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   MDC Section News

   Vol. 16, No. 07

   Friday, July 17, 2020

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 * MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY JULY 17TH

 * YOUR SECTION MANAGER MOMENT

 * UPCOMING HAMFESTS & CONVENTIONS - MD QSOP AUG. 8TH

 * EVENTS, EXAMS, ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

 * T-MARC AMATEUR RADIO SPECTRUM COORDINATION REPORT

 * MDC SECTION ARRL ARES REPORTS

 * MDC SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT

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 ==> MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY JULY 17TH

 

This month's MDC section-wide EchoLink® net will be held on Friday, June 19, 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 July 21st.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   EchoLink® Link Repeaters for Net

   If you would like to join in on RF, the following repeaters are linked for EchoLink® nets:

  - KA2JAI-R to Millersville repeater 146.805- PL107.2

  - 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

  - K3ERA-R, 145.230(-), PL110.9, District Heights, MD

  - W3SMD-L, 147.51, Simplex, St Mary's County, MD

  - KB3JQQ-L Pikesville, MD – local proximity within 2m Line-of-Sight

  Repeater owners are encouraged to join our MDC Section EchoLink® Net group and link your repeater - TU!

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

==> SECTION MANAGER MOMENT

 

The DOG DAYS of SUMMER - 

According to "The Old Farmer’s Almanac" it's the 40-days beginning July 3rd and ending August 11th.  The autumnal equinox — also called the September equinox or fall equinox, arrives on Tuesday, September 22, The Dog Days coincide with the dawn rising of the star Sirius, the Dog Star. 

 

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Please continue your COVID-19 / Pandemic safety regime and plans are an important part of ensuring a steady decrease for the risk of spreading COVID-19. Please follow the guidelines and precautions onlined for Maryland and surrounding areas. Seek these at Maryland's https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ and through the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Get On The Air - is the best way to keep social distancing while staying in-touch. Encourage your family, friends and acquaintances to get there FCC Amateur Radio License. 

 

Field Day 2020 is Shaping Up to be One for the Record Books - according to the ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, reported this week that ARRL has received more than 8,700 online Field Day entries, and paper-only entries have started arriving too. Submit your entries before Tuesday, July 28th. Entries must be postmarked or submitted by Tuesday July 28, 2020. Late entries cannot be

accepted. 

 

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Weather Safety - Originally published in CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 60 in November 1976 by the National Climatic Data Center via the UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND's 

 

"Thunderstorms are reported at a given station on an average of 30 days per year in eastern portions of Maryland and 40 days per year in western portions . . . ." see the entire report at 

https://www2.atmos.umd.edu/~climate/ClimateInfo/mdClimate.php 

 

Bookmark NWS websites: 

Baltimore/Washington - https://www.weather.gov/lwx/ 

Philadelphia/Mt - https://www.weather.gov/phi/ 

 

Other Weather resources - 

At 20:00(L) ET on Thursday is an informal Weather Net on 2m repeater 146.730- PL141.3, W3ICF, Frederick Amateur Repeater Group. This net is open to all stations via 2m RF and Echolink W3ICF-R or Node:14613  https://frederickarc.org/repeaters/ 

 

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Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES)

 

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.

 

Fill out the ARES Registration form and submit it to your local Emergency Coordinator (EC) or MDC Section Manager (SM). http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ARESRegistrationForm9-15.pdf

 

Get started today, register via https://arrl.volunteerhub.com/ 

ARES Connect is a volunteer management system to help your ARES group manage their roster, create and staff events, and track nets and training. Together we are ARES!

 

ARES Task Book & ARES Connect for Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) - http://www.arrl.org/ares

 - Download the ARES Manual [PDF]

 - ARES Field Resources Manual [PDF]

 - ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Fillable PDF]

 - ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book [Word]

Download your copy of the ARRL TASK BOOK at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/ARES/ARRL-ARES-FILLABLE-TRAINING-TASK-BOOK-V2_1_1.pdf

 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

Thank you for participating in your Amateur Radio Club's remote Video and Tele-conferencing.  This is also an excellent opportunity for potentially new ARC members.  Sponsor a remote Open-House event, highlighting your Club members and leadership - show others your accomplishments, DX contesting, club projects, community support and exend a warm welcome. Help others engage by having tutorial, training, and best-practices for Ham radio.  Have a mock Club Contest via social media and radio. Promote terrestial Ham Radio propagation ! 

