Feb 29: DXing Roundtable on the Who Knows What net!
NOTICE: Foxhunt for Sunday has been cancelled!
Hortonville Who Knows What Net Report
Thurs Feb 29, 2024
Net Control: Gary W9ST
Net Time: 8:00p – 8:56p EST
Check-Ins: 14
DISCUSSION TOPIC: DXing Roundtable
An open discussion on making long distance HF contacts, propagation tips and the state of the solar cycle. Learn about DXing, ask questions, or share some timely tips with other seasoned operators.
- Quick review: What is DX, what is DXCC, where is DX in the bands, what’s a QSL
- Can I really make international contacts with just a Tech license?
- What bands/times have been hot for you lately (and to where)
- How will the changing seasons affect propagation
- Has changing your antenna, mic or headset improved your DX results?
- What you’re looking for in a solar report
- How to find and participate in a DX contacts net
- Favorite online resources for DX spotting or DXpedition news
- Big contests & DXpeditions happening soon
Discussion Notes:
- Top operator has 57 countries contacted
- Someone had a Tech licensed friend who had contacted Belize and Czech Republic earlier that day on a 9.6 dB vertical and 100w
- Another started DXing as a Tech with a 10 watt kit-built transceiver and FT8. Most of his DX contacts since have been 5-20w CW.
- Hugging the greylines was recommended (immediately before/after local sunrise)
- 17 and 20 meter bands were one DXer’s favorite bands, especially 17m to avoid pileups on contesting days
Resources Mentioned During Discussion:
- The DX Mentor Podcast: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+dx+mentor+podcast
- https://www.dxwatch.com/
- https://www.dx-world.net/ (see Featured DXPeditions Timeline in right column)
- https://www.voacap.com/hf/
- https://www.voacap.com/dx/
- https://www.qrz.com/
BUY/SELL/SWAP/WANT
From last week:
– Kenwood TS430S HF radio. Includes: SP430 speaker, PS430 power supply, MC60 desk mic. Nice clean radio. KB9FIO (Kb9fio@yahoo.com) $300
– MXL 2001 Microphone for IC-7300, Condenser boom mic with shock cage mount (does not include a boom). W9CZK (w9CZK@pigletradio.org) $30
– LDG AT-100 automatic antenna tuner. W9CZK (w9CZK@pigletradio.org) $ 200
EVENTS
SkyWarn Storm Spotter Training
Sat. March 2, 2024 (9:00 – 11:30 AM)
Riverside Junior High School Auditorium, Fishers
Live storm spotter training is crucial to reporting severe weather accurately and efficiently during storm monitoring nets as a SkyWarn Spotter. Event is open to the public, ages 10+, ham license not needed. This event is being hosted by Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) and is mandatory training for all HCEM volunteers.
Other live and virtual training dates at https://www.weather.gov/ind/spotter_talks
NO CIARA Meeting on Mar 2
Due to the Skywarn training. Instead, a group lunch:
CIARA Lunch
Sat. Mar. 2, 12n-2p
Parks Place Pub
8594 E 116th Street, Suite 70, Fishers, IN, 46038
CANCELLED: SATURDAY’S FOXHUNT IS CANCELLED. RESCHEDULING FOR A SUNDAY (TBD) IN APRIL.
Piglet Radio Foxhunt
Sun. March 3, 2024 (2:00-4:30 PM)
Starting Location: Top of the hill at Simon Moon Park, Westfield
(We park in the municipal lot to the west of the park: GPS to 2728 E 171st St, Westfield, IN 46074 will get you there. Use Hortonville UHF repeater for talk-in.)
Piglet Radio Members Meeting
March 18, 6:30-8:30
Wolfie’s Grill, Carmel
CIARA Breakfast
March 30, 2024 at 7:00 am – 8:30 am
Lincoln Square Pancake House
3186 E State Road 32, Westfield, IN, 46074
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
RACES Equipment Trailer Reorganization
March 9, after storm spotter training
John Gooldy and Michael Franklin need help reorganizing, labeling and inventorying the RACES Equipment Trailier. Please contact w9kd@aol.com if you can assist.
Sam Costa Half Marathon
March 23, 2024 at 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
All water stops manned but 5 slots still open to pair up with someone.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C45A5AA2DA6FE3-45928331-samcosta#/
Carmel Marathon
April 13, 8a-3p
5 slots still available.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C45A5AA2DA6FE3-45929683-carmel#/
HCEM TRAINING
Interested in becoming an emcomm volunteer?
https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/909/How-to-Get-Involved
CERT Team Radio Communications Training
Tues March 5, 6-830p
Being comfortable using your team radio will be important during the eclipse and in any emergency situation. We will practice writing a clear, easy to understand message, receiving the message, accurately transcribing and other skills.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABAF2CA2F4C25-45756725-030524#/
Narcan Training
Wed March 6, 6:30p
Hamilton County EOC, Training Room 1
Learn how and when to use Narcan for a drug overdose. Upon completion of the class, you will receive Narcan for your first aid kit/event bag.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABAF2CA2F4C25-47977642-03062024#/
HCEM Comms Group Monthly Meeting (formerly RACES)
March 9, 2024 at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hamilton County EOC, Sheriff’s Training Room
Bring your HCEM ID and handheld transceivers.
