ORCA DIGITAL NET

Check-ins: 30
Stations:
W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
__KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
__KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
__KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
__KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
__KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
__AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
__K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
__W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
__W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
__N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA
__KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
__W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX
KG7VVN Bruno Beryl,UT VidID
KJ7VGV Don Reno,NV
__N7SND Larry Cedar City,UT QNX
K6ETA Steve Mt Shasta,CA VidID
__KB6HOH Steve Novato,CA QNX VidID
__W5CLE Charles Vancouver,WA QNX
KE6SLS Jaye Eureka,CA
__KJ7BHK Brian Vancouver,WA QNX
__KE7ZPG Steven McKinleyvile,CA QNX
__WB7TZD Tom Vancouver,WA QNX
__W7WSV Steve Mesa,AZ QNX RELAY: KG7VVN
K7KY Doug Brookings,OR NCS
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR NCS

80m was predicted to be quiet tonight, but it was anything but quiet. At one point, B/G noise here was 20over9 on one antenna and S7 on the other?? We also had a few station issues in the mix. Trouble shooting our 15w power limit last week involved substituting components between our stations. We must have bumped the Signalink Delay knob, causing us to miss callsign prefixes. Besides noisy, condx were stranger than usual. While our antennas normally perform differently, the stronger antenna sometimes didn’t copy anything while the other did so-so. It was odd enough to have us wonder if it had fallen and do a quick visual check. Later, band conditions improved and both antennas performed as usual.

Thanks for another orderly ck-in. We appreciate your focus and patience during ck-in. It’s a busy time for NCS; we can fall behind quickly when 2 or 3 stations TX before we’ve acknowledged one. Coattail ck-ins usually occur when members don’t copy each other; it’s not intentional. This happens often in a wide coverage HF net. We have a mix of locations, topography, antenna efficiency, power setting, etc. It’s hard to avoid conflict with signals we don’t copy.

Overall, ORCA runs smoothly. Following our digital-net conventions keep it orderly and efficient. Many digital nets still use Phone and Data for net operations. Operating efficiently Data-Only requires skilled and focused Operators. You are the prime reason we can ck-in 30+ stations, run an NBEMS Exercise with 8 Ops, and accommodate a Comment round in a little over an hour. It’s a real pleasure to work with you every Tuesday.

Following the net, we discussed our plans for resuming regular ORCA operations in September. Much has changed this Summer and we’re feeling the effects of political, financial, and social upheaval, coupled with homestead and family responsibilities. The passing of Mindy’s Dad, is a big change in our family. Doug recently further injured his back and is currently very limited. The facility that has kept him mobile for 9yrs is unavailable until late September. Much goes undone around the homestead these days. We realize that additional ORCA work is unrealistic. Truthfully, we need to reduce our external commitments.

We’ve received more feedback than usual regarding changes to the ORCA training curriculum. Dissatisfaction is minuscule compared to positive feedback. It’s our impression that the bulk of ORCA members are generally satisfied with ORCA’s training agenda. We hope this is true. We love this project. We would happily do more if we could.

Occasionally, we hear the NBEMS Exercise is boring. Boring for one person may be useful training and practice for others. Useful practice entails repeating a routine correctly often enough to imprint it deeply in memory. Regular practice keeps the skill sharp and executable under duress. We’re training and practicing for emergency operations. The NBEMS Exercise has worked well for numerous Ops; we’re inclined to leave it unchanged. ORCA has enabled quite a few radio Operators to become proficient in digital networking and NBEMS traffic-handling over the past 8yrs.

We’ve put a lot of thought, time, and energy into the NBEMS Exercise. We’ve tried to incorporate as many actual traffic-handling tasks as possible. We try to mix up the details regularly so that it’s not always exactly the same. Most NBEMS traffic-handling tasks ARE the same or similar. We try to exercise with the most used tools and features and avoid doing exactly the same thing every week. Last year, we enabled 10 veteran ORCA Ops to opt-out of the Exercise by checking in with an * after their callsign. This made room for newer stations. Our veteran Ops are critical to the Exercise; it’s a complex exercise. Incoming stations learn the routines by observing the veterans. Without them, the Exercise easily runs off the rails and takes way too long. Our objective it to learn complex traffic-handling tasks encountered on a busy emergency net. Sometimes, processing traffic quickly makes a critical difference.

