The “Bosun's Pipe - Navy-Marine Corps MARS

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A word from NNN0GAL FOUR;I believe that Florida Navy Marine Corps MARS is, without a doubt, the most efficient,best trained, most adjusted to the SOP and most participated MARS group of region four. It is apleasure to be the training officer of the state that needs the least training, and for that I thankall the members for your hard work. But, there are always areas of improvement. One area thatI would like to briefly expand on is NECOS duties.The NECOS is by far, one of the most important roles and positions in Navy Mars.Unlike a fixed staff position, the NECOS duties are shared among us all. The NECOS assignmentis like an orchestra conductor, the orchestra is only as good as the conductor. Familiarityand confidence in this position assures an efficient, seamless net, whether it is a traffic net or anECOM net. The potential of any member having to assume net control is always a possibility,therefore the importance of practicing the job on a continual basis.The alternate net control station (ALTNECOS) is just as important as the NECOS. It isimperative that every net not only have a NECOS, but an alternate as well. Our net managersgo to a lot of trouble to make schedules that will fit around everyone’s lives. It is important thatthe members give the net managers all the information needed to make a comprehensive schedulethat is reliable and can be met by all the members. There are always circumstances beyondour control that takes us away from commitments previously made, but we should remain asdiligent as possible to meet our MARS responsibilities. Remember, we are all expected to actas NECOS on a regular basis. I am sure that there are only few exceptions.I recommend all members read NTP 8(D) 502. This is a brief outline of NECOS dutiesand responsibilities. Until next time, practice makes perfect!Bud CourtneyNNN0VDGNNN0GAL FOUREditorial Notes (or Ramblings)Antennas - In the newsletter we have been featuring in each issue an article on an antennathat is or has been used by the MARS community. I assume that each of you members/readers recognize that any antenna that you decide to try or use for your operations is a compromise.It has to fit your location. It has to meet your operating habits. It has to be withinyour budget. With this mind there still a couple more antennas that will be presented in futureissues including “another no tune antenna” as well as an antenna designed for FL net operations.If you, a member have a favorite antenna that should considered for inclusion, passthe word along to the editor. This month’s antenna was suggested by NNN0ABA, David.Sound Card Digital Operations - It is most important that members make every effort todevelop the ability to use the sound card modes in their station. With FL moving to MT-63 asthe primary mode for SCD traffic on our nets, all members should get their station computerset up with an interface of their choice and the appropriate software to use these modes. Itshould be noted that a second ARQ sound card mode (WINMOR) is scheduled for presentationat the TARA seminar later this month. It is reported that this mode will be compatiblewith WL2K. This station knows nothing more at this time but will be following the announcementsclosely. The other soundcard application that provides ARQ is the MARS-ALE
(closely related to PCALE) which is being used by NNN0ZTT, NNN0TFH, and NNN0TAKon an experimental basis in FL. NNN0TAK is sounding and monitoring the Tri-Services ALEfrequencies nearly 27/7. There will be an article discussing this application more thoroughlyin the near future. The application does have a reasonably steep learning curve in getting it setup properly but does provide a number interesting possibilities.WL2K - At the time of writing these notes, WL2K has been the official system for movingrecord traffic in NAVMARCOR MARS since 1 September. So far I know of any glitchesin the traffic for FL. Your traffic reps have been getting the traffic on their assigned days andhave been bringing it to the nets. In FL we still need additional stations that can access thesystem using Pactor to back up these people. If the WINMOR application is successful evaluatedand becomes a tool for our use, it will be possible for members to become available astraffic reps without the necessary purchase of a TNC and/or upgrading one of the older availableunits at a hamfest.CW - Since the announcement by NNN0ASA that NAVMARCOR MARS could makeuse of the “CW” mode in times of need to handle emergency traffic, the 4C1C net has met onSaturdays at 1500 local time. There have been from 4 to 8 hardy souls meeting to improvetheir “CW” skills. At the time of preparing these notes, this station has faithfully inflicted mylack of skill on the net. My ability to copy the code has improved to where 10 wpm is nownearly perfect copy but the sending skills leave a lot to be desired. Using a straight key (myantique “J-38” key) is at best marginal. Using a paddle and the built-in keyer the effort ispassable but still needs a lot of practice. With the computer and MIXW I can send good cleancode at whatever speed you can copy. When th net was first starting there was difficulty gettingall stations on or near the same frequency. There is still some variation but there is definiteimprovement.Are you on frequency when transmitting? With the advent of the modern transceiverand the surface mount construction of the components it has become the normal practice forthe user to accept the manufacturer specifications regarding frequency stability and precision.With the modern transceiver the operator can not verify the accuracy of the transmitted frequencywithout additional equipment which has been calibrated to the required standards forour operations. Paragraphs B520, B521, and B522 of ANNEX B, NTP-8(D) (DRAFT) indicatethe tolerances required for NAVMARCOR MARS operations. Paragraph B521 specificallystates that for both SSB and SCD operations that stations will be +/- 20 Hz of the assignednet frequency. All of the modern transceivers after the prescribed warm up timeachieve the stability requirement of maintaining a receiving frequency as indicated on the dialindicator. The frequency read on the dial may or may not be within the tolerance required.The precision is dependant of the calibration of the reference oscillator(s) that are in the localoscillator chain for the double and triple conversion chains that are used in modern transceivers.Each oscillator will have its own inherent error and the total error in the chain is cumulative.This is also true for the transmitting chain of oscillators, although in the modern transceiverwill use oscillator elements that are common to both RX & TX. It is also a known thatas components age they will change value. Therefore the member needs to be not only awareof this but needs to verify the precision periodically. The variation, particularly in the transmitis most noticeable in SCD operations and detectable in either the waterfall or spectrum displayedon the screen. Plus/ minus 20Hz probably will not be detectable by ear only but maybe sufficient to affect the copying of some digital modes. This topic will receive a morethrough treatment in a future issue.De NNN0TAk
Page 1 and 2: The “Bosun’s PipeFL NAVMARCORMA
Page 3: and control instructions coming fro
Page 7 and 8: esistance (e.g. to burst noise) at
Page 9 and 10: several steps in the RX/TX process.
Page 11: 210 / 3.750 (band center) = 56 (unk

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