[Wma-ares] VHF Simplex tests

[Michael Scantlen]

Status: From KC1IZC QTH 2025-0909 1400, this is the summary of calls I
received on 146.520

WG1J/Mobile Glen, Portsmouth, NH
KC1CBI Wayne, Agawam, MA "MEMA stand-in" (Fully quieting via simplex to
each other at our QTH's)
N1PVX Steve, Westfield, MA (Excellent signal quality)

Being able to reach N1PVX via simplex means we have a path around/over
Provin Mountain which would work well as a relay.

Here is my 1400 status:UP or DOWN

   - No other callsigns heard than documented above.
   - KC1IZC QTH remains on frequency and have operated six hours on battery
   with an HF (yesterday's VARA test Rig) and a 10W VHF/UHF radio both powered
   on.
   - 91% remaining of 2000W battery storage remaining.  UP
   - Starlink Internet on UPS.  UP
   - Winlink (IC213)Telnet Post Office over AREDN on UPS. UP
   - AREDN 413 Area Code PBX hosted at KC1IZC QTH (AREDN Mesh Phone) over
   Starlink active [Reaches beyond affected disaster areas]. UP
   - Note: Hamsoverip.com VOIP is accessible via Starlink Satellite
   Internet  UP (alternative VOIP telephone for non-AREDN Nodes) [Reaches
   beyond affected disaster areas]) UP




On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM Jerry Rogich via WMA-ARES <
wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> I cannot hit Gardner from around  town Leominster
>
> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025, 12:18 PM Chuck Chandler via WMA-ARES <
> wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>> From Whitcomb Hill, no luck getting into either of the Fitchburg
>> repeaters, 2M or 440.  Gardner was full quieting and I chatted with Paul,
>> W1SEX.
>>
>> Gardner has backup power, but I am still wondering if the link to the
>> Fitchburg repeater would remain up in case of power and internet loss.
>>
>> Can the Holden and Leominster sites reach the Gardner repeater?  Can MEMA
>> Framingham reach the Gardner repeater?
>>
>> If anyone knows or would like to test, please let us know!
>>
>> 73 de Chuck, WS1L
>> Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
>> Section Emergency Coordinator
>> Western Massachusetts
>> chandlerusm at gmail.com
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM Michael Scantlen <
>> michael.scantlen at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> In Agawam, I am now on 146.520 and will monitor for any transmissions
>>> received.  I will be on battery power all day.
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 7:59 AM Chuck Chandler via WMA-ARES <
>>> wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Some time later this morning I am going to drive up to Whitcomb Hill on
>>>> Route 2 and see if my mobile unit can reach the Fitchburg 145.45- repeater
>>>> from there.  Since it has a backup generator it can be a key part of our
>>>> test, particularly if MEMA HQ in Framingham is able to participate.
>>>>
>>>> If anyone is free today and wants to help out, I would also like to
>>>> test:
>>>> Whitcomb Hill to Plainfield Fire Department
>>>> Whitcomb Hill to Morey's Hill (Beckett, Route 20)
>>>>
>>>> I will be on 146.52 simplex, running about 50 watts to a full-sized
>>>> dual band mobile antenna.  I'll post here when I am heading out if anyone
>>>> wants to join me!
>>>>
>>>> Other VHF simplex routes that I would like to see tested before October
>>>> 4th:
>>>> Plainfield Fire Department to Morey's Hill
>>>> Plainfield Fire Department to Agawam
>>>> Morey's Hill to Agawam
>>>> Poet's Seat (Greenfield) to Fitchburg 145-45- repeater
>>>> Poet's Seat to Agawam
>>>>
>>>> If anyone (or, I guess, any two or more) would like to test some of
>>>> these paths, please post your results here, as they will be of great value
>>>> to us going forwards.
>>>>
>>>> 73 de Chuck, WS1L
>>>> Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
>>>> Section Emergency Coordinator
>>>> Western Massachusetts
>>>> chandlerusm at gmail.com
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> WMA-ARES mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wma-ares
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:WMA-ARES at mailman.qth.net
>>>>
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>> WMA-ARES mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wma-ares
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:WMA-ARES at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> WMA-ARES mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wma-ares
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:WMA-ARES at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/wma-ares/attachments/20250909/ebd63d49/attachment-0001.html>