[Elecraft] ELECRAFT NET: 17m Test "Results"

[Rick Tavan]

The test net was not scrubbed. It was there on 18130 at least from 2025 
when I found it. I heard half a dozen Elecrafters out here in Truckee, 
CA. There is no problem moving +/- 5kHz when the designated frequency is 
occupied as it was today. One guy (KQ9L?) even QSOd the fellow who 
occupied 18132 early on and mentioned the so-far invisible Elecraft net 
but was unable to elicit a QSY from him. Might have worked better to ask 
outright. I had no SSB capability today and no one stood by long enough 
or often enough to pick me up on CW. (Although it would be nice if CW 
ops transmitted on the right frequency, the Net Control Station should 
expect to exercise his RIT control to find them. +/- 800 Hz should be 
plenty.) At least one station did get through on CW.

Your suggestions are all good. You should also have a net control 
operator with familiarity with wide area net procedures and band 
conditions driving that net control station with capable antennas and 
significant power. Probably two widely separated and cooperating NCSs 
who usually can copy each other at the appointed time, would be best.

Keep trying and don't expect everyone to be able to hear everyone else.

73,

/Rick N6XI

Stephen King W3SMK wrote:

>Well, folks .....
>
>Thanks to ALL who listened and then also posted already to the reflector....
>It is GREATLY appreciated!
>
>Well, it seems conditions were TOO good!  18132 was busy from before 2000z
>until almost 2030z.  I made some calls on other close-by frequencies but had
>no luck in stirring up any business.   I tried 18128 and 18135 .... no luck!
>
>I also scanned the band .. it was pretty crowded all the way from top to
>bottom.  Conditions were good AND strange.  The loudest sigs on the band
>here today were DX from Europe and a mobile station near Dayton -- something
>for everybody.
>
>BOTTOM LINE:  Even though the "test net" was effectively "scrubbed" there
>are some lessons learned ...
>
>1) It sounds like a fair number of you attempted to listen: THERE IS
>INTEREST!
>2) We need at least a plan for an alternate frequency.
>3) For the next try we need a QRO station with a decent antenna to try to
>get things going: my 10w and dipole did not get the job done.
>
>Comments please???
>  
>