26/MAY/15 Report

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10 June 2015 16:03

ORCA DIGITAL NET, Report 26/May/15

Check-ins: 7
Traffic: 6
Keyboard: 1
Monitor: 2

Stations:
KI6RIT Nick
KJ6UPE Danon
KB6NN Howard
NX6D David
W7ZAP Mindy
K7IFG Ken
K7KY Doug NCS

KA6ULG Bob monitor
K7IOW Ron monitor

We had a good net tonight despite poor band conditions. Danon KJ6UPE was very weak at check-in and was gone by traffic rotation. We ran another relay exercise with Mindy W7ZAP and Nick KI6RIT QSYing to 3.593. All things considered, we did well with the relay. The band was noisy and Nick didn’t copy Mindy 100%, but the exercise was about relay and they did a good job at that.

Here’s our net relay procedure:
Station A holds traffic for Station B.
NCS has A call B with frequency for relay. B agrees to receive traffic on A’s frequency.
A&B QSY to relay freq (w/o further input from NCS; I’m monitoring their exchange)
A calls B, ‘Hw Cpy. Ready to receive?’ (at relay freq)
A passes traffic to B & checks, ‘How copy?”
B responds, ‘100% copy’, or need fill’. When relay complete, A tells B, ‘Let’s QSY back to net freq’. B acknowledges, ‘QSY’
A&B return to net freq and RECHECK, A first.
A sends, ‘RECHECK, 1 traffic passed de A7AA’
B sends, ‘RECHECK, 1 traffic received de B6BB’
NCS checks them back into the net and records the traffic.

Tonight, I asked Mindy & Nick to do the relay and the rest of the net to follow them and monitor. That was an unnecessary activity that I thought to do once so the members could follow the relay process. Normally, we would just continue with net business and the relay stations return to net when they’ve completed the relay. Sorry if it was confusing.

I’d forgotten that I can’t transmit or receive when Mindy is transmitting, so she won’t be relaying while I’m NCS. Speaking of NCS, David NX6D noted that an omni directional antenna would be good for NCS. He’s right. We don’t currently have an omni, but I am always interested in alternate NCSs. It would be good to have more than one alternate NCS. While I’m NCS, we can relay in the stations unable to copy me. We’ll rely on the stations with wide net coverage.

Relay activity is good experience for the net, but I wouldn’t want to devote too much time to weak station relay for each message. Our purpose here is learning and developing digital network skills. In an emergency, we would certainly relay the weak stations to be sure each message reaches its destination.

That said, we don’t want to return to the original ORCA VHF format of relaying every message to every weak station, every session. The net would be much less efficient and useful for most members, and could disintegrate like ORCA VHF digital.

I sometimes hear from monitoring stations after the net and I’ll begin listing them on the net report. These may be members who are not participating this session, but want to read the mail. Or, stations who have read our website intro and are monitoring a few sessions to learn our format. Sometimes, they’re digital Ops like me who visit other digital nets to see how they operate. If you know someone who may be interested in participating with us, monitoring a few sessions is a good idea, unless they’re already HF digital-net savvy.

Although band conditions were not good, Ken K7IFG sent a message in flamp that was copied 100% by all stations. We’re doing much better with flamp these days. We’ll continue with the same flamp format regarding the built-in flamp reception REPORT. When a message is sent in flamp, I’ll prompt the following station to send a flamp REPORT. The remaining stations should send their REPORT in succession w/o NCS prompt. This will bring the REPORT routine back to the original station quickly so a fill can be sent or we move on to the next traffic. We won’t do further REPORT rounds and any station not completing the message with the fill round can fill it at the end of net if they wish.

I’ve again attached the grayscale image we use for signal evaluation. I’m hoping one of you will send it during a net so I can see how it decodes from afar. When Mindy & I send images, we naturally copy each other perfectly with the antennas 70’ apart. JB KR5RR emailed me the image as he copied it off the net. It was the first time I saw how the image was received 400mi distant.

