[CW] QMN 70th Anniversary Award

John J. McDonough wb8rcr at chartermi.net
Tue Oct 11 15:28:42 EDT 2005


MICHIGAN NET, QMN CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY

The Michigan Net, QMN, celebrated its 70th anniversary this autumn.  Founded in late 1935 by members of the Detroit Amateur Radio Association, QMN is the nation's oldest spot frequency traffic net, and is responsible for a number of innovations in public service communications.  

Before QMN, message traffic was handled through individual schedules between stations.  Radio Amateurs who were not part of the ARRL Trunk Line system would typically maintain a schedule with stations to the North, South, East and West.  When traffic was destined for a location in a particular direction, it was transferred on schedule to the station closest to the addressee.  The non-systematic nature of these methods often resulted in delays to message delivery.

A Committee of the Detroit Amateur Radio Association, with an eye toward improving public service communications, took advantage of a number of improvements in radio technology in the 1930s, such as stable crystal controlled transmitters and calibrated receivers, to implement a single-frequency traffic net.  This new method permitted stations throughout a state or region to meet on a specific frequency, at specific times each day to exchange traffic, resulting in more reliable traffic flow and consistent message originations and delivery.  This concept of the spot-frequency traffic net would become and has served as the predominant model for all traffic nets to this day.

At a QMN meeting in Detroit in 1939, a Committee developed the well-known QN-Signals, which were eventually adopted by the ARRL for all CW traffic net use.  QN-Signals are widely distributed in ARRL publications and handbooks, and continue to be used throughout North America.  QMN also pioneered in the field of disaster response, deploying QMN emergency response teams in an era before the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps (predecessor to today's ARES and RACES) was a commonplace fixture.

Today, QMN continues to serve as Michigan's Section CW Traffic Net.  In addition to handling NTS message traffic, QMN operates a statewide rain gauge network in support of the National Weather Service, having implemented innovative methods for automated message delivery and interface with NOAA computer networks.

QMN members take great pride in the efficiency and reliability of their CW traffic net.  In recognition of its long-time role in public service communications, QMN wishes to announce the creation of a new operating award in honor of its 70th year:  The QMN Emergency Preparedness Award.  The award is open to any licensed radio amateur who meets the following requirements:  

.	He/she must deploy a portable HF station at least five times in a calendar year. 
.	Each time his station is deployed, he must check-in to one of the QMN CW Nets and originate a message to the QMN Executive Director (WB8SIW).  This message must be properly transmitted in standard NTS message format and should indicate that he is operating portable or on emergency power and where the station is deployed. 
.	Stations participating in NREN functions, emergency exercises, and similar activities may also qualify for this award, provided they are deployed in a portable configuration, check-in to a NTS CW net, and originate the required radiogram to the QMN Executive Director. 

A sample of the required radiogram message might be:

21 R K8QMN  12  GRAND RAPIDS MI JUN 27
WB8SIW

K8QMN OPERATING PORTABLE FROM US 
COAST GUARD GROUP GRAND HAVEN
X  73

MEYER

Upon completion of the necessary requirements, the participant will receive a handsome certificate suitable for framing, which attests to his level of emergency preparedness and operating skill.  

Good weather this year may be behind us, but QMN is extending this award until October, 2006.  So get that portable station out of the closet, dust it off and exercise your emergency communications skills.

73 de WB8RCR



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