Fast n' Furious Fourty Net

I'm like a whipped pup after these nets... but it feels great to get another one on the books.

We started off a bit rocky...a DX Station in Newfoundland had the frequency pile-up'd at net time. Brian VO1DSK was having a great time working everybody so I tried taking the net down to a open freqency...7.188...but unfortunately it was too close to another net already in progress. Anyway, eventually the DX party ended on 7.198 so back to the net frequency we went...

And WOW! Did we get BUSY. Despite noisy conditions, we got 20 check-ins (counting Brian in Newfoundland during the prenet) and one guy...Lonnie, W4SQL in Summerville SC, who was transmitting on the radio but was receiving the net via the Internet at www.globaltuners.com ...purty darn NEAT!

Anyway...here's tonight's great check-ins...a great net...a great time had by all.

1. KI4HEE SC BOB NET CONTROL
2. VO1DSK NEWFOUNDLAND BRIAN PRE-NET
3. W4VDV FL JESSIE
4. W4DMH WVA DAVE
5. KB3IFH MD RANDY
6. KB3SFJ MD GARY
7. KD8HDP MI JUSTIN
8. KF4MJO JOE
9. N4UPG AL RICH
10.KB1MDB CT MARTIN
11.W4SQL SC LANDY
12.KC8TCB MI LYNN
13.AI4JA SC GARY
14.KB3IFH MD RANDY
15.KG4GTR FL VAN
16.KC2SGV NJ JOE
17.KB3RQU PA SCOTT
18.N1FBF CT BOB
19.W4GVE FL PAUL
20.KJ4NUN FL BRYON

What a great line-up! Thanks everyone for a great net! '73 Bob KI4HEE

Bad Conditions make for good Radio

Tonight's band conditions on 20 meters left something to be desired.
The band was very unstable, with signal attenuation one moment, booming signals the next. As W4DMH started the net, it was a struggle for everyone, and it was looking like the net would indeed be a short one.

But out of the confusion, a perfect example of ham radio's flexibility and adaptability rose out of the chaos, when Roy N4TUR in Florida appeared, asked if the frequency was in use, and out of sheer necessity, became a relay net control.

Roy was a total stranger, coming out of no-where, and not even knowing what net this was, but he was able to take the reins. With his strong signal, he was able to bring the net together, calling for check-ins and relaying his contacts to Dave up in West Virginia..

And despite the rotten conditions, the American Preppers Radio Net was able to log the largest number of contacts so far to date.

Here's the stations that checked-in tonight:
1 W4DMH WVA DAVE Net Control
2 N4TUR FL ROY
3 KI4HEE SC BOB
4 N8NMJ MD MIKE
5 KB1LUK NH BILL
6 KD8JPQ OH JEFF
7 K4CAV FL JAMES
8 KB3RDR OH KATHY
9 K4TCJ FL RAY
10 K8DRP MI DAN
11 AB8UB OH STEVE
12 KE5VOX TN RENE
13 K6JN CA CLIFF
14 KC0NRO MO JOHN
15 KD8KFQ WVA JOHN
16 KC2TBA NY FUN
17 KC9IWP IL WAYNE
18 K0JZW FL BILL

Our hats off to Roy N4TNR, and all the other hams who worked hard together to make tonights net happen.

We're sure there were several folk who could hear all or some of the action, but couldn't get checked in. All we can say is don't give up and keep trying, the great thing about Ham Radio and conditions on the bands... it's like the weather, stick around, it'll change.

'73 KI4HEE Bob & W4DMH Dave

"Winging it" on 40

We made all the preparations to get the net cranked up, everything was ready, but at the top of the hour, the BBC started broadcasting on 7.205 and wiped things out. So, as fast as we could, we found a open frequency and moved the net to 7.196.

Despite moving off our advertised frequency, folks eventually found us and ended up with a good number of check-ins. Our first Net on 40 meters brought in 10 check-ins, with a couple of returning callsigns. Of course, Dave W4DMH was on hand, but we'd like to say howdy to Bill, N5JXM over in Texas for his second visit. Some of the other calls also found us via the blog, or via the live report on NETLOGGER, but we also got some check-ins who found us just by hearing us when they tuned across the band. It was great to welcome them to the new net, as well as spread the news about the APN blog.

All in all, while it was touch n go at first, by "winging it", we got another great net on the books.

Here's the check-ins for tonights net:

KI4HEE Bob SC (Net Control)
W4DMH Dave WVA
K4IDN David FL
KB3RDR Kathy OH
N5JXM Bill TX
W5MOE Moe ARK
K4TN Cary FL
KD5GFG Tom LA
W3OJO Joe NC

DON'T FORGET! Tune in on 20 Meters on 14.230, 9PM EST, Thursday night, when Dave W4DMH cranks up the net again.

'73 Bob KI4HEE

20 Meters may have been weak, but our check-ins were STRONG

Despite marginal conditions on 20 Meters, tonights second edition of the American Preppers Radio Net was a complete success.

The Net had at total of 8 check-ins, from Connecticut to Texas, from Florida to Ohio, and points in between.

Here's the contacts of the 2nd. American Preppers Network Radio Net:
KI4HEE Bob SC Net Control
N1FBF Bob CT
N5JXM Bill TX
KE5VOX Rene TX
KG4RSF Mark FL
KD8JPQ Jeff OH
W4DMH Dave WVA
K1DEC Don MA

This is the second net done on 20 meters to date. It is expected that the net will be conducted on another band next week, which one, as yet undetermined. Check back to this blog in the coming days for an announcement as to what band the net will be held. It is being considered that the net schedule may be expanded to include different bands, different days, and different times to accomodate all involved.

We indeed like to welcome all who participated in tonights net, it wouldn't have been possible without you.

Any comments or suggestions are indeed welcome, as time goes on, look for this net to become a intergal part of your American Prepper experience.

'73 Bob KI4HEE