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The Great Car Run Packet Caper Every August antique car enthusiasts hold a 90 mile run for cars made before 1920 that goes from New London, MN to New Brighton, MN. For many years the Willmar Ham radio club provided communications support by placing mobile hams with 2 meter transceivers amoungst the participants. They used the 146.91 repeater which is a wide area coverage machine and put up a net control tent at the Buffalo, MN halfway stop. Usually a crowd would gather around to hear the progress. The old guard in our club reveled in this opportunity to show off their repeater and made no secret of it. One of the other factions in our club were the digital packet radio folks like myself who saw greater possibilities by merging radio and data. One of the obvious uses combined the new GPS service many of us had with digital radio to allow us to track a GPS transmitter paired together. The much re known APRS was in it's infancy then - the biggest snag was a lack of decent maps to plot on the computer screen. The popular thing at the time was to attach a GPS to a laptop computer running the Delorme mapping program. The present location would show as a green arrow on a very detailed map! In doing some experiments, I discovered it was possible to send the data from a GPS to the computer via packet radio, cutting the cord, so to speak. We ran experiments on quiet simplex frequencies to fine tune the process and stay below the "old guard's" radar. In the summer of 1994 with the help of John K0CQW and Joe N0NCO, we put together the system. John got us access to a tower near Lake Minne Belle where we installed a temporary packet repeater which filled in a coverage hole once we were out of the Spicer packet nodes range. Joe set up his own tent in Buffalo with a 1000W Honda generator, packet station, antenna and the biggest monitor I'd seen attached to his laptop computer that was running the Delorme mapping program. I was the tracking car. It took a little convincing to allow me to join the pack, but once in, I just stayed a safe distance behind whoever was the leader. I was mostly in the dark as to how it was working as my radio was tied up doing packet. When we stopped in Litchfield I was able to hear the good news that everything was working better than we'd hoped! At Buffalo, word got out that Joe had a graphic display of the run going and the crowd gathered round to watch. When we got to the Buffalo fairgrounds, our stopping point, I peeled off and drove over to the tent. The folks watching the arrow thought the old car was outside, but, it was just me, grinning ear to ear in my Dodge Colt with the GPS antenna "boob" on the roof. For a day, at least, we'd stole their fire. Mike N0QBH

From the Editor We hope you enjoyed the premier issue of The NTS Letter. We heard from many of you and thank you for your kind words of support. We hope you will spread the word to others. Feel free to share this newsletter with those who may or may not be ARRL members but who have shown an interest in message handling. (Of course, you could encourage non-members to join.) Also remember to send news or suggestions from your Sections. We want to hear from you. NTS 2.0 Update We have begun to produce PowerPoint presentations and training videos, which will be available on the NTS2 website. The first training video is now available at https://nts2.arrl.org/ntsgte-an-aprs-nts-gateway/. This video is about the APRS-NTS Gateway, and information on this topic can be found later in this newsletter. The teams are currently producing a video about the encapsulation of ICS-213 and other agency forms for use particularly on voice and CW networks. Because we believe recognition is so important not only for showing appreciation, but also for motivating and encouraging traffic handlers, we have been working on a recognition program for both new and experienced traffic handlers. More on that in an upcoming issue. Because emergency service agencies expect delivery of messages within 30 minutes, as reported last month Don Rolph, AB1PH, has conducted transcontinental tests on 20 meters using digital modes to explore how propagation issues affect point-to-point communication across the country. Don reports these were mostly successful but says more tests will be conducted on 30 meters. He welcomes more operators to participate in these tests. There are no updates on the new net directory, but we continue to press forward. ICS-213 Compatibility: Using Radiograms to Pass Served Agency Forms From the NTS2.arrl.org website: In emergencies, practice exercises, and other scenarios, radio amateurs will likely pass messages for the various served agencies, such as FEMA, Red Cross, and others. It is important that we are able to relay these messages in a way that is compatible with the agencies' existing methods. While NTS stations are used to using the standard radiogram format, agencies will use their own forms, such as the ICS-213 form pictured here. As part of NTS 2.0, numerous NTS stations and EmComm operators have worked together to define methods and procedures for passing these various agency forms encapsulated within radiograms. This allows the NTS relay stations to handle radiograms as they are used to, while served agencies can continue to utilize their forms. The NTS 2.0 website discusses how to encode these complex forms for transmission through the National Traffic System as radiograms, and their final delivery to the served agency in the native form format. We realize that radiograms with encapsulated agency forms are much longer than traditional radiograms and take more time and effort when passed on CW or voice modes. We expect these forms to be passed primarily via digital modes for most emergencies, but there can indeed be circumstances when they need to be sent via voice or CW. This could be due to the scale and type of emergency, or because of delivering station capabilities. To be prepared for these circumstances, we hope voice and CW participants and their nets will take pains to become familiar with the forms and develop proficiency through the practice of handling the encoded forms on those modes. The NTS 2.0 Digital and EmComm working groups have developed encoding for: ICS-213 form Texas EMA STAR form HICS-213 form ARC-213 form It is anticipated that encoding for more forms will be established as we move forward. We will be updating this material as it is developed. Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net A New England NTS net played an integral role in a recent ARES Simulated Emergency Test on Cape Cod. The Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net (MARIDN) meets weekly for the purpose of passing formal, written NTS messages within, into, and out of the Sections of Eastern and Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island. MARIDN is

