2013_FEB_BP - Navy-Marine Corps MARS

The “Bosun’s PipeFL NAVMARCORMARSAn Information NewsletterVol. 7 Issue 1 February 2013DE NNN0GAL EIGHTNormally this front page is reserved for “From the Bridge” which is the report fromNNN0GAL relative to the overall status and health of FL NAVMARCOR MARS. Due to personalhealth problems she is on LOA and her usual comments are not available for this first issuein 2013. The membership wishes her speedy recovery and look forward to rejoining theactive group here is FL.This first issue begins the series of “Meet the Staff” bios. You will note that they are variedin the first five that have been submitted and are related to the individual’s modesty. Somehave included the requested photos of themselves and their stations. As the series continues inthe next two issues members will note the broad backgrounds that provide resources to ourmembership.This issue also includes the reports of staf including net managers to maintain currentknowledge of activities on our nets and the opportunities that are available for continuing educationfor improving individual skills and capabilities in meet the program mission.In the general information section there are two articles on antennas and one reviewing thesetting up of RMS EXPRESS. Included is block related to “radio only” using RMS RELAY.Read these carefully and join the group on the 4C1C net as they T&E ( test and evaluation) of“radio only” message transfer within the state using these tools.Finally is this editorial comment your editor wishes to remind the members that the newsletterbelongs to all of us. Therefore each member is encouraged to subit his thoughts on itscontent and more importantly submit items for sharing with our members both in the form ofpertinent articles as well a suggestions for research by one of our more resourceful members ina particular area. In the next issue the staff bios will feature NNN0GAL, NNN0GAL FIVE,NNN0GAL TEN, NNN0 GAL FIFTEEN, and NNN0GAL TWELVE. This will leaveNNN0GAL SIXTEEN, NNN0GAL TWO TWO, NNN0GAL TWO FOUR, and the net managersfor issue three.NAVMARCOR MARS: Proudly Serving Those Who ServeG. Wm. Reynolds,NNN0GAL EIGHT

Meet NNN0GAL ONE (SAssistant State Direcror)Neil H. Lauritsen, Sr—AGE - 69Has been a Public Service Volunteer since he was old enough to vote atage 18 in 1962 starting with being a member of a volunteer fire departmentwhere he rose to the rank of Rescue Squad Captain.He served in the U.S. Naval Air Reserves from 1962 during the CubanMissile Crisis and throughout the Vietnam War until 1975 as an Aircrewmanon P2V’s and P-3 Orions at the Patuxent River Naval Air Stationserving as a Flight Communications Operator/Instructor.Became a professional Firefighter in 1967 and was the lead EMT/EMT-A (Emergency Medical Technician/Advanced) Instructor and a MedicalBoard Certified Paramedic/Paramedic Instructor In Maryland for a total of 20 years combinedservice as a (Vol./Paid Firefighter) was in Charge of all Police and Fire EMS Training in PrinceGeorges County Maryland, teaching at several local Community Colleges and at the U. ofMaryland.Taught several EMT/EMT-A Courses for NASA in Greenbelt, Md.Neil Served as the Vice-Chairman of the MD-DC-VA Council of Governments (COG) AdvancedCardiac Life Support Committee. He served two terms on the Southern Maryland HeartAssociation’s Board of Directors. He served as the Chairman of the CPR committee in SouthernMaryland for 5 years.Was nominated by the Prince Georges Co. JAYCEES for ”Outstanding Young Marylander”in 1975 and was beaten out by “Sugar” Ray Leonard just before Sugar Ray’s debut as a ProfessionalFighter and after just having won the Gold Medal at the Olympics waving a PrinceGeorge County Flag after his victory there.Left the Fire Service to go into private business in 1976, moved to Florida in 1987 where hecontinues to work in the medical field as a computer consultant for the Hutton Medical ServicesCorporation even though he was medically retired in 1997. He continues to serve the public invarious rolesBecame a licensed Amateur Radio Operator in the spring of 1979 and has been active inEmergency Communications since 1993 serving as the Emergency Coordinator (EC) for ARES(Amateur radio Emergency Service) in this County from 1993 to 2000. Served as the AuxiliaryCommunications Service (ACS) Radio Officer for Pinellas County’s Emergency Managementand as the the EC for ARES wearing both hats from 2000 to2012. Is also currently serving asthe Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) / Asst. Section Manager for the 10 County WestCentral Florida Section of the ARRL (American Radio Relay league) in Charge of all AmateurRadio Emergency Communications in the WCF Section.He Served as the Scout Master for Troop 256 in Prince George County from 1981 to 1987until he moved to Florida. He Completed the Adult Leadership “Wood Badge” Training in1982 and was elected the permanent Patrol Leader of the “Free Roam’n Buffalo Patrol” by hisfellow patrol members. The Patrols Moto: “When the Chips are Down, We will Back You Up”.He also has served in several adult scouting leadership positions since moving worked the2012 Primary Election and the Presidential Election in November.here to PinellasCounty.He served as a Board of Election’s Precinct Clerk for the last 6 years currently now serving asthe Advisor for 5 Precincts in Clearwater having just2

