GAARES-P2P NET SUMMARY FOR MAR 2, 2025 (pdf attached to the gaares.groups.io posting and also in the gaares.groups.io Files section.)
Thanks to Kory W4RZ for running the 40m net today. ND1J & W4RZ each operated WG4PTP for the entire period, one on 80m and one on 40m.
NET SUMMARY:
P2P ACK messages were drafted for nearly all check-ins today and most operators reconnected to get those ACKs. In addition, Kory and I both called many stations back to send the ACK. We had several stations that disconnected us when we called back. When in P2P mode, always expect someone else to call YOU. Don’t disconnect on them. Also, check your session window after disconnect to see if you received a message. Some stations took the opportunity to do some test messaging today, which was great to see. It was a great turnout!
In the map, click on your station to see how your check-in message and location rated. If you would like to get feedback on specifics of your message, just email me directly to [email protected] and I’ll be happy to provide details for your message(s) in a private email.
MAR 2 NET STATISTICS:
Callsigns checking in today: 45
Check-in msgs – 80m: 40
Check-in msgs – 40m: 40
Total Check-in msgs: 80
KO4JUJ Charlie, checked in QRP 1 watt. FB, Charlie!
Message Analysis:
Callsigns that submitted a completely correct message: 39 of 45 (87%)
Callsigns using wrong report type: 3
Callsigns with message dated before current day: 2 < Msgs must be dated day of net
Callsigns using Grid Square: 5 (Most of these are new to the net and just learning)
MSGs that used WG4PTP instead of GAARES-P2P: 5 (2 of 5 corrected later)
Callsigns with Lat/Lon errors: NONE – Great!
CONTINGENCY FREQS ESTABLISHED:
I hope everyone took note of the new, backup contingency frequencies established for both 80m and 40m. Be sure to record these frequencies so they are readily available. BEST PRACTICE is to add WG4PTP to the P2P Favorites in the session window, so they will be there instantly, should you need them. The ICS 205 Comm Plan is in the gaares.groups.io Files section.
GAARES-P2P NET MAP LINK for 2025-03-02:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1cRENjV2lRxer4i9l543shmr7cFwpdzU&usp=sharing
ORANGE SQUARE ICONS – 80M CKINS
PURPLE DIAMOND ICONS – 40M CKINS
RED CHECK – 40M NCS WG4PTP (KORY W4RZ)
RED STAR – 80M NCS WG4PTP (DAVID ND1J)
This week’s map has both 80m and 40m check-ins combined.
To FILTER to one layer (40 or 80), UNCHECK the box for the band you don’t want.
To find your info, click on the down caret left of “All Items” in each of the 80m & 40m map layers at left side of map for a dropdown of each station. Click on your callsign for each band to see how you did.
FUN QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
When using Vara HF “Monitor” mode, what is the biggest consideration?
A. When Monitor Mode is ON, you see everything decoded that is being heard
B. With Monitor mode ON, you cannot initiate a connect request to another station
C. With Monitor mode ON and the Vara HF Bandwidth set to 500 Hz, the monitor screen will also decode incoming signals that are at 2300 Hz.
D. With Monitor mode ON, another station will be unable to initiate a connection to you.
ANSWERS:
A. Incorrect – only some info is decoded such as callsigns and the subject line of a message. A lot of gibberish will be seen along with that info.
B. Incorrect – In Monitor mode, you can call another station. When you click Start to initiate a call, your Monitor will switch itself off immediately.
C. Incorrect – the Monitor will only decode signals in the same bandwidth as the TNC. If 2300 Hz signals are on the same frequency, Vara will not decode them.
D. CORRECT – With the Monitor ON, no one can connect to you, even though LISTEN is showing at the bottom right of the TNC Window. If a station calls you, your system will not respond to the call. To make things worse, if you are in Monitor On mode and then close the TNC or Session Window, the next time you open it back up, the Monitor will STILL be ON, preventing your station from answering anyone who calls you. It’s crucial that we all understand this because it can have major consequences during an Emcomm event.
QUIZ RESULTS:
Answers reported in check-in messages today are below. If you sent more than one check-in message, we counted your answer only once. If you submitted messages with different answers, we took the answer in your final message.
A 8
B 7
C 1
D 24 (60%)
Total callsigns that gave an answer: 40
Callsigns that did not give an answer: 5
Thanks to EVERYONE for participating. If you have any questions about P2P, please send them to me. I may be able to incorporate them into a weekly training session.
We hope to see you at Forsyth next Saturday!
73,
David – ND1J
GAARES P2P Net Manager