Thanks for participating in the net tonight. I really enjoy working with you. If you’ve been away for awhile, drop in again when you can. Everyone has something to contribute to the learning environment. Sometimes, your questions may help others who haven’t yet encountered the issue. Hearing your resolution, they may pass that issue w/o pause. Or, you may have the knowledge we need.

73 Doug K7KY

…….. Net Log ………

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:25Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

NX6D

Ge David ur checked in… de K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:26Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

Back from Dayton. had a fine trip.

NX6D Good to hear. I’ve never made Dayton… de K7KY k ORCA DIGIAL NET, Checked-in early:

NX6D David T

W7ZAP Mindy T

K7KY Doug T NCS

< K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:28Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

Imagine a very large State Fair. That’s about the size of it. Everyone in the business is there.

QST & WELCOME to the ORCA DIGITAL NET. Doug K7KY NCS – Brookings,OR.

We meet every Tuesday at 1930p here on 3.595 USB. Software: FLDIGI, FLMSG, & FLAMP. Mode: MFSK-32 @ 1500. Other modes

and bands depending on conditions. Alternate digital freq: 7.122 USB. Optional voice freq’s: 3.955 & 7.200.

The ORCA DIGITAL NET is dedicated to learning digital operating skills and practicing digital traffic handling. The

net connects Amateur Operators with mutual interest in training, information-sharing, and support. Visitors welcome.

This is a DIRECTED Net. Please answer check-in with your CALLSIGN. If you can print your call on the WF, use any

free space in the passband.

After check-in, please stand-by while NCS organizes the rotation list.

NCS transmits grayscale test image

NCS transmits Rotation list

NCS transmits Announcements (comments/questions?)

NCS calls each station in rotation (traffic or keyboard)

Before sending, please LOCK fldigi @ 1500, enable RxID, TxID, & AFC.

(Set CONFIGURE/ID/RsID ‘Retain tx freq lock’)

A round (or more) of fills, reception reports, comments, questions, follows the traffic round.

Closing Announcment (optional QSY to voice)

————————-

ORCA DIGITAL NET- website: http://orcadigitalnet.com/ < K7KY

ORCA DIGIAL NET, Checked-in early:

NX6D David T

W7ZAP Mindy T

K7KY Doug T NCS

< K7KY k ORCA DIGITAL NET de K7KY

Check-in: Please respond with your callsign only…

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:33Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

KB6NN

ALL ORCA OK looks lite tonight… < K7KY k

ORCA DIGITAL NET de K7KY

Grayscale image for signal evaluation

<IMAGE:G, C:\Documents and Settings\Admin\Desktop\PBlogo\ORCAlogo.png>

Sending Pic:192×192;

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:35Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

brooken up kj6upe

<STX>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7KY-9.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.10

:hdr_fm:20

K7KY 20152705023527

:hdr_ed:20

K7KY 20152705023501

:mg:111 ORCA DIGITAL NET, Rotation order

KJ6UPE Danon T

KB6NN Howard T

NX6D David T

W7ZAP Mindy T

K7KY Doug T NCS

[WRAP:chksum 9D61][WRAP:end]

… end

KB6NN KJ6UPE GE Howard & Danon.. Now the announcements…< K7KY k ORCA DIGITAL NET, Announcements, 26/May/15

Tonight, we have another relay exercise. Two stations will QSY to 3.953 (or below if busy), pass traffic, and return

to net freq. All remaining net stations will follow them to 3.953 and monitor. We are not QSYing to participate, just

monitoring. We will all be back on 3.595 when they return to freq and recheck with NCS.

We will all follow the relay team to monitor the process and copy the message. Pay attention to the process of leaving

and reentering the net.