https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-urges-comments-to-fcc-on-60-meter-band Link to article above. ARRL Urges Comments to FCC on 60-Meter Band 10/10/2023 ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio? is asking that all radio amateurs urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to continue the existing use of the 60-meter band. A public comment period is open until October 30, 2023. ARRL encourages expressions of support to the FCC for the current 100 W ERP power limit (instead of reducing the power limit to 15 W EIRP) and continuing secondary access to the current channels. ARRL has assembled a web page with instructions on how to submit your comments, as well as background information on the issue: www.arrl.org/60-meter-band. To submit a filing of your comments for the FCC’s consideration in the rulemaking process, go to the FCC web page for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking’s (NPRM) Docket Number 23-120 at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/23-120. If you wish to directly enter your comments, select the button labeled SUBMIT AN EXPRESS FILING or if you are uploading a document that contains your comments, select SUBMIT A STANDARD FILING. When submitting your comments, be sure the correct proceeding’s docket number, 23-120, is included on the form. Your name and comments will be entered into the official public record of the proceedings and will be viewable by anyone who visits the docket web page. While radio amateurs are encouraged to include any comments they would like in their submissions, they’re especially encouraged to draw upon their personal experiences using the 60-meter band for public service purposes and for its location between the amateur 80- and 40-meter bands, which is critical to ensuring signal propagation to certain geographic areas during variations in time and the solar cycle. For example, ensuring radio amateurs have a continuum of communication capabilities across the 7 MHz, 5 MHz, and 3.5 MHz bands is valuable for emergency communications, especially between the US and Caribbean nations during hurricane season. Some of the main points to comment on for this NPRM are: Urging the FCC to keep the four existing channels allocated to amateur radio on a secondary basis. Urging the FCC to keep the 100 W power limit for the four existing channels and the new 15 kHz subband. ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager Sierra Harrop, W5DX, underscored the importance of commenting, urging members to speak up. “ARRL members make up the strongest voice in matters of amateur radio spectrum defense,” said Harrop. “Your membership and participation in the rulemaking process both ensure ARRL continues to make the difference when our band privileges are threatened. Please join us in effort to protect our 60-meter band privileges