 

 

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.

Although in-person Amateur Radio testing is suspended and no on-line testing offered for the MDC Section, ARRL and the VECs are discovering new ways to meet the challenges.  Please continue to follow progress via ARRL National website ARRL.org and your local VEC groups.

  - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE MARYLAND QSO PARTY 

 

Sponsored by the Anne Arundel Radio Club https://www.w3vpr.org/mdcqsop

 

STARTS Saturday, August 8th 1400 UTC / 10 AM ET 

END : Sunday, August 9th 0400 UTC / Sat. 10 PM ET 

DURATION: 14 Hours 

 

RULES: 

https://www.w3vpr.org/sites/default/files/mdcqsoparty/Documents/Maryland-DC_QSO_Party_Rules_2020-03-04.pdf 

 

Only three transmitting modes are allowed.

 - Phone: Any phone mode may be used.

 - CW: Only International Morse Code may be used.

 - Digital: Any digital mode may be used, such as PSK31, RTTY, FT8, and FT4.

 

STATION CATEGORIES: 

 - Club Station: Club or CLB; category A

 - Roving Station: Rover or ROV; category B

 - Unusual Station: Unusual or UNU; categories C 

 - Mobile Station: Mobile or MOB; category D

 - QRP Station: QRP; category E

 - Standard Station: Standard or STD; category F

 - Amplified Station: Amplified or AMP; category G

 - Unlimited: Unlimited or UNL; category H

 

Next QSOPs

08/23/2020 - Ohio QSO Party

08/24/2020 - Hawaii QSO Party

08/30/2020 - Kansas QSO Party

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

HAMFEST/CONVENTION

 

MARYLAND - 

SantaFest @ Cheltenham, MD by American Legion and Prince George's County Emergency Radio Association, Website: http://www.pgares.org/

 

December 12,2020 at the American Legion Youth Camp, 9201 Surratts Road, Cheltenham, MD 20623

 

Talk-In: K3ERA Repeater, 145.230- PL 110.9

Public Contact: Charles AA3WS

Phone: 301-535-1666

Email: selbynet@hotmail.com

 

DELAWARE - 

 NONE

 

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA -

 

07/25/2020 - CVARC Hamfest

Location: Chambersburg, PA

Type: ARRL Hamfest

Sponsor: Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club

Website: http://www.w3ach.org/

 

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA -

 NONE 

 

VIRGINIA -

 NONE

 

WEST VIRGINIA - 

 

08/22/2020 - All-day ZOOM Convention

ARRL West Virginia State Convention

Location: Sutton , WV

Type: ARRL Convention

Sponsor: West Virginia State Amateur Radio Council

Website: http://qsl.net/wvsarc/ 

Please check to see ZOOM details

 

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area

Check availability (Walk-ins or No Walk-ins allowed)

 

LAUREL VEC - https://www.laurelvec.com/

ARRL - http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

 

MARYALND MDC - 

 

EXAM SESSION 30/60/90 DAY CALENDAR

 

07/18/2020 | Laurel MD | Laurel ARC (LARC)

07/21/2020 | Hagerstown MD | Antietam Radio Assoc.

