ORCA DIGITAL NET

ORCA DIGITAL NET REPORT,  22DEC14

Check-ins: 8
Traffic: 6

WA6NBG   Don
KW6JIM   Jim
KB6NN    Howard
KA6ULG    Bob
W7ZAP    Mindy
K7IFG    Ken
NX6D   Dave
K7KY     Doug NCS

Another tough night on the low bands.  We could not hear Howard KB6NN at check-in and could not hear any Humboldt stations when we returned to 3.955 after sending digital traffic.  We concluded the net in digital mode on 3.595.

Ken K7IFG arrived when we were in digital mode and tried to get my attention with short tuning tuning.  I did notice the signals, but forgot the meaning.  It’s a good way to get NCS’s attention, but it does cause file transmissions to fail CheckSum if you tune on the working freq.  This break-in method is best done 1kc up from our working freq so we don’t disrupt file decoding.  So, let’s give this a try for stations breaking into the digital net.  Please send three short tuning signals 1khz above the working freq.  I’ll learn to watch for these signals and bring you in.  Again, get NCS attention with three short tuning signals 1khz up from the working freq.

Dave NX6D arrived after Ken and stayed to chat by keyboard following the net.

We will begin using flamp for large file transfers soon. Flamp breaks files into packets so we won’t have to retransmit complete files when some data is missing.  Please download and install flamp and take a look at the manual before we run it on the net.  Mindy & I have used flamp a couple times now.  It’s not difficult, however it has to be manually opened; it doesn’t open automatically.  After transmitting, the sending station receives reports from all receiving stations that need fills.  It then sends only the missing packets.  This will fit nicely into our digital net protocol and increase reliability in poor band conditions.

I’m attaching our weekly net log to the net reports.  It’s interesting to review the log.  I sometimes notice events I missed during the net.  When the website is finished, we’ll post the net report and net log there.

Last Sunday, W7ZAP, KJ6UPE & I experimented with DominoEX and THOR on 7.122mhz.  Both modes are derivitives of MFSK-16.  DomEX has optional FEC that can be enabled for poor band conditions.  DomEX-22 seems faster than MFSK-32.  Next, we’ll give DomEX-22 a try on the net.

Thanks to everyone that took time to check-in and practice digital communications.  And, thanks to those who responded to my email regarding name change and net focus.  73 & wishing you a peaceful holiday!  Doug K7KY

Net Log:

… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7KY-6.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.6
:hdr_fm:20
K7KY 20142412034353
:hdr_ed:20
K7KY 20142412012807
<blankform>
:mg:293     ORCA DIGITAL NET, Rotation Order

WA6NBG   Don   T
KW6JIM   Jim   T
KB6NN    Howard T
KA6ULG    Bob  kbd
W7ZAP    Mindy T
K7KY     Doug T

Following this transmission, the first traffic station will transmit.  NCS will prompt the remaining stations in
order

Contact: k7ky@orcadigitalnet.com
[WRAP:chksum AA09][WRAP:end] … end

<DC2>rtr \9Srn§hD ALL ORCA OOps! Sory about that.  I didn’t mean to send in DomEX.  I’ll resend the rotation list
in mfsk32.

… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7KY-6.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.6
:hdr_fm:20
K7KY 20142412034558
:hdr_ed:20
K7KY 20142412012807
<blankform>
:mg:293     ORCA DIGITAL NET, Rotation Order

WA6NBG   Don   T
KW6JIM   Jim   T
KB6NN    Howard T
KA6ULG    Bob  kbd
W7ZAP    Mindy T
K7KY     Doug T

Following this transmission, the first traffic station will transmit.  NCS will prompt the remaining stations in
order

Contact: k7ky@orcadigitalnet.com
[WRAP:chksum 7C74][WRAP:end] … end

Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T03:47Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1501>>
iReeiZa:teanR
<STX>
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn WA6NBG-90.213]<flmsg>1.1.32
:hdr_fm:22
WA6NBG 20142412034708
:hdr_ed:22
WA6NBG 20142412032817
<ics213>
:to:16 ORCA Digital Net
:p1:3 All
:fm:10 Don WA6NBG
:d1:10 2014-12-22
:t1:5 1722L
:sb:26 Bulletins and Annoucements
:s1:23 Donald O. Nelson WA6NBG
:mg:715 Bulletins and Annoucements for December 22th, 2014

HO! HO! HO! And Merry Christmas.