ARRL Hails FCC Action to Remove Symbol Rate Restrictions 11/13/2023 ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio? reports that earlier today, the FCC Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Amateur Radio Service rules to replace the baud rate limit on the Amateur HF bands with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit to permit greater flexibility in data communications. “The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules to incentivize innovation and experimentation in the amateur radio bands by removing outdated restrictions and providing licensees with the flexibility to use modern digital emissions,” announced FCC. “Specifically, we remove limitations on the symbol rate (also known as baud rate) -- the rate at which the carrier waveform amplitude, frequency, and/or phase is varied to transmit information -- applicable to data emissions in certain amateur bands,” concluded the FCC Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, adopted November 13, 2023. “The amateur radio community can play a vital role in emergency response communications, but is often unnecessarily hindered by the baud rate limitations in the rules.” Consistent with ARRL’s request, the amended rules will replace the current HF restrictions with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit. “We agree with ARRL that a 2.8 kilohertz bandwidth limitation will allow for additional emissions currently prohibited under the baud rate limitations while providing sufficient protections in the shared RTTY/data sub bands,” concluded the FCC Report and Order. ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, hailed the FCC’s action to remove the symbol rate restrictions. Roderick stated that “this action will measurably facilitate the public service communications that amateurs step up to provide, especially at times of natural disasters and other emergencies such as during the hurricane season. Digital technology continues to evolve, and removing the outmoded data restrictions restores the incentive for radio amateurs to continue to experiment and develop more spectrum-efficient protocols and methods while the 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit will help protect the shared nature of our bands. We thank Congresswoman [Debbie] Lesko (AZ-08) for her efforts on behalf of all Amateurs to get these restrictions removed.” In a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), the FCC proposes to eliminate similar restrictions where they apply in other bands. “We propose to remove the baud rate limitation in the 2200 meter band and 630 meter band … and in the very high frequency (VHF) bands and the ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands. Additionally, we seek comment on the appropriate bandwidth limitation for the 2200 meter band, the 630 meter band, and the VHF/UHF bands.” ARRL has previously expressed its support for eliminating the symbol rate limits in favor of bandwidth limits where they apply on the VHF and UHF bands but suggested that the bandwidth limits themselves be reviewed in light of today’s technology and tomorrow’s possibilities. Similarly, when eliminating the baud limits on the 2200 and 630-meter bands, consideration should be given to what, if any, bandwidth limits are appropriate.

The latest firmware revision to the NinoTNC has PSK shaped transmit envelopes 2400 Hz wide and up to 2400 baud! // 3/4.31: 24-Oct-23 : // : Improved DCD LED coast time and CSMA logic. // : Added IL2P+CRC (IL2Pc) modes to reduce false decodes. // : Restored full dynamic range of AGC. // : Change self-learn callsign algorithm to UI frames only. // : // : MODE SWITCH MAPPING // : // : *** GFSK MODES ** // : These require a '9600' data port or * // : discriminator/varactor connection. * // : IL2P, IL2Pc modes included for performance comparison. * // : ** // : 0000 9600 GFSK AX.25 * // : 0001 9600 GFSK IL2P * // : 0010 9600 GFSK IL2Pc * // : 0011 4800 GFSK IL2P * // : 0100 4800 GFSK IL2Pc * // : ** // : // : *** FM AFSK MODES **** // : These are suitable for FM radio speaker/ * // : mic connection. * // : ** // : 0101 2400 DPSK IL2P Phase reversal of 2400 Hz tone * // : 0110 1200 AFSK AX.25 Legacy FM Packet, APRS * // : 0111 1200 AFSK IL2P * // : ** // : // : *** SSB AFSK MODES *** // : Legacy HF packet 1600/1800 Hz tone FSK. * // : Filtered for 500 Hz occupied bandwidth. * // : ** // : 1100 300 AFSK AX.25 * // : 1101 300 AFSK IL2P * // : 1110 300 AFSK IL2Pc * // : ** // : // : *** SHAPED PSK MODES * // : These are suitable for SSB radios, or FM radios. * // : Phase modulation of 1500 Hz tone. * // : Filtered for occupied bandwidth depending on baud. * // : 300 BPSK, 600 QPSK send 300 symbols/sec, 500 Hz OBW. * // : 1200 BPSK, 2400 QPSK send 1200 symbols/sec, 2400 Hz OBW.* // : ** // : 1000 300 BPSK IL2Pc * // : 1001 600 QPSK IL2Pc * // : 1010 1200 BPSK IL2Pc * // : 1011 2400 QPSK IL2Pc * // : 1111 1200 BPSK IL2P * // : ** 73 'QBH