07/28/2020 | Linthicum Heights MD | Maryland Mobileers

08/01/2020 | Catonsville MD | Baltimore VE Team

08/01/2020 | Rising Sun MD | State Line Radio Club

08/08/2020 | Centreville MD | Queen Anne's ARC

08/09/2020 | Cumberland MD | Mountain ARC

08/12/2020 | Fort Washington MD | Fort Washington ARC

08/15/2020 | Laurel MD | Laurel ARC (LARC)

08/22/2020 | Forest Hill MD | Northeast maryland ARC

08/25/2020 | Linthicum Heights MD | Maryland Mobileers

09/09/2020 | Fort Washington MD | Fort Washington ARC

09/12/2020 | Catonsville MD | Baltimore VE Team

09/12/2020 | Davidsonville MD | Anne Arundel Radio Club

09/19/2020 | Laurel MD | Laurel ARC (LARC)

09/22/2020 | Linthicum Heights MD | Maryland Mobileers

10/03/2020 | Catonsville MD | Baltimore VE Team

10/03/2020 | Rising Sun MD | State Line Radio Club

10/10/2020 | Centreville MD  | Queen Anne's ARC

10/10/2020 | Davidsonville MD | Anne Arundel Radio Club

10/14/2020 | Fort Washington MD | Fort Washington ARC

10/17/2020 | Laurel MD | Laurel ARC (LARC)

10/27/2020 | Linthicum Heights MD | Maryland Mobileers

10/31/2020 | Forest Hill MD | Northeast maryland ARC

 

Nearby & Out-of-Section Exam Sessions 

 

07/18/2020 | Lancaster PA 17602

Sponsor: Red Rose Repeater Assoc

Location: Thaddeus Stevens on Orange

Time: 12:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)

 

07/25/2020 | Chambersburg PA 17202-9416

Sponsor: Cumberland Valley ARC

Location: CVARC Hamfest

Time: 12:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed)

 

07/27/2020 | Philadelphia PA 19104-9999

Sponsor: PASOLA

Location: Casa De Adoracion Community Church

Time: 7:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)

 

08/08/2020 | Alexandria VA 22302-4008

Sponsor: Mount Vernon ARC

Location: First Christian Church-Park in Rear

Time: 9:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed)

 

08/08/2020 | Shrewsbury PA 17361-1513

Sponsor: Southern PA Comm Group VE Team

Location: Shrewsbury Borough Hall

Time: 9:30 AM (Walk-ins allowed)

 

09/12/2020 | Dover DE 19904-5774

Sponsor: Kent County ARC

Location: Wyoming United Methodist Church

Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)

 

 

  - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Find more at https://qsoparty.eqth.net/index.html

Get involved and learn more about Nation Traffic System and Nets

CONTROL OPERATORS NEEDED

Contact Baltimore Traffic Net Manager, Chris AB3WG AB3WG@ARRL.net

145.330 Daily 6:30 PM and find more information at https://www.baltimoretraffic.net/

Occasionally a 2m VHF SIMPLEX after BTN.  Listen on 146.580 and CQ for others stations.

Are you doing HF, then contact Maryland Emergency Phone Net, Fr Al W3YVQ, w3yvq atsign arrl dot net

3820 +/- LSB Daily 6:00 PM

MEPN - 3820 / 1920 & 7243 kHz LSB

 MDD - 3557 CW

 MSN - 3563 CW

 BTN - 146.33 FM / 146.67 B/U

  - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

NEXT NET - WEDNESDAY, MAY 20th.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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/

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Check-in with Net Control Operator (NCS) on the Orioles Net via the 145.330, repeater near Shawsville, MD - Daily at 9AM

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It is required that all MDC ARES members 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.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gulf and Atlantic Hurricane Season began June 1st & Pacific already started

See https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for more details and EchoLink / VoIP Hurricane Net – VoIP Hurricane Net: WX_TALK.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FCC AMATEUR RADIO EXAMS:

Some online testing is happening - look on the ARRL VEC website or Laurel VEC for details. https://www.laurelvec.com/

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 

on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 – 9, 2020. 

Attendance is free and registration is now open at https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com 

with early bird prize incentives for registering by July 24, 2020.

 

Go to https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/ to learn more - get registered by July 24th!

 

Built on a live, virtual platform used by Fortune 500 companies and major universities, this ARRL–sanctioned hamfest will let you:

 

 - Learn from a packed line-up of 70+ world renowned ham radio speakers such as Ward Silver, N0AX, on Grounding and Bonding; Glen Johnson, W0GJ, on DXpeditions, and John Portune, W6NBC, on building slot antennas for HOA. 