At the Sunday radio exam in Fortuna, Drew from Arcata passed is Technician exam. Look for him on the air soon.

Bill Hillendahl, Section Manager for ARRL San Fransico section, will talk at the January meeting of the Humboldt
Amateur Radio Club.

The Humboldt Amateur Radio Club is planning on having a swap meet and sale for the February meeting. This meeting
will be open to all.

Please send any bulletins or announcements for the Eureka Emergency VHF Net or ORCA Digital Net to donelsonsteam@g
mail.com or via Packet to WA6NBG-1 145.050 MHz.

This ends the digital message for December 22th.

73 and Happy Holidays from WA6NBG

<EOT>
KA6JIM de K7KY Ur UP.. K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T03:49Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1501>>
<STX>
… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn SAQ_Net_Msg.p2s]<flmsg>1.1.32
:hdr_fm:22
KW6JIM 20142412034916
:hdr_ed:22
KW6JIM 20142412034916
<plaintext>
:tt:15 General Message
:to:16 OrCa Digital Net
:fm:6 KW6JIM
:dt:10 2014-12-23
:tm:5 1947L
:sb:33 SAQ Transmission on Christmas Eve
:mg:944 SAQ transmission on Christmas Eve

There will be a transmission with the Alexanderson 200 kW alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz from Grimeton Radio/SAQ on
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th, 2014.

The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC (09:00 local time). The transmitter will be tuned up from
around 07:30 UTC (08:30 local time).

There will be activity on amateur radio frequencies with the call SK6SAQ on any of following frequencies:
– 3,755 SSB
– 7,035 CW
– 14,215 SSB
– 14,035 CW

QSL- reports on SK6SAQ are kindly received:
– via SM bureau or direct to Grimeton Radio

QSL-reports on SAQ are kindly received via:
– E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
– or via SM bureau
– or direct by mail to:
Alexander – Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen, Grimeton 72
S-432 98 GRIMETON
S W E D E N
The radio station will be open to visitors. No entrance fee.

Also read our website: www.alexander.n.se

Yours
Lars Kalland SM6NM
[WRAP:chksum 0611][WRAP:end] … end

<EOT>
KB6NN de K7KY Ur UP.. Howard. K7KY  KA6ULG de K7KY OK Bob… K7KY  W7ZAP de K7KY I didn’t hear Howard or Bob and
they may not hear me.  Over to Mindy… K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T03:53Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1496>>

… start
[WRAP:beg]tn Vµkc#dS/\itÃa oALL ORCA de K7KY Mindy is having a little glitch but she’ll be back soon.  Just a
moment while she sorts it out… K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T03:55Z BPSK-63F @ 104+1461>>
<STX>

… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lfÝRAP:  1+o  SS.213]<flmsg>2.0.6
:hdr_fm:21
W7ZAP 20142412035458
:hdr_ed:21
W7ZAP 20142412033724
<ics213>
:to:16 ORCA Digital Net
:fm:11 Mindy W7ZAP
:p2:13 Brookings, OR
:d1:10 2014-12-23
:t1:5 1836L
:sb:17 SSTV from the ISS
:mg:719 I forgot to send this message last week, so unfortunately –
it has passed. Ooops! Still interesting…W7ZAP

“The Russian ARISS team members plan to activate SSTV from the
ISS on Dec 18 and 20. Expected mode will be PD180 on 145.800 MHz
with 3 minute off periods between transmissions. A total of 12
different photos will be sent during the operational period.
Start time  would be around 14:20 UTC on December 18 and 12:40
UTC on December 20. The transmissions should terminate around
21:30 UTC each day. Space-X 5 will be launching the same week and
delays in the launch could adjust SSTV operational times.”