One of the requests that came from the folks over at emergency management was to be able to transfer small spreadsheet files via packet radio. I suspected there was a solution out there, somewhere, waiting to be found. The one thing Internet is good for is exchanging information and learning sometimes obscure methods. My shopping list was for a multi O.S. (Windows, Linux, Pi) packet radio terminal program that was dirt simple and could easily transfer binary files. It turns out I had been using it for a couple of weeks without knowing the program's potential. I'd chose it because it worked with the NinoTNC. It's called QtTermTCP by John Wiseman G8BPQ the creator of all things "BPQ" since the 1980's. About the only "gotcha" so far, is it's KISS interface. I don't know if it will work with older TNCs in original KISS mode or not. I have testing to do. I do know it works excellent with a Raspberry Pi400 keyboard computer and the USB NinoTNC which "talks" via a 2m mobile radio. Since the NinoTNC is USB powered from the laptop or Raspberry Pi, it makes a very tidy package. Out of the box, QtTerm will only connect outwards. Clicking the Listen button and checking the box lets QtTermTCP accept incoming connections AND transfer files via YAPP protocol. Clicking on YAPP button brings up a pane that asks where you want to store the received files. Choose or create and choose a folder. If you are connected to another QtTermTCP station the send file button will be active (not grayed out) and if you click on it it will ask for a file to send. You chose the file on your computer, click on open and away it goes - at 1200 baud, it's slow by our standards, but will come out a perfect copy at the far end assuming there is a working path. So far in testing I've sent a 12k file between two stations which took 2.5 minutes. Using 3 stations with WILMAR node as the facilitator a 5k file took 4.5 min. The second test was more real world with noise on frequency, multiple hops and retries due to it. Nonetheless, the digital copy comes through intact. This method may or may not be the final solution, but is certainly a step in the right direction. 73 'QBH

Some good news from the folks at MN14567. For WILMAR users the path to Minneapolis is WILMAR, MNRCK2, then MPLSDN or MNFAIR. Some news 11/17/23: N0NAS and I put up a new 7/24/365 node at Rockford, MN today. That should fix the western routes. The new path to MNLF2 is via MNRCK2 and then to Wilmar. Wilmar EM has been asking for this connection to be restored as has Benton.

Objective: For Amateurs worldwide to exchange QSO information with as many stations as possible on the 10 meter band. Dates: Second full weekend of December. Starts 0000 UTC Saturday; runs through 2359 UTC Sunday (December 9-10, 2023) Click Here for the Complete ARRL 10-Meter Contest Rules (PDF) For contest information contact contests@... or (860) 594-0232 Log Submission Deadline: Logs are due within SEVEN (7) days after the event is over. Logs may be submitted either online or via mail, but electronic Cabrillo logs are the preferred method. Electronic logs must be submitted via our web app at contest-log-submission.arrl.org. Paper logs must be postmarked by the log submission deadline. Logs that have been submitted electronically are listed on the ARRL Logs Received page. Click the contest name to see a list of submitted logs sorted by call sign and club name. Online Log Submission - Cabrillo formatted logs must be uploaded via our web app at contest-log-submission.arrl.org Submitting Paper Logs By Mail - Be sure to mail your completed Summary Sheet and Log Sheets postmarked before the log submission deadline. Paper Entry Forms: 10 Meter Contest Summary Sheet 10 Meter Contest Log Sheet Send completed Summary Sheets and logs to: ARRL - 10 Meter Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. If submitting a paper log, it is strongly suggested you use a delivery method that offers a tracking number. If you wish to convert your log into a Cabrillo formatted log for electronic submission, visit www.b4h.net/cabforms/ and select the event of interest. You can input your log data which will be converted to a Cabrillo formatted log for you (it will generate a log and return it to you), and then you can in turn submit your Cabrillo log online via the web app at contest-log-submission.arrl.org/. Awards: Certificates will be awarded in the following categories: The highest-scoring single-operator station (in each category) from each ARRL/RAC Section, Mexican State and DXCC country. Top multioperator entries in each ARRL Division, Canada, Mexico and each continent. Additional certificates will be awarded as participation warrants. Printable certificates will be downloadable from contests.arrl.org/certificates.php.

