Mission Statement

The ORCA DIGITAL NET is dedicated to training digital Amateur radio operators and practicing the skills required for efficient digital communications.  Digital radio skills are built on ARRL Directed Net protocols, basic computer knowledge, typing skills, and familiarity with FLDIGI NBEMS applications.  ORCA DIGITAL NET is prepared to support community emergency services in times of need.  The net is not limited to a particular geographic area, but seeks to connect regions with mutual interest in practice, sharing information, and mutual aid.

History

The ORCA DIGITAL NET (HF) is an outgrowth of the ORCA EMERGENCY NET (VHF), founded in January of 2013 to provide digital communications training and emergency communications on VHF simplex in Curry County, Oregon and Del Norte County, California.  Introducing new Amateur Ops to acoustically coupled digital communications was it’s primary focus.  Local interest in digital communications was keen and the net grew rapidly.  VHF simplex became a limitation when Humboldt County Ops joined the net.  100 miles is a long haul for reliable VHF communications.  Some days, communications were perfect;  on other days, non-existent.  The organizers were of two minds regarding net development.  Some wanted to retain focus on acoustic based digital communications for new operators.  Others wanted to develop and practice digital-traffic-handling tactics on HF.  The original VHF simplex net is still active in Del Norte County, CA.  The ORCA DIGITAL NET has expanded on HF to serve western United States.  ORCA DIGITAL NET soon realized they could not support emergency operations without seasoned digital Operators.  Training and practice became the primary focus.  In the event of an emergency, the ORCA DIGITAL NET is ready to assist community emergency services with digital communications.

 

TRUTH is often wrapped in Familiar Sayings …

‘We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training.’
Greek poet Archilochus’s (680-645/BC)

‘Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training.’
A modern rephrasing widely attributed to a US Navy Seal who believes the success of an operation is determined by how well you prepared. Train Smart. Train Often. Train Hard.

CALLSIGN Lookup by WM7D

Download NBEMS Exercises (Zip File)

Download Path Evaluation Macro Files

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FEMA Region X HF Interoperability Testing (60m)


FEMA Region X Monthly Interoperability NET, which comprises Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, conducts a monthly interoperability communications exercise on the 60-meter band. This exercise often includes a voice portion and a digital portion.

FEMA Region X uses the call sign of WGY910. The COMMEX occurs on the third Wednesday of the month from 1730 to 1900Z. Primary check-in is usually on 60-meter channel 1.

FEMA Region X Monthly Interoperability NET

3rd Wednesday 1730Z - 1900Z
Channel 1: 5330.5 kHz
Channel 2: 5346.5 kHz
Channel 3: 5357.0 kHz
Channel 4: 5371.5 kHz
Channel 5: 5403.5 kHz
1730Z Open net, delay check-ins
60M - CH1
1735Z NCS sends 1st dig msg
60M - BPSK31 - CH 2
1740Z NCS repeats 1st dig msg using alt mode
60M - MT63-2KL CH2
1745Z NCS calls for check-ins and reports
60M - CH1
1815Z NCS TX 2nd digital msg
60M - BPSK31 - CH 2
1825Z NCS reTX 2nd dig msg using alt mode
60M - MT63-2KL - CH 2
1827Z NCS calls for reports
60M - CH 1
1850Z NCS closes the net
60M - CH 1

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SHORTWAVE RADIOGRAM

Shortwave Radiogram transmits digital text and images on an analog shortwave broadcast transmitter. The program is produced and presented by Dr. Kim Andrew Elliott KD9XB. Shortwave Radiogram continues VOA Radiogram's tradition testing new modes and is an interesting source for Digital Ops wishing to practice more with FLDIGI & FLAMP.
 

Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule (AM)

Fri 2030-2100 UTC
7780 kHz
9455 kHz
WRMI Florida
Sat 1600-1630 UTC
9400 kHz
Space Line, Bulgaria
Sun 2330-2400 UTC
7780 kHz
WRMI Florida
Mon 0800-0830 UTC
7730 kHz
5850 kHz
WRMI Florida

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