MultiPSK is one of the programs that can receive the PD180 SSTV
mode:

http://ariss-sstv.blogspot.co.uk/
[WRAP:chksum 4A4A][WRAP:end] … end

<EOT>
twruËe0r ?ALL ORCA de K7KY OK lets do a round of observations and see if we need any retransmits…  Here’s my
report<STX>

… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7KY-6.b2s]<flmsg>2.0.6
:hdr_fm:20
K7KY 20142412035754
:hdr_ed:20
K7KY 20142412035754
<blankform>
:mg:51 WA6NBG 100% +flmsg
KW6JIM 100% +flmsg
W7ZAP 100%

WA6NBG de K7KY Over to Don NBG K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T03:59Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1485>>
Xt|l
<STX>
KW6JIM  100% and FLMSG
KB6NN  None
W7ZAP  99.9% and FLMSG
K7KY de EWA6NBG
<EOT>
t tiósKA6JIM de K7KY OVer to Jim K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T03:59Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1488>>
PiZaMeiat R
<STX>
Good Evening All,
I had errors in the DOM transmission, and it didn’t open anything.
All the rest of the msgs were 100% copy.
Merry Christmas!!
Jim
KW6W7ZAP oops.. KB6NN de K7KY U hre HOward?  K7KY
de KB6NN k

<EOT>
KB6NN de K7KY TU HOward, I got only a litte of your last, but I did get some.  Over to BobKA6ULG
K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:02Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1477>>
only copy kw6jim here.  Fragments of others.
de KB6NN k

<EOT>
KA6ULG de K7KY OK Bob.  Ur UP… K7KY  it ¯iPh  n‡ twRB <DC4>W7ZAP de K7KY I”m not hearing
Bob, so go ahead Mindy.. K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:03Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1480>>

<STX>
W7ZAP copied the following stations:

WA6NBG – 100% Copy + FLMSG
KW6JIM – 100% Copy + FLMSG
KB6NN – N/AKA6ULG – N/A
K7KY – (2)100% Copy + FLMSG
73,
Mindy W7ZAP k

<EOT>
QST QST ORCA DIGITAL NET < K7KY
ORCA EMERGENCY NET – DIGITAL MODE
Please check-in now  K7KY NCS

K7KY Doug. Sorry to be late.  I have one message for the net  K

<EOT>
K7FIG…. Ken go ahead with your traffic  K7KY
<STX>

… start
[WRAP:beg][WRAP:lf][WRAP:fn K7IFG-1.p2s]<flmsg>2.0.6
K7IFG 20142412040549
K7IFG 20142412035452
<plaintext>
:15 General Message
:to:4 ORCA
:fm:5 KX7YT
:dt:10 12/24/2014
:tm:8 0353 UTC
:sb:21 PLANS FOR SET IN 2015
:mg:1732 Oregon ARES/RACES 2015 RAMP-UP SETS SCHEDULED FOR 2015

This coming year will include two SETS to help us prepare for the big FEMA-Oregon-Washington Cascadia Rising
Exercise which is in June, 2016 (Yes 2016).

Oregon ARES/RACES State SET Dates for 2015

1. QuakeEX I: April 25th, 2015 from 8AM to 5PM
2. QuakeEX II: Oct. 10 & 11th 2015 (Two Full Days) 8AM to 5 PM each day

Both SETS will be Cascadia Subduction Zone(CSZ) exercises. Both will restrict ARES communication modes to disallow
telnet, local RMS gateways and possibly repeaters. Both will require HF Pactor Winlink to out of state gateways.
WINMOR may be used by groups that don’t have Pactor modems. Both SETS will be regional in scope including
Alaska, Washington, Idaho and California. Both will include the SIMCELL concept used during AshEX 2014 and both
are intended to test the ability of Oregon ARES/RACES and other Auxcomm groups capacity to perform over several
days.
State Oregon ARES/RACES Leadership will be involved in the design of the Cascadia Rising exercise and will be
incorporating elements of that design into these state SETS. Expect to include emergent volunteers into your
operations just as you would during a real CSZ event. Begin recruiting now.

