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   MDC Section News
   Vol. 16, No. 03
   Wednesday, March 18, 2020
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 * MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY MARCH 20TH
 * YOUR SECTION MANAGER MOMENT
 * UPCOMING HAMFESTS & CONVENTIONS
 * RADIO EVENTS, LICENSE EXAMS, ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL RADIO EVENTS
 * T-MARC AMATEUR RADIO SPECTRUM COORDINATION REPORT
 * MDC SECTION ARRL ARES REPORTS
 * MDC SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT

 ==> MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY MARCH 20TH

This month's MDC section-wide EchoLink® net will be held on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8:00 PM ET on the EchoLink® *WASH_DC* Node 6154. The MDC Section EchoLink® net is always held on the third Friday evening of every month at 8:00 PM eastern local time. Next MDC Section monthly EchoLink® Net is scheduled for April March 17th.

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   EchoLink® Link Repeaters for Net
   If you would like to join in on RF, the following repeaters are linked for EchoLink® nets:
  - KA2JAI-R thru KB3CMA repeater 442.300(+), PL107.2 Hz, in Annapolis, MD
  - WB3GXW-R, 147.225(+), PL156.7 Hz, Calverton, MD
  - W3ICF-R, 146.73(-), PL141.3 Hz, Frederick, MD
  - K3CAL-R, 146.985(-), PL156.7, Sunderland, MD
  - W3SMD-L, 147.51, Simplex, St Mary's County, MD
  - KB3JQQ-L Pikesville, MD – local proximity within 2m Line-of-Sight
  - N3RO-L, 145.545, Simplex, Frederick Co, MD
  Repeater owners are encouraged to join our MDC Section EchoLink® Net group and link your repeater - TU!

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Everyone is encouraged to join in and give any updates on what is happening in your part of the ARRL Maryland-DC Section. If you do not have EchoLink® on your Computer, Tablet or Smartphone, you may download the free software from: http://echolink.org/register_data.jsp or your App Store online. As always, we thank John Creel, WB3GXW, for making the *WASH_DC* EchoLink® server and his WB3GXW-R repeater available for the EchoLink® nets.

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==> SECTION MANAGER MOMENT

It is unfortunate and frustrating but reassuring to know our MDC Section ARCs, ARES®, VECs, Event Coordinators and members are making informed and rational decisions to protect fellow Hams and our communities by avoiding possible COVID-19 contact. The knowledge of COVID-19, Novel Coronavirus will hopefully reach everyone and our knowledge of the word "PANDEMIC" will improve.  Stay Well My Friends.

From MDC Section Manager
Operational Resources & Guidance
MDC Section-wide

1. Crisis Communications - COVID-19 presents new and unique challenges to information and communication methods so please stay in contact with fellow Hams, seek official guidance for MDC Section leadership, and continue to seek situational awareness from National, State, Local Tribal, Territorial & Non-Gov information outlet (Internet).

2. Disaster Response Plans - Collaborate and support disaster plans with your local Emergency Management.  Keep your MDC Section ARES® leadership SEC / ASEC / DEC & Section Manager in the loop. Be prepared to help your EmComm partners when needed for emergency crisis and call your local EmComm partners to identify any unmet needs.  Please review your Action and Continuity Plans for connection with Emergency Support Functions.  Suggest to your team to brief-up on NIMS and the National Planning Frameworks. This a good training for more training, too.  More information is found on the FEMA website.

3. Field Crew Safety Concerns - Above all activities, your good health is needed to support your severed agencies & partners organization while they manage COVID-19 or other crisis. You must use the greatest caution and seek direction from your health care and medical service professionals. Share your locally gained knowledge and impacts from COVID-19 with your partnered agencies and professional services. Asked and seek guidance around COVID-19 for your Ham community, your family and friends. Obey Maryland and DC Laws for limited travel and gathering of Ham members and community events. High-risk health individuals should exercise the most extreme precautions for COVID-19.

5. Response Readiness - No MDC Section member – as an MDC Section representative – is authorized to represent the MDC Section or ARRL without Section Manager and SEC/ASEC permission. Until the all-clear returns to the MDC Section; all Staff will refrain attending in-person Ham related activities. Radio Station Capabilities is encouraged to match EmComm communication capabilities, thus matching their served agencies. Share your capabilities with your ARES®, NTS, VOADS and your ARCs.

