ORCA
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ORCA DIGITAL NET 5/jul/16 check-in/rotation:
Check-ins: 8
Stations:
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR FLAMP
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
WB6SDR Ralph Folsom,CA
N6IET Rick Los Angeles,CA
K6WSJ* Steve Venice,CA in&out
KB6HOH Steve Novato,CA
K6ETA Steve Petaluma,CA
K7KY Doug Brookings,OR NCS 180’doublet@80′,35w
The net was small tonight. ARC meetings in Humboldt County collected some of our regulars. Band condx were favorable. A good bit of atmospheric noise, but it wasn’t much bother for digital signals. I’d made a few changes to net format and radically revised my ORCA macro buttons. That resulted in some deer-in-headlights moments when I couldn’t find buttons I use nearly every net.
Running a weekly FLAMP message is working well. We will always have at least that one message in FLAMP and have the practice of completing it to every station. Additional FLAMP traffic will still have only one REPORT and FILL round. Holding keyboard dialogue for the Comment round will also keep us moving along when the net is large and busy.
Ralph WB6SDR is running the latest version of FLDIGI on a Raspbery Pi2. He told us some of the process of compiling and installing the software. An outline of this small digital station would make an interesting piece of practice traffic. That reminds me that Howard KB7NN has been checking in lately with only 4w and doing very well. I love it when QRP is sufficient. And, we learned from Brad WA7HHE that wild fires still threaten Gene W1EEP’s home in Pine Valley,UT. Gene is also a firefighter. We wish a good outcome for Gene and his family.
I forgot to check for late and visiting stations again tonight. The software and routine changes I made used up my focus and I forgot. Steve KB6HOH and Steve K6ETA waited quite a while. Don’t give up on the wfID. I usually see them and when I don’t, Mindy or another Op tells me. I seem to notice the wfIDs above 1500 more often than below; I don’t know why. Also, horizontal printing is much easier to catch than vertical. Horizontal keeps all characters visible longer; I have more time to catch the whole call.
Changing to 3.581 is working OK, so far. I can take early check-ins around 10min before net w/o going off-freq. Members can still copy the K7IFG bulletins on 3.582.5 beginning at 1900p and then come to 3.581 for net. I hope we can remain here w/o issues. The net was light tonight and we didn’t have much practice traffic. I’m hoping that when we have larger check-ins, keeping the Traffic round for traffic and Comment round for comments will help keep the flowing smoothly.
Thanks for working with us tonight. I hope to see you all again next Tuesday evening. 73 Doug K7KY-NCS
———- Net Log ————–
K7KY Signal Test < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:19Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
WB6SDR
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:20Z MFSK-32 @ 1501>>
W7ZAP Signal Test < W7ZAP
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:23Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>
CQ CQ CQ DE WA7HHE WA7HHE WA7HHE CQ CQ CQ DE WA7HHE K
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:23Z MFSK-32 @ 1501>>
wa7hhe testing
WA7HHE < K7KY GE Brad… ur on the log… < K7KY
k7ky de wa7hhe ge doug running about a -3 this evening, hope to give a wildland fire report on w1eep’s qth, could see smoke
kicking up toward his qth today
KB6HOH < K7KY Wow… not good… Is W1EEP still on the fire line..? sorry for wrong call WA7HHE I moved most
of my callsign macros today and I can’t find anyone easily… hope I settle down for net… cu @ net < K7KY
\
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:26Z MFSK-32 @ 1505>>
k7ky de wa7hhe, currently allowing residents to stay in the community, sent him an email asking if he was ok when I saw the
smoke said he was ok but attending a meeting on the fire k7ky dewa7hhe
WA7HHE Brad will you want to use FLAMP tonight? < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:28Z MFSK-32 @ 1504>>
WA7HHE Good… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:29Z MFSK-32 @ 1501>>
n6iet no traffic
N6IET < K7KY RR Rick < K7KY
\Early ORCA Check-Ins:
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR FLAMP
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
WB6SDR Ralph Folsom,CA
N6IET Rick Los Angeles,CA
K7KY Doug Brookings,OR NCS 180’doublet@80′,35w < K7KY
07/05/2016 19:31 PDT
Welcome to the ORCA DIGITAL NET – Doug K7KY-NCS
ORCA meets every Tuesday @ 1930p – 3.581+1500
Software: FLDIGI, FLMSG, FLAMP – MFSK-32
ORCA is a DIRECTED net, dedicated to learning and developing
digital operating skills and practicing digital traffic handling.