So, on 21/Sep/21 we’ll return to business as usual. With fore-notice, we’ll occasionally replace the NBEMS Exercise with a different exercise, demonstration, or member led event. It’s your net too; we’d like to hear from you.

Note to newer stations: If you intend to work the NBEMS Exercise, we ask you to ck-in QNX and work the Exercise w/o on-air pressure until you grasp the routine. It’s a two part exercise; the Advance portion entails working between two and three applications in limited time. It simulates tasks you may perform on a busy emergency net. It takes some time to master. Please learn the simple primary exercise first b4 working the Advanced portion. During the Exercise, we send the practice file in three different modes and send fill blocks to the active participants. You are very likely to get any fills needed to CONFIRM the file. Following every net, we call a brief Monitor’s Session for QNX and Lurking stations. We fill missing blocks, CONFIRM exercise files, and answer questions. Using this after-net session, you’ll be able to join the on-air exercise with confidence. You’ll help us run a complex Exercise with fewer derailments (-:

Test images copied during the net:

K6ETA Mt. Shasta, CA

KE6SLS Eureka, CA

KG7VVN Beryl, UT

KB7BHK Vancouver, WA

KJ7VGV Reno, NV

KK6RJR Bakersfield, CA

W1EEP Pine Valley, UT

W7WSV Mesa, AZ

Thanks so much for your ongoing participation and support. Without you, ORCA DIGITAL NET would be a footnote in Amateur radio history. 73 Doug K7KY & Mindy W7ZAP

— Net Log —
ORCA DIGITAL NET – Early Ck-In
Summer Sked: Ck-In & Comments only
SEND on 1 line pse:
‘CALLSIGN’ only (Active)
‘CALLSIGN QNX’ (In&Out)
‘CALL,NAME,QTH [QNX]’ (1st Ck-In) < W7ZAP/NCS

NCS < KW6M KW6M QNX

Please Stand By < NCS

W1EEP < W7ZAP TU Gene
W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
BK

KF7ZIY < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
BK

KW6M < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
BK

Please Stand By < NCS

QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In
Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

DE KL7RI KL7RI QNX

KL7RI < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
BK
Was having RX issues… looks good now
BK
Next? < W7ZAP

D7DQ | Ron | Horseshoe Bend IDy Lurking|QNX

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T01:50Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
7JSN QNX

Please Stand By < NCS

KK6RJR < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
BK

KC7MAW < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
BK

AD7DQ < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
BK
Still having issues w/Doug’s ant so switched to mine
BK
Next?? < W7ZAP

K7HDX QNX

W7ZAP < WA7HHE

K7HDX < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
BK

WA7HHE < W7ZAP QSL Brad
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT BK
QRZ ORCA Ck-In < NCS

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T01:53Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>

W7JSN < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
BK

W7JSN < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
BK
Ooops! Bumped my dial! Yikes what a start!
BK
ORCA DIGITAL NET – Early Ck-In
Summer Sked: Ck-In & Comments only
SEND on 1 line pse:
‘CALLSIGN’ only (Active)
‘CALLSIGN QNX’ (In&Out)
‘CALL,NAME,QTH [QNX]’ (1st Ck-In) < W7ZAP/NCS

de KI7LOQ k

KI7LOQ < W7ZAP QSL Aaron
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID BK
QRZ ORCA Ck-In < NCS

Early ORCA Ck-Ins:
W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In

Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T01:57Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
W7ZAP de K7DV 10 w emergncy pwr qru

K7DV < W7ZAP TU Dave
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
Copied u 100% lite but good signal
BK
Stand by Im going to try and go back to Doug’s ant < NCS

OK ready for next ck-in < W7ZAP

W7WXV – Carroll, QNX

W7WXV < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
BK
Other stn agn pse < W7ZAP

QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In
Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

N2RSN QNX

N2RSN < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
BK
Next?? < W7ZAP

KK6RJR < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
Have u on the log Richard. We have high b/g noise tonight
BK
next?? < W7ZAP

AE6LJ

AE6LJ < W7ZAP QSL Lamar
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA BK
QRZ ORCA Ck-In < NCS