8. Cybersecurity & Privacy - National Security Agency's recommend heightened awareness, scrutiny and protection of your organizational & your Personal Identifiable Information (PII). Seek verifiable confirmation of News, information, E-mail, Social Media, Amateur Radio and telecommunication (phone) calls.  During these fluid situations be mindful of disinformation, Phishing, Scams and attempts to gain access to your Personally Identifiable Information [PII] or Social Media accounts.  Do not discuss your medical info or personal-info on-the-air. If in doubt, hesitant and find out.

9. We are Hams and we are all together - Please participate in your Amateur Radio Club's [ARC] MDC Section-wide Accountability Call-up Exercise.  Check on every member by Radio / Telephone / Knock-on-Door for all 11,700 Hams in Maryland & D.C. by March 29th.

10. Have One line of Communication - Keep your Social Media information sites up to date as frequently as possible with accurate and timely information. Monitor your Internet portals for inappropriate and inaccuracy. Announce your ARC methods to notify members.  The MDC Section will use:
 - https://twitter.com/MDCARRL
 - https://www.facebook.com/ARRLMDC/
 - http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/maryland-dc - MDC Section New
 - American Radio Relay League (ARRL), MDC Section New via Listserv
 - Announcement through your Amateur Radio Clubs [ARC]
 - Monthly MDC Section EchoLink Net, 3rd Friday 8PM *WASH_DC*

Adjacent State Emergency Management via TWITTER
 - MD - https://twitter.com/MDMEMA
 - VA - https://twitter.com/vdem
 - DC - https://twitter.com/DC_HSEMA
 - WV - https://twitter.com/WVDHSEM
 - PA - https://twitter.com/ReadyPA
 - DE - https://twitter.com/DelawareEMA

Please use best judgment until our Maryland State Government Officials reduce the levels of restriction; all MDC Section Staff are required to maintain diligence throughout this event and not attend in-person any Ham Radio event(s). 

Tnx es 73,

Marty KB3MXM
Maryland / DC Section Manager, ARRL

 
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 ==> RADIO EVENTS, LICENSE EXAMS, ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL RADIO EVENTS

Each month our MDC SM adds On-Air Events for section members interested in other types of RF communication, events and activities related to the RF spectrum. Please send your upcoming ARC events, suggestions and comments - include our ARC Events. You may view upcoming Hamfests which are being held in the MDC Section and nearby in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and northern Virginia area by clicking on either: MDC SECTION Hamfests or the ARRL's website with Hamfests, Field Day and Convention Calendar. I, as the MDC Section Manager, Marty Pittinger, KB3MXM, and/or a designated ARRL representative(s) plan to attend your ARRL Maryland-DC Section events. We hope to see you there and bring a fellow Ham and friend.

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Extra Class Licensing Course
Is running at the National Electronics Museum, started Thursday, January 23, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, running for 12 weeks. 
Due to the COVID-19 and Maryland Governor Hogan restricting gathering Rol K3RA switched to Video Conf Zoom training
The National Electronic Museum is closed for COVID-19

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NET CONTROL OPERATORS NEEDED
   Contact Baltimore Traffic Net Manager, Chris AB3WG AB3WG@ARRL.net
   145.330 Daily 6:30 PM
   Contact Maryland Emergency Phone Net, Fr Al W3YVQ, W3YVQ at ARRL dot Net
   3820 +/- LSB Daily 6:00 PM

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ARESMAT Zoom Meeting - Coordinated by Steven KC3DSO, MDC ASEC to continue collaboration with our adjacent Sections. 
ARESMAT Amateur Radio Mutual-Aid will support other ARES teams when needed or requested by Emergency Managers during wide-spread disasters or civil support.
Next meeting is April 2020
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Popular Contests: 
Apr 19 Rookie Roundup - SSB
http://contests.arrl.org/
http://contests.arrl.org/calendar.php

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HFHN - HF Hospital Coalition Net Wednesday following the third Sunday every month on 7:00 – 7:30 PM LSB - 3820 kHz +/- for QRM. This Net is open to all ARES and RACES operators able to hear the Net. This is a controlled net, follow instructions from Net Control. This net is primarily to establish HF EmComm between the Maryland EOC's & Hospitals.