Six weeks later, in November, 2009, I passed the Technician portion with one incorrect answer.Two months after that I completed the General portion with the same result. (Please allowme a moment of bragging: at last year's Orlando Hamcation I was absent from the MARSforum because I was completing the Extra portion of the exam with one hundred percent correct.)Shortly after receiving my General Class License I learned of Navy-Marine Corps MARSfrom Adrian, NNN0BGV. As soon as I learned the mission of MARS the dream that hadstarted forty years earlier came full-circle. Don, NNN0ICX, was assigned as my elmer and betweenthose two gentlemen I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the service ofMARS.It truly is humbling and an honor for me to serve in MARS. Having not served in the militaryof our great country I am thrilled to communicate on a daily basis with those of you thathave and contribute just a small part. It is even more humbling to have served the last fewmonths as NNN0GAL TWO TWO. There hasn't been a net or an exercise where I haven't feltlike that little boy sitting in a cramped radio room with those heros of the National Guard. Havingbeen appointed as NNN0GAL TWO just a few short weeks ago I look forward with anticipationto seeing an eight year old's imagination of serving others through ECOM become reality.Grace and 73,Joe BassettNNN0JIV/NNN0GAL TWOMeet NNN0GAL FOURLarry NicholsonWhen I left High School I did a hitch in the Coast Guard and then took some tests andjoined the Suffolk County Police on Long Island. Retired 21 years later as a Det. Lieut. with anLLB and became Chief of Police in Saltaire, NY on Long Island. Moved to Florida in 1977,went back to school and became a gemologist and watchmaker and jeweler. Opened a businessin St. Augustine. Was commissioner and Mayor of St. Augustine Beach for eight years and finallyafter 20 years sold the business and moved to Okeechobee. I had fished the BASS toursfor ten years so Okeechobee seemed like a good place. Been here 15 years, spent 12 years inArmy MARS last six on the Chief's staff as Training Coordinator, switched over to NavyMARS and have enjoyed my last few years here.Larry Nicholson NNN0TQV/NNN0GAL FOUR4