ORCA DITIGAL NET has members in these counties:

OR: Curry, Clackamas, & Washington

CA: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Alameda, & Solano

*** Remember to LOCK fldigi @ 1500, & enable RxID, TxID, & AFC ***

(Set CONFIGURE/ID/RsID ‘Retain tx freq lock’)

Comments, Questions?, come now with your callsign. de K7KY

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:38Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

Late checkin

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:38Z MFSK-32 @ 1515>>

KI6RIT GE Nick… I’ll resend the rotation list now…< K7KY k <STX>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7KY-9.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.10

:hdr_fm:20

K7KY 20152705023938

:hdr_ed:20

K7KY 20152705023501

:mg:111 ORCA DIGITAL NET, Rotation order

<STX>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7KY-9.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.10

:hdr_fm:20

K7KY 20152705024019

:hdr_ed:20

K7KY 20152705023501

:mg:125 ORCA DIGITAL NET, Rotation order

KI6RIT Nick T

KJ6UPE Danon T

KB6NN Howard T

NX6D David T

W7ZAP Mindy T

K7KY Doug T NCS

[WRAP:chksum 9C8B][WRAP:end]

… end

ALL ORCA I began sending the rotation list before saving it with Nick included. When we come to Mindy W7ZAP in the

rotation order we will use her traffic for relay.

KI6RIT Nick… will you receive the relay from Mindy on 3.953? < K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:43Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

Is there anything special I need to do?

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:43Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>

KI6RIT Not much and I’ll give you an overview before we begin. No big deal. Thanks

And, you can begin rotation with your traffic or kbd now….< K7KY k

Nothing much going on here, I was out of town last week for training. Good evening everyone! :)

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:44Z MFSK-32 @ 1506>>

*P uupot°edzyroOaF iKJ6UPE OK Danon… How are you copying me? < K7KY k

ALL ORCA does anyone copy KJ6UPE Danon? < K7KY k

KB6NN OK Howard, we aren’t hearing Danon, so go ahead with your

traffic…< K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:46Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn Link to KB6NN-17.213]<flmsg>1.1.34

:hdr_fm:21

KB6NN 20152705024648

:hdr_ed:21

KB6NN 20152705024411

:to:16 ORCA DIGITAL NET

:p1:28 50w, horizontal dipole @ 10′

:fm:13 Howard, KB6NN

:p2:10 Eureka, Ca

:s1:47 Please report my waterfall center frequency TNX

:mg:169 Still trying to get it all together. Last week FLAMP worked for me for the first time. Wahoo! This week, I

will follow up to 3953 and observe the traffic. 73, KB6NN

[WRAP:chksum 277C][WRAP:end]

… end

NX6D Your turn David…< K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:48Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn NX6D-8.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.8

:hdr_fm:20

NX6D 20152705024820

:hdr_ed:20

NX6D 20152705024820

:mg:783 I attended the Contest University the day before the Dayton Hamvention began. It was well worth my time and

money — I learned a lot even though I don’t have plans to become a contester.

One thing I learned was about the friction between RTTY contesters and the rest of the world. They feel very strongly

that they have long ago staked-out sub-bands in the HF bands for their work, and are not concerned if, during contests,

they use frequencies that others use for digital comms, as long as they stay within these “agreed upon” limits.

I noted that 3595 is smack in the middle of one of these RTTY sub-bands. As I recall, that sub-band started at 3580.

We may want to consider all of this. I should have copies of the slides that were presented that we can study.

NX6D

[WRAP:chksum E11F][WRAP:end]

… end

ALL ORCA David’s right about the RTTY contest conflict. So far, we’ve only been hammered once since we began the net.

That night, we had to move, but we’ve not been bothered since. They don’t show up too often.

Now to the relay. We’re asking Mindy to relay her message to Nick. We will all follow them and then return. Only the

two relay stations will formally log off and back on the net. The rest of us are just reading the mail.

For relaying the station holding traffic will usually determine the relay freq, but tonight we’ve already selected

3.593. When asking the stations to move off freq to pass traffic, the traffic station will contact the receiveng

station before leaving the freq. They both tell NCS they leaving for traffic. Upon returning, they come back to the

net freq with ‘RECHECK’ and the sending stations says, ‘one traffic sent’. Receiving stations RECHECKS with ‘received

one traffic’ .

That’ s it. any questions before we go? < K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:55Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

3593 or 3953 ??

de KB6NN k

KB6NN Go Howard < K7KY k

ALL ORCA the relay freq is 3.593 < K7KY k W7ZAP Mindy please call Nick and arrange to relay your message…< K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:56Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

KI6RIT de W7ZAP

How Copy?