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Antietam Radio Association
Regular Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month except July and August (first Tuesday only).  The meetings are held at St. John's Lutheran Church Educational Building, 2nd floor, 141 S. Potomac Street (across from the Library), Hagerstown, MD starting at 7:00 PM

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WeatherNet on EchoLink Node W3ICF or 146.730
Every Thursday @ 19:30 - 20:30 Local Time (ET)
Also, check-out the Frederick Amateur Radio CODE-PLUG downloads
http://frederickarc.org/codeplugs/

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Re-start AUXCOMM net.
Net on 3rd Wednesday of month
10M SSB at 07:30 PM local.
Frequency of 28.350 MHz USB.
The first net will be on February 19th.

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It is required all MDC ARES member enroll in ARES CONNECT
ARES Connect at https://arrl.volunteerhub.com/
Sign up today or login then update your Account Profile
Contact your Maryland Section Emergency Coordinator or ASEC or Section Manager for help.

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ShortWave Listening (SWL) via Shortwave Radiogram SWRG
A good socially distant activity
 Program Number 144 for 19-22 May 2020
 MFSK modes for Text and Images, as noted:
 Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
Day Start UTC Freq[kHz] Transmitter
Thu. 2330  9265 WINB PA
Fri. 1300 15770 WRMI FL
Fri. 1500 13690 WINB PA DRM*
Sat. 0230  9265 WINB PA
Sat. 1330 15770 WRMI FL
Sun. 0800  5850 WRMI FL
Sun. 0800  7730 WRMI FL
Sun. 2330  7780 WRMI FL
Programming runs for 30 minutes, use Fldigi to decode.
* Digital Radio Mondiale - www.drm.org
 Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net
 And visit http://swradiogram.net
 Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram
 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304

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High Frequency Stations Seasonal Operating Frequency Schedules
High Frequency Broadcasting (HFBC) - ITU
https://www.fcc.gov/general/high-frequency-stations-seasonal-operating-frequency-schedules
Next HF broadcasts Schedule: A20 begins March 29, 2020 and switches to B20 October 25, 2020
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/terrestrial/broadcast/HFBC/Pages/Schedule.aspx
The schedules are coordinated for two seasons; a summer season running from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October; and a Winter schedule running from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March.

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MDC SECTION HAMFEST: Search
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search

ARRL: Cancellation Calendar
http://www.arrl.org/canceledHamfests.php

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Winterfest! 2020, and all associated activities (AUXCOMM Conference, VE Testing) is canceled. Next year is scheduled for March 14, 2021.
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CANCELED -
6th USA Science & Engineering Festival. Washington, D.C. April 24-26, 2020
Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) - Hamvention is canceled, May 15, 16 and 17, 2020 at the Greene County Fairgrounds

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Stuck inside at your QTH -
Good time to learn Morse Code [CW] or improve proficiency. Maryland Slow Net MSN, a CW traffic & training net w/ operating speed approx. ten words per minute. A Section NTS Net, daily @ 7:30 PM ET on 3563 kHz.
http://bdb.com/~msn/

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MARYLAND GOVERNMENT - MD House Bill 1225 - Amateur Radio Antennas 2020
Local Government - Regulation of Amateur Radio Station Antenna Structures
Sponsored by Delegates Boteler, Ciliberti, Grammer, and Impallaria
Third Reading Passed (132-0) http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2020RS/votes/house/0548.pdf
Referred Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
2020 Session ended early due to COVD-19.
Maryland lawmakers end legislative session early and plan to reconvene in a special session.
One more opportunity for the passage and then on to Maryland Governor Hogan signature
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1225?ys=2020RS

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FCC AMATEUR RADIO EXAMS:
Due to the pliant VE schedules please use online portals and contact the Testing Sponsor.
https://www.laurelvec.com/

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Where do I find commonly used emission type designators.
Designator | Description
  AM A3E Voice
 SSB J3E Voice
  FM F3E Voice
  PM G3E Voice
 FSK F1D Data
AFSK F2D Data
 PSK G1D Data
 N0N     Test no modulation

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CB Radio - Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) is personal radio service allocations such as FRS, GMRS, MURS, UHF CB and the Amateur Radio Service ("ham" radio). Rule Part 47 C.F.R, Part 95 w/ 40Ch CB between (26.965 & 27.405 MHz) w/ Ch-9 for traveler EmComm. Operations -
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/citizens-band-radio-service-cbrs

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 ==> T-MARC COORDINATION REPORT

February 2020 Applications in Process:
W3SMR – Received on air confirmation of UHF link at Barstow, MD. Sent Final Coordination
KC3DVC – Received on air confirmation of 145.1300- at Crisfield, MD. Sent Final Coordination
N3YMS – Received application for UHF narrow-band pair at Wye Mills, MD. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups.
N4CV – Received application for UHF narrow-band pair in Herndon, VA. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups.
KN4LJL - Received application for UHF narrow-band pair in Ashburn, VA. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups.
N3TUK – Received on air confirmation of 443.6625+ at Adelphi, MD. Sent Final Coordination

