[HCARC] 10 Meter Net Feedback Requested

[galeheise at windstream.net]

Bob-

  Thanks for the feedback.  40 meters may end up being the best band as you suggest.  We could spend about 5 minutes on each band quickly taking check-ins and then move onto the next band.  In 25 minutes we can run through the bands and obtain a consensus of what works the best with the antennas that we have.  If there’s an interest, I suspect members will experiment with NVIS antennas.

Gale

From: ALoneStarYank at aol.com 
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 1:55 PM
To: galeheise at windstream.net ; HCARC at mailman.qth.net 
Subject: Re: [HCARC] 10 Meter Net Feedback Requested

At 7 PM, the best band would be 40 meters until it "grows legs".
This is from my experience in contesting, ARES Nets, County Hunters Nets, adjacent MARS frequencies. If you want to assure that there wouldn't be interference from international broadcasters, club members might to use "NVIS Designed" antennas. 
Now don't go bananas on me, using this type of antenna, when conditions do not support NVIS signals is a good thing as it will maintain reliable short range communications. I've used this antenna for over 30 years in emergency communications work. Being set up in this way, you also won't get static crashes from distant storms. On more than one occasion, when I was doing some field tests using NVIS, I had to take over the "7290" traffic net control duties because I was the only station who could reach all the checkins.

Besides, everyone should have one (I have designed published a portable NVIS antenna that NAVY MARS used and emergency communications groups as far away as Australia are using)

see: http://sanantoniohams.org/blog/?p=5255

73
Bob W2IK

In a message dated 8/31/2012 11:37:46 A.M. Central Daylight Time, galeheise at windstream.net writes:
  To All-

    While the 10 meter net has allowed Technician members to utilize their own calls/ portable I’ve felt somewhat disappointed because the coverage has been, and continues to be, quite limited due to poor propagation on 10 meters.

    Rather than a 10 meter net, I’d be interested in obtaining feedback from members regarding an “HF Net” on another band.  With better local area propagation we could include more of our club members.  KK5IA, N4YPT, AD5UZ, K5KS and AC4CA have all attempted to check into the net, and have done so with relays, but copy has been marginal on 10 meters.

    If I receive feedback from club members who are supportive of switching to an “HF Net” on another band, I suggest next Wednesday we run propagation tests for 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 meters.  We can then discuss the results at the club meeting the following evening and see what level of interest there is for an “HF Net”.  If we decide to do this I may need some help from members picking frequencies on 20, 40 and 80 since 10 and 15 usually aren’t active at 7 pm but 20, 40 and 80 have a number of existing nets taking place.

    I can still meet newly licensed members at the club station and utilize the club call with my supervision.  It’s been great to see club members such as Mike and Alan step up and participate in conducting the net.

    I’d appreciate your feedback.

  Gale
  KM4DR
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