Invitation to join us on 75 meters

WW4DX

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Several amateurs in the western area of NC will soon begin operating on (or near) 3.635mHz (Extra section of 75 meters) beginning as early as 7PM, until 9PM or so many days of the week. This frequency has been monitored for many days, and there has been no activity monitored or even near this frequency. However be prepared to move as needed, as we will not cause interference to others. This will not be a ‘net’, nor a formal ‘round-table’ structured gathering, therefore their is no ‘control operator’. Want to say something, join in with your call-sign, and say it. It is advisable to use VOX, for the obvious reasons. All topics of discussion are welcomed. Everyone must adhere to FCC Part 97.

Since this posting we've moved down to 3615kHz so not to QRM the 2 or 3 on 3636kHz.

 
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well, would you give an absolute amateur some instructions on exactly how to listen in (not talk)?
bought a Baofeng UV-5R. turned it on and turned it off to make sure it worked. that is all.
so...after i turn it on tonight, what next? thanks for any advice.
 
well, would you give an absolute amateur some instructions on exactly how to listen in (not talk)?
bought a Baofeng UV-5R. turned it on and turned it off to make sure it worked. that is all.
so...after i turn it on tonight, what next? thanks for any advice.

We are operating on HF (high freq). HF is world wide. That rig you are speaking of is not capable of receiving where we operate. It's a VHF / UHF transceiver, which is basically only going to receive locally to you. However most any shortwave receiver with a decent antenna would. Another solution would be to listen in on a on-line SDR. Find one on-line located from Pa to Fl. Enter 3.615mHz as your listening freq. You will probably hear us. http://websdr.org/
 
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well, would you give an absolute amateur some instructions on exactly how to listen in (not talk)?
bought a Baofeng UV-5R. turned it on and turned it off to make sure it worked. that is all.
so...after i turn it on tonight, what next? thanks for any advice.


I know for a fact you could hear us here. I just heard myself fine xmitting only 100 watts. Most of us will be between 500 - 1000 watts when we begin. http://websdr.k3fef.com:8901/

Enter 3615 in the Frequency Box. Press the LSB (lower side band) button.



Screenshot from 2020-03-12 16-40-47.png
 
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Everyone keep in mind, amateur freqs are shared. If 3635khz is busy @ 7PM, we will move up or down as needed, so not to cause any interference to anyone else..

Since this posting we've moved down to 3615kHz so not to QRM the 2 or 3 on 3636kHz.
 
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Everyone keep in mind, amateur freqs are shared. If 3635khz is busy @ 7PM, we will move up or down as needed, so not to cause any interference to anyone else..
How will we know we’ve tuned into the proper group?

For those without a radio, in addition to websdr try kiwisdr. Lots of people with radios you can use to listen in. You may want to try different stations due to HF skip zones if you don’t hear anything.
 
How will we know we’ve tuned into the proper group?

For those without a radio, in addition to websdr try kiwisdr. Lots of people with radios you can use to listen in. You may want to try different stations due to HF skip zones if you don’t hear anything.

Most of our call-signs will be in the 4 area. And most of us usually announce where we’re located. Should be a dead give-away...

As for the skip zones, that's typically not an issue on 3mHz in the evenings. Most any SDR within 500 miles should hear us quite well.

Hope you tune in... We're just a small group having fun on ham radio...
 
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Hope you tune in... We're just a small group having fun on ham radio...
Just discussed with the XYL we’re thinking of spending the night at our house with the HF radio on Monday. I’ll see if you’re active and try to tune in.
 
thanks for the internet option.
i'm going to spend some time
with Baofeng to learn its options.
 
Noticed 2 or 3 folks from the NY area on 3636kHz until a little past 7PM.

So we have moved down slightly to 3615kHz so we do not interfere. Still @ approx 7PM.


 
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well, would you give an absolute amateur some instructions on exactly how to listen in (not talk)?
bought a Baofeng UV-5R. turned it on and turned it off to make sure it worked. that is all.
so...after i turn it on tonight, what next? thanks for any advice.
samesies
I've got this uv5rtp thing sitting and I need to figure out how to make it work. ideally it will have a local emergency channel on preset since cell phones are hit or miss and our main link to the world is a spectrum cable/phone.
 
No such thing as a local emergency channel. It's not like a CB where you have channel 9.

@DrScaryGuy Our repeaters cover cumb and most of surrounding counties. 146.910 and 444.400 if you want to give them a listen on the uv5r. I may have a chirp file for local stuff, drop me a pm.
 
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I can vouch for the sdrplay, they also make a splendid panadapter coupled with a compatible HF rig with cat control.... for WHEN all y'all get your tickets (get to studying) Quick pic from the cw contest last month
48f5fa3e3578bf3f5e9fdc08306ae7f5.jpg
 
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samesies
I've got this uv5rtp thing sitting and I need to figure out how to make it work. ideally it will have a local emergency channel on preset since cell phones are hit or miss and our main link to the world is a spectrum cable/phone.