Other:
Area Repeater Coordination Council: Received 5 proposed coordination for 440
South Eastern Repeater Assoc.: Received 2 proposed coordination’s for 440

T-MARC
The Mid-Atlantic Repeater Council
www.tmarc.org

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 ==> MDC SECTION ARES® REPORT

2020 January MDC SEC Narrative Report

Monthly Section Emergency Coordinator Report to ARRL Headquarters
ARRL Section: Maryland-DC         
February 2020

AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
ARES members: 368
DECs/ECs reporting: 12
ARES nets active: 26
NTS liaison: 13

Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: KA2JAI, N3AE, KB3LJB, KB3KOW, WA3OQ, W3YR, N3AWP, WB3KAS, N2OMC, NN3G, NI2W, W3JCT

Drills, tests & training sessions: 27     
Person hours: 250
Public service events: 6
Person hours: 113
Emergency operations: 0
Person hours: 0
Skywarn operations: 0
Person hours: 0
ARES operations this month: 33   
Total Person hours: 363

EmComm Events and Comments from around the Section

de Section Emergency Coordinator WB3KAS:

Reporting

Eleven of the 18 appointed ECs submitted their monthly ARES County reports this month. 
Outstanding folks! Much appreciated those who took the time.

How can we improve the desire to provide what is requested by the League regarding your sphere of influence?

Use the fillable pdf ARES-002 (1/17) monthly report form to send me your county activities every month.  Download it at:

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/2017%20Forms/Monthly_DEC-EC_Report.pdf

Save the file in the form as follows: YYYY-MM<4-ltr cnty code> EC Report.pdf and send it to me.

It is important that you follow this convention. This makes it extremely fast and easy for me to do my work.  We have a few who are not using the format requested, thus making more work for me; and now have one county that still needs to convert over to the fillable form.

It's extremely important that your constituents hear what is going on relative to EmComm in their community. If nothing more, tell us what meetings you hold, when, where and what repeaters you can be found on.  I'd like to hear from the rest of you. At a minimum, tell us the details of where you hold the ARES meetings; nets you hold, VHF/UHF or HF; any weekend breakfasts or other social gathering.

Two MDC DEC positions (Western, and Central) are now vacant and would like to have someone step forward and consider heading up the Western or Central DEC position.  If interested let me know and I will send you the DEC Position Description.

There are eight counties that do not have an Emergency Coordinator.  They are ALLE, BACI, DORC, KENT, QACO, SOME and WORC. As you can see 6 out of the 7 are on the Eastern Shore and is a grave concern from a Wx perspective.  They dodged a bullet this time with Florence, but what about the next one?

I say this every month because this is gravely important this time of year. If you live in any of these counties, please consider getting involved with emergency communications and sign up to assist the hospitals in your area.  Contact me for more information.

In the future, selected County ECs will be dismissed due to inactive required monthly reporting and neglecting to respond to SEC emails.  It is important that we hear your commitment to supporting your community.

We have two EC appointments waiting for League approval; MONT and STMA. We will announce them as we receive them.

SEC Presentations

If your Group is interested in getting started with Winlink 2000, or perhaps a refresher session, please let me know. WICO EC John, W3JCT, is planning to have a Winlink Class late Winter/early Spring.

Wanda, KA3AHI, and I continue to schedule visits to as many ARES and club groups as possible. We have two presentations I think would be worth your while to hear.  One on Section Interoperability and the other is the Section Health Care EmComm Program.  If you have interest in this, and have room on your meeting agenda for us, please contact me.  I have an Introduction Winlink 2000 Lecture and a Winlink Class where we get you set up to run Winlink Telnet and obtain a Winlink account- - -all for free!

MDC Section Reflectors - SEC Report

We introduced a new MDC Section reflector, ARRL MDC Section Winlink Training Group for P2P and Hybrid networks, or MDCQRV for short.  Please make use of this tool to sharpen skills and fine tune your configuration files.  Located at:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MDCQRV/info.

Recently had three new members join.

The new ARRL MDC Section Yahoo Reflector is now available.  If you are not a member. you should be!!  I encourage you to use this to stay informed or keep in touch with the rest of your fellow ARES members. With the wide distribution of this newsletter coming out only once a month, this Yahoo Site will keep you up to date with late breaking news, including a possible disaster call up.  There is very little traffic to clog your in box.

