The 160m APRN net is gonna try out battery power.

Inspired by Del, NW8I, K7DLB finished up building a small battery pack and he will try it out on Sunday nights' 160m APRN net. Word has it that Del will try out battery power as well. The net takes off Sunday at 9pm (0200UTC) on 1.860.
The net will start out at 100 watts for the check in portion of the net and then the switch will be made in the discussion portion of the net. Output power will be reduced and a meter will be used that will track the condition of the battery as time goes on. Please join in the discussion and see how 4, 6v 12ah batteries set up in a parallel/series configuration do for an emergency power setup!!!!!

The APRN 80m and 160m Nets

Thursday nite was still suffering antenna issues so NW8I jumped in as alternate net control. The discussion varied dealing with emergency power and HF power amps being talked about. The check ins were:
AC0BG, Dean IA
NW8I Del Ohio THANKS DEL!!!!
KB9QDC, Matt WI
N9MZF, Mike IN

As far as the 160m net goes, Sunday is Valentines Day. Lets take the evening off and spend it with the Wife, Girlfriend or your special Valentine. The radio takes a bunch of time away from family and friends, especially if your significant other hasn't grasped the concept yet!!!!!HiHi!!!!
So the APRN Nets will return next week Feb 18, for the 80m net, and Feb 21 for the 160m net. Stay tuned for updates!!!!!!

If we get any more snow..........The APRN 80m net!!!!

Thursday night, is going to try out his slinky antenna and get the APRN 80m net on the air. His main wire is still down and is now under about 4 ft of snow!!!! We got smashed again Tuesday and today!!!!! Add in the winds and we have quite the mess!!!
So, tune in at 9pm, (0200UTC) on 3.962LSB and see what  has in store!!!!

Also, K7DLB will need a fill in Net Control Op to fill in for Sunday nights 160m net. He is going to have to work for sure!!!!! The storms have put a real kink in FedEx Grounds operations. So Email Dave, K7DLB and let him know if you can take over!!!!

A full house on the APRN 160m net!!!!

In spite of the Super Bowl, we had a good list of participants for the APRN 160 meter net tonite!!! We really had no topic but each operator was asked what they would like to deal with in the coming months. There were several good suggestions as well as the need for a review of the topics we have covered in the past.
K7DLB had the net tonite as suffered a broken wire antenna because of the extreme weather over the weekend.
We here at the APRN hope that everybody under the gun of this latest winter blast stayed safe and well. Just think, 6 more weeks of winter!!!!!
Tonites check in list:
W2AOJ Matt, NJ
AC0BG Dean, IA
NW8I Del, OH
W1AYC Maurice, MA
W1HHN Walt, MA
N8BIT Dave, MI
KD8JPQ Jeff, OH
Thanks for checking in and everybody have a SAFE week!!!!

ANOTHER Snowbound 160m net!!!!!!

Sunday night Feb 7th, will take the reins of the APRN 160m net as there is a good possibility that K7DLB will have to work. We had 25+ inches of snow over here and if the roads are clear good old FedEx Ground is going to try to get some trailers moved into the terminals. HA!!!!!!
The topic will be the same as the 80m net from Thursday night. Medical and first aid supplies. So join in the discussion. Indianapolis is gonna win the Super Bowl so you can join in the fun on 1.860LSB at 9pm Eastern (0200UTC).

Also, last Thursday night,  tried another shot at the APRN Net and the noise level was brutal!!! NW8I Del was heard running the net and we really appreciate that!!! THANKS Del!! It was suggested to move the net to 3.962 and give it a try there. So, stay tuned for next weeks net announcement!!!!!!

The APRN 80 meter net is all Doctored up!!!!

Tonites topic for the 80 meter APRN net will be Medical supplies and their availability and storage.  will take the controls tonite and direct the discussion to get folks to thinking about their medical needs and preps. So, join in the discussion at 9pm Eastern (0200UTC) on 3.961LSB or thereabouts. It may be another rough night signal wise as we have ANOTHER major winter storm on the way for the East Coast. But  is a persistent operator and he will give it his best shot.


A little note from the APRN.
The topics and discussions here one our nets are by no ways gospel. The idea is to get people to thinking about things related to Prepping and Preparedness. We have had some excellent discussions here and some different perspectives and thoughts have been offered. The idea is to help each other to get prepared and if there are any questions, thoughts or information that you may have found pertaining to past topic PLEASE bring it up. It is not a problem to continue a discussion or even postpone a topic to re-visit a past topic!!!!!

The APRN 160 meter Net was talkative!!!!

Tonite the APRN 160m net discussed ideas to pass the time while the grid was down. John ran that portion of the net and there were several ideas offered from reading, to making items that are necessary to prepping by hand to just good 'ol conversation. In this electronic age, there are several of the lost arts that should be revived. We also dealt with some questions about battery charging. This is a constant topic that really needs some attention and research. You can never really have too much information about backup power and certainly as questions arise and information comes available, we will always make time to share.
Tonites Check Ins:
AC0BG Dean, IA
WA1HHN Walt, MA
NW8I Del, OH

KD8JPQ Jeff, OH

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!!!!