Here's a copy of some exploring I did in the metro today using packet radio on the 145.670 freq. Blue is received text and black is what I typed. Packet is also great for "lurking" - simply observing the traffic without transmitting. It's a good way to learn how things are done. 73 Mike N0QBH Connecting... Connected To WILMAR ###CONNECTED TO NODE WILMAR(W0SW) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c mnrck2 ###LINK MADE ###CONNECTED TO NODE MNRCK2(NY9D-11) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c mnmpls ###LINK MADE ###CONNECTED TO NODE MNMPLS(WDOHWT-10) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? j s K0LAV-6 WG0A-1* WG0A-7 KC0NPA-10 NY9D-11 WD0HWT-4 K0SHF* N0YNT* K1LEO* N0TJN KF9CP KF9CP-1 W0YC MNRCK2 WILMAR N0QBH-3 N0QBH-2 ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? bye Disconnected from WILMAR Connecting... Connected To WILMAR ###CONNECTED TO NODE WILMAR(W0SW) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c mnrck2 ###LINK MADE ###CONNECTED TO NODE MNRCK2(NY9D-11) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c mnmpls ###LINK MADE ###CONNECTED TO NODE MNMPLS(WDOHWT-10) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c kf9cp-1 ###LINK MADE [EASYTERM-0.49B] There are 0 available message(s) of 10. ENTER COMMAND: B,K,L,R,S or Help > s all Enter Title (>30 symbols): Hello from outstate Enter Message Text (end with /EX or CTRL+Z): Name is Mike, QTH near Spicer, MN. We recently got access to the metro packet system and I'm exploring. The MNRCK2 node filled the gap between WILMAR and the rest of the world. Our club packet mailbox is with the WILMAR node and is W0SW-1. We hope to get some "retro" interest in packet going here. 73 Mike N0QBH /ex Message #12 Size: 313 saved! ENTER COMMAND: B,K,L,R,S or Help > l MSG# ST FROM TO DATE TIME SIZE TITLE 12 PN N0QBH ALL 06-12-23 07:28 313 Hello from outstate ENTER COMMAND: B,K,L,R,S or Help > bye Bye-Bye! ###DISCONNECTED BY KF9CP-1 AT NODE MNMPLS ###DISCONNECTED BY MNMPLS AT NODE MNRCK2 ###DISCONNECTED BY MNRCK2 AT NODE WILMAR Disconnected from WILMAR Connecting... Connected To WILMAR ###CONNECTED TO NODE WILMAR(W0SW) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c mnrck2 ###LINK MADE ###CONNECTED TO NODE MNRCK2(NY9D-11) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? j l KF9CP > BEACON 00/21/00 01:30:54 KF9CP-1 > MBX 00/21/00 01:30:54 W0SW > ID 00/21/00 01:38:27 PBBS* > BEACON 00/21/00 01:46:11 VIA *MPLSDN KF0KAA* > BEACON 00/21/00 01:55:16 VIA MNFAIR,*MPLSDN,MNISAN,ICARES W0REA-12 > BEACON 00/21/00 02:04:03 AJ0O-7 > ID 00/21/00 02:09:13 K1LEO* > BEACON 00/21/00 02:15:36 VIA *MNFAIR N0TJN > BEACON 00/21/00 02:20:40 WG0A-1* > MAIL 00/21/00 02:23:47 VIA *MPLSDN W0YC > ID 00/21/00 02:25:05 WG0A-7 > BEACON 00/21/00 02:25:20 KC0NPA-10 > BEACON 00/21/00 02:25:54 WD0HWT-4 > ID 00/21/00 02:26:11 K0SHF* > BEACON 00/21/00 02:26:41 VIA *WD0HWT-4 WILMAR > N0QBH-4 00/21/00 02:29:01 N0QBH-3 > MNRCK2 00/21/00 02:29:01 ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c mplsdn ###LINK MADE ###CONNECTED TO NODE MPLSDN(WD0HWT-4) CHANNEL A ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ? c wg0a-1 ###LINK MADE [BPQ-6.0.24.16-B2FWIHJM$] Please enter your Name > Mike Welcome Mike. Latest Message is 1980 Please leave a message while you're here. Thanks. Please enter your Home BBS using the Home command. You may also enter your QTH and ZIP/Postcode using qth and zip commands. N0QBH de WG0A> home w0sw-1 Please enter HA with HomeBBS eg g8bpq.gbr.eu - this will help message routing HomeBBS is W0SW-1 N0QBH de WG0A> sb all Enter Title (only): Hello from outstate Enter Message Text (end with /ex or ctrl/z) We recently got access to the metro via MNRCK2 and I am out exploring. Station here is a Yaesu FT-2600, NinoTNC, Pi400 to a big screen tv. I run a BPQ node near Spicer part time, shared with APRS duty in the day. Our local mailbox is part of the WILMAR node and accessed by W0SW-1. Drop a note if you are inclined. 73, Mike N0QBH /ex Message: 1981 Bid: 1981_WG0A Size: 336 N0QBH de WG0A> l 1981 06-Dec BN 336 ALL N0QBH Hello from outstate 1979 06-Dec B$ 37670 DX @WW I0OJJ The ARRL Contebye Disconnected from WILMAR