I don't know if all the DECs and ECs subscribe to the Yahoo Reflector.  If you are not, please do. This is going to be the quickest way possible to inform MDC Section ARES of current incidents and impending disasters.  Please do it now.

You can join at: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ARRLMDCSECTION/info.
======================
Meetings and Gatherings

Feb 26: Along with ASEC, KC3DSO Gave a Winlink 2000 over view to Laurel ARC along with PVRC members.  Encourage attendees to get involved with our Winlink Drills to keep up the Winlink proficiency.  Gave a dy-no-mite Winlink demonstration.
======================
Future Events:

de MDC Section ASEC KC3DSO

I am proposing an MDC Section-Wide Winlink Check-In as another training opportunity to keep current in use Winlink 2000. All Amateur Radio operators are welcome.
 
The inaugural 'roll out' will be coming soon and will have a repeating schedule of the second Tuesday of each month. More details forthcoming in a special post on the MDC Section Notice.

73, Steven KC3DSO
MDC Section ASEC
======================

de ANAR County KA2JAI

Signed MOU submitted to county.  ARES monthly meeting covered go kit info, a review of ARES training requirements, and traffic handling & Radiogram use.  Traffic handling and Radiograms were taught by the BTN Net Manager Chris AB3WG.  EC and several ARES members attended the county monthly Training & Exercise meeting.  AAC ARES participated in the MEMA COMMEX, which included an ARES phone net and Winlink.  Winlink practice continues with 4 opportunities each week and month: Weekly weekend check in using a different feature of Winlink each month, the COMMEX, weekly ARES announcements sent by Winlink, and now the Section Wide Winlink Test.  Plans are being made for the next of the twice per year weekend EOC Basic/WebEOC training sessions given to ARES.  The session will be in Apr.  Inventory of new equipment done by ARES member Tom W3NI nearly completed.  EC gave an EchoLink presentation at a Maryland Mobileers meeting.  Skywarn liaison Kurt WA3TOY has increased the number of available Skywarn net control operators to 9. 

The Section wide EchoLink Net is made available on node 90911 KA2JAI-R & the Annapolis repeater 442.300+ 107.2.  ARES meetings are 3rd Saturdays at 9 AM at the EOC in Glen Burnie, with some exceptions, check with the EC for actual dates. Weekly nets are Sun 8 PM on the 146.805- PL 107.2 repeater in Millersville MD. For more ARES info email the EC at ka2jai@arrl.net.
======================

de CALV County N3AE

We held a 10M net instead of our normal face-to-face meeting in February.  Four stations participated.   We agreed to continue to hold a net on the 3rd Wednesday of the month on 10M SSB at 07:30 PM local. Frequency of 28.350 MHz USB.  The southern end of the county is still a challenge to cover properly even on 10M

Our 2M repeater is having some issues.  We're still in troubleshooting mode at this time.   The 440 repeater remains up and functional but again has poor coverage towards the south end of the county.   We plan to support the April 2nd Region V hospital drill.  Lining up some HF Winmor operators to support a practice session on March 11th and the actual exercise on April 2nd.

Our monthly meetings are on the third Tuesday at the Calvert County Services Building, Main Street, Prince Frederick unless notified otherwise.  Our web site is https://auxcomm.k3cal.org/ 
==================

de CECI County KB3LJB

Exercises this past month, February 2020, the CECI ARES operators participated in the weekly Sunday evening ARES Nets held at 2000 (8:00 pm) on the CBRA 146.850 repeater in Port Deposit, MD.  At this time, we have 4 Net Control Operators.  If you can reach the WA3SFJ 146.850 repeater and would like to try out as a Net Control Operator, send me an email (kb3ljb@arrl.net) and I’ll send you the script and blank log sheet.  If you have questions, send those to me as well.

CBRA monthly meetings are held at Mason-Dixon American Legion Post 194 in Rising Sun on the third Tuesday each month at 7:00 pm.  All are welcome to attend.

The WA3SFJ-R EchoLink Node 585690 is up and working well.

On Tuesday, February 11, I and a couple of other ARES operators participated with the CECI EOC in a "Tabletop Drill" in preparation for the full-on Peach Bottom Exercise coming up the end of April.  Director Brooks gave me a what-if scenario.  Thanks to the fact that we have ARES operators all over Cecil County, I was able to give him a response that would fit the demands of the scenario.  Bottom line for these drills is to be prepared and these exercises help find gaps and fill them with workable solutions.

