[K3PZN-List] Digital Stations Occupy Club Simplex

Tue Mar 22 09:14:44 EDT 2016

I understand the whole rational behind the ARES/RACES designated repeaters
and simplex frequencies.  And I am pretty sure in the event of an 'event',
it is assumed the local repeaters would be ARES/RACES tasked without any
objection of any reasonable licensed amateur radio operator.  Also in the
event of an 'event' where the local repeaters are deem inoperable or
offline, and allocation of a simplex frequency is to be anticipated, and
welcomed.  This is, by definition, one of the tenets of amateur radio.  The
use of any means possible to secure the safety and well being of human life.

When I travel to another city, either local or not so, I routinely look to
find local repeaters that may be available for use.  I find the club or
organization website that owns/maintains that repeater to determine which
of their repeaters are publicly usable for analog/digital use and which of
their repeaters are ARES/RACES/SKYWARN affiliated.  I also note, if
indicated, the designated ARES/RACES simplex frequencies.

Ok, maybe not everyone does, but I try to.

Looking at the CCARC website, I see there are 4 reapeaters, 2 2M repeaters,
1 70cm repeater and a 6M repeater.  Ok.  While the ARES/RACES tab says the
club is ARES/RACES affiliated, there is no mention of which repeaters will
be or can be utilized in the event of an 'event'.  Neither is there any
mention of an alternate designated simplex frequency.

Now please understand, I am NOT trying to be critical, I just want to
understand.  If the ARES/RACES repeater / simplex information is not
readily available, how can I as a new ham, and others who are outside of
the CCARC general area know the sacred frequencies.

In the event of an event, I as an amateur radio operator want to know, if I
need to get in touch with someone and need a repeater to do so, which
repeaters would be available for my use.  Many repeaters will be tasked for
ARES/RACES operations.  Indeed, in some cases, ALL will be, being linked
together to create a larger network.  However, in many cases, only the
primary repeater will be allocated and the secondary repeaters will be
available for general amateur radio use.

How do I, or anyone, know, if the information is not available?

John / KC3FDL

--------------------------------------------------------
John L. Stephens // KC3FDL
KC3FDL at gmail.com
Latitude: 39.4927 Longitude: -76.8894
MHGL: FM19nm

On Tue, Mar 22, 2016 at 8:30 AM, Kyle Thornton <kyle.3599 at outlook.com>
wrote:

> John,
> I think the main reason is if some disaster happens unexpectedly or
> something along those lines and all the repeaters get wiped out its good to
> have a dedicated open frequency to start communications to get things
> running. I see where you are coming from about all frequencies are open to
> all hams but I believe Larry and some others would like the comfort of
> having that frequency readily available in case it is needed. Like I said
> earlier my net will more then likely be using that frequency to start
> sending MT63 using the raspberry pi to see if simplex operation is
> possibly. I think that's the main reason someone correct me if I'm wrong.
> Kyle
> 73 de KC3FMP - FM19KJ
>
> > On Mar 22, 2016, at 8:23 AM, John Stephens <kc3fdl at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Larry et al,
> >
> > So not to rain on anybody's parade, but I do want to possibly engage a
> > conversation because I'm new to the hobby.  BTW, no, the digital noise is
> > not me.
> >
> > I took a look at the CCARC web pages, and despite the apparent long
> > standing use of the simplex frequency, 146.475's use as a simplex
> > ARES/RACES channel is nowhere to be found.  In fact, it's affiliation
> with
> > CCARC is not even mentioned.
> >
> > How is one to know if a frequency has a, shall we call it, a 'special
> > designation'?
> >
> > And despite the special designation that it appears to have, as long as
> the
> > frequency is not currently being used in an ARES/RACES event, either
> > testing or actual, is not the frequency available for use by all
> amateurs?
> >
> > And again, I ask because I am new to the hobby.  Myself and a few others
> > routinely simplex on a randomly chosen simplex frequencies.  We transmit
> in
> > both analog and digital (C4FM).  How do we or are we to know we aren't
> > stepping on a 'pre-designated special' frequency?  How do we know what
> 'The
> > Rules of Use' are?  It's my understanding that all frequencies are open
> to
> > all and common courtesy is the governing rule.
> >
> > So, as a new ham, help me understand the reasoning and impetus behind
> > tracking down the offending parties and asking them to move their simplex
> > communications.
> >
> > John / KC3FDL
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------
> > John L. Stephens // KC3FDL
> > KC3FDL at gmail.com
> > Latitude: 39.4927 Longitude: -76.8894
> > MHGL: FM19nm
> >
> >> On Mon, Mar 21, 2016 at 11:47 PM, Lawrence Solarczyk <wx3f at juno.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> CCARC:
> >>
> >> There are digital stations that have occupied the Club simplex frequency
> >> 146.475 Mhz.  The digital transmissions are not Yaesu Fusion digital, my
> >> FT-1D portable can not decode the transmissions.  It seems to me that
> the
> >> digital may be D-Star.  The transmissions are strong in Westminster with
> >> hint of activity coming out of the Baltimore area.  One of the stations
> >> transmits a CW ID, unfortunately for me, the ID happens quickly and my
> >> rusty cw just can't catch it.
> >>
> >> So, it would be nice if everyone could tune to 146.475 and try to get
> the
> >> CW ID of the stations and an approximate location with your beams.  If
> >> anyone has D-Star capability, try to gather station call signs.  CCARC
> has
> >> been using 146.475 as the Club simplex frequency for ARES/RACES
> operations
> >> for 30 years.  Having gathered station identification may help us to
> >> respectfully ask those users to move to a different frequency.  If it
> is a
> >> repeater operation, we may get T-MARC involved.
> >>
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Larry WX3F
> >>
> >> ____________________________________________________________
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> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >>
> >> 73 de K3PZN Westminster, MD
> >> ______________________________________________________________
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> > 73 de K3PZN Westminster, MD
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> 73 de K3PZN Westminster, MD
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