Opt-In Page Confusion Several individuals have recently reported problems subscribing to The NTS Letter on their ARRL profile page at https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out. Specifically, the page displays only those electronic publications and listservs to which the member is currently subscribed. One must click on the "EDIT" button to see the entire list of choices to opt into. We're happy to report that the language on the profile page has been updated and the instructions are clearer. It now reads, "Please click 'EDIT' to see all email subscription options." Remember -- to reach this page, click on "Hello <name>" at the very top of the ARRL home page, followed by "Communication | Opt In/Out" in the left-hand column on the resulting page. NTS 2.0: Update A new training video has been added to the nts2.arrl.org website under the "Training and Documentation/Special Topics" tab. This video and PowerPoint presentation give instructions on the use of the APRS-NTS Gateway mentioned in last month's newsletter, and is the first of what will become a series of training videos on this site. If any folks out there have experience in creating, editing videos etc. and would like to work with us, we are interested in hearing from you. Coming Soon -- Web-based Message Origination "Portal" Platform for Public Use The NTS 2.0 Access & Delivery Methods working group has made good progress on a web-based message origination "portal" platform for public use. A mockup was demonstrated recently to the A&DM group by one of its members. A "soft launch" will consist of publicizing the portal to the amateur community; and later, to the public. Dedicated traffic handler volunteers will be recruited to maintain regular "schedules" to check the platform for outbound traffic. Note: Messages will never be sent without human intervention. Each message will be inspected by a volunteer traffic handler to ensure that its content is appropriate (e.g., "clean" language, no commercial content) before accepting it for origination. In addition, anti-spamming rules have been incorporated into the portal's design. We'll have more information on this project in a later NTS Letter. NTS-ARES Collaboration -- One Section's Recent Experience NTS and ARES are two organizations of ARRL with similar yet separate missions. The relationship between these two organizations varies greatly from Section to Section. Leadership in the Eastern Massachusetts Section (EMA) has been working over the past year to develop synergies between NTS and ARES to jointly increase the capabilities that they can offer to served agencies. This team includes the EMA SM, SEC, ASEC, STM, ASTM and NTS-ARES Liaison, and others, and meets every 4-6 weeks. One area of focus that the team has identified is the ability of NTS to take some of the load off ARES by handling Health and Welfare traffic in and out of a disaster area. The group is also working on materials for Simulated Emergency Tests (SET) that would provide increased interaction between NTS and ARES. Eastern Massachusetts held its annual SET on November 11. During this event, several ARES groups across the Section set up, and nets were held on HF and VHF. Stations checked into ARES nets and provided reports on which ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) stations they could hear. NTS also held a VHF net and an HF digital net. Stations participating in the SET were also encouraged to use their own station capabilities to send an NTS radiogram to the Section Traffic Manager via one of the NTS nets, and another radiogram to the Section Manager identifying which activities the station participated in during the event. In addition, the Section Manager sent radiograms having a precedence of TEST PRIORITY to Section leadership and requesting an immediate response describing their SET participation. This past year, as part of the NTS 2.0 project, NTS developed a standardized methodology for sending ICS-213s encapsulated in radiograms for verbatim delivery in ICS-213 format at the remote end. During this SET, ICS-213s were sent