KS6M < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
BK
Next?? < W7ZAP

W6DLW < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX
BK

Please Stand By < NCS

Back to my ant… I hv poor RX on Doug’s
BK
Next 4 ck-in? < W7ZAP

Early ORCA Ck-Ins:
W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA
KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX

QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In
Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

KG7VVN < W7ZAP TU Bruno
KG7VVN Bruno Beryl,UT VidID
BK
next?? < W7ZAP

Early ORCA Ck-Ins:
W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA
KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX
KG7VVN Bruno Beryl,UT VidID

QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In
Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

KJ7VGV

KJ7VGV < W7ZAP QSL Don
KJ7VGV Don Reno,NV BK
QRZ ORCA Ck-In < NCS

N7SND QNX

N7SND < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
N7SND Larry Cedar City,UT QNX
BK
Next?? < W7ZAP

de KJ7VGV k

KJ7VGV < W7ZAP TU Don
KJ7VGV Don Reno,NV
Got u already Ron :-)
BK
next?? < W7ZAP

Early ORCA Ck-Ins:

W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA
KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX
KG7VVN Bruno Beryl,UT VidID
KJ7VGV Don Reno,NV
N7SND Larry Cedar City,UT QNX

QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In
Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

K6ETA < W7ZAP TU Steve
K6ETA Steve Mt Shasta,CA VidID
BK
next? < W7ZAP

KB6HOH < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KB6HOH Steve Novato,CA QNX VidID
BK
next 4 ck-in? < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:20Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
W7ZAP de KB6HOH quick ?? k

Go Steve < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:20Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
W7ZAP de KB6HOH OK Mindy FB and GE.
What that you that ACK K6ETA’s Video ID.
Wasnt until just know was I able to decode you. k

KB6HOH < W7ZAP I copied ETA’s VidID I’m on a different ant than we usually run the net with. Not sure if I answered ur ?
I hope so
BK
Next 4 ck-in?? < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:22Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
W7ZAP de KB6HOH OK Mindy FB. Well I saw Steve and a strong Sig prior with a CM5 Sig good audio but NO decode for some reason. Wont hold it. 73 to and the OLDDDDDD Mannnn.
So BTU Mindy W7ZAP de KB6HOH k

QRZ? ORCA DIGITAL NET Early Ck-In
Summer Sked – Ck-In & Comments only
< W7ZAP/NCS

CQ CQ CQ de W5CLE W5CLE W5CLE
CQ CQ CQ de W5CLE W5CLE W5CLE pse k

W5CLE < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
W5CLE Charles Vancouver,WA QNX
I’m guessing QNX :-) Good to cu on the WF
BK
Next?? < W7ZAP

NCS de ke6sls GE

KE6SLS < W7ZAP QSL Jaye
KE6SLS Jaye Eureka,CA BK
QRZ ORCA Ck-In < NCS

< KJ7BHK, QNX

w7zap de ke7zpg qnx
de k

KJ7BHK < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KJ7BHK Brian Vancouver,WA QNX
BK

KE7ZPG < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
KE7ZPG Steven McKinleyvile,CA QNX
BK
next? < W7ZAP

WB7TZD Tom QNX

WB7TZD < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
WB7TZD Tom Vancouver,WA QNX
BK
next? < W7ZAP

DE W5CLE, SORRY, I HIT THE WRONG MACRO. SHOULD HAVE BEEN QNX.

W5CLE < W7ZAP No worries Charles, I guessed QNX!
BK
Next 4 ck-in?? < W7ZAP

Need relay for last stn < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:29Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
W7ZAP de KG7VVN W7WSV QNX

W7WSV < W7ZAP Rgr tnx
W7WSV Steve Mesa,AZ QNX RELAY: KG7VVN
Tnx Bruno!
BK
next 4 ck-in? < W7ZAP

Early ORCA Ck-Ins:

W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA
KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX
KG7VVN Bruno Beryl,UT VidID
KJ7VGV Don Reno,NV
N7SND Larry Cedar City,UT QNX
K6ETA Steve Mt Shasta,CA VidID
KB6HOH Steve Novato,CA QNX VidID
W5CLE Charles Vancouver,WA QNX
KE6SLS Jaye Eureka,CA
KJ7BHK Brian Vancouver,WA QNX
KE7ZPG Steven McKinleyvile,CA QNX
WB7TZD Tom Vancouver,WA QNX
W7WSV Steve Mesa,AZ QNX RELAY: KG7VVN
K7KY Doug Brookings,OR NCS
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR NCS