Ramp-Up exercises and seminars will also be conducted by FEMA Region 10 and OEM to share information on communicat
ions plans, procedures and processes. Other exercises will likely be planned by Western Washington and other
group. The State Leadership Team is already working with the other states.

More information to come. 2015 will be a busy year and we will keep you updated. Please add these events to your
training calendar.

Merry Christmas!
John Core KX7YT
ASEC SET Coordinator
/EX
[WRAP:chksum B599][WRAP:end] … end
<EOT>

ALL ORCA de K7KY TU Ken..  We can discuss Ken’s traffic and all others when we return to voice.  Before we
go,I’ll send one more file.  After that file, please qsy to 3.955 for final comments.. K7KY

Sending Pic:192×192;
KA6JIM de K7KY HI Jim… I’m back with Mindy w7zap and Ken K7IFG    K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:23Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1500>>
<STX>
Hi Doug…

HA!  100% copy…  I could copy Ken ssb…  He was about a 58
How copy?
de KW6JIM k

<EOT>
tR r¢tt VKA6JIM de K7KY Great copy here.  Oops!  i was @ 100w at first.  No wonder good copy!  Back to 25w Hw ?
K7KY

<STX>
The call is KW6JIM.  You have the callsign gremlins tonight…
Sounds good.  I was 100 too.  I am at 50 now.  Same?
de KW6JIM k

<EOT>
KW6JIM de K7KY Oh No!  I’ve really got to examine the macro more closely.  When I use the macro, i don’t
think to check for accuracy.  I’ll do a better job in the future.   Over to Ken… K7KY
<STX>
K7KY and the group de K7IFG  Copy in 100 percent here.  Was playing around here trying to get Flrig working before
the net started but ran into problems will need to go and read the help
files on it.  I went iand instaalled the latest version of fldigi today and did some other mods to the configerati
on.  OH what fun.   btu doug  de k7ifg  k

<EOT>
ovet H tÞq tK7IFG de K7KY FB Ken   I upgraded all three fldigi app today too.  And, I want to tell the others
about how to breakinto the digital net.  Ken told me about this a few weeks ago.  A RTTY convention, I think.
When you want in the digital net, just send a couple short tune signals.  It show up right inthe middle of the
signal and doesn’t disrupt decoding if you are just brief.  I actually saw Ken’t signal, but didnt connect it with
breaking the net.  I’ll be alert for this signal in the future.   Over to KW6JIM   I’m so proud of myself for
getting the call right… K7KY  hân
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:31Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1498>>

<STX>
Me too, Doug.  I have some great macros set up on HRD, but not here.  I need to do that as well.  BTW, I received
the logo okay, but there was significant noise in it.
Your signal looks and sounds perfect – as does Ken’s.  I love digital!
I heard the tuning tone too.  Perhaps three shorts would be good…
Thanks Doug!  Well done!!
de KW6JIM k

<EOT>
KW6JIM K7IFG de K7KY If you have anything further, Ken, you can take it now.  IF not, we can close up and
look forward to next week.    K7KY
<STX>

K7KY de K7IFG  I guess I could program one of the micro tabs to do the on and off twice   I think I had fairly
good copy of all stations on the net …
Saw the browser open up several times.  So look like a good run net for sure.   73  cu next week then.   k7ky with
kw6jim de k7ifg   sk

<EOT>
K7IFG KW6JIM de K7KY OK Ken and I forgot that you came late and didn’t likely hear the beginning of the net.  We
will soon be experimenting with flamp.  If you don’t have this installed, it wuold be timely to install the app
and read the manual.
Jim… Thanks for supporting the net and I look forward to (learning to type) working with you on the digital net.
CU both next week.  If you would like to try any digital work during the week, Mindy & I can usually make time.
73 And best wishes for a pleasant and relaxing holiday.    K7KY
<STX>
I might take you up on that!  Anytime is a great time to play radio.