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:57Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

I got it

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:57Z MFSK-32 @ 1504>>

OK, I upped my power to 30w.

Let’s QSY to 3.593 for relay…

de W7ZAP k

OK, I will QSY to 3.593.

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T02:58Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>

ALL ORCA Let’s follow them and copy the mail. Please return when they finish…< K7KY k

No copy, signal too weak

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:00Z MFSK-32 @ 1504>>

KI6RIT de W7ZAP How Copy?

de W7ZAP k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:00Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>

got you that time

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:00Z MFSK-32 @ 1504>>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn 26may2015.213]<flmsg>2.0.10

:hdr_fm:21

W7ZAP 20152705030037

:hdr_ed:21

W7ZAP 20152705030018

:to:16 ORCA DIGITAL NET

:p1:22 40w 120′ doublet @ 65′

:fm:11 Mindy W7ZAP

:p2:13 Brookings, OR

:d1:10 2015-05-26

:t1:5 1619Z

:sb:43 Upcoming Digital Contests (May 27-31, 2015)

:mg:856

SKCC Sprint: 0000Z-0200Z, May 27

Mode: CW

Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m

Rules: http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/

CWops Mini-CWT Test: 1300Z-1400Z, May 27 and 1900Z-2000Z, May 27 and 0300Z-0400Z, May 28

Mode: CW

Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m

Rules: http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html

NCCC RTTY Sprint: 0145Z-0215Z, May 29

Mode: RTTY

Bands: (see rules)

Rules: http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html

CQ WW WPX Contest, CW: 0000Z, May 30 to 2359Z, May 31

Mode: CW

Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m

Rules: http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm

SARL Digital Contest: 1300Z-1600Z, May 31

Mode: PSK, RTTY

Bands: 80, 40, 20m

Rules: http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20150101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2015.pdf

QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint: 2000 local – 2400 local, May 31

Mode: CW

Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m

Rules: http://www.qrparci.org/

[WRAP:chksum 3DDE][WRAP:end]

… end

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:03Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>

KI6RIT de W7ZAP How Copy?

de W7ZAP k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:03Z MFSK-32 @ 1501>>

Dropped out for a few seconds in the middle, didn’t open in flmsg

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:03Z MFSK-32 @ 3505000+1504>>

KI6RIT de W7ZAP

That’s fine Nick. Let’s return to net and I’ll check-in first.

W7ZAP QSY 3.595

de W7ZAP k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:04Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

K7KY de W7ZAP

Recheck 1 traffic sent

de W7ZAP k

ALL ORCA We’ll wait a moment or two for Nick… I may have confused him about the process. Let’s stand by a moment…

< K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:06Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

RECHECK – received one traffic partially

de KI6RIT k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:06Z MFSK-32 @ 1504>>

KI6RIT Nick… Thanks for doing the relay w/o notice. Mindy & I learned a bit more about

operating two stations so close together again. I see the message didnt’ come thru 100%. Poor band tonight. The

process was what we wanted to do anyway, not the message. Thank you both for doing the relay. It’s not a difficult

process and saves much time on an emergency net. Not every station needs to copy each message during an operational

net.

OK I’ve a message for the net tonight too stand by a moment while I do some housekeeping…< K7KY k

<STX>

… start

[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn parachute.213]<flmsg>2.0.10

:hdr_fm:20

K7KY 20152705030951

:hdr_ed:20

K7KY 20152705030950

:to:16 ORCA DITIGAL NET

:p1:22 25w/ 180′ double @ 80′

:fm:9 Doug K7KY

:p2:17 QTH: Brookings,OR

:d1:10 2015-05-26

:t1:5 2009L

:sb:21 Parachute Mobile, 10m

:s1:9 Doug K7KY

:mg:875 We are pleased to announce that Mission 20 is scheduled for May 31. Mark, AF6IM and Michael, KF6WRW will be

back in the air taking contacts from around the Greater Bay Area. Accompanying them will be Parachute Mobile—s

illustrious Ground Crew proving live video, APRS and all needed tactical support.