2021-08-24 19:30:38p 02:30:38z
WELCOME to ORCA DIGITAL NET (Summer Sked)
Mindy W7ZAP/NCS, Brookings,OR, 35w, 210′ Doublet @ 80′

ORCA meets every Tuesday 1930p/0230z – 3.581+1500 – MFSK-32
NBEMS Software: FLDIGI, FLMSG, FLAMP. Dave W1HKJ, Developer

ORCA is a DIRECTED Net, dedicated to learning and developing
digital operating skills and practicing NBEMS traffic handling.
ORCA connects Amateur Operators with common interest in
training, information-sharing, and mutual-aid.
Practice makes perfect!

New to ORCA? See: http://orcadigitalnet.com/quick-start/

Following check-in NCS sends:
1) Signal evaluation image (30sec)
2) Rotation list
3) Announcements

Summer Sked: NO NBEMS Exercise/Traffic Round

Comment Round: RX reports, observations, questions,
comments, or brief QSTs w/reference URL.

CONFIG FLDIGI 4 NET:
LOCK: Cursor @ 1500
ENABLE: RxID
DISABLE: TxID, end-of-Tx-ID, Pre-Signal-Tone*
DISABLE: Mode-ID, CWID, CW-Postamble-ID
* Pre-Tone manually (TUNE BUTTON) when doubles are likely.

—–

REMAINING CK-INS COME NOW
ACTIVE Ops Send: ‘CALLSIGN’ or VidID
MONITORING/IN&OUT Ops Send: ‘CALLSIGN QNX'(QNI/QNX)
FIRST Ck-In? Send: CALL/NAME/QTH [QNX] < NCS

KG7VVN < W7ZAP Bruno pls relay call 4 ck-in TU < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:35Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
KG7VVN Relaying Ck-In 4 ORCA DIGITAL NET.
Not copying NCS? Check in here … < KG7VVN

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:35Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
Nil heard < KG7VVN

Tnx Bruno :-)
BK

Signal Evaluation Image <IMAGE:G,C:\Users\owner 1\Documents\ORCA\ORCASmallBlack.png>

Sending Pic:140×140; < W7ZAP

… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn 0RCA.b2s]<flmsg>4.0.14
:hdr_fm:21
W7ZAP 20212508023628
:hdr_ed:21
W7ZAP 20212508002319
<blankform>
:mg:967 ORCA DIGITAL NET 24/AUG/21 Check-in/Rotation

Check-ins:
Stations:
W1EEP Gene Pine Valley,UT
KF7ZIY Dave Vancouver,WA QNX
KW6M Steve Walton,OR QNX
KL7RI John Reno,NV QNX
KK6RJR Richard Bakersfield,CA QNX
KC7MAW Mike Port Orchard,WA QNX
AD7DQ Ron Horseshoe Bend,ID QNX
K7HDX Ron Cedar City,UT QNX
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
W7JSN Jason Union,OR QNX
KI7LOQ Aaron Boise,ID
K7DV Dave Idaho Falls,ID
W7WXV Carroll Prineville,OR QNX
N2RSN David Keno,OR QNX
AE6LJ Lamar Briceland,CA
KS6M John Oakland,CA QNX
W6DLW Dennis Cedar City,UT QNX
KG7VVN Bruno Beryl,UT VidID
KJ7VGV Don Reno,NV
N7SND Larry Cedar City,UT QNX
K6ETA Steve Mt Shasta,CA VidID
KB6HOH Steve Novato,CA QNX VidID
W5CLE Charles Vancouver,WA QNX
KE6SLS Jaye Eureka,CA
KJ7BHK Brian Vancouver,WA QNX
KE7ZPG Steven McKinleyvile,CA QNX
WB7TZD Tom Vancouver,WA QNX
W7WSV Steve Mesa,AZ QNX RELAY: KG7VVN
K7KY Doug Brookings,OR NCS
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR NCS
[WRAP:chksum 62E5][WRAP:end] … end

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Last week, we mentioned our interest in determining the minimum power necessary for solid contact in grid-down situations. We unknowingly put the principle to the test. Doug K7KY had added WSJT-X to his computer, altering PC sound settings. He ran the entire net at 15 watts. We even logged Steve WY7SJM in Casper,WY. 15w and a little wire go a long way.