The net connects Amateur Operators with common interest in training,
information-sharing, and mutual-aid. Visitors always welcome.
New to ORCA? See the ‘Quick Start Guide’:
www.orcadigitalnet.com/quick-start/
Following check-in NCS sends:
1) Test image
2) Rotation list
3) Announcements (questions/comments?)
Traffic Round: NCS calls each station in rotation
No traffic? Send ‘QRU’. Ask before sending FLAMP.
Hold keyboard dialogue for Comment Round. Questions anytime.
Comment Round: reception reports, observations,
questions, and comments (keyboard or FLMSG Form as you like)
NOTE: LOCK fldigi @ 1500, enable RxID, TxID
ENABLE: CONFIGURE/ID/RsID ‘Retain tx freq lock’
Have FLAMP open. It does not self-start.
FLAMP traffic is followed with one round of FLAMP REPORTS
and one FILL.
CHECK-INS COME NOW. Send CALLSIGN or wfID
First time? CALL/NAME/QTH
Monitoring stations send: ‘CALLSIGN IN&OUT’
< K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:34Z MFSK-32 @ 1482>>
k6wsj in&out
K6WSJ
GE Steve… ur in & out tu < K7KY
We may not have many more check ins… Humboldt Amateurs are at ARC meetings tonight… any more checkins? < K7KY
WB6SDR GE Ralph… tu for checking the old freq for strays… BREAK Good to have a smaller net tonight.. I’ve changed
quite a few things and hope it all goes smoothly… I revised all my callsign macros and now, I can’t find the regular members
quickly… last call for checkins < K7KY
<IMAGE:G, /home/k7ky/Documents/orca/ORCASmallBlack.png>
Sending Pic:144×140; < K7KY<STX>
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn ORCA.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.15:hdr_fm:20
K7KY 20160607023949
:hdr_ed:20
K7KY 20160507233124
<blankform>
:mg:273 ORCA DIGITAL NET 5/jul/16 check-in/rotation:
Check-ins: 6
Stations:
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR FLAMP
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
WB6SDR Ralph Folsom,CA
N6IET Rick Los Angeles,CA
K6WSJ Steve Venice,CA in&out
K7KY Doug Brookings,OR NCS 180’doublet@80′,35w
[WRAP:chksum B8EF][WRAP:end]… end
ORCA Announcements 5/jul/16
NEW in JULY
1) New ORCA frequency: 3.581 Early Check-In: 10min +/-
2) Weekly FLAMP practice message. A short FLAMP practice message will
follow bulletins in the Traffic Round. We will attempt to complete this
message to all Ops.
3) Traffic Round is for FLMSG & FLAMP traffic. Hold Keyboard dialogue
for Comment Round. Questions anytime. No traffic today? Send ‘QRU’
4) FLAMP traffic limited by time. ASK before using FLAMP. NCS may ask you
to defer FLAMP and use FLMSG. Only one REPORT/FILL round per message.
Check-In still ‘CALLSIGN’ only. First time? CALL/NAME/QTH
Monitoring only? Send, ‘CALLSIGN IN&OUT’
Our intent is to maintain balance between traffic and dialogue. Both are
important for learning and practice. We want to let everyone TX/RX digital
traffic, and interact with the net by keyboard.
***
ORCA Quick Start Guide: http://orcadigitalnet.com/quick-start/
Weekly Net Report/Log @: http://orcadigitalnet.com/reports/
Want on/off ORCA email list? ncs@orcaditalnet.com < K7KY
Questions? < K7KY
OK we’ll begin the Traffic round with a weekly FLaMP msg from Mindy W7ZAP…. < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:43Z MFSK-32 @ 1495>>
4i¯iulRa(
#
ORCA DIGITAL NET DE W7ZAP
<PROG 18 F24E>{90BD}FLAMP 2.2.03
<FILE 33 9DA1>{90BD}20160703002814:FLAMPmsg.txt
<ID 26 32C7>{90BD}W7ZAP Brookings, OR
<SIZE 14 40F1>{90BD}234 5 48
<DATA 56 5F1D>{90BD:1}ORCA DIGITAL NET, routine FLAMP practice message
<DATA 56 7C48>{90BD:2}. We will attempt to fill this message to all s
<DATA 56 6E21>{90BD:3}tations. It may provide an opportunity to send
<DATA 56 891A>{90BD:4}the fills by RELAY. If you CONFIRM the message,
<DATA 50 EE2D>{90BD:5}NCS may ask you to RELAY the fill blocks.