A great historic read about the WW2 top secret radio listening post located at Chopmist Hill, RI. As a teaser, they have never really explained all they could hear. https://varnumcontinentals.org/2018/10/revisiting-rhode-islands-top-secret-ear-on-the-world/

There are a number of Emergency Services packet radio kits amoungst the members and I've found a couple of easy setting changes to make it work much better. The first one is a setting on the KPC-3+ called CD. With the KPC-3+ in command mode (not connected to another station) type cd and press enter. The default setting will return INTERNAL. This means the TNC will not transmit over ANY noise heard on the receive. We want to set it to SOFTWARE. Type cd soft and press enter. It will answer CD was INTERNAL. Type cd then press enter. It should answer SOFTWARE. This means the TNC will look for packet data in the noise and only prevent a transmission if it senses another packet station on frequency. Another issue we have run into involves KPC-3+ users who use Putty terminal program on their packet radio computer to "talk" to it. The default Putty keyboard setting for Backspace needs to be changed. As is, when you backspace to edit, the deleted text along with a tiny square for each character deleted gets sent. The worst part is the sender has no idea. The sentence on the receive end is often unreadable because of this. The fix is simple. Under the Putty setting tree, select Terminal then The Backspace Key. Select Control-H Save your settings to Default Settings or it will default back to Control-127 the next time you open it. Hope to see more of you on Chat Room - QBCHAT. 73 Mike N0QBH

Promoting and Protecting Amateur Radio When you join ARRL, you support our efforts for a strong and vibrant Amateur Radio Service. Our Washington, D.C. regulatory affairs team filed a technical report against an effort from stock traders that would obliterate our HF bands. The ARRL Legislative Advocacy Committee is making great strides in efforts to eliminate private land use restrictions on hams. Your membership support helps continue our efforts to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, state legislatures, and even on the international stage.