Meet NNN0GAL THREEAllen Gray, W5GMS, NNN0BFC, NNN0GAL THREEAllen joined NAVY MARS in July 2001, after a visit to HAM-DOM’s MECCA (Dayton) and conversing with NNN0ASA (Bo)about the Navy’s program. Allen ran Air force MARS stationsin Greece in the 1960’s as part of his mission and held callAF2AR on CRETE. He also held SV0WH for five years andwas a DX’er in his off time. Al spent about 8 years as an Airmanwith 5 of those years watching the Russians from theGreek Isles as part of NSA. His last 2 years was spent atKeesler AFB, Ms. instructing Iranian Officers as we trained theIranian Forces for Shah Pahlivi. While in the Air force, Al completedthe CREI (Capital Radio Engineering Institute-Washington DC) Radio Engineering Course of Study and attendedthe University of Maryland-Heidelberg Division classeson base working toward the prized EE degree. After the AirForce, Al worked for NASA at Goddard Space Center Maryland,Wallops Island Va., Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Accession Island, in the SoAtlantic and Grand Bahamas as a Telemetry Engineer and UNIVAC Computer Specialiston the GEMINI and APOLLO space programs.Al joined Raytheon Company when the big NASA cutback in the 70’s was happening(After Apollo and before the Shuttle) and ran Airline Reservation Computer Systemsengineering and service programs for the Majors in Boston, Montreal, New York andChicago.Allen spent the last 30 years of his engineeringcareer working for, Digital EquipmentCorp. (DEC), Compaq, and HP (Allone career) and retired in 2005 as SESales Manager for Storage Products, sellingin the State and local government Marketsof Fla, Ga, Al and the Carolinas.Never retiring, Al now sells CommercialReal Estate as a Broker with Century 21 inBrandon and enjoys family time with wife,Noreen, 7 grown children (6 sons and 1daughter), 7 grandchildren and 2 greatgrand’s. In his spare time, he enjoys photography.Al resides in Plant City, HillsboroughThe StationCounty.5

Meet NNN0GAL EIGHTDr. G. William (Bill) Reynolds, CDR Ret.The titles above may be somewhat confusing to many of the members of FL NAVMAR-COR MARS but in this short bio may give someinsight to them. I grew up in NNY and enlistedin the Navy at the age of 17. During my firsttour the most significant achievement was theattaining the rate of RT3. When discharged fromactive duty transferred to the reserves and returnedto undergraduate classes. Studies wereinterrupted by recall during the Korean Crisis fortwo years. Returned to classes after two yearsserving as an Electronic Technician to completemy B.S. in Chemistry and Science Teaching. Infall 1953 I began my teaching career in teachingwhich spanned the next 30 years in publicschools and the university. During this 30 years Icompleted my MS in School Administration and my PhD in Physics and Teaching. I, also, duringthis time period was appointed to commissioned grade as ENS USNR-R, Engineering DutyOnly (restricted line officer) and served in the “ready reserve” until I retired as CDR with a totalof 40+ years. Before the establishment of NAVMARCOR MARS, I tried to join Army MARSbut could not due to the commitment to the “ready reserve. When NAVMARCOR MARS wasestablished those of us in the Navy Reserve were permitted to join MARS in conjunction withour reserve assignment. My first station call was N0TAK which I held until the FCC began toissue “N” calls to amateurs. At that NAVCORMARS changed all calls to the current sevencharacter format and THISTA became NNN0TAK. NNY was my home location and my firstcheck in to a net was via CW using a surplus TBW and a National NC-109 receiver. Over theyears in NNY the station advanced to include SSB, AM, RTTY. In NNY I held NNN0GBJSEVEN and wrote a large number of articles modifying surplus VHF equipment for use inMARS as well as working with early RTTY solid state converters and modifying transmittersfor FSK. Retiring from the university in 1983, we moved to Bonita Springs, FL and reinstatedmembership in NAVMARCOR MARS. InFL NAVMARCOR MARS the staff assignmentshave included NNN0GAL SEVEN,NNN0GAL FOUR, NNN0GAL ONE ANDCURRENTLY NNN0GAL EIGHT. I serveor have served our group as traffic rep, NE-COS, and share many of the projects via thenewsletter.I am a tinkerer and enjoy building. Ibuild sound card interfaces, dabble withSDR radios, and am an active with the4C1C net with SCD testing and evaluation.I hope to continue being able to servewith FL NAVMARCOR MARS for somemore years.Bill, NNN0TAK6