<CNTL 10 535D>{90BD:EOF}
<CNTL 10 F351>{90BD:EOT}
DE W7ZAP K
For FLAMP traffic we have one quick round for
REPORTS & FILL. I will prompt you in order with
your CALLSIGN. Press the FLAMP REPORT Button or
send, ‘No FLAMP’ or ‘No Copy’.
WA7HHE
DE WA7HHE
File : FLAMPmsg.txt
<MISSING 15 AE86>{90BD}CONFIRMED
DE WA7HHE K
SwmWB6SDR
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:46Z MFSK-32 @ 1498>>
No FLamp
N6IET
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:47Z MFSK-32 @ 1497>>
DE N6IET
File : FLAMPmsg.txt
<MISSING 15 AE86>{90BD}CONFIRMED
DE N6IET K
DE K7KY
File : FLAMPmsg.txt
<MISSING 15 AE86>{90BD}CONFIRMED
DE K7KY K
W7ZAP Tu Mindy all confirmed except Ralph tonight and he’s not running FLAMP now… BREAK WA7HHE Brad ur up for
traffic… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:48Z MFSK-32 @ 1495>>
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn ORCA.b2s]<flmsg>3.00.00:hdr_fm:42
K7KY 20160607023949
WA7HHE 20160607024853
:hdr_ed:20
K7KY 20160507233124
<blankform>
:mg:273 ORCA DIGITAL NET 5/jul/16 check-in/rotation:
Check-ins: 6
Stations:
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR FLAMP
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT
WB6SDR Ralph Folsom,CA
N6IE
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:49Z MFSK-32 @ 1503>>
de wa7hhe srii lost my message will attempt to locate it de wa7hhe
WA7HHE OK Brad we’ll check at the end of traffic rotation… BREAK WB6SDR Ralph ur turn for traffic… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:51Z MFSK-32 @ 1502>>
No Traffic just comments
WB6SDR TU Ralph… we’ll catch those soon… BREAK N6IET Rick up to you… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:52Z MFSK-32 @ 1501>>
QRU
N6IET TU Rick… Short net tonight and a good thing for me… some of the changes will be helpful when the net is
large, tonight, it doesn’t make any difference…. good time for small mistakes BREAK OK time for the comment round….
As you see, we’ve changed the routine a bit so we have keyboard comments in the comment round instead of in traffic and
comments… some times we just didin’t have enough time and the net would run past an hhour and half… OK over to Mindy
W7ZAP for comments… < K7KY
KB6HOH GE Steve… ur on the log… we’re at the end of the traffic round.. do you have any traffic to send tonight? < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:56Z MFSK-32 @ 1492>>
K7KY de KB6HOH OK Doug FB and GE to you Mindy and the Net. No TFC. Had a quiet 4th and thats about it.
Nice WX here for the last several days so I dont look like a wet mop. Hi! Thats it for me!
So BTU Doug K7KY de KB6HOH k
KB6HOH Tu Steve… BREAK W7ZAP OK Mindy ur up for comments… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T02:58Z MFSK-32 @ 1499>>
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn W7ZAP_report.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.16.01:hdr_fm:17
c 20160607025849
:hdr_ed:17
c 20160607025141
<blankform>
:mg:653
B/G Noise: S8
Ant: 35w 135ft doublet @ 110ft
W7ZAP copied the following stations:
WA7HHE 100% copy KBD, S9 (s/n=3dB)
WB6SDR 100% copy KBD, wfID S9 (s/n=12dB)
N6IET 100% copy KBD, S9 (s/n=7dB)
K6WSJ 100% copy KBD sri Steve no sig rpt – too quick!
KB6HOH 100% copy wfID, KBD S9 +30! (s/n=12dB)
K7KY 100% copy KBD,FLMSG, image
Band seems better than it has the past few evenings. What a quick, easy net :-) Nice to have those from time to time. Hope
everyone had a good 4th. WX here in Brookings has been beautiful. Usually this time of year we get socked in with fog.