 - See demos of the latest ham radio equipment from the world's top equipment companies. You can ask questions and engage with Exhibitors through video, audio, or chat. 

 - Share ideas and network with your fellow ham radio operators throughout the Expo.

 

This platform simulates a full convention experience with an exhibit hall and exhibit booths staffed by live attendants, speaker auditorium, lobby, and lounges. 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

ARLD029 DX news - 

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The Russian Radio Team Championship, Trans-Tasman Low-Bands Challenge, Feld Hell Sprint, North American QSO Party, RTTY, CQ Worldwide VHF Contest, RSGB Low Power Contest, Run for the Bacon QRP Contest and the CQC Great Colorado Gold Rush are all on tap for this weekend.  The SKCC Sprint is on July 22 and the RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, Data is on July 23.  Please see July 2020 QST, page 74 and ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM Contest Web Sites for details. https://www.contestcalendar.com/

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

FT8DMC ANNIVERSARY.  More special call signs celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the FT8 Digital Mode Club, until July 31 include CB3DMC, XR3DMC and XR3FT8 from Chile (QSL direct to CE3GCA); GB8DMC from England (operated by G8LIY, QSL via qrz.com, and OZ8FTDM from Denmark (operated by OZ1KZX, QSL via LoTW and eQSL). https://www.dx-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FT8DMC-3rd-anniversary-press-release-english.pdf & FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/groups/FT8DMC/

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The Grayson County Amateur Radio Club commemorates the Red River Bridge War of 1931, a boundary conflict between Oklahoma and Texas. They will use the callsign W5I between July 18 and 26. QSL via K5GCC (d/B), LoTW, eQSL http://https://graysoncountyarc.org/ 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

LUNAR AMATUER RADIO REPEATER - 

The European Space Agency (ESA) website has published a proposal by Germany’s amateur satellite organization AMSAT-DL for LunART (Lunar Amateur Radio Transponder): a Communications Platform on the Large European Lander to support communication and payload experiments. The system would use the European frequency protocol of 2.4 GHz up and 10.45 GHz down (approximately 100 W), pioneered in the QO-100 satellite. Low-power beacons would transmit on various frequencies from VHF (145 MHz) through SHF (up to 24 GHz or even 47 GHz), AMSAT-DL’s proposal says.

 

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/amsat-dl-submits-lunar-lander-proposal-to-european-space-agency

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Proposed new International Shortwave Station WPBC in Illinois 

 

Parable Broadcasting Co. in April asked the FCC to allow it to build the station in Batavia, Ill., west of Chicago, using the call sign WPBC. It wants to offer “broadcasting and data services.”

 

FCC Public Notice in MB Docket 18-27

https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/108271332220614/HF-PARTIES-MB-18-227-COMMENTS.pdf

 

Proposed Shortwave Station in Illinois Prompts an Objection

Several members of the SW community expressed concern about possible data uses - BY PAUL MCLANE, PUBLISHED: JULY 8, 2020

http://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/proposed-shortwave-station-in-illinois-prompts-an-objection

 

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Maryland's DRM "The Gamut" WWRD on 820 AM (HD Radio) near Frederick, Maryland. This Class:B station is power at 4,300 watts day and 430 watts night. 

 

DRM is mostly found in European countries so this is truly a wonder and eclectic opportunity to experience Digital Radio Mondaile [DRM] with your RTL-SDR dongle receiver. See more information about International DRM; here - https://www.drm.org/what-can-i-hear/broadcast-schedule-2/

 

Listen the to "The Gamut" On-Air or Online, see http://www.thegamut.fm for more info.  

 

For MDC Section members, and sometimes difficult to receive (NVIS) is the weekly DRM HF broadcast of SHORTWAVE RADIOGRAM [MFSK-32/64] on Friday 1500 UTC on 15750 kHz from WINB near Red Lion, PA. 

