Nets

Nets

Net update of October 17, 2018: Net #4 went quite well..our longest (by one minute) net so far! Node count remains steady. Check-ins = eight.

Net Update: (Oct. 10, 2018)

Number three went well with an analog check-in with an Echolink relay.

C4FM/WiRES-X Net: (October 10, 2018)

Net number three will be tonight, so we have not imploded yet! In fact, we are very happy with the participation we’ve had in this effort. It’s great to hear all the friendly voices on the net and we are looking forward to hearing you again tonight. ‘See’ you there!

 

INAUGURAL NET COMPLETE! (September 26, 2018)

The first ‘Yard Dogs’ C4FM/WiRES-X net was successfully held tonight and we thank all participants, assistant controllers and node/repeater owners who provided access.

C4FM/WiRES-X Net: (September 14, 2018)

The launch date for our new net is Wednesday September 26, 2018 at 9PM Eastern Time. The WiRES-X room is 40383 (YARDDOGS-RPTR) and will occur on Wednesday nights at 9PM Eastern Time. Please use DN mode.

Our main goal is to provide an outlet for local users with System Fusion radios a way for them to enjoy the digital features of their radios. If you are unable to reach the K1KC VHF repeater, search yrdg.org for participating nodes that you might be able to reach. Of course, all participants are welcome.

We’ll start off with a technical discussion, then move into a more ‘social’ net. In keeping with many nets, please avoid political or religious comments during the net.

C4FM/WiRES-X Net: (August 4, 2018)

I do believe I have finally tamed the Windows 7 machine to the point where I do not have to worry about RF into the repeater not making it onto WiRES-X anymore. I made some adjustments and, there have been two updates to the actual WiRES-X PC software lately. With that, we were able to turn our attention to Remote Monitoring and the WebServer function. With just a little more experience under our belts, we’ll be able to launch our weekly net.

Upgrades to the emergency power systems are underway, but the repeater and its associated WiRES-X computer and router and modem, are all protected. Of course, we can’t control the Internet, but we’re doing our best to cover what is controllable.  I’m anxious to get this thing off the ground, but I don’t want to fall on my face on the first day, so we are building what we hope is a solid foundation for a net. Thanks for your patience!

C4FM/WiRES-X Net: (July 21, 2018)

The DR-2X repeater is in place and running normally. We have improved the ‘dropped RF’ situation but have not eliminated it. A new, hopefully more reliable computer has been obtained and is being set up to take over duties of the older Windows 7 machine. We have not completed that task just yet. We want to be sure it is the panacea we hope for before confirming startup of the weekly net. In any case, we are making progress.

C4FM/WiRES-X Net: (June 19, 2018)

Plans are in the works to conduct a net for Yaesu C4FM and WiRES-X users. This will allow them an opportunity to use the digital functions of their equipment. The expectation is that participants will be able to check in via several methods, including direct RF on the K1KC 146.61 – repeater, via the Yarddogs-Rptr WiRES-X room (#40383), via various participating nodes in the area, and perhaps by linked repeaters or reflectors.

This net will be for digital users only although it is technically possible for analog users to access the net. The discussions are expected to relate mainly to digital operations. This may evolve as time passes or as demand requires. Since this is a concept rather than a reality at this point, it is hard to say for sure. The basic idea is for digital radio owners to have an opportunity to exercise those capabilities and become more familiar with them. We expect this to be a social as well as a technical net.

Another expectation is that a single frequency for reaching participating nodes will be announced. The idea is to simplify participation in the net. It would therefore be theoretically possible to drive from the coverage of one node, into the coverage of another node and remain in the net, without changing the radio’s controls. If nothing else, it will be easier to remember a single frequency.

Although we expect shortly to install a new DR-2X repeater, we do not yet know if the ‘System Fusion II’ protocols will be employed. It is our goal to provide the latest advances in YSF technology as best we can. All users are encouraged to upload the latest firmware updates to their equipment.

Further announcements will be made here as they occur.

If you are interested in practicing or learning new digital modes, and in particular, EMCOMM modes such as Fldigi, Winlink, D-Rats and DRM, consider this net: Every Wednesday night at 9PM local (an area centered around Covington, Georgia), a digital practice net is held on the WA4ASI repeater.

The purpose of this net is to help newcomers learn how to operate in certain digital EMCOMM modes and for established operators to sharpen their skills. The net begins in the MT63-2000L (MT63-2KL) mode with a center frequency (in the audio passband) of 1500Hz. The repeater frequency is 146.925 with a negative offset of 600kHz and a subaudible tone of 88.5 Hz.

You do not need to be an experienced operator to participate. In fact, the concept behind this net is partially to introduce beginners to these different ways of emergency communication. Along the way we will explore new modes. Recently we have been practicing with Digital Radio Mondiale, or DRM. It is a method of digitally transmitting image files.

Obviously you will need to be within range of the repeater to participate, but we open to suggestion. No stations have joined by Echolink so far. There has been some practice on HF in the past and we expect more in the future. Of course, your Winlink messages can be passed via HF or VHF packet radio.

The net accepts check-ins in real-time from D-Rats equipped stations on the Georgia ARES Ratflector and in advance via Winlink. You will receive acknowledgements from the appropriate net controller of each of those nets.