Wow! Booming signal from KB6HOH Steve in Novato, CA
How many watts tonight
[WRAP:chksum CFBB][WRAP:end]… end
W7ZAP Tu Mindy… BREAK WA7HHE Brad ur up for comments.. < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:01Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
K7KY and the net de wa7hhe, had my msg already to send via flmsg, but when the net roster came through it dissapeared for
some reason, so now have it ready, pls copy wildland fire report for W1EEP’s QTH
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:01Z MFSK-32 @ 1500>>
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn W1EEP_QTH_Update.213]<flmsg>3.00.00:hdr_fm:22
WA7HHE 20160607030133
:hdr_ed:22
WA7HHE 20160607015930
<ics213>
:inc:11 Saddle Fire
:to:16 ORCA Net Members
:p1:6 RADO’s
:fm:7 inciweb
:p2:18 Wildland Fire Info
:d1:8 07/05/16
:t1:6 19:59L
:sb:29 Net member W1EEP’s QTH Update
:mg:830
Washington County Sheriff’s Office has partially lifted the voluntary evacuation order for Pine Valley. A portion of properties at the
top of Lloyd Canyon however will remain under a voluntary evacuation. Property owners are encouraged to be prepared to
evacuate if fire conditions change.
The Pine Valley Recreation Area in the Dixie National Forest remains under an indefinite area closure to all uses until the order is
rescinded. Those wanting more information about the area closure should contact the Dixie National Forest or view the following
link:
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4794/31098/.
The Saddle Fire began June 13 with a lighting strike on Saddle Mountain in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness of the Dixie
National Forest. The fire started approximately 2.5 miles south west of Pine Valley, Utah.
[WRAP:chksum 5CCD][WRAP:end]… end
WA7HHE Tu Steve for the report and please give our thoughts to W1EEP when you see him… BREAK WB6SDR
Ralph… up to you for comments… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:04Z MFSK-32 @ 1497>>
Prior to net I monitored our old freq. and I copied a QST from K7IFG message: Flamp arlb022.txt … at S9 s/n 3db.
New software not working with Flamp .. QRM from W1AW CW just off freq.!
The Oregon Digital Net Reception Report
80M 3.5810 MHz date: 7/5/2016
Mode MFSK32 @1500Hz
The following stations were copied at WB6SDR in Folsom CA
STATION NAME LOCATION S-Meter IMD TRAFFIC RX
_____ ____ ________ ______ ___ ___________
K7KY Doug Brookings, OR S9+10 -26 NCS got pic
W7ZAP Mindy Brookings,OR S9+20 +9 Glampmsh.txt
N6IET Rick Los Angeles,CA S9+10d
WA7HHE Brad Cedar City,UT S9
K6WSJ Steve Venice,CA in&out
End of RX report.
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:05Z MFSK-32 @ 1496>>
ek@¹rt kt
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn InvertedV_2nd-6.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.15:hdr_fm:22
WB6SDR 20160607030556
:hdr_ed:22
WB6SDR 20163006231212
<blankform>
:mg:1710 Fldigi 3.23.13-a03
New fldigi software has been downloaded and compiled and I am now running Fldigi 3.23.13-a03. This new version excutable is
37.4 MB in size and should allow me to ID on the waterfall. I followed Jeffrey Kopcak’s WEB tutorial “Running Fldigi Flmsg &
Flwrap on the Raspberry Pi2”. Using make -j 4 allows the 4 core 900MHz cpu to run the C++ compiler in 4 threads. I
checked the Task Manager and sure enough, there were 4 seperate threads each running the C++ compiler at about 24% CPU
loading each; the compile time was reasonable at less than 30 min. I will continue evaluating this alpha version but sofar, the
waterfall ID works.
Continued from last week: Antenna Adventures at WB6SDR
Third, I measured my SWR prior to starting this effort. The antenna was resonant at 3.540 MHz. After rerouting my antenna
the resonant point changed slightly more favourably for the ORCA net.
Future, As I mentioned above, one high up branch is touching my antenna. I plan to lower the antenna since it is raised and
lowered with a line and a pulley attached to a L bracket clamped near the top of the 40 ft. TV mast. Once the center insulator
is lowered to roof level, I will detach the antenna wire that routes through the oak tree. Somehow yet to be determined (probably
using my spinning reel with a lead sinker) I will cast a line over the upper branch and tie the line to the antenna wire and string
the wire over the branch using the line to pull the wire over the branch. Once the wire is pulled back to the roof level I will
reattach it to the IL-4 using the wing nut. I will raise the antenna back up the TV mast being careful to maintain a clear path
through the oak tree.