 

Enjoy the weekly Digital Text & Pics via WINB (PA) & WRMI (FL) by visiting SHORTWAVE RADIOGRAM at https://swradiogram.net/

 

 

 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

THE VALUE OF ARRL MEMBERSHIP  

Get full service with your ARRL Membership

MDC Section News, Email an Alert. 

 > LOGIN to ARRL with your membership <User Name> & <Password> 

 > At the top, click on <Edit your Profile>

 > Select the button titled <Edit Email Subscription>

 > Pick the "Email Subscription" deliveries 

 > Make sure your select: 

[_] News and information from your Division Director and Section Manager (Note: Some Divisions/Sections may not send notices.)

 

 

 

 ==> T-MARC COORDINATION REPORT

 

July 10, 2020 is the deadline for voting for the proposed bandplan changes. See proposal details and voting instructions here. 

 

June 2020 

Applications in Process: 

N9KET -- Application for UHF narrow-band pair in Tysons Corner, VA. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups. 

 

N3PPH – Received on air confirmation of 441.6375+ in Sunderland, MD. Sent Final Coordination 

 

KG4TIH – Received application for UHF pair in Sterling, VA. Sent notice to neighboring coordination groups and co-channel in TMARC area. 

 

KA3LAO – Received application for UHF narrow-band pair in Jessup, MD. 

 

WA3KOK – Received application for 900 MHz pair in Jessup, MD. 

 

Vienna Wireless Society – Received on air status of move of 146.6850- to Tysons Corner, Va. Sent Final Coordination 

 

On Air Status Requests sent to: 

UHF Control | K3ORB | Ocean City, Md. 

224.2600- | KD4QNA | Spotsylvania, Va. 

 

Coordinations Cancelled: 

442.7000+ | KD4QNA | Spotsylvania, Va.              

 

Other: 

South Eastern Repeater Assoc.: 

Received 1 proposed coordination 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 for June 2020

 

AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE

Total number of ARES members: 365 

Change since last month: -2

Number of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 12 out of 17 

Number of ARES nets active: 34

Number with NTS liaison: 14

 

Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: KA2JAI, N3AE, KB3TVF, WX3F, KB3LJB, KB3KOW, WA3EOQ, W3YR, N3AWP, WB3KAS, N2OMC, NI2W

 

Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 34     

 - Person hours: 299

 

Number of public service events this month: 0      

 - Person hours: 0

 

Number of emergency operations this month: 0 

 - Person hours: 0

 

Number of Skywarn operations this month: 5 

 - Person hours: 33

 

Total number of ARES operations this month: 39 

 - Total Person hours:  302

 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

EmComm Events and Comments from around the Section

de Section Emergency Coordinator WB3KAS: Reporting

 

We still have a few NOT conforming to the proper file naming convention. See instructions below.  Please do so it makes my job easier when we get a large number of inputs. . .such as this month!

 

12 of the 17 appointed ECs submitted their monthly ARES County reports this month.  

Outstanding folks! Much appreciated those who took the time.  How about the rest of you? Only five lacking to make it 100%.  Let's try next month.

 

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.  Put this file name in the subject line please. It's a sure way I won't miss your input.

 

Then put the file name in the subject line, so all I have to do is search YYYY-MM-<4-ltr cnty code> EC Report.pdf

 

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, BACO, DORC, KENT, QACO, SOME and WORC. If you are from any of these counties and fell you are up to the task, please get in touch with me. 

 

As you can see 5 out of the 8 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. I will be sending out blind emails to those who need a 'pep talk' if your will. Stay tuned.

 

SEC Presentations

 

If your Group is interested in getting started with Winlink 2000, or perhaps a refresher session, please let me know. We have our ASEC, Steven, KC3DSO, on Zoom with an outstanding WL2K presentation for your ARES meeting. I encourage you to follow-up on this if interested in getting involved with the Section Winlink program.

 

On that note, many of you running Winlink have probably received the news that Winlink Winmor is no more. Winmor will be deleted from the next Express update and Winmor Gateways will need to be replaced by ARDOP gateways. For more information, see www.winlink.org.

 

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! The Winlink presentations have not been revised and will be soon.

 

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.