MEMORANDUM TO ALL FL NMC MARS MEMBERSThanks to NNN0ICX (Don) the AFMARS bulletin was copied this morning on the FL AFMARS admin net.Again, I hope you find these interesting and feel free to participate in the quiz question. I have added a few notes toensure you are also kept up-to-date on our side of the house.We only have a few days before 2013 comes knocking at our door. I've been thinking aboutnew and different things we can do to put a little flavor in our group. I know I like some of the things our SisterMARS folks do and the FL AF MARS director really comes up with some great ideas.One of them is having each of his members write a short bio of their self and publish it in his bulletin. Each membergets to know a little more than the call sign and name of their fellow members and some of their likes and dislikes.Makes for a good working relationship. I would like to try this and I would start with the staff first.This, right now, is just a head's up so you can be prepared should I put the request on the table.I am sure information in this AF MARS Bulletin 2012-53 will interest you. Please, take note of the New Year'sresolutions - I'm sure we can also incorporate some of them for our use as well.Insert NMC MARS where AFMARS is. (Before you ask: No, we do not have any Gov-owned/issued equipment soyou may skip those resolutions and no, we don't expect any in the near future.)Note below the Regional Army Call Signs and duties listed in this bulletin. Keep for reference.********************************************************************************************SMD FL/PR/VI AF MARS BULLETIN 2012-53 30 DEC 2012FROM: KARL GENG, AFF4FLTO: FL/PR/VI AIR FORCE MARS MEMBERSINFO: AFN4SE1. NEW YEARS RESOLUTION:This is the last bulletin of 2012.Take a look at the following "generic" New Years Resolutionsand pick a few for yourself:a) I will become digital mode capable.b) I will take Net Control Training and operate as NCS.c) I will increase my participation in AF MARS Region andState nets.d) I will be active in Joint Service Interoperability nets.e) I will visit Army and NMC MARS nets.7

f) I will improve my station and antenna capability.g) I will provide input to the State bulletin and draft my Bio.h) I will participate in ECOM nets and exercises.i) I will get in touch with fellow hams and introduce them toMARS.j) I will try to participate in this years Region Conference.k) I will volunteer for special assignments.l) I will review and update my MARS reference library.m) I will share my technical and operational experience andknow how with other members.n) I will take the FEMA NIMS courses IS-100, 200, 700 and800 to be ready for emergency support of my community.o) I will calibrate my transmitter frequency and sound card.p} I will keep my contact info and license status up to date.q) I will take inventory of MARS equipment and make surethat my records are up to date.r) I will review the new 2013 MOI issued by the Chief andfamiliarize myself with all chapters.s) I will provide timely participation reports as required.t) I will treat my fellow members with respect and sensitivity.u) I will request a secondary assignment to Transcon andMission Support nets.v) I will refresh my knowledge of Q and Z codes used in8

digital nets.w) I will register with WINLINK.ORG and upgrade my stationwith WINMOR or PACTOR capability and utilize Tri-MARS Radio Message Servers (RMS).x) I will clearly mark MARS owned inventory at my station -so that in case of incapacity my relatives can return it.y) I will reach out to my county and municipal authorities and offermy help for emergency support.z) I will maintain or exceed the minimum participation requirementsof Air Force MARS.2. MONTHLY 'OTHER TIMES' REPORT:Its time again to report your “Other Time” for the month of December.Due by 5 January 2013 latest. Same format as always:Call sign, other hours, actual EEIs on non AF nets, exercise EEIs on non AF nets, othermessages on non AF netseg. AFA4XX 12.5 0 1 3If you have no other hours send a short message telling me so. (see MOI para 3.4.3)And don't forget your email address.3. QUIZ QUESTION OF LAST WEEK:When can you use "OVER AND OUT" together?The short answer is: Only in the movies!In MARS we never use these pro words together. If you arekeen to know why - take a look at the Training Manual.4. QUIZ QUESTION OF THIS WEEK:What staff position does the Navy/Marine Corp MARS callsign NNN0GAL 15 represent?email me with your answer.5. INTEROPERABILITY HINTS:Today we take a look at ARMY MARS Regional call signs.The Region Director has a special billet call-sign which beginswith AAA, followed by the region9