UPDATE!! Mark, Jumper 1, will dedicate one or more of his jumps for HF contacts. We were originally going to use 20

meters but now have changed to 10 meters. Look for us at 28.520MHz.

The Mission will take place at BayArea Skydiving located at Byron Airport in Byron, CA.

Jump Time: We hope to have the first jump commence as close to 1100 hrs as possible.

As usual, we have no control over the weather or the operations at the DZ. The mission is always subject to delay or

cancellation.

Contact: Rob Fenn, KC6TYD, Parachute Mobile Team Coordinator, KC6TYD@gmail.com

[WRAP:chksum 0E32][WRAP:end]

… end

ALL ORCA Are there any late members or visitors wishing to check in? de K7KY k

K7IFG

GE Ken… If you have traffic, now would be the time. We just arrived at the bottom of rotation. over to

you… de K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:13Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

K7KY DE K7IFG GE DOUG AND THE NET QTC 1 FOR NET IN FLAMP QTX

K7IFG OK Ken… just a moment before you send. I want to look for KJ6UPE again.. Danon how copy? de

K7KY k

K7IFG All ORCA Ken is sending in flamp. I’ll call for the first REPORT and then

please follow in rotation. Ken will send fill blocks after all REPORTS are in… OK Ken… de K7KY k

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:16Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

QST ORCA DIGI NET DE K7IFG

<PROG 18 1ABC>{D372}FLAMP 2.2.02

<FILE 33 94D7>{D372}20150527003239:K7IFG-11.p2s

<ID 34 7271>{D372}K7IFG Beavercreek, OR CN85sg

<SIZE 14 E043>{D372}537 9 64

<DESC 17 D243>{D372}WEFAX FREQS

<PROG 18 1ABC>{D372}FLAMP 2.2.02

<FILE 33 94D7>{D372}20150527003239:K7IFG-11.p2s

<ID 34 7271>{D372}K7IFG Beavercreek, OR CN85sg

<SIZE 14 E043>{D372}537 9 64

<DESC 17 D243>{D372}WEFAX FREQS

<DATA 72 0A43>{D372:1}[b64:start]AUxaTUEAAAIDXQAAAAQAHhmJhvwzDh5T3dGz4BqhBYmu5ykIZXXbL

<DATA 72 4899>{D372:2}lfc4u1wa+iH73roc/7Bq8B6Pp1xeCJiymp5O8FgOFJCq+oARYKpXJTn+clibOTa5

<DATA 72 B6C6>{D372:3}JV4WuEt9GiQbopIQAue9+NN069nACkmnGerRGsTv1kYZkB+2CU5fQ/Ljt3MYEOBn

<DATA 72 2543>{D372:4}abvNvl+yC9ww06prdCa9ToyLTl+lna+IcHifP68O3yfOvMKJMqLczzd4e1xQce6L

<DATA 72 8E25>{D372:5}oE/eN+JU1hgaKTKWVF7OcXOwjn05PDEVTWc6jrz0JYedtTteoBXDKYwM2UKjW0dR

<DATA 72 7EC0>{D372:6}gw1kI6CMNeRZX+YRdPipA6UCGxyaz3MiCgFpT74rbah003M4h36WU5/ZCNPmq/Hs

<DATA 72 8D37>{D372:7}IThqicTvWafW6I/783xBSviNSgEOGtvIQQIxYwvFPU5m/pkIjI/cvoLOvRYUTmfy

<DATA 72 C3A8>{D372:8}Xjt8SgvPG2m2WLqjbBsMxYrlikpEVaDmMhcMRCUYFk7WotMe5Kyhfe7sGxwHE5Bo

<DATA 33 2484>{D372:9}fQjDQqiQntGy00=

[b64:end]

<CNTL 10 850F>{D372:EOF}

<CNTL 10 2503>{D372:EOT}

QST ORCA DIGI NET DE K7IFG BK

Before RSID: <<2015-05-27T03:19Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>