ORCA DIGITAL NET

ORCA DIGITAL NET

ORCA DIGITAL NET is dedicated to learning and practicing digital traffic-handling skills. To support our mission, we focus on three fundamentals: Directed Net protocols, Computer skills, and digital traffic-handling with NBEMS software. Directed Net protocols are essential for orderly digital communications, especially on HF. Doubles are the bane of digital net operations. Unlike CW and Phone, digital doubles usually scramble both signals and nothing is copied. On Directed Nets, all transmissions go through NCS.

Digital operations require familiarity with PC operating systems and file management. Basic typing skills are important too. Handling digital traffic often involves file manipulation and editing. Computer skills are basic to learning, configuring, and operating digital software. Of the NBEMS software suite developed by Dave Freese W1HKJ, we use FLDIGI, FLMSG, & FLAMP every session. The FLDIGI suite of applications is a world-class digital messaging system, used by many agencies and governments around the world.

If you’re interested in learning to pass digital traffic in emergencies, or just expand your knowledge of digital operations, ORCA may be right for you. Read our Quick-Start Guide and monitor the net. NCS controls net operations; you can learn a lot about digital traffic-handling by simply observing net operations. Our members are the actual Instructors. Many of them have been with us for years. They’re digital veterans that continue to work the net because they value the opportunity to practice their skills. Their participation creates a weekly working model. Observing them will teach you digital networking and traffic-handling. This website outlines what you need to know and what to expect from the net. It also outlines what’s expected of you. In brief, you need to learn and follow a simple set of Protocols that define software settings, Check-In, and net operations. As a Training net, we’re error tolerant; that said, we expect you to do your homework, pay attention, and do your best.

To participate in NBEMS Exercises, you must learn the routine while Monitoring or Lurking. Ck-In QNX and work NBEMS Exercises silently, without the time pressure of Active participation. The after-net Monitor’s Session enables Monitoring stations and lurkers to Fill or CONFIRM Exercise files. Read the Quick-Start Guide carefully. All you need to know is there. Then, Monitor a session or two and read the Quick-Start Guide again.

 

NCS: Doug K7KY
NCS: Mindy W7ZAP

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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