On Sunday 08 November 2009 09:58:42 Andy obrien wrote:
Many years ago , when I was an NTS NCS, we would abandon use of
repeaters once per month and run a simplex night. Operators would use
net time to call up a net from their QTH and work whomever answers. I
am proposing we do the same , each 15th of the month at 8PM local
time. Suggested frequency is 145.00 FM. Suggested procedure=
Listen first... if there is someone calling CQ Digital Simplex Night
, answer them. If you hear no one, call CQ Digital Simplex Night a
few times . If someone answers, simply have a chat. You decide the
content of your net, send a file or canned message if you are so
inclined, no requirements You also decide which digital mode to use.
Log the call signs and QTH of each station you hear. This will enable
you to develop your own database of stations that are in simplex range
of your QTH.If you live close enough to an area that is in a
different time zone and 8PM comes around more than once, feel free to
check-in a second time.
Upload your heard list to this email group.
Andy K3UK
Wondering why everyone is thinking 145.000MHz is a good frequency to use?
I an not trying to complain here, but 145.000MHz falls within the 144.900 to
145.100MHz allocated Packet frequencies in most areas. Has anyone gone to
there LOCAL Packet coordinators or (i hate to say it) Repeater councils to seek
guidence about this? Michigan repeater council usually and has in the past
worked with users to find a good place to do something without interfering.
Can't say about other states though.
In Michigan, 144.900 to 145.100 is set aside for Packet usage along with 144.390
for APRS. I listed other frequencies in some previous posts over the past week
that
are considered 'gaurded' per the Repeater council here.
There are PLENTY of 2m simplex frequencies to choose from for doing this and
there
was an email this weekend from W8RIT here in Michigan that has been using
145.520
to 'play' with digital modes. I think that is a good idea to do as he is close
enough to
the Repeater band edges to generate interest if someone scans but still doesn't
cause
interferance to established users either. There is even was a Simplex net going
on
up in the thumb area for years that did everything from SSTV to the newest
digital
mode. Haven't heard from them in a few years though so I don't know the status.
Has anyone played with say PSKMail or run something on USB around 144.265 to
144.280MHz? There are probably plenty of people out there that might be
interested
in trying out a different mode other than FM on the latest combo radio out
there that
offer from DC to 70cm coverage and usage. I am not suggesting operatings below
144.265 as most Microwave coordination is done at 144.260 and the USB nets that
I know of in the Great Lakes states are on around that frequency also.
As I stated at the beginning, I am not trying to complain, but there is 'other'
2m
simplex frequencies that could be used other than the Packet frequencies unless
there is NO Packet activity in your area to justify a concern. I am trying to
get some
input about this.
James W8ISS