Our next VE test session will be on the morning of Saturday, April 4.  The VE test sessions are given at the Mason-Dixon American Legion Post 194 in Rising Sun, MD starting at 0900.  Check the listings on the ARRL web site or contact me at KB3LJB@ARRL.NET for details on upcoming test sessions.
==================

de CHAR County KB3KOW

KB3KOW and KB3SPH conducted testing of 'D-RATS' software via internet connection to test chat and file transfer capability. The next step will be to repeat testing via RF.
==================

de GARR County WA3EOQ

The next GCARES meeting will be held on Monday, March 9 at 7PM at the Southern Garrett Rescue Squad facility, Oakland, MD.  (Winter break) The nets (below) will continue. 

Net every Sunday evening at 8PM Local on 146.805- PL 123.  Linked to the TARGET System (Cacapon, WV on 146.745, etc.) and sometimes to a WAN system.  Checking into the MDD net most every evening.
==================

de HARF County W3YR

-Exercise and training sessions include: one meeting, two Harford County ARES nets, the Peach Bottom Tabletop Exercise on Feb 11, and one training session on Raspberry Pi devices.  The meetings and training sessions occurred at the Harford County EOC.

 Current projects include: installation of a 2m radio FM analog radio and 440 packet radio at the Upper Chesapeake hospital, replacement of the Harford County 2m FM analog repeater, the addition of a dual P25/DSTAR 440 repeater, and inventory of the GO kits.  The possibility of establishing an AREDN node at Harford DES is being investigated.
 
A training package on sending and receiving ICS-213 message traffic by voice is under development and review.
==================

de HOWA County N2AWP

In addition to our regularly scheduled weekly nets, we supported one public service event and one training session during February.  Though previously not reported, several members participated in both planning and operating at January's Winter Field Day event.
==================

de PRGE County WB3KAS:

PRGE ARES Web Page: http://www.pgares.org
PRGE ARES Internet Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PG-AresRaces/

Nets: Regularly scheduled monthly training VHF nets on the K3ERA Repeater, 145.23MHz PL 110.9 on Tuesdays at 1930L and EchoLink node KA3POX-L.  The monthly HF Hospital Net is held the Wednesday following the third Monday of the month on 3820kHz at 1900L. NCS rotates.

Meetings: Monthly meeting held the 3rd Monday of the month at the Fire Services Building,
6820 Webster St, Landover Hills, MD at 1930.

Feb 17:  The meeting training topic was to introduce the Winlink Express 'Check-in' Template. The idea was to cut down the over-the-air admin time associated with check-ins. First use will be in the April 2 Hospital Drill.
==================

de STMA County N2OMC

Held our bi-weekly ARES nets on 2/6/20 and 2/20/20 on the 147.390 repeater located in Leonardtown, MD. Took part in a local STEM-fest on 2/29/20 with plenty of exposure of radio and emergency communications to the general public. Have received a total of eight membership applications with more to come. Progress made with setting up communications in local hospital after meeting with Section EC. Meeting scheduled with the County EOC personnel on 9 March at 0830.
==================

de TALB County NN3G for W3GAC

we had our monthly RACES net on the second Tuesday of each month. We started planning a monthly ARES net, that will initially use our 440 repeater then will move to 2m FM simplex and 10 SSB and other modes.
==================

de WASH County NI2W

The 7PM net is FM and the second net is Fusion. These nets are scheduled on the last Thursday of the month. All amateurs, regardless of location, are welcome.

ARES meetings are held along with Antietam Radio Association club meetings on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held in the activities building of St. John's Lutheran

Church, 141 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown. All hams and those with an interest in amateur radio are welcome to attend. In addition, prior to the first Tuesday meeting, a pre meeting/dinner is held at the American Legion, Morris Frock Post 42, at 405 Northern Ave. in Hagerstown. The event begins at 5PM. Again, all are welcome to attend.
==================

de W3JCT

Local Net: Delmarva Amateur Radio Enhancement Net every Monday night at 9:00 p.m.  The DAR Net is sponsored by the Delmarva Amateur Radio Club which is now an ARRL Affiliated group operating a repeater on 146.820- PL 156.7 Hz.
    