I think three times for the tuning tone is better for a break-in…  Then it becomes obvious it is not someone
tuning up.
Looking forward to flamp!
Good Night, All!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
de KW6JIM k

<EOT>
tkaea7ALL ORCA de K7KY 3 it is then.. K7KY  t
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:38Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1497>>
<STX>
K7KY K7KY de NX6D NX6D NX6D kn
<EOT>
<GS>qlYaNX6Dde K7KY GE  how copy?  K7KY  RpoPtftyer
<STX>
599 599 here in N cal.  I wrote you a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled onto your Tuesday evening net.  Haven’t
done any more about it until i stumbled onto again a few mintues ago.  This was after spending a half hour
trying to decode any CW with FLDIGI with little success.  Don’t know why anyone would use CW when this is
available.

BTU K7KY de NX6D kn

<EOT>
NX6D de K7KY I remember.  Do you prefer David or is Dave OK?  I like both CW and digital.  We have used
fidigi to decode CW, but it’s pretty picky. And, most fists are not as easy to copy as ARRL practice files.  Try
one of these. Fldigi will get it perfect.  Nice you could stop by.  I hope you can join us on Tuesday evenings.
We’re picking up some very good Ops and the net is moving along and working more smoothly.  btu  K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:42Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1501>>
<STX>
Dave is OK.  I’m a newbie to ham radio, so I never learned the code.  I have a lot of respect for those who can
send/copy quickly.
Will you be on the air next Tuesday?  If so, what should my first step be?
BTU K7KY de NX6D kn

<EOT>
z0H ZNX6D de K7KY We’re on the air every Tuedsay night for this net at 1930p.  To prepare for the net doesn’t take
much effort.  Most Ops come with a file in flmsg.  It can be anything you like.  Are you using flmsg? btu K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:45Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1500>>
<STX>
Not yet, but I can install and study it.  I saw it used the first night I watched and I think I have the basic
idea in place.
BTU K7KY de NX6D kn

<EOT>
NX6D de K7KY Yes.   flmsg is very easy to operate.  fldigi works with it smoothly.  When you install flmsg,
be sure to go to the config tab NBEMS in fldigi and point fldigi to the location of flmsg on your PC.  flmsg needs
this to open flmsg automatically.  Also, download and install flamp.  flamp breaks messages down into packet so
you can get a fill w/o resending the whole message.  We haven’t yet exercised with flamp on the net, but it’s on
our horizon and it would be good to begin learning it.  It’s more bother than flmsg, but not rocket science.  You

For flmsg, you can bring nearly any file into the program and then select from a long list of forms for transmissi
on. We use ICS 213 frequently. This is the favorite form of most civic agencies.  He’ere my email address in case
you need something between nets..  k7ky@orcadigitalnet.com    My typing is falling apart.  I think I need to eat
dinner… btu K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:51Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1498>>
<STX>
FB 100% copy.  Is your goal to set up a digital based net for real message passing?
OK, that’s enough to get me started.  I will try to get on board with this as it interests me and I haven’t
stumbled onto anything like it before.  Go have your dinner and 73.
QSL via eQSL and LotW.
Thanks for QSO Douglas, 73.
12/24/2014 04:52Z K7KY de NX6D sk sk