number, and ending with RD. For example, the Region 4 directoris AAA4RD.The call-signs for the principal Region positions follow.There are other positions in some region organizations. Inall cases, the number in the call sign coincides with the regionnumber.• Regional Director AAA4RD• Assistant Regional Director AAM4RD• Emergency Operations Officer AAM4RE• Training Officer AAM4RT6. JOINT SERVICE INTEROPERABILITY NET: The South East DivisionJoint Service Net (A4S) is aJoint Army/Navy-MarCorp/Air Force MARS Net which operatesevery Sunday.Time: 2300 Zulu, (6 PM EDST, 5 PM CDST)Dial Frequency settings:Primary: KEA 6823.0 kHz dial USBSecondary: KDE 5217 kHz dial USB7. HAPPY NEW YEAR:I wish you and your family a happy, prosperous and healthyNew Year 2013.SGDKarl Geng AFF4FL/AFA4BFUSAF State MARS Director FL, PR, VI*******************************************************************************Thanks Karl for those resolutions for the New Year. I, for one, really appreciate your timely and informativebulletins, and I know our NMC MARS members do also.I too add wishes that all have a happy, healthy and safe New Year 2013.73,"Mike"M. D. SHIRESNNN0GAL/nnn0ibmFL NMC MARS State Director10

DE NNN0GAL TWOAt the time of this writing I have been in the role of NNN0GAL TWO for all of two weeks.It is both humbling and an honor. In addition, by the time you read this we will have completedour first ECOM Exercise during my tenure as GAL TWO. Hopefully, it was a success. Becausethis exercise was held so late in the month any reports, statistics and information will notbe available as this issue of the Bosun's Pipe goes to print. Be on the lookout for a full report tobe included in next month's issue.At the same time that I assumed the role of GAL TWO, NNN0ERD assumed the role ofNNN0GAL TWO TWO...much to my relief. Scott has proven to be a valuable asset duringprevious ECOM exercises and brings a “can-do” spirit along with an attitude of teamwork tothe TWO TWO position. It was my pleasure to serve as Scott's Elmer during his Tango periodand the “student” has far exceeded the “teacher” in many respects. The task of EmergencyCommunication Planning will truly be a team effort.A special word of thanks goes to the immediate previous TWOs, Mike McIntosh(NNN0BBN) and Don Veckarelli (NNN0ICX). This STA served as GAL TWO TWO whileMike was GAL TWO and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to serve with him. Don was myElmer during my Tango period and was the first STA I contacted for advice and guidance afterassuming the role of GAL TWO. His “brain-dump” into Scott and myself has already proveninvaluable.That does the future hold for Emergency Communications Planning in Florida NAVMAR-CORMARS? Well, the very nature of the word “emergency” prevents one from knowing exactlywhat the future may hold. Whether HOWLING WIND, SCORCHED EARTH, DARKWATER, HIDDEN THREAT OR POISONED GROUND await us, this STA along withNNN0GAL TWO TWO and under the leadership of NNN0GAL will do everything possible beprepare Florida Navy-Marine Corps MARS Members to meet the challenge of “...any communicationsemergency.” (NTP8(D) 108)To that end, here are some preliminary goals:To have all required, quarterly ECOM Exercises conducted on consistently scheduled dates(i.e. the fourth Saturday of each quarter).To plan for and publish future ECOM Exercise dates and scenarios twelve to eighteenmonths in advance. (The purpose of this and previous bullet point is to allow all FloridaNavy-Marine Corps MARS Members adequate time to plan for participation.)To conduct quarterly “supplemental/partial exercises” to improve “less than excellent” proceduresand operating skills identified during the mandatory exercises.To present weekly training and instruction in ECOM operations and procedures as outlinedin NTP(8)D, CAOG and the Florida Navy-Marine Corps MARS ECOM Plan.And, as always, to assure that the Green C Award is safe and secure in its properstate...Florida!Of course, these goals are simply a starting point. In the words of my favorite professor incollege, “this and better we'll do!”Grace and 73,Joe BassettNNN0JIV/NNN0GAL TWO11

