The Snowbound 160m net Shovels Out!!!!

Well, the weatherman has struck again!!!! Here at the K7DLB ranch we were only supposed to get a dusting of snow and we wound up with 6 inches+!!!!!
Anyways, the topic for Sunday's net will be stolen from John, . The topic will be, "What will you do for entertainment if the electric grid fails?" In fact, K7DLB will get the net underway, and  will take over when the time comes for the discussion to start.
So, tune in and join in the discussion Sunday Nite on 1.860LSB at 9pm Eastern (0200UTC)

The APRN 80 meter net Thursday 1/28/10

Well folks John gave it his first try but we gotta tell ya it was a rough night to try to run a net on 80 Meters. John and myself both had a 30 over noise floor and even though we are only about 45 miles apart by air we could not hear each other. These conditions are not normal for 80 meter but as disappointing as this was for his first APRN net control duties,  John will take to the air again next Thursday night for another try at bringing the 80 meter net back to the APRN lineup of nets.

This is yet another example of how important it is to practice our communication skills now as you never know what will happen to the bands at any given time. The wonderful world of  HF on Ham Radio is always full of surprises both good and bad.

Check back often right here for coming announcements of where and when we will take to the air next.
73 for now
W4DMH

The APRN 80 Meter Net takes off tonite!!!!!!!!!

Tonite, John,grabs the controls of the APRN 80m net. Please join in the discussion as we try to establish another Net to promote preparedness among Hams and radio users of all types. The topic for tonite will be:"What will you do for entertainment in a situation such as electrical grid failure". Fact is, we have been so used to pushing a switch and expecting to be occupied that we forget what is like to do something that is entertaining that doesn't involve electricity, high tech or little effort.
So, come on and join in tonite at 9pm, 0200 UTC on 3.961 or thereabouts!!!!

Great Conversation Tonite on the 160m APRN Net!!

Tonite on the APRN 160m net we went back to our roots and each of us told the story of how we got started in Ham Radio. It is interesting to note that most got started in radio at a young age either by sheer curiosity or with the help of a friend. We all expressed the need for radio as a communications medium in the case of Prepping. This was driven home by the events in Haiti. One thing we need to remember, you don't need a fancy setup to get started. The basics will do just fine. A radio, antenna and power source will put you on the air!!!!
Tonites Check ins:

W2AOJ Matt, NJ
W4DMH Dave, WV
AC0BG Dean, IA
KD8USA Ty, MI
NW8I Del, OH
Kd8KWD John, WV

We hope to hear from YOU next week, same time, same frequency!!!!!

The APRN 160 Meter Net is Reflective.......

The topic for the APRN 160 meter net on Sunday night will be, "What got you into Ham Radio, and what do you use it for?"

K7DLB, your net control operator is putting together a series about Ham radio and he would like to start off with that question. Please join in with your thoughts and opinions in tonites discussion!!!
The Net takes off at 9pm Eastern, 0200UTC on 1.860 or thereabouts. Remember, if we have to move it will be posted here and on Netlogger!!!!!

Emergency Communications out of Haiti via Ham radio

Uh Oh!!! We had 2 nets tonite!!!!!!

Turns out that 1.860 came open and Del NW8I missed the frequency change and ran a Net along side of the one on 1.880.
Here is his net summary.....

I checked the APRN web site about 6pm eastern or so. I saw that you were going to be net control tonight which is good. I went to 1.860 at about 9:03 or so to check in and discuss tonigts topic. There was already 2 or 3 stations wondering where we were. So not knowing you were on 1.880 I called for checkins.

We discussed the topic of alternative sources of fuel for cooking, as best I could remember what the topic was. We had a good additional net. Most everyone agreed to alternate fuels such as propane, sterno, natural gas, wood and generated electric. Also, I have several packs of trioxane and the little stoves for it.

We had , I think, 4 new checkins tonight.

W2AOJ Matt

KI4JUP Lee ALA

W9PT Ron near FT Wayne, IN

WA4VEG Bob Charlotte, NC

Addionally:

AC0BG Dean

WA1HHN Walt



NW8I Del Accidental NC

The APRN 160m Net was a little short!!!!

Must be the NFL Playoffs....
We only had 2 check ins tonite for the net but the discussion was lively and interesting. We discussed Firestarting, wood burning, and cooking over a wood fire.One thing was brought up by W4DMH..You don't want to burn pressure treated lumber!!!!! The chemicals in there could do some real damage as arsenic was a major compound used until recently.
Being able to start a fire for cooking, heating or just protection from scavenging animals is very important and as Preppers we need to put that on our lists for research and action. Some of these topics may seem insignificant, but as things go, we may need to apply alot of pioneering basics in our day to day living.
One link came up while researching this today. It is a good read and thought provoking....
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/04/29/9-ways-to-start-a-fire-without-matches/#comments
I'm going to do a self styled bit of research on some of these methods once the camping season opens up this summer. Unless I blow myself up or set the campground on fire I'll give a report........

We landed on 1.880 tonite and the band was noisy, almost as bad a Summertime!!!!!

Tonites Check ins:

W4DMH Dave, WV
KD8JPQ Jeff, OH

APRN is on 1.880...We will try to hold it!!!!!!

The APRN Net wants to know.....How are you gonna cook it???

The topic for Sunday's APRN 160m net will be Methods of cooking when the good 'ol oven won't work!!!! Or, burnt offerings over an open fire......
Sounds like K7DLB has had some experience in these matters!!!!
So, tune in at 9pm Sunday evening somewhere around 1.860 to start but keep a eye out on here for the last minute frequency change report. Also, Net logger will be up as well. Just keyword Netlogger and download it for free and look for the American Preppers Radio Net and the "almost Instant Messanger" will let you know where we land.