 

Make use of this to keep your proficiency in top shape.

 

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

 

The COVID19 crisis has put a damper on face-to-face meetings, but the email traffic has ramped up considerably. Consider Zoom sessions for your ARES meetings and shoot me a copy of the invite.

======================

Future Events:

 

de MDC Section ASEC KC3DSO

 

The MDC Section-Wide Winlink Check-In as another training opportunity to keep current in using Winlink.  All Amateur Radio operators are welcome.

 

The inaugural 'roll out' was 10 MAR 20 with 19 check ins. The check in is held on the second Tuesday of each month. Upcoming dates are:

 

5/12/20, 6/9/20, 7/14/20, 8/11/20, 9/8/20, 10/13/20, 11/10/20, 12/8/20

 

For instructions: https://www.qsl.net/mdcasec/dev/mdcasec.html 

 

73, Steven KC3DSO

 MDC Section ASEC

======================

 

de ANAR County KA2JAI

 

The ARES monthly meeting was conducting using Zoom.  There was an update from Anne Arundel County OEM, and presentations about VHF antennas, frequency plans, and radio programming.  A video on how to set up Winlink Express was shown.  

 

There is no MEMA COMMEX in Jun.  We participated in the monthly Section-wide Winlink Test and the Section-wide EchoLink Net.

 

Several ARES members are attending Rol Anders K3RA's operating class.  EMCOMM was one of the topics and an excellent presentation was given by Andy Protigal N3AWP, the Howard County EC.

 

Many ARES members including the EC participated in Field Day from our homes as class 1D or 1E stations.

 

The county cancelled its Emergency Preparation Expo, which would have been in Sep.  This is a major annual event for the county.  ARES participated every year, as well as CERT, AARC, and MMARC.

 

Several hams and ARES members, including the EC, taught Radio Merit Badge and Electronics Merit Badge.  Zoom was used.  Both merit badges were organized and led by Bruce McPherson AB3AC.

 

ARES meetings are 3rd Saturdays, with some exceptions, at 0900.  We will continue to use Zoom until further notice instead of meeting at the EOC in Glen Burnie.  Check with the EC for actual dates. Weekly nets are Sundays at 2000 on the 146.805- 107.2 repeater in Millersville MD and EchoLink 90911 KA2JAI-R.  Monthly HF SSB nets are on first Tuesdays at 1930 on 3820 +/-.  For questions or more info please email the EC at ka2jai@arrl.net.

 

======================

de CALV County N3AE

 

June activity included a net in place of our monthly meeting due to COVID-19.  Our county emergency management officials appear to be ready to move forward with recommended equipment purchases to upgrade our RACES infrastructure.  We are cautiously hopeful.

 

Our monthly meetings are normally on the third Tuesday at the Calvert County Services Building, Main Street, Prince Frederick but COVID-19 has canceled those for the time being and we are holding nets instead.   Our web site is https://auxcomm.k3cal.org/ 

======================

 

de CARO County KB3TVF

 

1. EARS Net every Tuesday

2. One Field Day Meeting

3. ARES Zoom Meeting - Winlink Express for EmComm- June 25

======================

 

de CARR County WX3F

 

Carroll County EmComm Training net on Carroll repeaters maintains weekly Thursday evening at 7:00 PM training in digital operations and message handling by using the FLDIGI/FLMSG software sending ICS type messages and pictures.  Since the Red Cross Drill had radio operators use the Winlink RMS system, an elevated interest in learning more about the capabilities of Winlink Express has shifted our weekly training a bit from FLDIGI to Winlink Express.

======================

 

de CECI County KB3LJB

 

Exercises this past month, June 2020, consisted of the CECI ARES operators participating 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.

 

Normally, 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.  Finally, even with Governor Hogan's "Safer-At-Home" orders, we have once again been able to hold meetings at Post 194.  We were finally allowed to hold our first meeting since the shutdown as a group in June.  All are welcome to attend.  There is plenty of room available so, if desired, you will be able to easily adhere to safe social distancing guidelines.