You can also check out these organizations for emergency comms. These of course are mainly on HF (high freq).
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network "SATERN" 14.265mHz. Mostly active during hurricanes. https://qso.com/satern/
Eastern Regional Patriots Net USA (ERPN USA) https://www.erpnusa.net/
AMRRON
https://amrron.com/nets-regional-national/amrron-local-nets/
https://amrron.com/amrron-sub-regional-nets/

https://amrron.com/nets-regional-national/amrron-regionalnational-nets/


As for having a link to the world, you may consider purchasing a decent shortwave receiver. Better yet, study and obtain a General Class (or Extra Class) amateur radio license, and purchase a transceiver. Your VHF/UHF radio (without the use of a repeater, which maybe down during an emergency), is only good for a few miles. Although the number of shortwave stations are much lesser now than 20 or more years ago, there are still many that are easily received in this area, with the simplest of wire antennas. WWCR, WBCQ, WRMI..

If you do purchase a SW receiver (or transceiver), be sure it operates on batteries, and you have the means of recharging batteries.
 
I honestly did not know salvation army had their own system up...
I grew up at a sal and my sis/bil run one
 
Amateurs from the following counties have checked in.
Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Gaston.
One from state of West Virginia.
3615khz + or - QRM

Listen in by using the SDR link in a previous post.
 
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:)

It's receiving on the tribander right now.... working on a more dedicated SDR setup in my retirement days.
 
Late to the party. Why restrict this to the extra bands? Why not open it to general? My HF antenna is still down, but now that i have some extra time on my hands Ill see about getting a new one up.
 
Why restrict this to the extra bands? Why not open it to general?

Not everyone wants to associate with us lowly generals. Extra band keeps the riff raff out, that's what all my know-code buddys tell me anyway lol.

Honestly, this should push me to get back to studying.
 
Late to the party. Why restrict this to the extra bands?

Available bandwidth. The general portion of 75m is already overloaded with stations operating on top of one another. Saw no need to be part of the problem.

However if you know of an open/clear 5kHz in the General section of 75M, between 7-9PM by all means establish the group, and post the information here. The 3.615mHz group would join you.
 
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Not everyone wants to associate with us lowly generals. Extra band keeps the riff raff out, that's what all my know-code buddys tell me anyway lol.

Honestly, this should push me to get back to studying.

Your 'know-code buddys' are mostly correct. There are many fewer problems with bad/poor ops in the Extra portion, of most bands.

Last evening we had stations from Hartsdale NY and Cleveland Ohio join in the conversations.

Hope you do upgrade to Extra and join us soon.
 
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Available bandwidth. The general portion of 75m is already overloaded with stations operating on top of one another. Saw no need to be part of the problem.

However if you know of an open/clear 5kHz in the General section of 75M, between 7-9PM by all means establish the group, and post the information here. The 3.615mHz group would join you.
Now that you mention it, that IS a crowded time. But, I think we should make an effort to be more inclusive. (Yes, I said that.:D) Maybe start later or some other way of avoiding prime time.

Personally, I've done most of my work on 40 and late at night. Late enough to QSO with European stations. I also enjoy playing with low power. Maybe not true QRP, but lower power and NVIS antennas. Had a nice contact into middle TN on 10watts and my NVIS endfed, S7. At higher power my NVIS covers into lower GA, FL. Haven't played with NVIS and 75 yet.
 
Now that you mention it, that IS a crowded time. But, I think we should make an effort to be more inclusive. (Yes, I said that.:D) Maybe start later or some other way of avoiding prime time.

Sure. Set it up, and let us know where and when. I feel sure several of the 3615kHz regulars can make it too a second freq, for more good conversation.
 
I'll try tomorrow if I don't forget. W3*** I only got a lousy Inverted-V at 65 ft and a bit over a kilowatt. I hardly ever venture to 80 meters and only to the CW portion. The SSB portion of the band has turned into another CB "channel".
 
I'll try tomorrow if I don't forget. W3*** I only got a lousy Inverted-V at 65 ft and a bit over a kilowatt. I hardly ever venture to 80 meters and only to the CW portion.

The SSB portion of the band has turned into another CB "channel".

Amateur radio is a reflection of society. Good and bad. Operating the extra portion of 75M has worked out well for us. The majority of the riffraff occurs above 3800kHz. Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
I can vouch for the sdrplay, they also make a splendid panadapter coupled with a compatible HF rig with cat control.... for WHEN all y'all get your tickets (get to studying) Quick pic from the cw contest last month
48f5fa3e3578bf3f5e9fdc08306ae7f5.jpg

This is what I use for an additional bandscope but not every day though. It's linked to my FTDX3000, so it tracks the frequency automatically. The radio already has a factory supplied RX OUT connector with an interposing relay.
SDRPLAY does make a decent bandscope but it's receiver sucks compared to the Yaesu. I wouldn't recommend SDRPLAY as the only receiver unless nothing else is available.
 
This is what I use for an additional bandscope but not every day though. It's linked to my FTDX3000, so it tracks the frequency automatically. The radio already has a factory supplied RX OUT connector with an interposing relay.
SDRPLAY does make a decent bandscope but it's receiver sucks compared to the Yaesu. I wouldn't recommend SDRPLAY as the only receiver unless nothing else is available.

I use the SDR play only for the bandscope, linked up with my ts590sg with cat control. Its made me lazy, never touch the knob anymore.

Good to see you here though, I think we've talked briefly on the Arfcom nets, recognize the sn.
 
SDRPLAY does make a decent bandscope but it's receiver sucks compared to the Yaesu. I wouldn't recommend SDRPLAY as the only receiver unless nothing else is available.

Noticed this as well. I easily hear stations on my rig, that are non existent on the SDRPlay. However for $100 it’s pretty darn good!
 
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