GAARES-P2P NET WEEKLY UPDATE FOR SUN 27-OCT
NOTE: A more read-friendly pdf version of this document is attached to the posting at [email protected]. The pdf version has a graphic included for the training section.
NEW NET CALLSIGN: WG4PTP
Georgia ARES is happy to announce that we have obtained a new FCC Vanity “Club” Callsign for the GAARES-P2P Net: Whiskey Georgia 4 Peer-To-Peer! From this point forward, WG4PTP will be the NCS callsign unless otherwise instructed. See the QRZ page for WG4PTP.
Kudos to Lynn Bianco KN4YZ and Robert Burton KD4YDC in Fayette County for allowing us to “borrow” the callsign WX4PTC, the Peachtree City National Weather Service Skywarn station callsign, this past several weeks.
GEORGIA ARES SET (Simulated Emergency Test):
The SET has been rescheduled for Sat 9-Nov and Sat 16-Nov. Both Saturdays, operations are planned for 0830-1030 local time. GAARES-P2P will be operating for this event with callsign WG4PTP and participants may be assigned tasks. Also, one or both of these SET Nets may have simultaneous operations on both 80m and 40m, with two different operators covering the NCS duties.
We hope you can participate. Be sure to have the latest versions of Winlink Express, the Winlink Form Templates, and also the latest version of Vara HF.
FUN QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
A single Peer-to-Peer message can be addressed to:
A. Several callsigns
B. A single email address
C. A callsign and a tactical address
D.A single callsign or tactical address
Put your answer at the end of the subject line: A <or> B <or> C <or> D
(The answer will be posted in the net summary within a couple days after the net.)
SUNDAY, 27-OCT IS SHORT MSG CHECK-IN:
CHECK-IN SUBJECT LINE: <yourcall>, <fname>, <county>,<band> (80m or 40m),<YES> or <NO>
Example: ND1J, David, Coweta, 80m,<Question answer>
MESSAGE BODY: any optional comments such as using aux pwr
REMINDERS:
- 500 Hz Vara HF bandwidth is now mandatory.
- DO NOT CHECK “Request Message Receipt” for P2P operations
TIME: SESSION: CENTER FREQ: DIAL FREQ: BANDWIDTH
0800-1000 EDT 80m 3584.5 kHz 3583.0 500 Hz
1000-1400 EDT 40m 7083.5 kHz 7082.0 500 Hz
Net Control Station (NCS) WG4PTP
This week, David – ND1J will be conducting the net and Kory – W4RZ, will be the alternate.
Participants will connect to WG4PTP.
Address each message to (Tactical Address): GAARES-P2P
TRAINING FOR THE WEEK – HOW TO SEND THE SAME MESSAGE TO SEVERAL P2P STATIONS:
STANDBY PROCEDURE IN EVENT WG4PTP IS NOT ACCEPTING GAARES-P2P MESSAGES:
If an error occurs when the NCS operator enables a tactical address, NCS will be unable to receive messages addressed to the tactical address. Therefore, it is important for you to know what to do. The solution is to re-address the message to the actual callsign, such as WG4PTP. Keep this tidbit in your pocket because, in a real event, this could be very important to know.
TRAINING SUBJECT OF THE WEEK – VARA TNC WINDOW
When you open a Vara HF Peer-to-Peer session (click on the Open button), is the Vara TNC Window always in the background rather than on-screen? This window needs to be visible before you click “Start” to initiate a transmission. That’s because you need to be looking at the TNC waterfall to make sure there are no signals within the 500 Hz area, between the two red vertical lines. It’s a pain to have to always Alt-Tab to get to this window.
Here is the solution to always make it visible:
In the SESSION window, click Settings, then Vara TNC Setup. In this pop-up window, labeled Vara Setup, check the box next to “Show the Vara TNC screen when it’s launched”, then click Update. Now, it will always be visible when you open a session. See screenshot below (in groups.io posting).
FEEDBACK:
Please help spread the word to hams in your local area about this new training opportunity for Winlink P2P. Participants do not need to be previously involved in ARES at any level or be GAARES members. All stations are welcome to participate. Always feel free to contact me with any comments, suggestions or corrections. I am happy to get the feedback. Email me at [email protected] or post at [email protected]
73!
David Blubaugh – ND1J
GAARES-P2P Net Manager