NNN0GAL THREE REPORTR 021135Z FEB 2013FM NNN0GAL THREE FLTO NNN0AS4 THREE GAINFO NNN0AS4 GANNN0GAL FLNNN0GAL ONE FLNNN0GAL EIGHT FLNNN0ICXBTUNCLASSUBJ: GAL FREQUENCY USAGE REPORT FOR JAN 20131. READ IN FIVE COLUMNSFREQ MODE DAYS HOURS MESSAGESNCK SCD 30 30 50NCK SSB 31 31 15NCU SSB 01 01 00NFP SCD 31 41 96NFP SSB 31 38 10BTNNNNDE NNN0GAL FOURSince the first of the year we have instituted a weekly question that is sent to all the members,and their answers are noted and at the end of the year we will have some sort of an award.I must say the participation is very good and the answers are frequently very interesting.If you have not yet received the question of the week it is because I do not have your email address,so send it along and I will include you in all future questions.So send in your answers and by the end of this year we will ALL have read more proceduremanuals than ever before.Good luckLarry Nicholson NNN0TQVThe following are the results of the Station Status Reports received.All results are in percent of members that have and can use a mode.Actual results have been sent to Senior Staff MARS members that have:Has SSTV 30%Uses Windows OS 96%Uses Linux OS 26%Uses Mac OS 15%Has a TNC 70%Is able to work Packet 74%Is able to work Pactor 59%Has a sound card 89%Can work MT 63 89%Can work Olivia 89%Can work M110A 67%Can work WL2K 81%Can work 911 freqs 93%12

From NNNØGAL THIRTEEN:Our new year has started off slowly, with January reported hours being down over last year. We had 1190combined reported hours for the month versus 1404 hours for last year. Several of our members did not submitreports for January, which affected the total hours. Most of these members were either ill or had experiencedequipment failures. Although we want members to send their messages over the nets, if you can’t get it in anyother way, e-mail or even telephone can be used.January 2013 hours were as follows:Florida Members only:A. 824 (Net hours)B. 218 (Reportable non-net hours)C. 1042 (Total A&B lines)D. 44 (Others-SHARES, non-region 4 nets, etc.)TOTAL: 1086Snowbirds only:A. 102B. 0C. 102D. 2TOTAL: 104Combined January 2013 Participation:A. 926B. 218C. 1144D. 46TOTAL: 1190When making monthly reports, the most common errors were found in the Date-Time Group.Mostly, they were the wrong year, but there were a couple that did not follow the proper Date/Hour format ofDDHHHH. Please look at your templates and ensure that you have updated your year, and review the proper formatfor reporting Date-Time groups. Remember: when passing a message by voice, the proper procedure for reportingthe date and time (ex. 022119Z JAN 2013) is to say: “ROUTINE. TIME. ZERO TWO TWO ONE ONENINER ZULU JANUARY TWO ZERO ONE THREE”. Don’t say “FIGURES” anywhere in this line, and don’tsay “DATE TIME GROUP” – just say “TIME”.The next most common error was the improper use of “I SPELL” and “FIGURES”. If an alphanumeric groupbegins with a number, such as 4C3B, the correct form is “FIGURES FOUR CHARLIE THREE BRAVO”.If the group begins with a letter, such as SH1A, the correct form is “I SPELL SIERRA HOTEL ONE ALPHA”.A common problem is reporting net hours in the ALPHA line for non-Region 4 NMC nets, including the Tri-Services Nets. These should be reported in the DELTA line, with an annotation of what that net was.FL NMC MARS monthly participation forms are available under the TANGO MEMBER AREA/SAMPLEFORMS link on the FL NMC MARS web site. But-that’s not the ONLY participation report form required by theNTP-8(D). While reading the NTP-8(D) I came across another form-one that I had no familiarity with.If a member participates in a Specialty or Other Networks, per to NTP-8(D), Section 325, the hours are reportedon Form NM-2070-1. But have you ever seen that form? It’s on the National web site-and it doesn’t resembleany forms we use in FL NMC MARS.he NTP-8(D) doesn’t specify where to send the report, which means it is supposed to go up-chain via the statedirectors in some manner. Since the form requires a signature, it appears that it is to be mailed or FAXed directlyto the state director. You may be asked to report using that form to other MARS entities, but be sure to includeyour hours on the DELTA line of your monthly report to GAL THIRTEEN to ensure that this time is properly reportedon our monthly and quarterly reports to AS4 THIRTEEN.73,AdrianNNNØGAL THIRTEEN / NNNØBGV13