Delmarva Amateur Radio Club (DARC) – As Emergency Coordinator for the Wicomico County ARES, I do attend the DARC monthly meetings and give a report, since the DARC is an ARRL affiliated club which allows use of their repeater for Wicomico RACES/ARES activities.  Wicomico County RACES/ARES also take an active role in the DARC meetings held on the third Wednesday at their the DARC Monthly Meeting located at the Wicomico Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, Maryland. I did attend the DARC Christmas dinner on November 20 and they had a very nice group in attendance.

Wicomico County RACES/ARES - MEMA RACES(ARES) Training (2nd Tuesday of the Month).

Wicomico County RACES/ARES took part in the Boy Scout Merit Badge College at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland for the RADIO MERIT BADGE. The first session on February 1, 2020 was primarily focused on radio theory, while the second session on February 29, was highlight with ‘on the air’ training. We had one of our biggest classes we have ever had with 13 Scouts. I would also like to thank all of the members of the Delmarva Amateur Radio Club and the Peninsula Radio Operators Society for the use of the repeaters and the help as field contacts for the Scouts.
==================

de KA3AHI HFHN Results:

Nineteen check-ins for February HFHN Net.

HF Hospital Nets are conducted on Wednesday night following the third Monday of the month on 3820kHz +/- at 1900L.  So, give us a hollar!  If you don't hear us look downstream 5-8 kHz.  I'd like to hear more check-ins from our MDC Section.

Next HF Hospital Net is March 19.  With Jeff, KB3SPH as NCS. We encourage radio operators to please check in and support this Drill.  We always need a large number of check-ins to help hold the frequency. 

Net control operator have their work cut out for them to try and hold the frequency.

Other Drills and Exercises:

April 2:  The Maryland-DC Section, Second Quarter Hospital Drill.

April 29: MedStar Corp Exercise

May 11: MD Medical Region V Full Scale Exercise 

Volunteers are currently working on developing a scenario that promises to challenge our radio operators.  If you have an interest in this never-a-dull-moment kind of activity, please get in touch with me.

Stay tuned for an exciting event! 

73, Wanda
KA3AHI
======================

Signature: Jim Montgomery
Call sign: WB3KAS
Maryland-DC SEC
Email: wb3kas@arrl.net
Please send to ARRL HQ, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 by 10th of the month
FSD-96 (1-04)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 ==> SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT

MDC 202002 STM REPORTS
======================
QST MDC 2002 STN PSHR = >70 TOTAL
CALL PSHR
KK3F 140
W3YVQ 135
AA3SB 100
WB3FTQ 100
AB3WG 92
N3JET 87
K3IN 70

======================
QST MDC 2002 STN BPL: KK3F 2002 SAR 13/252/252/0/517

======================
MDC NETS 2002:

MEPN/C2, MARYLAND EMERGENCY PHONE NET, 3820/1800L-DY
Liaisons: 3RN2/MDD/DTN/BTN/WVA/NTSD/WL2K MEPN 2002 W3YVQ QND/29 QNI/339 QTC/33 MINS/549

BTN/C4, BALTIMORE TRAFFIC NET, 145.33/1830L-DY
Liaisons: MEPN/MDD/NTSD/WL2K
BTN 2002 AB3WG QND/29 QNI/299 QTC/45 MINS/522

MDD/C4, MARYLAND/DC/DELAWARE NET, 3557/1900L-2200L-DY
Liaisons: 3RN4/MEPN/BTN/DTN/NTSD/WL2K
MDD 2002 AA3SB QND/56 QNI/252 QTC/84 MINS/476

MSN, MARYLAND SLOW NET, 3563/1930L-DY TRAINING,
Liaisons: MDD
MSN 2002 N3AEA QND/28 QNI/119 QTC/11 MINS/515

======================
MDC 2002 PSHRS FILED (Zero entries omitted.):
CALL DATE PSHR
KK3F 2002 PSHR 1/40 2/40 3/30 4/30 TOTAL 140 W3YVQ 2002 PSHR 1/40 2/40 3/30 4/25 TOTAL 135 AA3SB 2002 PSHR 1/40 2/40 3/20 TOTAL 100 WB3FTQ 2002 PSHR 1/40 2/40 3/20 TOTAL 100 AB3WG 2002 PSHR 1/32 2/40 3/20 TOTAL 92 N3JET 2002 PSHR 1/27 2/40 3/20 TOTAL 87 K3IN 2002 PSHR1/40 2/40 3/30 TOTAL 70