<EOT>
rpdFntGNX6D de K7KY Dave… Our primary goal is teaching and training for digital traffic operations.  in the
process, we have a digital net that can easily support our civic agencies in time of need.  The more time goes by,
the better we will be.  We have already seen a big improvement in operating skills and the experienced digital ops
are helping the new ops learn quickly.  We’ve really been having a good timme…  cu next time,. 73  K7KY  Ri”i¯
<STX>
Thanks I’ll be there.  NX6D

<STX>
NX6D de KW6JIM
I have info on using fldigi for CW…
And, welcome to the OrCa Digital Net!
NX6D de KW6JIM
<EOT>
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:55Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1502>>
<STX>
KW6JIM KW6JIM de NX6D NX6D NX6D kn
<EOT>
iictoÏUi
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:56Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1505>>
<STX>
ORCA NET de KW6JIM

Hello!  Name is JIm.  You can use fldigi for CW…  Make sure the qindow on the upper left says CW.  Then look at
the lower left.  The leftmost window will detect the speed of the sender.  Match the right window to that number.
Then make sure you are centered on their signal.  That should do it!

ORCA NET de KW6JIM
<EOT>
<STX>
I think I’m spoiled by the digital modes.  After a while I was able to see some of what was being said, but I was
surprised to see that FLDIGI would many times get the spacing wrong and s p a c e o u t words so they were hard to
read.  It’s all a matter of practice and fiddling around until you find how things work.  Thanks for the advice,
I’ll try again tomorrow.  Starting to get fuzzy and can’t type any more.
BTU KW6JIM de NX6D kn

<EOT>
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T04:59Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1509>>
KX6D de KW6JIM
Yes, the modes are sure fun.  We could not hear Doug on SSB, then he poked right thru digitally.  Very fun to play
with.
I am learning CW, but I still use it as a crutch when things are moving too quickly.  If you want to learn CW, I
recommend G4FON.  Great program.
KX6D de KW6JIM
<EOT>
STX>
Why MFSK32 and not one of the Olivias?  Does MFSK have forward error correction?  Certainly is much faster than
most Olivias.
BTU KW6JIM de NX6D kn
<EOT>
<STX>
KX6D de KW6JIM
we are using KFSK because is seems to poke thru the noise nicely.  Sometimes you cannot hear the signal, but you
can still receive it.  We are still playing with modes.  And, you have to use the narrower ones on HF.  As I
recall Olivia is quite slow.  If we send a msg using flmsg, we want it to get there in a reasonable time.  SOme of
the modes are just too slow.  So far mfsk has proved itself to be pretty robust.
KX6D de KW6JIM
<EOT>

Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T05:03Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1505>>
<STX>
Go ahead breaker…
<EOT> KW6JIM  K7KY  Thanks for bringing me back in.  I went to dinner, but could hear the digital and came
back to see what’s up.  Good to hear that Jim is working CW.  Mindy & I have taken some classes online from CW
Academy.  CW academy is sponsored by CW Ops and it really works well.  Classes are very small and taken on line and on air.
Tonight when I had the mode wrong. I’d sent it in DominoEX 22.  We tried it out ont he weekend and it’s faster
than MFSK32.  Also, it has optional FEC that can be turned on if needed.  That does slow it down, but w/o FEC it’s
faster than the MFSK 32.  We can try it out next week….  BTU JIm… K7KY
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T05:07Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1525>>
NET de KW6JIM
Turn up your juice, Doug…  Very weak here…  But I got most of your last. Yes, I am still plugging away.  I
have been making lots of CW SOTA contacts.  I am shooting uo the California Chaser list!  Hihi.  We will need to
do some QSOing!
I am going to cut out of here.  All the best and Merry Christmas!
ORCA NET de KW6JIM
<EOT>
KW6JIM de K7KY OK jim   I would like to do a QSO when we have time….  I like to catch the sota guys too…
Happy HOliday to you and DAve…. gn.73 K7KY  h
Before RSID: <<2014-12-24T05:09Z MFSK-32 @ 104+1526>>
<STX>
Thanks guys for the informaiton. I’ll try to show up next week.
Dave … NX6D