MARS CALL PARTICIPATION REPORT FOR MONTH OF DATENET ACTIVITY: LIST NET DESIGNATORS, DATES, HOURS AND MODESOTHER PARTICIPATION: TYPES, HOURS, AND DATESI CERTIFY THAT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREINIS CORRECT AND TRUE_________________________________NM-2070-1want to get out of practice with this mode, something to think about.Thank you one and all for your participation & professionalism, 14 BRAVO ZULUJack NNN0IIC(SIGNATURE)FL NMCMARS WEBSITEI hope by the time you read this you have seen the Valentine theme of our website, I willcontinue to make these theme changes as long as there are no objections, , I am always open forsuggestions.I have now updated all of the staff emails so that they are directed to the correct person,these staff accounts are for receiving email sent to a staff account, ie; email sent to nnn0gal thrunnn0gal16 will go to the proper personThe only exception is there is no staff account for the nnn0gal-2-2 and 2-4.As of today 2/1/13 we have had 1166 hits on the website since moving to the national server,nice to know the site is being used.If you are looking for something and can’t find it on FNMCMARS website and you think itshould be, drop me an email and I will look into it.Thanks for your help, patience & understanding,Jack / NNN0IIC /NNN0GAL5DE 4C2B Net MGRJanuary was quite the month, we started the new year with very sporadic propagation but ended withrelativelyGood propagation. That worked out very well for our ECOM exercise with no relays needed and messageswere passed with little difficulty. Bravo Zulu to all that participated.January 2013 started strong with a total of 397 check-ins beating last year’s 370,Total messages passed was just shy of last year, 84 (9ssb, 75scd) to last year’s 88 (11ssb, 77scd), greatattendance and participation, well done.I would also like to thank all for filling out your monthly availability, when I get 15 plus people it makesit a lot easier to set up a schedule that is fair to all. I know Don 4c1c & Ryan 4c3b feel the same, anotherwell done.The one thing I hope we can do more of is sending messages, especially net reports, by SSB, we don’t

DE 4c1c Net MGR End of Year reportR 300216Z DEC 2012FM NNN0ICX FLTO NNN0GAL FLINFO NNN0GAL EIGHT FLBTUNCLASSUBJ:4C1C END YEAR REPORT1.DURING THE YEAR TOPICS SUCH AS KL7 ENCRYPTION,USING OLIVIA, MT-63, CW, RMS EXPRESS, FLDIGI,M110A AND BLOCK TERM WERE COVERED PROVIDINGHANDSON TRAINING ON THE NETS.2.FOURTH QUARTER TOTALS: (38 HOURS)A.CHECK-INS:216B.SSB MSGS:0C.SCD MSGS:453.THIRD QUARTER TOTALS: (42 HOURS)A.CHECK-INS:225B.SSB MSGS:0C.SCD MSGS:404.SECOND QUARTER TOTALS: (44 HOURS)A.CHECK-INS:352B.SSB MSGS:01C.SCD MSGS:425.FIRST QUARTER TOTALS: (46 HOURS)A.CHECK-INS:310B.SSB MSGS:01C.SCD MSGS:316.YEAR TOTALS: (170 HOURS)A.CHECK-INS:1103B.SSB MSGS:02C.SCD MSGS:158BTBroad Band Sloping AntennaThe SRI International “Broadband SlopingAntenna” below was documented inearly 1980’s development and testing withCollins SELCAN that when combined withmother system features eventually led toMIL-STD ALE. Thedetails of this antennawere extracted from Defense NuclearAgency report DNA-TR-84-379 dated 1 October1984.The antenna feed point is close to 40 feetabove ground using 50 ohm coax to a 6:1Balun. The wires forming the four dipolearms are sloping to the ground, at whichpoint they terminate in grounded 600 ohmnon inductive resistors. The antenna has abroad response in elevation and azimuth withapproximately 0 dbi directive gain and a lossfrom 2 to 5 db in the terminating resistorsover 2 to 30 MHz.Materials and dimensions:4 sloping lengths each 56 feet4 sloping lengths each 45.2 feet4 horizontal lengths 24 feet2 horizontal lengths 24 feet including centerinsulator8 600 ohm non-inductive resistors(editors note) This antenna occupies a lot ofreal estate.. It is an interesting design and may give some thought for building your own broadbandantenna. Of course you need a good fast antenna tuner for ALE operations. GWR15