"WINTERHEAT, now in its fifth year, stands as a month-long UHF/VHF simplex event crafted to empower amateur radio operators by offering a dedicated platform to test and enhance their UHF/VHF capabilities. From its inception, WINTERHEAT aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of stations, encouraging operators to adapt and refine their equipment setups throughout the month-long event. Distinguishing itself from shorter on-air events, WINTERHEAT, along with its summer counterpart (SUMMERTHUNDER), extends over several weeks to capture a more realistic and nuanced assessment of stations. This prolonged duration enables operators to make adjustments in real-time, ensuring a dynamic and continuous enhancement of their capabilities. Streamlining communication, WINTERHEAT mandates all contacts to occur on pre-designated frequencies. This approach simplifies the process for operators, eliminating the need to search for stations calling CQ. Operating within Technician class privileges, all FCC-licensed amateur radio operators can actively participate in the event. Adding to its uniqueness, WINTERHEAT utilizes a custom-built, over-the-web logging system that facilitates real-time statistics and logging of contacts. This one-of-a-kind method enhances the overall experience, providing operators with valuable data in an unprecedented manner. Beyond its role as a skill-building platform, WINTERHEAT serves as an invaluable opportunity for Emergency Communications (EmComm) operators. Leveraging the event, EmComm groups can coordinate emergency communication activities, assessing mission functionality and readiness for potential crises. WINTERHEAT, now in its fifth consecutive year, continues to evolve and grow, combining its rich history with the potential for real-world emergency preparedness." WINTERHEAT will commence on January 1, 2024 at 00:00:01 UTC and conclude on January 31, 2024 at 23:59:59 UTC. During the event, radio operators are encouraged to make as many contacts as possible during the event window. All contacts are made via FM-Voice and include both analog and digital modes (Fusion, DMR, D-STAR). Packet modes are not part of this event. ANALOG 2M 70cm OTHER 147.570 446.700 52.540 *see note below 147.525 446.400 223.400 927.100 DIGITAL 147.555 C4FM-V 446.600 C4FM-U 145.790 DMR-V TG:99 TS:1 CC:1 446.0750 DMR-U TG:99 TS:1 CC:1 145.670 D-STAR-V 446.225 D-STAR-U *6 Meter note: Some equipment cannot work properly on the upper limits of 6 Meters. An alternate option (50.350) is available in the LOGGER. Only one 6M contact per person, per day is allowed. SCORING: When making a QSO, only one station will enter the information into the system. Usually the station calling CQ would enter the initial QSO information. Does not matter who submits the initial QSO info as long as the QSO does not get logged twice. The other station will be responsible for confirming the QSO. Unconfirmed QSO will be credited with 1 contact point where a confirmed QSO will be awarded a value of 10 contact points. A QSO can be made with a station that has not signed up as a participant. However that QSO will only be awarded a single contact point. Should the non-participant sign up for event after the QSO is made. The QSO made prior to their sign up will still be credited as a single contact point until the new participant confirms the QSO. *** All times times are UTC/ZULU. Depending on your USA timezone, the start of each day could be anywhere between 19:00 (Eastern) or 16:00 (Pacific) *** Link for website: https://hamactive.com/

The Willmar Emergency Amateur Radio Club will not host their weekly net on Christmas Eve, 12/24/2023. The net will resume on Sunday, December 31, 2024. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of you! I'm looking forward to hearing your check-ins for the last time this year on 12/31/23. 73 de WD0HXV

Mike, that is very interesting and useful information. Thanks for taking the time to calculate and post it!

Badges On The Air The event a couple of weekends ago was so successful and well liked that people asked for a repeat. So the final 24 hours of VOTA will be Badges On The Air. This time the focus is on anyone that wears an official ARRL Badge, from card checkers, to the volunteer examiners, to official bulletin stations, to emergency coordinators on up to section managers and higher, this will be your final chance to earn their their VOTA points to add to your score. This is an opportunity for everyone to get on the air and participate. Don’t be afraid to try the VHF and UHF frequencies along with the HF frequencies. The Minnesota Section Manager, Bill AE0EE, likes to focus on the frequencies the technicians have access to encourage contacts with them. So head to those bands and frequencies to find Bill and others to add to your VOTA totals. There was a news release a few days about this event that can be found at this link http://www.arrl.org/news/view/vota-badges-on-the-air . The article also has a link to the VOTA leaderboard where you will find 3 Dakota Division members, one from each section, in the top ten of the US and top twenty overall (as I write this). ARRL’s Year of the Volunteers Finally, today an article came out highlighting several successes by the many ARRL volunteers and other accomplishments this past year. As the article points out, without the almost 60,000 volunteers the ARRL would not be able to function. Thank you to the many ARRL volunteers in the Dakota Division for the services you provide to amateur radio and your community. The article can be found at this link http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-s-year-of-the-volunteers-success or here http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2023-12-21#toc02 .