 

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

 

Our next VE test session is tentatively scheduled to be held on the morning of Saturday, August 1.  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

 

1) Received communication from our Charles (County) Regional Medical Center for help in their end-of-year procurement process. CRMC wishes to upgrade their in-house ARES equipment to include HF operations. Working with Wanda, KA3AHI, MDC Section ASM for Hospital EmComm, we were able to forward up the 'standard' HF procurement spec to include a Hospital Evacuation Radio System Kit.

 

2) Continue testing VARA HF and VARA FM with WB3KAS, KC3DSO, KA3POX and KB3SPH.

 

3) Worked with KB3SPH on testing different digital modes between our respective QTHs to include RTTY, PSK, Olivia, HELL and THROB.

 

4) Worked with KB3SPH on setting up a Raspberry PI for a potable ham station.

==================

 

de GARR County WA3EOQ

 

Field Day emergency communications exercise. (6a) Not sure if you want to count this or not?  The outdoor version of the GCARES Field Day was cancelled due to COVID plus our usual site was not available for the same reason.  Two operators participated from their home stations using emergency power (Class 1E).  They contacted a total of 800 stations, mostly on CW.  Yours truly was responsible for 670 of those QSOs.

 

Physical GCARES meetings will continue to be suspended due to the coronavirus situation. 

 

Net every Sunday evening at 8PM Local on 146.805, PL 123.  Linked to the TARGET System (Cacapon, WV on 146.745, etc.) but, as of this writing, the Cacapon receiver of our link was not working.  Checking into the MDD net most every evening.  Checked into the Washington County ARES 146.94 net on 25 June.  The monthly Commex (Reisterstown) exercises have been suspended for the summer.

 

==================

 

de HARF County W3YR

 

-  Exercise and training sessions include five weekly nets.

==================

 

de HOWA County N2AWP

 

Convened four routine (weekly) ARES Nets during the month. Actively support Columbia Amateur Radio Association Mid-Week Social Nets, which were started to create another means for area (Howard County and vicinity) amateur radio operators to socialize during COVID-19 pandemic.  Will likely continue the mid-week net post COVID-19 given interested to do so.  Actively supporting on-the-air FLdigi and now also Winlink practice "jam" sessions following our weekly nets.  Overall net participation is up given during the past three months given changes to net procedures to encourage more general participation and interaction.  Continue to support Howard County COAD efforts to muster volunteers to address COVID-19 needs within Howard County.

==================

 

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. Have been suspended due to COVID19.

 

Stated this last month, but worth listing again: A couple of new/updated PRGE Winlink Nodes and Gateways on line now:

 

Steven Keller, KC3DSO, in Lanham, MD is running three nodes. Two are AX25 packet nodes (1200 & 9600) and one Vara FM node. All nodes use tri-band-omni's at 35'. The 2m packet node runs on 145.750, 1200 bps, at 80 watts. The 70cm packet node runs on 440.750, 9600 bps, at 35 watts.

 

The Vara FM node is on 145.650, up to 12k bps at 50 watts.  Both the 70cm & Vara FM nodes use a Kenwood TM-D710A. Band A runs the internal TNC for 9600 over the air packet and Band B runs a Tigertronics Signalink audio card for Vara FM at up to 12kbps.  All three nodes use RMS Packet and RMS Relay for internet outages. 

+++++

Ken La Capria, KA2POX, in Ft Washington, MD is currently operating a Winlink node on multiple frequencies and modes. Software running is RMS Packet, RMS Relay, and RMS Trimode. Packet operates on 145.750 from an Omni antenna at 260’ above sea level at 180 watts TX power. TNC is a KPC3+.

 

VARA FM operates on 145.650 from a 5-element rotatable Yagi at 200’ above sea level 50 watts TX power. The modem is a Tigertronics SignaLink USB.

 

The HF station is at 3589 kHz dial with power of 100 watts. Modes are Winmore, VARA and ARDOP. The modem is a Tigertronics SignaLink USB. The antenna is a trapped 80-meter dipole in NVIS configuration. Stations as far away as Denver CO have connected.

