Title: Military Group AM net Post by: K4NYW on October 27, 2018, 08:56:20 AM Forwarded -
The Midwest Military Radio Collectors Group was formed a year ago to encourage the restoration and use of military radio equipment, building on the success of similar groups on the East and West coasts. Since the military used both AM and USB for voice modes, both modes have always been welcome on our 40 meter net which meets at 9AM Central time on 7296 kHz. But, starting Nov. 3, the first Saturday of each month will be conducted in the AM mode, similar to the First Wednesday Collins Collectors Association AM net. All stations are encouraged to check in using AM, regardless of the type of radio used. In recognizing the role AM had as the original operating mode for voice communication by the military, we hope that a dedicated monthly AM net will encourage more hams to put more ART-13s, TCS sets, ARC-5s, Angry 9s, and other "veteran radios" on the air. And if you happen to hear our USB net on the other weeks of the month, please feel free to join us, as AM or USB are always welcome. It would be great to have AM check-ins, especially using military radios, every week. The net runs less than an hour and the indulgence of AM operators for this time period is appreciated. To repeat, the "First Saturday MMRCG AM Net" will be held on 7296 kHz at 9AM (14:00Z) starting on Nov. 3rd, 2018, and repeating on the first Saturday of every month. Thanks and 73, Bob W9RAN Title: Re: Military Group AM net Post by: KA3EKH on November 05, 2018, 11:29:23 AM After Action Report of the event from W9RAN: AMfone - Dedicated to Amplitude Modulation on the Amateur Radio Bands
On Sat, Nov 3, 2018 at 12:18 PM Bob W9RAN <w9ran@oneradio.net> wrote: Thanks to all who participated! And apologies to those who weren't able to copy or who got bypassed as a result of my somewhat chaotic check in process. I wanted to get back to as many stations operating on AM as possible while the band conditions were favorable which was at least mostly successful, so thanks for your perseverance. Net Control station was W9RAN running a T-368 E (s/n 238) made by Bendix on a 1959 contract and overhauled at the Pirmasens Army Depot in Germany. Since coming into amateur hands it has had modifications to widen the response of the speech amplifier and shunt-feed the PA to provide wider response. Since we operate 4kHz in from the band-edge, I intentionally limited my audio bandwidth to 3kHz and monitored with an attenuated SDR to make sure my upper sideband was not extending above 7300 kHz. Receivers were an HRO-60 for AM and an Icom R-70 for USB, antenna was the HyTower Vertical, with 375 watts DC carrier output. I will make sure to set my frequency more accurately in the future, part of the learning curve, as the counter I was using apparently is somewhat off. Stations participating: W9WT John, Malabar FL (could not copy my AM signal) TMC transmitter and receiver KC9INK Wally, Indianapolis GRC-106 WB4WCJ Paul, Hardeeville SC IC765/Amp KM4V Steve, operating portable from Stone Mountain Hamfest in Lawrenceville GA, Thomson TRC-340 AB5GG Clark, Fayettville AR Yaesu FT-301 and TL-922 amplifier, Hustler vertical KG0SI Gary, Lakewood CO PRC-47 modified for AME using LSB, also copied on USB KA8TUR Jim, Milford MI Harris RF-5020+amplifier and also on GRC-106, dipole. K4HV Walter, Malabar FL - Sorry Walter and I lost each other before I was able to get back to him. Good signal on initial AM check-in. W1NZR Brown, Jamestown RI Federal AN/SRT-14 US Navy transmitter (Wow!) KA3EKH Ray, Eden MD ARC-38 WD8INC John, Lebanon OH VRC-176 (PRC-174 w/ 100w amp / vehicular adapter) OCF dipole KA3BVJ Dennis, Herndon PA (sorry I was not able to copy well) Hallicrafters HT-40 TX and SX-111 RX WD8AXA Charlie, Portage MI Thanks for the help with relays, but I think I neglected to get your equipment! WA4VAG/4 Joe, operating portable from hamfest in Georgetown OH IRET "Iraqi-Talkie" portable with 9' whip KC8ZUL Jerry, Columbus OH Collins 20V3 A good start even though we were challenged today to work through the more distant check-ins before losing propagation. As we switch back to standard time and as propagation shifts into winter mode we'll just have to see how the net is affected. Clearly there is interest in AM and it's good so see such a diverse collection of equipment on the air! Winter is approaching, time to get those military AM rigs on the bench and on the air. We'll look for everyone next week back on USB. 73, Bob W9RAN |