WebEOC In-Person Training
Sat Mar 23, 12:15-1:45p
Learn about changes and updates to WebEOC as well as learn/review how to use the boards.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABAF2CA2F4C25-47925500-0323252024#/
WebEOC Virtual Training
Sun Mar 24, 7-8:30p
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABAF2CA2F4C25-47925500-0323252024#/
Warm Weather Ops
March 23, 9a-12n
We’ll provide an overview of the 2024 Spring Outlook, review warm weather information and the plans & procedures related to severe weather. We will talk about and understand the operations before, during, and after a storm, and what specific information you can send to the EOC to help paint a complete picture of what is happening in our county.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABAF2CA2F4C25-44700969-032324#/
Understanding FRS/GMRS Radios
Sat Mar 30, 9a-12n
Hamilton County EOC, Training Room 1
Learn when and why we’d use these radio services during a deployment, how to use tactical team callsigns on GMRS, and gain an understanding of the differences between FRS and GMRS channels, including bandwidth, power, and antenna limitations. Learn the practical differences between ham and GRMS equipment, repeaters, and callsigns. We’ll discuss which channels are best for what purposes, and what channels to avoid. You’ll learn how to use family callsigns under a single GMRS license and how to obtain a test-free license. We’ll also practice deploying portable repeaters, changing GMRS tones on the fly, and transmitting using the HCEM channel plan.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABAF2CA2F4C25-48271198-03202024#/
INTERNATIONAL DX CONTESTS
Mar 1-2: ARRL International DX Phone Contest
7 pm Fri Mar 1 – 7 pm Sun Mar 3 (EST)
UTC: 0000 UTC Saturday Mar 2 – 2359 UTC Sunday Mar 3
Contest Goal: To encourage US and Canadian stations to expand their knowledge of DX propagation and improve operating skills in a competition where DX stations score points only by contacting US and Canadian stations and the US & Canadian amateurs must work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible. Logs due within 7 days.
Mar 29-30: CQ WPX SSB Contest
8 pm Fri Mar 29 – 8 pm Sun Mar 31 (EDT)
0000 UTC Saturday Mar 30 – 2359 UTC Sunday Mar 31
Contest Goal: To contact as many worldwide amateurs and unique callsign prefixes as possible. (The prefix is letter/numeral combination which forms the first part of the callsign.)
DXPEDITIONS
(With best times/bands to try making contact from Indiana.)
Now-Mar 7:
H40WA – Pigeon Island, Temotu Province, Solomon Islands
1.3KW CW, SSB, FT8 F/H. 8 operators. #43 most wanted.
Try 3-9p on 10-15m, midnight to sunrise on 20-30
Now-March 3:
5R8BV – Madagascar
80 & 40m; CW/SSB.
Try 10a-7p on 10-17m
Mar 1-31:
TY5C – Benin
CW, SSB, FT8 + SAT. 3 operators.
Try 11a-11p on 10-20m
Now- March 9th:
8Q7BB – Maldives
100w CW & SSB.
Try 9a-6p on 10-15m
Mar 8-20:
5H3VJG – Zanzibar, Tanzania
SSB & FT8.
Try 10a-4p on 10-12m
LOCAL NETS
Monday’s Late Night Net will be an SSTV Net on this repeater.
Next week’s Who Knows What will be run by John W9KD, and will be a roundtable discussion on “What has been your ham radio activity in February?”
Prior to this discussion, there will be a short explanation on “The effects of Multi-Path on VHF and UHF Communications”, and a short explanation of “How a speech (audio) compressor works and how it can help or hurt your communications”.
CIARA ARES Net – Sundays at 8 pm (Noblesville VHF & UHF)
Late Nite Net – Mondays at 9 pm (SSTV night this week, See www.pigletradio.org/nets for topic schedule and SSTV software.)
Hortonville “Who Knows What?” Net – Thursdays at 8 pm (Hortonville UHF)
Hamilton County Repeater Details: www.K9EOC.org
NATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO NEWS
W9ST aired the ARRL Audio News.
https://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news
AREA CLUBS
Central Indiana Amateur Radio Association (CIARA) – www.n9eoc.org
Piglet Radio – www.pigletradio.org
Hoosier DX & Contesting Club – www.hdxcc.org
Indianapolis Radio Club – www.indyradioclub.org
BECOME A NET CONTROL OPERATOR!
We are looking for people interested in becoming a Net Control Operator. It’s actually pretty easy! We will help you get started. We always need more net control operators for things such as storm watches and for nets like this one.
It also helps you understand how HF nets work and even prepares you to start your own net!
Send an email to Matthew kd9wfk@gmail.com or John w9kd@aol.com .
GOT IDEAS FOR A NET TOPIC?
This net is here for you! Send your ideas and thoughts for topics you would like to hear on the net to Matthew kd9wfk@gmail.com or John w9kd@aol.com. If you are interested in presenting on a topic, please let us know!
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