N1TAA TRAVIS COLUMBIA 1 THROUGH
K1XFC PHIL SOUTH WINDSOR LIASON CPN 1 N1URO
K1HEJ LARRY NEW BRITAIN LIAISON PACKET
ECHOLINK CHECK-IN
-NILL
K1STM ANNE SOUTHINGTON
N1DN PHIL WEST HARTFORD
K1MTD MARY ANDOVER
W1YSM ED WALLINGFORD
W1SVC STEVE CONVENTRY
KB1FQS EDDIE BERLIN
KC1IWX JOE GROTON
KC1EER AMANDA VERNON
K1AH VINCE PORTABLE ENFIELD

Station Activity Report

January 2018 was a good month for NTS Traffic Handling.  I don't have the opportunity to send my Station Activity Report and Public Service Honor Roll via a local CW net.   However, I'm going to share the CW format here, guided by the wonder resources of the Eastern Massachusetts NTS Site. 

NR   R  N1DN  15  WEST HARTFORD CT  FEB 07
K1STM
CT SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER
BT
SAR JANUARY O/0  R/14  S/30 
D/5  T/49  PSHR  1/36  2/40 
3/0  4/0  5/0  6/10  T/86
BT
PHIL N1DN

NAQP and such

There's a lot going on radio wise this weekend.  I worked the NAQP phone contest a bit.   For my casual contesting approach, the N3FJP suite of contest programs works great.  I was able to easily update to the latest NAQP software and get rig control up and running using shared settings.  I tried to use rig transmit feature of the software, using .wav files to send my call and exchange.  While the software keys my rig (TS590s) the microphone input was active and not the radios sound card.  I suspect this a rig control issue and not an N3FJP software concern.   I ended up working the contesst "live" without problems.   I like the contest because it's designed for low power, 100 watts or less.  However, I can't help but think I was often competing with QRO stations who were 20+ dB over on my S meter.  Maybe folks don't read the rules?

I checked into the Empire Slow net on 3.569 at 1800h local time and got a warm welcome from Anne - much appreciated.  I then had an opportunity to receive some traffic on our local NTS VHF traffic net WESCON.  Thanks to Lee KB1NAL who is very active on VHF packet in our region.

Connecticut ARES Information Net - ARES Connect

Announcement for CT ARES Informational Net 
ARES Connect
Information Session by W8ZY, CT SEC

ARES Connect is a new volunteer management system being developed by ARRL.  ARES Connect will allow each ARES Group to track their membership, training, activities, etc through a national online reporting platform.  ARES Groups (State, Region, Local Emergency Coordinators) will register on ARES Connect with a unique identifier number.  This program will be constructed throughout 2018, and implemented January 2019.  Only ARES Groups will require a unique identifier.   Application forms for ARES Connect IDs will be postedon the ARRL website.  Individual  ARES members will be able to develop a member profile in the future, but do not require an ARES Connect ID.   More information will follow.