Short and Sweet....the APRN 160m net

Sunday nites APRN 160m net was a 2 man show as AC0BG, Dean was the only check in. The net wound up on 1.857.5 as 1.860 was busy. Del and Dean did carry on a conversation about the old tools that were used back in the day.
Remember, if you don't hear the net on 1.860, spin that dial and track us down!!!! The 160 meter band is really busy right now as conditions have been really good lately. The APRN group is relatively new at operating nets in crowded conditions but we will figure it out!!!!!
Everybody have a safe week!!!!! Remember, Friday we will have to start writing 2010 on everything.......

As the year winds down.......The 160m APRN Net!!!!!

Come on in and join Del, NW8I for the last official APRN 160m Net for 2009 on Sunday night at 0200UTC, 9pm Eastern. It has been a good year here at the APRN and we are looking forward to 2010 to be even better in many respects!!!!
The topic will be old tools and their uses. You know, technology has us spoiled. What would we do if we have to revert to the old "Elbow Grease Technology"???. Actually, we here at the APRN wonder if there are some times that the "old way" isn't the better way?????
SO, please be sure to tune in and join us and get involved in the discussion!!!!!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

I want to say first of all I am very sorry for not being around at all lately.

I also want to thank everyone that has been helping out to keep things going.

I have been very busy lately with trying to make a living. I have been running 24/7 since Friday when it started snowing here. I have been plowing snow all weekend and today is the first real break I have had.

I will not have a lot of time until after the Holidays so I wanted to take this opportunity to wish every body a very Merry Christmas. God Bless all and please be safe over this Holiday season.

73

W4DMH

Dave aka Santa

It's that time of year again!!!! Part 2

Sunday Night Del NW8I was at a Christmas program that members of his family were participating in. The program ran late and he did not get back in time for the net. So, the topic will be the same for this Sundays net. This is the time of the year for family and friends and we here at the APRN hope that everybody takes the time to spend some good quality time with family this season!!!! The radio will be there after the Christmas and New Year Holiday are over. And so will the APRN!!!!
Also, Don't forget tonites 40m net as Jeff KD8JPQ gives it another try. Conditions haven't been so good lately so dial around a see what happens at 5pm Eastern on 7.198LSB or thereabouts!!!!

Better Late Than Never!!!! APRN 160m Net

Your humble author of Net Announcements, K7DLB, was stuck in Richmond Virginia fro the weekend after fighting his way through the "Blizzard of '09". He is home safe and sound and once again penning the Net Announcement for tonites net......

Tonite, Del, NW8I will be "Old Tools and how to do things the old way". As Preppers we need to remain schooled in the old way of building, maintaining and getting around the possible failures of some of the new tech ways that we have been accustomed to.
So, join in the discussion tonite at 0200utc, 9PM Eastern and maybe stir up some of those memories of hand saws, brace and bits, whittling knives and other old school items!!!!

The 160m Net was all HEATED UP!!!!!

Here is Del's summary of tonites net
The topic for our Sunday night's APRNet was what do the net members use for
Emergency Soldering jobs. There were a lot of comments and I enjoyed this
net very much.

Most of the guys have or use one or more of the following items:
1. Use an inverter or generator to supply current to a conventional 110 vt
soldering iron.

2. Butane or propane torches, especially for outside RF connectors. One of
the points several guys made on the use of these tools was that they get
very hot and will burn what you're wanting to solder if you're not careful.
One tip was to shut the torch off for a second or two before you use it.
Another good suggestion was you can heat up a screwdruver held in a set of
pliers and do some soldering with that.

3. 12 volt battery soldering irons work pretty well and don't use too much
current. One idea was to use powerpole connectors on the iron and battery
for easy hookups.

4. There are smaller battery powered soldering irons using several AAs or
other types of batteries. Those are of limited use, taking a lot of
batteries with their high current draw.

5. Wood fired or charcoal fired old style soldering irons can be used for a
lot of jobs not requiring more delicate equipment.

Several of the guys have handpowered mechanical drills and the like. They
mentioned that sometimes you can find old style hand equipment at yard sales
and such. Obviously the APRNers as a group think this kind of equipment is
important, even tho most folks would say its old-fashioned. When the grid
is down old-fashioned will look good! I might add that everyone who checked
into the net has some form of emergency power, except for yours truly. I'm
workin on it. Really. Honest.

Some other contributions were that we're heading into a 35 mph world,
meaning we'll be using more battery powered vehicles and such. We need some
new reqs to enable this kind of vehicle to be used more safely in traffic
etc.

10 years ago one of the guys heard this comment made at a municipal meeting
in a local town. If the grid was down and/or transport was interrupted,
people would start dying in 3 weeks. Those weren't the exact words but you
get the idea.

Thanks to all who checked in tonight.

AC0BG Dean

N8BIT Dave

KD8USA Ty



WA1HHN Walt

W8UZZ Russ

NW8I Del

73s till next week

Del nw8i

The 10 Meter Band was rockin Saturday!!!!

I actually got a little time to play radio late Saturday night and I found the 10m band just getting with it!!!! There was a contest going on and there was a GREAT opening!!!!! Take a look at the map. I've never gotten into South Dakota on 10 before so there was a new personal record set!!!!All done with my KENWOOD 450(Santa)at 100 watts and my trusty 'ol Moonraker. I hope the openings continue and I get to hear some of the Preppers gang workin the bands!!!!
K7DLB
PS You can click on the pictures in the posts to expand them!!!!!

Sunday Night Net

The Sun night APRNet will meet on/or about 1.860 mhz at 0200Z(9pm eastern).

The topic for discussion will be: What do you use for soldering when the grid is down. 12 volt stuff, butane torches, fire heated soldering irons? Something else? Where do we get this equipment?

The topic was suggested a few weeks ago on one of the nets. Looking forward to the discussion.

Attention all you 40 meter Operators!!!

PLEASE set aside the salad and steak for a bit to check in to the APRN 40 meter net Tuesday at 5pm Eastern. Jeff, KD8JPQ is out checking his antennas and making sure everything is A-ok to bring the net to life on 7.198LSB give or take a couple of KC's. So check in and join the fun as we never know what Jeff may have up his sleeve!!!!!
Don't forget, 7.198 +or- a few, 5PM Eastern!!!!!!

APRN LINKS

Just a quick note for everyone. We have a page set up for links to useful information. If you find something you would like to share with others please email us so we can link to it. If you have not seen the page yet please click on the APRN Links on the bar at the top of the page