OAUSA Net - 5/18/23 and 6/1/23 - Wilderness Communications I & II

[Jeff-OAUSA]

Please check in WD6USA.
Thanks.

[mudman]

Please check in KI7SDI. Thanks

Jim

[Geoff]

Please check me in tonight.

[Diesel4x]

Please check in Randy KF6KOC
and Becky KF6RGR

[KA9WDX]

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie

I'll try to be listening, but for some reason been having problems with audio break-ups, on both Echolink and Wires-X.

So I'm actually thinking about possibly not using those modes anymore, and some stations on Echolink are too quiet for my link to key up to hear what's being said over RF, so have gone to using just a laptop and an external USB webcam so I can hold it in my hand and not be so far away from an internal webcam.

So no matter how quiet a signal is at least I don't need to wait for my node to key up, but this laptop doesn't have an internal webcam anyway, so I'm using a Logitech HD 720P which I originally purchased so that I could take video from different directions instead of just towards myself.

I've also been hearing negative comments about me on certain Echolink conferences, and I want to be happy, so in order to be happy, or feel happy, that's another reason why I'm tempted to stop using these modes.

Funny thing, one guy complained about me about something that he does himself, and even more than I do, and another guy uses foul language, so I'm no longer connecting to the conferences I hear these two guys especially on.

My interests are starting to go in another direction, after being on Wires-X for a number of years, maybe 4 or 5 years or so, and on Echolink since 2013.

So I might disappear after a while in favor of different interests.

I used to check into a lot of nets on Echolink, first one after another, then a little later on where two or more nets overlapped, then later on two or more nets at the same time, but am down to only a few nets now.

One is a listen only net, an AMSAT net, and then a couple of emergency types of nets one after the other on the same conference 5 minutes apart from each other, etc...and this net usually.

[Diesel4x]

Please check in Randy KF6KOC and Becky KF6RGR for June 1st.

thanks!

[DaveK]

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie

I'll try to be listening, but for some reason been having problems with audio break-ups, on both Echolink and Wires-X.

So I'm actually thinking about possibly not using those modes anymore, and some stations on Echolink are too quiet for my link to key up to hear what's being said over RF, so have gone to using just a laptop and an external USB webcam so I can hold it in my hand and not be so far away from an internal webcam.

Bernie

I'm so sorry to see hear about the bad treatment you have received from certain members of the Ham community. We appreciate your check-ins and contributions, and sincerely hope that you will remain one of our most consistent long distance listeners. Don't let the bad guys get you down.

[DaveK]

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Kenwood has been a major player in the Amateur Radio equipment field for many years. It seems however, that they have been dormant for a while, with few, if any, new releases, compounded by a dwindling set of radio offerings. While it would be nice to see more from Kenwood, it was refreshing to see that they recently showed signs of life with a new offering, an HT, the TH D74A. This handheld is packed with some great features that no other HT offers. HRO is has yet to include them on their website, but the preliminary information on the price is a bit of an eye opener. More on the net.

Kenwood TH D74A.png (135.29 KiB) Viewed 4801 times

The Specs (Source: Kenwood, https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/th-d74a/)

- Compatible with the APRS communication protocol, for real-time two-way data transmission using packet communications. This stand-alone device enables the enjoyment of communications through a variety of features, including sharing of local and GPS positional information, and message exchange.
- Other station positional information, weather station information
- Station list, object compatibility
- Messaging functionality
- QSY Functionality
- KISS mode TNC
- APRS menu settings
- Compatible with D-STAR, the amateur radio communications network that has voice mode and data mode. Both local and international communications are possible through diverse operations including simplex communications, single repeater relay communications, and inter-repeater gateway communications.
- DV fast data mode
- Simple operation in DR (D-STAR repeater) mode
- Setting via the digital function menu
- Easily updated repeater list
- Kenwood proprietary sound
- Compatible with wideband and multimode reception
- Built-in IF receive filter
- IF output mode
- High-performance DSP voice processing
- Visibility display and user-friendly operation
- Tough weatherproofing meeting IEC 529 IP-54/ 55 standards
- Easily understandable pop-up screens
- Dual frequency reception (VxV, UxU, and VxU functions)
- Micro USB (Serial, Mass Storage Class, USB Audio) to enable use of external decoding software Bluetooth (SPP, HSP) support
- External Decode function (PC Decode 12kHz IF output, BW: 15 kHz)
- Voice Recording (Files size up to microSD memory capacity)
- CSV Data Import / Export, (Digital Repeater List, Callsign, List_Digital)
- GPS Logger mode (Un-limited Number of Data stored to microSD memory)

[KK6DYO]

Distinguished Frequencies


NOAA National Weather Service

Regional weather information is constantly broadcast on the following frequencies: 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550. Most radio have special features to tune these in. Scan these to find out what's going on in your area. This can be a lifesaver when you are without other weather information.


APRS

APRS, of course, uses 144.39 in North America.


National Simplex Calling Frequencies

There are a handful of "distinguished frequencies" on the various bands. The "National Simplex Calling Frequencies" are where (in theory) people should always be listening in for conversations or emergencies.

These frequencies are: 52.525, 146.52, 223.5, 446.0, 462.675 (GMRS 20), and 1294.5. For the GMRS station, CTCSS 141.3 may be required.

Conversations should be established on these frequencies then moved over to lesser used frequencies. Of course, emergencies can command the frequency for as long as necessary


The Wilderness Protocol

The Wilderness Protocol is a way of establishing emergency communication when your radio battery's charge is in jeopardy. You call 146.52 (the National Simplex Calling Frequency) starting at 0700 (7am) for five minutes, every three hours (e.g., 1000, 1300, ...) until you make contact. Emergency responders are theoretically listening in from 0655 through 0705, and for 10 minutes every three hours starting 5 minutes before the hour until 5 minutes after ... in case your timekeeping is out of sync.


Local Repeaters

Other than weather and APRS, these distinguished stations might be hit or miss. I believe it is best to always load local repeaters into your radio when you travel through an area. There are various applications that can provide this information such as RepeaterBook on iOS and Android.

[mudman]

Please check me in KI7SDI