[MRCA] [MMRCG] Moose & Squirrel Net, What's next?

[Ray Fantini]

Just thinking out loud.  The AM stations have made it a living Hell on forty at least anywhere above 7280 and LSB rules the day below. Eighty has its own issues along with LSB, it appears that every inch of spectrum on twenty is accounted for and although it calls for excluding all the PRC-47 and 74 users out there I think there is a lot to be said for seventeen meters. If we don't identify as a place for military hardware what's the difference between  M&S Net and any other POTA or Backpack group?   Don't get me wrong, I am in full support of things like the 18.1575 activity and have been there myself.
Key line in original post, What's Next?

Ray F/KA3EKH



-----Original Message-----
From: MMRCG at groups.io <MMRCG at groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike N2MS via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 12:37 PM
To: MMRCG at groups.io; mrca at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [MMRCG] [MRCA] Moose & Squirrel Net, What's next?

Ray,

I interpret it differently. I see it as an "on-patrol" net and portable operation is encouraged.

"The Moose and Squirrel
Cold-War
Clandestine and
Long-Range-Reconnaissance-Patrol Net"

Military radios may be used but are not required. I thought Al Klase, the originator of the net, used a TW-100 Flywaway which is not a Military Radio.

I primarily use it as a portable radio net and have operated portable over 45 times last year. Even though I am retired my time is limited and as a rule of thumb I have set up my operating kits to set up and knock down within 15 minutes and to operate without internet of cell access. In addition, the QRM at my operating is low noise which helps.

I do have military radios and marine sets but I'm not going to lug them out to the field. In any case they are showing their age and every couple of months a capacitor goes, hopefully not taking other parts out with it.

Depending on conditions I use my high power kit of a FT-857D and 20 AH battery  or my low power kit consisting of a PRC G-90 and a 6 AH battery. Both are popular portable radios, especially the G90. I believe you had a bunch of them at the Gilbert net last year.

I as far as I can recall the radios used during last year's M&S net can tune 500 Hz steps and could work LSB on 40 meters.

There is an un-going discussion on the Moose and Squirrel and the latest consensus is to QSY to 5403.5 when the change occurs. We did tests on 40 meters LSB last summer may to additional testing this year if 60 meter conditions do not approve as the solar activity goes down.

The big issue with 40 Meters is the band is too narrow. The AM'ers fight with the USB users and I see the 10 AM net is always looking for a quiet spot. I wish the FCC and ITU would assign some of the underutilized Marine 8 MHz channels for Amateur Radio use.

As for your reception - how is your QRM noise level? You may try listening at a quiet location.

That's it. Will you be restarting your "Mason-Dixon Line" 60 meter net this spring?

Mike N2MS