[WRAP:chksum F4BC][WRAP:end]… end
WB6SDR TU Ralph… great report and tnx for finishing the antenna story…. great signal too.. BREAK N6IET Rick
ur next for comments < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:10Z MFSK-32 @ 1499>>
ORCA de N6IET in Los Angeles
KB6HOH has checked in via the WF twice, now, once horizontally to the left and later vertically to the right.
The left side WF ID was very faint here.
Am I the only one who notices that the FLAMP reports no longer appear in the Tx buffer? They just get sent
out of nowhere when I hit the Tx button. I’m running fldigi version 3.23.11 and flamp version 2.2.03. Maybe
the newer versions fix this prolblem.
I thank Mindy for her neatly organized signal reports.
I’ve been hearing W6IW and W1AW at 500 Hz sending bulletins and code practice. It’s not interfering with my
ORCA reception at all, however.
Doug is the strongest at 0 to 5db 100% print.
Mindy was a steady 0dB at 100%
Steve KB6HOH was also at 0dB at 100%
Brad WA7HHE was a goo 0dB at 100% and the FLMSG was copied 100%
Ralph WA6SDR is 0 to 6 dB at 100%
Sorry, I haven’t paid attention to others’ signal reports.
That’s it from here. Thanks for doing the net, Doug and Mindy!
btu Doug K7KY de N6IET k
ON6IET Tnx Rick…. The CW is right on the edge of my passband and doesn’t interfere with the net, but does catch
my attention when I should be concentrating on the net… tnx for your report… K6WSJ
Stevbe if youK6WSJ
Steve if your around, you can pop in for comments… < K7KY
K6WSJ
Any comments or observations, Steve? < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:14Z MFSK-32 @ 1494>>
K7KY de KB6HOH OK Doug Im not sure if that was for me BUT you did have another VidID to the side.
So BTU Doug K7KY de KB6HOH k
K6ETA GE Steve…. ur just in time for the comment round… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:15Z MFSK-32 @ 1504>>
K7KY de K6ETA
I didn’t secure a spot on the roster, so I just had to monitor, but the FLAMP was 100% and fine signals by all stations. Just a
suggestion, but when the net is light, maybe call for late check-ins? Or is a visual check in to the right preferred? I noticed
you picked up KB6HOH that way – nice! The Steves are taking over this net too I noticed!
btu Doug K7KY de K6ETA k
K6ETA UR right, Steve…. Good thing the net is small tonight… I’ve made a few changes and I’m not quite yet up
tospeed with what I’ve done… I usually remember to call for late & visitors, but tonight I’m behind the curve… glad you got in…
I usualllyl see the wfID but Mindy has lately changed her report style and I don’t have as close a back-up as before I’ve added
you to the end.. and I’ll be back after KB6HOH for your comments… BREAK Steve finally, ur up < K7KY
KB6HOH Steve… sorry, another macro fail ur up for comments < K7KY
KB6HOH Steve u still hr? up to you for comments < K7KY
K6ETA Steve… Well, I may have confused Steve KB6HOH… up to you if you want to say anything further… < K7KY
Before RSID: <<2016-07-06T03:21Z MFSK-32 @ 1507>>
5KY de K6ETA
Thanks for running this net and I will endeavor to get on the roster in the proper way next time! Besides, it’s always good form to listen to a few nets before keying up in order to get the flow of things!
btu Doug K7KY de K6ETA k
K6ETA OK Steve.. & tnx for the reminder about late and visiting check ins… I can get behind and forget… I’ll settle
back down after I get used to the new locations of all my macro… even with 40macros in one block, I don’t have enough to
run the net, so I have one button call another set of macros and sometimes I have to move back and forth between them…
BREAK are there any more comments or does anyone have a file to send? we have some extra time tonight please use the
prt-tone now as we may create doubles… < K7KY
Well, that looks like a wrap… Thanks for your patience tonight… I thought I was totally set up to do a good job, but you know
how sometimes plans go south… I can’t even spell tonight… OK thanks for coming and working with us and I hope you won’t
be discouraged by a werid nite 73 thanks again… Doug K7KY sk