We recently learned from Steve W7WSV that he and Joe W7LUX have decided not to resume the 20 Meter Digital Net (previously the SATERN Int’l Digital Net) on September 18th as projected. There was insufficient interest in sustaining the net after SATERN Ops abandoned it earlier this year. SATERN Int’l was the oldest US digital training net, established in 2012, a year before ORCA DIGITAL NET.

Ken AD5XJ SATERN NCS, sent a SATERN Bulletin every Saturday and occasionally logged 40+ stations. When the net closed w/o warning, Dave WB0GKN, Joe W7LUX, and Steve W7WSV were the regular Relay stations and they took over net management under the name, 20m Digital Net. They continued with the SATERN format for a couple months, but could not attract sufficient Relay stations and regular Ops to make the effort worthwhile. SATERN has a 1KW remote station in Texas that eliminated much of the need for Relays. SATERN’s remote station was not available for 20 Meter Digital Net.

SATERN also logged stations on-line with NetLogger. This back channel ck-in made the log appear large, but without internet check-ins, 20m Digital Net had much fewer Ops capable of actually working the net. Some unhappy SATERN members declined to support 20mDN. There’s a good bit more to this story, but this is what we’ve learned.

So, the 20m Digital Net will NOT resume on 18 September as we hoped. There are other HF digital training nets to our East and we’d like to conduct Exercises with them as we did with SATERN for the Coast2Coast Relay Exercise. We learned a lot about our strengths and where we could improve our training routines. Last year, The Buckeye Net added a digital section and we learned from Gary K7EK that Kentucky has an digital training net. There are probably a few more. We hope to eventually have contact with all the major US digital nets. Joint Exercises would strengthen all participating nets.

We’re planning for an ORCA Exercise that fosters conservation of power for grid-down condx. We’re considering a monthly Exercise where two stations pass our Signal Evaluation image with a sentence of text to determine the lowest reliable power setting for solid copy. Two Ops can do this quickly with the macro Tag <IMAGE. While observing the working stations, net members will develop more knowledge of paths between member stations. While learning to dial back the power, we’ll also learn which stations are best suited for relay to different regions. It would entail making a macro and modifying it for different text every Exercise. There may be more benefits to an Exercise like this. Your thoughts are most welcome.

If you’re an active ORCA Op, we’d like to add the Name and website of your ARC. If your ARC would like a link on our website, email the Name and URL to: ncs@orcadigitalnet.com

ORCA DIGITAL NET
19:43:26p 02:43:26z
Late Ck-In? < NCS

Yikes! What a rough start I had… One issue was that I guess I bumped my ‘Delay” knob on my SignaLink and was missing the first couple of letters of each callsign. Not sure if there is an issue w/Doug’s ant or not… may just be weird band, but there were a few stns his ant didn’t copy at all which is unusual. Don’t normally run net on mine, but tonight I am.
BK
On to the COMMENT Round and we begin with Gene W1EEP

W7ZAP DE W1EEP HAD A GREAT TIME IN OLD HOME STATE OF WYOMING LAST WEEK MISSED YOU ALL AS YOU HAVE BECOME A HABIT GETTING A LITTLE BETTER SIGNAL WITH THE SUN GOING DOWN NICE NET 73’S TO ALL

Glad you had a good trip and we missed you last week. Good signal too
BK
Next 4 Comments is Brad WA7HHE < NCS

ORCA < WA7HHE, here in Utah two weeks ago we were advised to wear KN95 mask outside due to the wildland fire smoke. The following article reminded me of this. How Toxic Smoke from Wildfires Affects Your Health. The Air Quality Index, a method of air quality reporting and forecasting, rose as high as 226 in Sacramento this week. While the AQI was higher in 2018 from the Camp Fire, Sacramento County’s current bad air quality still poses serious health threats.