+++++

Jim, WB3KAS, upgraded his 2m RMS to include VARA.  New radio is Kenwood is a TM-V71A.

Packet and VARA both on 145.75, Band B, but not at the same time. Power out is ~50w.

 

5 VHF training nets (6/2/2020, 6/9/2020, 6/16/2020, 6/23/2020, 6/30/2020)

3 Meetings (6/1/2020, 6/13/2020, 6/15/2020)

1 HFHN (6/17/2020)

==================

 

de STMA County N2OMC

 

Held our bi-weekly ARES net at 2000E on 6/11/20 and 5/18/20 on the 147.390 (PL: 123.0) repeater located in Leonardtown, MD. The net on 6/11 was an exercise review and lessons learned from the Red Cross exercise last month. A lot of good feedback and lessons learned; a very successful exercise! The net on 5/18 was used as a planning session for an upcoming Winlink class we are hoping to hold in Lexington Park in July depending on COVID restrictions. A few members of the team participated in Field Day using battery power and sent a Winlink email using RF. The number of Winlink operators in the County will go up once we hold the class! 

==================

 

de WASH County NI2W

 

Stats only.

==================

 

de KA3AHI HFHN

 

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 June 24.  NCS is TBD at the moment. 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 has their work cut out for them to try and hold the frequency.

 

Other Drills and Exercises:

 

Last month I reported out on two upcoming exercises. Regrettably still no traffic received therefore cannot provide any updates.  It wouldn't surprise me that they will be postponed. Stay tuned.

 

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

 

202006 MDC 2006 STM REPORTS

 

MDC NTS NETS:

 

MEPN 2006 W3YVQ QND/30 QNI/443 QTC/37 MINS/561

BTN 2006 AB3WG QND/30 QNI/358 QTC/28 MINS/512

MDD 2006 AA3SB QND/60 QNI/319 QTC/82 MINS/543

MSN 2006 N3AEA QND/26 QNI/91 QTC/15 MINS/434

PSHR: KK3F 150, W3YVQ 135, K3IN 110, AA3SB 100, WB3FTQ 100, AB3WG 94, NI2W 83, N3JET 43; 

TFC: KK3F 2507, WB3FTQ 110, K3IN 71, AA3SB 70, W3YVQ 62, AB3WG 50, NI2W 18, N3JET 15

 

===============

HF PROPAGATION 

 

The MEPN NVIS propagation was functional in June, 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 with a substantial E-layer overhead until sunset at altitude. This effect became worse as we approached and passed the summer solstice. Sunset will now begin to move earlier. 

The MEPN DTS stations continue to provide liaison with the national digital messaging services including DTN and Winlink.

 

MDD: June NVIS propagation for local MDC stations on MDD early and late continued to improve with acceptable prop all month. Early sessions are in daylight, late in dark with MUFs above 4MHz. 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.

 

---

 

PROMOTION OF AMATEUR RADIO

 

Liaison stations are needed daily on the MEPN, BTN, MSN, and MDD, to handle incoming deliveries. It is very important for the new amateur targets of welcoming messages to receive delivery from local hams who can pass on information about getting started, what equipment is needed, where repeaters are and clubs meet, etc. Currently, the majority of this traffic is being delivered by NTS operators on MEPN, BTN, MDD, or MSN. They can not be expected to be up on your local details, and they would prefer not to be going behind the backs of ARES(r) and clubs from far across the Section. The VECs know who the new licensees are, and how to reach them, at least by mailing address if not phone or email. Local hams working with the VECs might help facilitate such contact in the  counties.

 

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

 

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

 

Stay safe and be well during the presence of the Corona virus. You may congregate in any numbers on our nets without masks. Good time to polish up that CW and enjoy some contacts on HF. Summer prop also provides occasional openings on the upper HF bands including 6 meters. If no stations are heard, call CQ.

 

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

 

73, W3YVQ, MDC ASM, STM

w3yvq atsign arrl dot net

w3yvq atsign winlink dot org from WL2K

 

/EX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E48TL2S9