Setting Up RMS EXPRESS1. You need to be registered for both amateur call and seven character MARS call.2. You need your home grid square..3. You need only two files from Winlink.org.They are RMS EXPRESS full install setup file and itshfbc.zip filethe winmor tnc is in the RMS EXPRESS full install. The ITSHF file is thepropagation information data for selecting the RMS (radio mail server)that you will be connecting to. If an earlier has been installed on your computer you may haveto remove them using the remove file application in the control panel. I am assuming that youare using Windows XP.4. When you are in FL you should be using the FL grid square and if you travel use the correctGrid square to assure getting the best RMS to connect.5. Starting first with the present install of RMS EXPRESS and first enter your amateur call, theFL grid square, leave the PUBLIC as the service code. UPDATE. Then select the drop downat the call sign and add call. On the window enter your mars call, grid square, erase PUBLICand enter MARS211576 for the service code. UPDATE6. Go to mode selection drop down and select winmor WL2K and then select open sessionthe connect box and the winmor.tnc windows will open. In the menu area select setup tosetup the winmor.tnc. check use winmor box, uncheck cw id, select 1600 bandwidth,select your sound card, If using a serial port for keying open the radio sub window and set upaccordingly. close and update each box accordingly.7 At the connect box select channel and you will get a table.at the top click update channels. If you have the FL grid square enteredafter the update you will have the RMS TRIMODE WINMOR site listed from bestto worst for a connect if you have the propagation program installed. When you travel changethe grid square to your location and update and it will change the order of the sites.Hope this helps. If not you might have to do a complete removaland start anew.Bill NNN0TAK/NNN0GAL EIGHTRMS TRIMODE WINMOR NNT4AKUsing RMS TRIMODE WINMOR W/ RMS RADIO RELAY1. For testing and evaluation “radio only” usage of NNT4AK RMS TRIMODE WINMOR w/RMS RELAY will be used during the 4C1C time slot M,W,F over the next 90 days. Thefrequency used is NDC. This will be available when thista can be present to monitor operationsas the RMS require site reconfiguration and the execution of RMS RELAY in the“radio only” configuration. Then telnet connection must be manually disconnected for thetime period.2. THISTA recommends the ff. during the first half hour members submit their messages toother members through the RMS using the normal //WL2K/ or //MARS p/ at the start of thesubject line. When on MARS frequencies use the later. The time block xx30 to xx50 canbe used to recover msgs to your station. THISTA needs th last 10 min to recover and storeunclaimed messages for the next session and to restore normal operation to the RMS.3. Queries may be e-mailed THISTA.RMS TRIMODE WINMOR NNT4AK 16

I Wish “I” had a beam antennaBy NNN0IICHow many of us have said those exact same words, I know I have quite a few times. But does a beam reallymake enough of a difference to justify the expense?That is what I set out to find out but I didn’t want to buy one and then be stuck with it if I wasn’t satisfied withthe performance. Sooo I decided to build a small one bander, after many internet searches I decided to do aMOXON Beam. All it would take was some PVC pipe and copper wire, cheap enough.A full set of pictures can be found on our Florida Navy MARS website in the Photo Gallery page.17YES IT IS WORTH IT