Topband Sunday

Spread the word. The Net's on 160Meters Sunday night at 0100 ZULU (9PM EST) listen on or around 1.860 Mhz. Dave K7DLB will be net control.

A hard band for some, a band of choice for others, 160 Meters is a wonderful band for all who can tune in. We'll be listening for your check-in starting at 9PM.

The Lady's Day on Talk Radio

The Lady's of the CPN / APN will be on James Talmage Stevens Talk Radio Show this Saturday at 2pm Eastern time. Please show your support for them by either listening or if you can not listen please go download the show later and listen to the recorded version.

The panel of ladies will be
Kymber
Prepared in Tennessee
Phelan
Ernie

Last week Tom, Matt, Bob, and WVSanta were guest on the show and if you missed it you can download the show and hear what they had to say

We really hope that everyone will show there support and listen or download the show
Also you can call in to the show at 1-347-326-9604

Santa's Mail Bag

Welcome to the first ever addition of Santa’s Mail Bag...

Q: How hard is it to become a Ham?

Santa’s Answer: It is not hard at all. Some would say it is too easy but I feel this way... we need all the people we can get to join this great hobby. USE it or LOSE it

Q: How does one get started?

Santa’s Answer: There are many ways to do this. First, for people that like to read, there are study guides available that can get you started. There are also many web sites with either FREE or paid use, practice tests that you can take over and over, until you are scoring high enough to pass the tests for real. Please see this link to QRZ.COM, this is how I got started, and it is FREE. Check out your local Ham Radio Club, they're a great help at getting you started. And there's organizations like The Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL), or Radio Amateurs of Canada(RAC). They offer countless books & study guides, as well as a vast knowledge base online.

Q: How much does the test cost?

Santa’s Answer: Every group of VE’s* that do testing has there own policy for that. But generally it costs around $14 per test session, the good news is you can take all three tests for each class in one session. You pass the Technician test, you can immediately test for General Class, pass that, then test for Extra Class. You bring a copy of two forms of ID, they provide the test materals and a #2 pencil.
*(VE stand’s for Volunteer Examiners you must be one to help give the test, any Ham can be a VE they just have to volunteer.)

This is not every question We have been asked but I do need something for the next addition of SANTA’S MAIL BAG coming soon.

Keep the questions coming to SANTA'S MAIL BAG and We will do our best to find you the answer

73 for now
W4DMH
Santa

Worst 20 Meter Band Conditions To Date

With the worst band conditions on 20 meter to date we still managed to have a great net. Once again this should go to prove how effective Ham Radio is for communication.

With these horrible conditions the very first check in was Jim AB4JM/M in New Hampshire. Yes he was a mobile station, for those that do not understand what /M after a call means. It is simply put, in some type of vehicle rather it was a car, van or big truck they all are considered mobile. Maritime Mobile would be a boat and Aeronautical mobile would be a plane. Yes folks there are Ham Radio Operators that have gear on there boats and also there planes.

The wonderful world of Ham Radio. Ham Radio can be set up in Portable, Mobile, or Base station just to name a few. We Ham's also enjoy the ability to run on emergency power without being connected to grid power. This ability allows us to operate virtually any place in the world at any time.

Anyway here is the list of check ins so you all can see how, with help from other Hams even under terrible conditions we again had a wonderful net.

W4DMH Dave in WV (also known as Santa) Net Control
AB4JM/M Jim in NH
KI4HEE Bob in SC
N8NMJ Mike in MD
N1FBF Bob in CT
N5JXM Bill in TX
KD8KDN Frank in MI
KE5VOX Rene in TX
KG4FJW Kieth in AL

We thank everyone that was so patient as we all struggled to run the net in such bad conditions. Things will get better and we will still be here calling CQ CQ CQ this is ______ calling the American Preppers Radio Net. So please come back often and bring a friend. Stick around after the net because there is always someone willing to hang out and chew the fat awhile. This net is all about having fun and helping others be better preppared.
73 all W4DMH
Santa

Talk to Santa on 20 Meters Thursday Night

All you good little Boys & Girls have a chance to get a jump on the competition by getting your Christmas wishes in early. Just talk to the jolly guy himself, Dave W4DMH(a.k.a. Santa) as he cranks up the 20 meter net Thursday Night, 9PM EST (1:00Zulu) on 14.320 MHz.

We're not saying he'll get ya that big Yeasu Rig you always wanted, but at least you won't have to sit on his lap.