It was a busy day for KG7VVN and myself. We did some repair work on our ECOMM Trailer Genset and repaired a signal light. EOC manager is asking we test all the Gensets in out CERT trailer. Other than that we are ready for the next emergency.
73’s to the Net < WA7HHE

Bad air from wildfires is tough on the lungs, eyes, and mental health. Hope you guys get fires under control soon and get clear air.
BK
Over to Aaron KI7LOQ 4 Comments < W7ZAP

KI7LOQ how copy? Ur up 4 comments < W7ZAP

Next 4 Comments is Dave K7DV < NCS

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:48Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
Hello over in the rest of the burned earth, weve had a ton of smoke here and been coughing and spuddering. enjoying life and having a great time with the xyl being retired. Helped my Blind daughter get back on the vhf/uhf and she is thrilled and excited. She is a very motivated blind girl and works for Verizon wireless as a Technical support. and she is in the USA and can speak english as opposed to other parts of the world where sometimes you cant understand them . Anyway thats what’s up with us ttyl8ter de K7dv

Wow Dave… that’s impressive that your daughter is so involved in radio. Hopefully u might get her into digital too!
BK
Stay safe with all the fires
BK

Over to Lamar AE6LJ 4 Comments < W7ZAP

AE6LJ Lamar ur up 4 comments < W7ZAP

Over to Bruno KG7VVN 4 Comments < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:51Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
ORCA/NCS GE Mindy/Doug N ORCA Ops

I receiv’d a distressing text from a dear friend of mine in her 80’s this afternoon: “Hi, Hope you Two are doing well. After I got the J J shot 4/11 my speech was slurring and then tired, went to ER thought it was a stroke but not, checked heart it was normal, went to Neurologist, and autoimmune, Gillian Barr or Miller Fisher, Getting infusion therapy once a week of GAMUNEX. Weak, have to use walker now, can’t even comb my hair. Talk slow. Staying with my son in guest room for now.” One more anecdotal story of adverse Covid injection reaction.
You draw your own conclusions.

Sig Rprt: ( 0XX -zero- indicates negative db value)

NCS 06,4 db KBD 100% FLMSG 100%
W1EEP 10, 12 db KBD 100%
WA7HHE 8, 22 db KBD 100%
K7DV 02, 7 db KBD 100%
KJ7VGV 08 db KBD 100%
KB7HOH 012,04 db KBD 60%
W5CLE 012,06 db KBD 90%
KE6SLS 04 KBD 100%
WB7TZD 05 db KBD 100%
W7WSV 06 db KBD 100%

Stay Healthy. Stay Sane ! :-) 73 < KG7VVN

So sorry to hear that Bruno… not the 1st person I’ve heard of w/issues like that. Glad she has her son to look after her. Great report
BK

Over to Don KJ7VGV 4 Comments < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T02:53Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
K6ETA< KJ7VGV
Every day for the past week there has been nothing but smokey haze here in Reno from the California fires. It gets under your skin but then I read about the flash floods in Tennessee and the lives lost or the number of homes burned down from the fires or the ongoing debacle in Afgan and I’m humbled. Did work on erecting another dipole at the cabin in the desert. It should pick up more coverage towards the eastern states while duplicating some west portions. Got the 80 meter tuned in, still need to crank down the 40 meter a bit will get that done next trip.

Also with so many QNX you can check out the youtube videos about NBEMS-Fldigi by K4REF. It’s a series of at least 6 videos.
Good luck

BK Don KJ7VGV

Smokey air is terrible… but beats having fire right close by. So many having a tough time right now. I count my blessings. Will ck out link. Tnx
BK
K6ETA Steve ur up 4 Comments < W7ZAP

NCS < K6ETA RR and thanks for another great net! Not too smokey here (mostly in the 70-90 range… so we are counting our blessings since there are fires in almost every direction! The 4,000 foot elevation helps I think.

Good sigs tonight NCE has been holding steady at +4-6 dB s/n and S9+ the whole net BTN < K6ETA

Sounds like all is well in Mt Shatsa :-) Good signal too (S9 +10)
BK

Over to Jaye KE6SLS 4 Comments < W7ZAP

ORCA de ARS KE6SLS, Jaye in Eureka, CA using 50W on the Big-M doublet.

w7zap, 6-15db, 100%, P4 w/multipath, FLM 100%,
KB6HOH, 1-5db, 100%
KG7VVN, 02-7db, 100%,
W1EEP, 0-7db, 100%
WA7HHE, 1-9db, 100%
KI7LOQ, – –
K7DV, 03-2db, 100%
AE6LJ, – –
KJ7VGV, 06-1db, 100%, SRI about all the SMOG :(
K6ETA, 4-13db, 100%
K7KY, won’t hear u before my comments.

