OAUSA HF Net 75m

[Fetus]

I'm putting the feelers out there to see if there is any interest of trying an informal HF net/QSO on 75m in the evening sometime during the week. 75-80m (3.8000-4.000) seems to work the best here for short distances here in Southern California. It would give us a chance to try out our rig settings and radios without leaving our homes.

If anyone knows a good freq to try, throw it out there. I'll be listening next week on HF to find a clear spot. I'm sure many of you know it can be quite busy at times with other HF nets.

On a somewhat related note, I'm currently trying to install Winlink 2000 http://www.winlink.org/ on my laptop to get email capabilities via HF. You do need a TNC or Signalink to get it to work. Another good thing to have in your toolbox.

[hmfigueroa]

I was looking at winlink. although I need to get some other issues ironed out first. My cursory read on the subject is that you would need a multimode tnc like an scs or kam98? I have also read that the AGW Packet engine can also do the job.

I have not done extensive research on the subject but it is on my plate.

I am sitting in my front yard tuning around 20 and 40 meters but alas my antenna will not tune down to 75/80. Well a least not the easy to setup antenna.

[Fetus]

Hector,

I've been working on Winlink for the past couple of days. I got to the part of the TNC and hit a brick wall. The Airmail program won't interface with AGW Packet Engine and a Soundcard interface (Such as Signalink USB) without a lot of tweaking. I've been messing with port settings and virtual ports and port re-directing all evening.

I'd really like to get it running. I'm reading about guys sending email from boats at sea and think its a great capability to have. I had a Kantronics TNC that my dad let me have. I gave it back when I couldn't work any 2m packet over here. Maybe I'll see if I can get it back.

I picked 75/80m as it is probably the easiest to work short skip in the evening.

I'm going to do something easier now. Program some freqs into my scanner.

[DaveK]

I'm game. I'll need about a week to get the bugs ironed out of the Scorpion. It adjusts well for 10m, 30m and 40m. The rest are just not quite there yet. With some luck, MAYBE by Sunday.

What do you all say about using The Bass Pro Shop event as a warm up exercise for the mobile HF setup.

[xtatik]

I think it's a great idea, and I've also wondered if at any time there would be enough offroad travelers that would see a benefit and would participate much like the maritime HF nets. I think 20m or 40m would be a better bet. Antennas for these bands can be more easily put together for those checking in from remote locales and for those who haven't jumped into HF with both feet to this point. I'm thinking there may be people locally that would like to participate but, may be restricted to easy to hang and hide wires. An 80m wire is a long bugger, usually longer than most people suburban lots. But, 20m and 40m can be accomodated more easily with truck-mounted, portable and temporary types of antennas.
I help with relays and position reports for the PacSea net most nights on 14300 at 8pm locally. We basically provide a land link for cruisers (mostly sailing vessels) throughout the Pacific.
The band is still functioning fine at around that time. There are a couple of nets for RV'ers that take place on 20m and always wondered why a net for offroaders / overlanders isn't happening.

[Fetus]

We can try 75m, 40m, 20m. And a Bass Pro Shop day sounds fun.

[xtatik]

Bump!
Has anyone given this HF net thingy any more thought. I'm game. Listening to 40m right now and the band is very active, and holding up well.
For those that do not have active home stations, I can suggest some simple and very inexpensive end-fed wire antennas (approx. 66 ft. long) that can be thrown into your neighbors trees (kiddin'....sorta') and will work well. They are stealthy and can be pitched and struck in just minutes. Then there is the venerable G5RV even the mini and Jr. models work well with a tuner. Or, fire up the truck in the driveway and make "shack" .

[DaveK]

I'm game. If I have about a week or two, I should be able to work out the few remaining bugs I have in the antenna. I know Hector may also be able to join.

As a general rule, Thursdays are the only day of the week when this wont work. Lets see what Hector's schedule is like.

[hmfigueroa]

I generally work m-f and busy 2nd Monday of the month and Each Tuesday for the Newline Net I host. We can schedule just about anything else.

[xtatik]

Hey Dave, Haven't got the shorts out of that control cord, eh? HI, HI!

Well, let's get some ideas up for consideration. I'm thinking of some ways to not only allow "some ragchew"...but also, to add some real function to the net that would accomodate both hobbies....offroading, overlanding (or, whatever) and amateur radio.
If any of you have listened to the maritime mobile nets you'll kinda know the direction I'd like to see this taken.....but different.
We're coming into the desert travel months and the well traveled froaders know there are many areas in the West and into Mexico where VHF/UHF is useless except between vehicles.
I'm wondering if a Saturday evening net would see participation not only from those at home, but also participation from, and providing a service to, those who are in the boondocks. Most of our activities in the boonies begin on, end on, or span a weekend.
Even the casual offroaders/overnighters/weekend warriors in the local places (AB, BB, MoRoad, Calico, etc.) could participate from the field. For those on extended journeys that like to wander in Mex, DeathValley, Central and Northern Nevada or other FM repeater depraved areas in the western states, a net like this could have some real function, add some peace of mind.....and be fun.
Essentially, it would be an unformatted ragchew....no guest speaker, no topic, no sponsor, just "uncontrolling control operators" keeping relative order. But, with the exception that calls for "emergency traffic", "overland mobile", and "relays" would occur at ten minute intervals. I'm thinking a half to one hour net would be sufficient. A half-hour net would account for five calls for check-in or emergencies...beginning, three mid-net, and at the end of net. During that break each station would take a turn in calling from their locations while others would be "all ears" for stations needing or wanting to make use of the net. Field stations would be of just as great an importance in their roll as calling, listening and relaying when propogation required it. Field stations/travelers could give their current coord's and continuing route, give and receive localized weather, so on. Something unique to this net would be to have volunteer "anchor stations" who adopt a wheeler through his/her trip and arrange follow up contacts on intervals ("skeds" nightly or daily depending on the band they choose). This could even take place between two different traveling parties. After the net those inclined could stay and r/c or move off to other freq's/bands to continue their QSO's.
Additionally, for those participating from home....they'd get some fun and up to the minute feedback on peoples adventures, trail conditions, camping conditions, etc.
OK, enough from me.

edit: Ok, I've scoured the usual resources looking for conflicts on the band. Looks like 7190 is in the clear at around 0230z or, 7:30 pst (soon to change, btw).
So, if this is to kick off, we'll need add'l ideas, a few volunteer "uncontrolling control operators" and a date and time to make the first "Coyote Call" to kick off the net.