CQ, CQ, CQ, Ham Radio Ops, Time for a Net!

[qrprat77]

Ok people,
There's enough of us here to make some noise on HF, I'm going to suggest sometime after 00:00 UTC Monday (Sunday afternoon/evening) This weekend.
I suggest that because most of us will likely be available, and most contests will be over.
I say we start Hi, on 21MHZ somewhere, and go down from there.
Non-hams can follow the conversation at www.w4ax.com (propagation willing) or on SWL if you have a radio that can tune SSB.
We'll talk about antennas!
Let's plan on using antennas that we could take anywhere, I'm going to use a W3EDP.

Respond here with
1. frequency suggestion
2. Time (UTC)
3. your portable antenna.

[Cimarron]

qrp,
I have my radio but not an antenna to get out verry far. I am testing for my license next month but will/would monitor when I get the chance. I may go over to my friends house where there is a working rig but I'm fighting a sinus infection coupled with a nasty head cold so I don't know if he would even let me in the house lol.

[antishot]

I would like to get into HAM but I realy don't know the first thing of it. I know you have to take a test and all but can you get a radio a antenna for $200.

[qrprat77]

qrp,
I have my radio but not an antenna to get out verry far. I am testing for my license next month but will/would monitor when I get the chance. I may go over to my friends house where there is a working rig but I'm fighting a sinus infection coupled with a nasty head cold so I don't know if he would even let me in the house lol.

D00d that is stinky about your sore throat.
If you have high speed internet check out the link I reference in the original post. You may be able to drop in on the QSO.
Hope you get better soon!

Can't wait to work you on the air when you get your ticket!

[qrprat77]

I would like to get into HAM but I realy don't know the first thing of it. I know you have to take a test and all but can you get a radio a antenna for $200.

Hi Antishot,
Here's a place to start for basic information about ham radio and prepping:
https://www.survivalandpreparednessf...ons-The-Basics.
As far as price is concerned, you can spend as little or as much as you want for one, the radio I feature in these videos:
https://www.survivalandpreparednessf...ons-The-Basics.
cost me about $200, but it's used, and buying used always has its caveats.
You should expect to spend about $200 (min) on your local comms radio. There are several single band high quality options for that price.
For worldwide HF radios, used gear runs the gamut. For all band 100w radios, expect to spend about $1000 new, less for used (good quality all band radios usually start around $450)

Antenna systems, invest in a good tuner and quality feedline. antenna wire can be made from speakerwire. You antenna system can vary in price from between about $40 and up.

Quality power supplies usually run about $90 new for a minimum of 20amp continuous draw. 20amp continuous is the min you will need for 100w on HF or 50w on VHF/UHF.

I'm cheap, so I build a lot of my gear from kits or from circuits. Usually my radios are low power (less than 5 watts), that's where the QRP in QRPrat comes from. QRP is a morse code shortcut for "low power operations".

[Jeep]

Go ahead and pick a band, freq, and time and lets give it a try. Are you going to CQ and give your call or something else like net control for S and P forum?

[qrprat77]

I will publish the frequency, time, and mode on this post right before I start, probably around 00:00 UTC. Look for the freq to be on 40m. I will announce is frequency in use, and give my call. I will then tune my antenna, and transmit a series of V's when I know I'm tuned up. Then I will switch back to LSB, say "This is " callsign " Testing, any response to test" My radio transmits CW in USB, so it may sound off freq if you are in LSB. In the interest of OPSEC I wont announce CQ for S and P forum.
If you hear my call for response to test respond with this phrase: <my call> " this is " <your call> "I hear your test, you are " <sig report> "Name is " <your name> " How copy over?"
I'll respond with your signal report, and ask for other stations. Other stations responding from this forum use the above challenge phrase to indicate you are from here. We can then do some experiments with power levels and different antennas.

If you don't hear me, at 5 minutes after I announce my start, announce yourself and that you are testing. I will be monitoring www.w4ax.com for your signal.


One GREAT HELP if you don't have a radio or hf privileges and you do have a fast internet connection, go to the frequency we specify here at www.w4ax.com and monitor. write down the different calls you hear and PM them to me, we'll publish an after action report in the members only section.

Instead of S and P forum net howabout we call it the "Minimalist Radio Net" meaning that we will attempt to use the minimal amount of power/antenna/equipment necessary to sustain effective comms.


all approve say "Aye"

All opposed say "Nay"

Any improvements welcome.

Edited to add:
If you feel comfortable, you may PM me your call sign just so we can know who's who. I will respond with my call if you PM me yours.

[Cimarron]

Just "Aye" was too short..

[tech]

"Aye" as well...

As station is getting renovated (inside and above) I'll only be on the 'net tonight. Hopefully the additional altitude will prove worth the effort :)

[Jeep]

Aye and hopefully this will work very well.

[qrprat77]

Ok, freq is 7.208 we are live!

[Jeep]

grpratt you were 5/9 into NC Randy

[tech]

Sounds good on the net...listening only for now :)

[qrprat77]

Awesome guys! I'll write up something in the members section later tonite, glad to work two stations, don't know if the second guy is on S and P, but it was good to work him anyway!

[Cimarron]

Well crud, I just missed you guys. I had to run out of the house for a bit.