How thin can we spred the wild land fire fighters? That’s the question for this decade it seems. The N. CA fires seem unstoppable at this point. I have a friend that owns house in Coffee Creek and my fingers are crossed that the fire crews can save Coffee Creek! Local ham drove up to Trinity Center to save his RV, hope he’s able to get it out and to safe ground ASAP.

Alternate antenna seems to be working well for you Mindy. Hope to hear “The Rest Of The Story” on Doug’s comments! Also, how did the TS go on the 15W Yaesu rig?

Good WX for 5 days now. LOVE the clean(er) air from N.NW!

PS, an N-95 mask really SUCKS in smoke condx. Yes, it WILL remove some of the worst elements, but it doesn’t help your lungs deal with the smoke. A 3-stage resperator, worn by professional painters will actually remove the smoke and you won’t even smell it! Food for thought.

Dave, cool on helpin’ your kid GET ON THE AIR! Good for her!

I am impressed at how many ops are ON FREQUENCY tonight!

Great to see you all tonight. Stay safe!

73

Jaye ke6sls k

I’m so grateful for the firefighters… can’t imagine if we didn’t have them. Great comments Jaye :-)
BK
K7KY Doug ur up 4 Comments < W7ZAP
BK
VidID I’ll get u in a minute
BK
Over to K7KY

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T03:01Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
ORCA < K7KY

We had some difficulty with band condx during ck-in tonite. The antennas seem normal. Ck-in isn’t the time to engage NCS w/questions; they go in the Comment round. We sometimes ck-in 35-40 stations, we’re frequently copy/pasting and replying as fast as we can. One reason we include QTH in the Roster is so you can better evaluate

signals from other stations. Adding detail to the roster adds a little time to each evolution. We ask you to send only what we need on one line; we can’t begin to copy your text until you stop transmitting. Thanks for helping us mangage the net. As to Jaye KE6SLS’s question abt last week running the net @ 15w, I later discovered that adding software had altered Win8.1’s sound distribution… It took me a few hours to sort it out btn K7KY

Good comments Doug – tnx!
BK
Was VidID AE6LJ with comments?? < W7ZAP

I was the Vid. Can I try my comment again please? Sorry de AE6LJ k

Yes over to you < W7ZAP

ORCA Digital Net de AE6LJ

Sorry. I did it again! Screwed the transistion on my radio.

OK, so I updated FLdigi since last week. Didn’t realize how far behind one can get on such things in so little time. Truth be told I am often leary of updating software programs as I often have to learn something all over again that I had just started getting the hang of. Anyway, of course K7KY’s Vid ID works exactly as advertised now, THANK YOU DOUG, though my waterfall does seem to have kind of more of a toxic yellow spill somewhere upstream nowadays.

Hey, I’m down with grid-down. Grid down 24/7 here. Low power ops is part of what drew me here.

That’s all tonight from this peanut in the gallery. 73 all around.

BTNCS de AE6LJ

I’m like u Lamar and always late to update. Tnx for the feedback! Glad to hear/see vidID working well.
Good on u w/ur solar setup :-)
BK
Any comments or questions from anyone? < W7ZAP

Over to Doug K7KY < W7ZAP

Before RSID: <<2021-08-25T03:05Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
TU MIndy… I think it wise to not update each new release too soon.. I do try the new releases and keep the last one installed until I’m certain I updated the last FLDIGI .20 and the last FLMSG .19 they work well but do have an issue that I’ve sent to Dave it’s unlikely to bother you the FILE tag won’t execute correctly if it follow immediately after sending a file in FLMSG other than that all sthe new releases seem solid btn < K7KY

Good tips Doug, tnx
BK
Anyone else w/comments, ?’s b4 we close??

Tnx to all 4 taking time to ck in. Stay safe out there and hope to see you on the WF agn soon :-)

2009L – 0309Z
This concludes the ORCA DIGITAL NET
Thanks for practicing with us tonight.
We hope to work with you again
next Tuesday evening.

Signal Evaluation Image <IMAGE:G,C:\Users\owner 1\Documents\ORCA\ORCASmallBlack.png>

Sending Pic:140×140; < W7ZAP 73 Mindy W7ZAP