======================
MDC 2002 SARS FILED:
CALL DATE SAR ORIG/RCVD/SENT/DLVD/TOTAL
KK3F 2002 SAR 13/252/252/0/517
K3IN 2002 SAR 0/125/118/4/247
W3YVQ 2002 SAR 0/36/56/0/92
AA3SB 2002 SAR 2/60/16/2/80
WB3FTQ 2002 SAR 0/28/15/6/49
N3JET 2002 SAR 0/26/23/0/49
AB3WG 2002 SAR 0/25/20/3/48

======================
FOR THE MDC WEB SITE 2002

MDC NTS NETS:

MEPN 2002 W3YVQ QND/29 QNI/339 QTC/33 MINS/549

BTN 2002 AB3WG QND/29 QNI/299 QTC/45 MINS/522

MDD 2002 AA3SB QND/56 QNI/252 QTC/84 MINS/476

MSN 2002 N3AEA QND/28 QNI/119 QTC/11 MINS/515

PSHR: KK3F 140, W3YVQ 135, AA3SB 100, WB3FTQ 100, AB3WG 92, N3JET 87, K3IN 70;

TFC: KK3F 517, K3IN 247, W3YVQ 92, AA3SB 80, WB3FTQ 49, N3JET 49, AB3WG 48

======================
HF PROPAGATION

MEPN: TIME CHANGE - On MAR 8, the net moved to the summer schedule; 1730L pre-net, 1800L formal call.

The net NVIS propagation was functional in February, 2020, with good signals most evenings. Due to the low solar activity, the afternoon propagation suffered with less effective NVIS propagation during the pre-net. The MEPN DTS stations continue to provide liaison with the national digital messaging services including DTN and Winlink.

MDD: February NVIS propagation for local MDC stations on MDD early was fair to good on nights when the MUF was above net frequency (fxi). When the MUF dropped below 3.557MHz, the NVIS prop failed totally unless some residual E-layer provided some help. If the MUF remained that low without E-layer help, both early and late MDD and the 3RN/C4 nets failed. The MUF sometimes recovered for the Region nets and MDD late, but March is likely to see more failed nets, both early and late, without help from the sun. That help is coming due to the increasing sun angle as spring approaches.
John, WB3GXW-L, continues to make that EchoLink resource available for MDD use on nights when propagation fails. 160m may need to be used as winter progresses. Check out your antennas. Outbound traffic to 3RN may be handled by DTS representatives as needed for posting on the Digital Traffic Net (DTN) when prop permits. DTN stations operate 24/7 so traffic will flow across the country as prop permits, day or night.
======================

CW OPERATORS NEEDED

Additional CW operators are needed for liaison from MEPN and BTN to MDD and to the higher nets, and Net Control Stations are also needed on MDD and 3RN/C4. The evening NTS and RRI nets in Cycle 4 nation-wide are conducted on CW.
======================

MEPN/BTN/MDD/3RN ECHOLINK

MEPN representatives check for EchoLink check-ins starting at net call daily via the WB3GXW-L link node (or *WASH_DC* conference node backup if the -L node is not available). The conference bridge is available for MEPN, MDD, BTN, MSN, and 3RN stations during periods of failed propagation.
======================

MSN CW TRAINING

The MSN net continues to operate and serve nightly at 1930L on 3563 kHz. Ron, N3AEA, has stepped up to fill the Net Manager´s role. Thanks, Ron. Show your support by checking in even if you do not take training. MSN needs NCS stations and liaison stations to early and late MDD. Ron could use your help.
======================

BTN LOCAL NTS TRAFFIC AND TRAINING NET

The BTN continues to meet on 145.33/R (no tone) daily at 6:30PM local time. The BTN was established to provide a welcoming place for newcomers to the Amateur Service, and their first exposure to directed traffic nets and message handling. The NM, AB3WG, has initiated plans for broader cooperation between BTN and MSN to foster more awareness between operators using the respective modes. Instructive message swapping and liaison duties are in effect. A new cooperative effort has been launched between ANAR ARES(r) and the BTN as well.
======================

Thanks to all the Section´s traffic net NCS stations, RRI/DTN and WL2K stations, liaisons, and traffic handlers for the continuing effort to keep the nets running and traffic moving.

Thank you for your continued support of MDC integrated ARES(r), RRI, and NTS operations.

A very happy and healthy New Year to all.

73, W3YVQ, MDC ASM, STM
w3yvq atsign arrl dot net
w3yvq atsign winlink dot org from WL2K

/EX

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
V3P20BOF