Mid-Atlantic RACES Coordination Net 60m

[ke4sky]

On Wednesday, October 1, 2003 Virginia RACES, Inc. will initiate what we hope to be the first of many sessions of the Mid-Atlantic RACES Coordination Net. The purpose of the net is to encourage use of 60 meters for regional emergency communications by providing a twice monthly opportunity for equipment tests on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 2000 hours Eastern Time on 5330.5 USB.

All ARES, RACES and other emergency communications organizations within reliable communication range of the net are encouraged to participate. Liaisons are requested especially from the states of North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, but anyone, anywhere, regardless of organization or affiliation is welcome.

In order to minimize any inconvenience to primary and other users of the frequency the duration of the net will be limited to approximately 30 minutes. It is requested that the Circuit Merit reporting system be used for exchange of signal reports (see attachment). If you or your organization would like to volunteer to serve as a net control for a future session of the MARCN please contact ke4sky@att.net

It is hoped that there will be sufficient interest to enable establishing a regular net control schedule among states in the coverage area. 73

[ke4sky]

We've changed the name to the Mid-Atlantic Emergency Net to avoid any confusion among a minority who care to interpret the RACES regulations and whether they are authorized to use these frequencies under RACES. The interpretation I was provided is that the RACES frequency restrictions under Part 97 apply to government agencies operating as RACES stations. Since there are no more RACES licences, the point appears moot.

However to avoid getting into email wars on this subject, the easy thing to do is change the net name.

All amateurs authorized to use the frequency are welcoime. Nothing has changed but the name. 73

[KQ6XA]

Glad to hear about more emergency preparedness net operations on 5MHz!

5MHz is suitable for 1000 mile radius at night, regional communications around morning and evening, and 200 mile radius during mid-day.

HFpack, the HF Portable Group, has been operating an open calling schedule on 5371.5kHz since the band was authorized, and this has driven the high activity on "Channel 371". HFpack skeds turn into nets in the event of emergency. The regular daily HFpack sked is at 0350 UTC on channel 371

There are Echolink receivers and supervised transceivers on 5371.5kHz now.

More info is available at the
HFpack website (http://www.hfpack.com)
http://www.hfpack.com

73---Bonnie KQ6XA

[ke4sky]

Thanks to the 18 stations who checked into our net:

W3PAR, Delaware
N2NQH, New York
N3XJX, Pennsylvania
N3ATN, Pennsylvania
KU4MO, Virginia
KA8UNO, Virginia
K4CQY, Virginia
N8HGL, West Virginia
W1WJB, Connecticutt
W1BYH, Massashusetts
K3XN, Pennsylvania
KB0EMB, Missouri
W9VP, Indiana
N4PSN, South Carolina
KW3Z, Delaware,
K8NQC, Ohio
K4ZKU, Virginia
KE4SKY/NCS, Virginia

The next session of the Mid Atlantic Emergency Net will be held on Wednesday October 15, 2003 at 2000 hours on 5330.5 USB. #Stations who wanted to check into this net, but didn't make it and would like to receive an email reminder of the net time and frequency for future sessions please send email to ke4sky@att.net #Please include your callsign, city and state somewhere in the email.

We have also set up a new Yahoo group for those interested in 60 meters for EmCom. If so inclined please visit www.yahoogroups.com/groups/60Meters_EmCom
We'd like to use this as an easy way to keep in touch for the Mid-Atlantic Emergency Net and similar groups which might form elsewhere. 73