You can catch SSTV images from the ISS

A message sent by Marc, PD4U in Holland came this news tidbit...
The Russians have started their MA-75 experiment again, and thus SSTV pictures can be received from the International Space Station in Robot36 on 145.800 MHz FM

Check out Marc's webpage for more info and some great photos taken from the International Space Station.

SSTV Slow Scan Television is a early method of sending images via radio. Ham Operators use free software like MMSSTV to send and receive images. If you haven't tried it or seen it in action, by all means give it a try, especially if you can catch a SSTV QSL photo from NA1SS on the ISS.

UPDATE:Here's a link to a live tracking map of the ISS.

Wow! They came from everywhere!

Talk about a Barn-burner! Tonight's 40 Meter APRNet saw stations checking in fast & furious, and all jumping out of a cacophony of static crashes & QRM (...cacophony means a WHOLE bunch)

After a last minute move from 7.196 to 7.198 to get some distance from another net in progress, the net started smoothly enough, although it was rough going trying to hear through all the hash.

Again, another total stranger, (to the net) came to the rescue...Derek, AJ4OV down in St. Petersburg Fl. checked in and was immediately recruited, with his "blowtorch" signal, to call for some check-ins. He brought in 5 additional stations to the list. Thanks a BUNCH, Derek.

All in all, 20 stations checked in, a bunch of repeats and a lot of first-timers. We plotted all but one, Robert N8Rlg in Ohio who was mobile, but still, the whole southeastern US, from New Hampshire to Texas was well represented.

While some checked in from hearing of the net from our blog, most signed in first time from just hearing the net on the air, one fellow, Gary, AI4JA was real happy to find us, since he & his wife are fully "prepperized". They are very happy to find us, and the blog.

Here's who got on the "payroll" this week...
1. KI4HEE Bob SC Net Control
2. N5QNT Art NC
3. W4DMH Dave WVA
4. W2WTF Brad SC
5. KF4VGV Rick SC
6. KD5GFG Tom LA
7. KB1LUK Bill NH
8. N5JXM Dick TX
9. AJ4OV Derek FL
10. WB4GLE Jerry NC
11. K0TPP Larry MO
12. KE5VOT Rene TX
13. K4GIV Tom GA
14. K4QBA Matt KY
15. N1FBF Bob CT
16. AI4JA Gary SC
17. N8RLG Robert OH
18. KB3QIU Marty PA
19. WD4SDC Steve NC
20. W4FCH Clyde VA

As popular as 40 meters is, it's looking like Tuesday night is solidly 40'nite for the APRN. Thanks for everyone for making this all happen.
'73 Bob KI4HEE

Tuesday Night is 40 Night!

UPDATE: To Keep us from conflicting with another Net, Tonights Net will be on 7.198Mhz....KI4HEE

Feeling frisky? Looking for fun? Come join in the "Forty Frolic" with us Tuesday Night at 9PM EST (01:00 Zulu)


We'll be taking the American Preppers Radio Net to the air again on 7.196MHz. Last week's net had a rocky start since the advertised frequency was dominated by the BBC broadcast right at the top of the hour.


Hopefully, things will start out fine with our move to 7.196, if we do have a conflict, just tune around...we'll be out there, taking check-ins. We're counting on good band conditions, and with luck we'll be heard clear across the country, maybe even out across the globe.


Come join in the fun, Tuesday Night, 9PM EST (01:00Zulu) on 7.196MHz.

What a NOISEY BAND!!!!!

Well, we tried to run our 160m Net this evening and the band would not cooperate. We did have 5 stations to add to the log,KD8USA and KD8EAF from Michigan and W4DMH from West Virginia. Rounding out net was KB1LUK and KI4HEE. It was real interesting to try to pull call signs out of the static but I really appreciate the persistence from each of the checking stations. That is one thing about HAM radio, we will not always have "perfect" conditions but through persistence, and a little electronic wizardry, we can get the job done!!!!!
Well, we'll try again next week at 9PM Eastern, on 1.860. So, a big THANKS!!!! to all that stuck in there with us and have a safe week!!!!
73's
Dave
K7DLB

The Net is heading to the Top Band

Tune in tonight on 160 meters as The American Preppers Radio Net takes to the air again at 9 PM EST.

"The Top Band" of Ham Radio, 160 meters is rarified territory for some hams, but for those who work it, it's the band of choice. Come check-in with Dave K7DLB as he cranks up the Net tonight on or around 1.860 MHz.