After Action Report of the event from W9RAN:
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
