Portland NET Wiki - User contributions [en]

Communicating with Other Teams

2024-10-02T05:22:22Z

BSchafer: Added period

* To prepare to make a direct contact with another team,
*# Use your team’s FRS/GMRS standard channel number to look up the new Portland NET simplex UHF frequency in the Amateur Radio 70 cm band for your team in the table below. If you’re not sure which FRS/GMRS channel your team uses, [https://pbem.link/net-team-map this map].
*# Using the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]], identify the 70cm frequency that corresponds to your team’s FRS/GMRS channel. The frequencies in the table are not the FRS/GMRS frequencies, they are Amateur Radio frequencies in the 70 cm UHF band that you can use to communicate with amateur radio operators on other teams or perhaps members of your own team.
*# During and exercise or deployment you can propose direct communication with another team using the protocol described below.
*# Note that the table gives an “alias” for each of the frequencies and indicates the channel numbers where the frequencies can be found in the new Multnomah County ARES templates. Make note of the alias for your frequency and consider using a memory channel if you have programmed your radio using one of the new templates.
*# Using a channel number is not required, however, because you can select VFO mode on your radio and select the simplex frequency directly.

* If you wish to make direct contact with another team, wait for a pause in the communication on your regional subnet and give your tactical call sign.
* Be prepared for the possibility that another operator in your region will request a direct contact with you on a particular UHF frequency and accept that request if possible.
* When the subnet controller recognizes you, use something like the following script:
*# You: I would like to make direct contact with <tactical call sign for another station that has checked in>
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>. What frequency do you propose to use to make that contact?
*# You: I propose to use <Frequency from the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]]> which is known as PNTMxx in the 2023 MCARES templates. [PNTM is an abbreviation for Portland Net TeaM. xx is a reference to the two digits in a particular channel alias.]
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>
*# SNC: <Other tactical call sign> Are you prepared to move to the proposed frequency and make contact with <Your call sign>
*# Other station: Affirmative Net Control. I understand that I should go to <proposed frequency> when you release us.
*# SNC: That is correct. <Your call sign> and <Other call sign> please transition to <proposed frequency> and make contact if possible. After successfully or unsuccessfully trying to do so, please return to this frequency and check back in.
*# You: <our FCC call sign> as <your tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
*# Other station: <Other station’s FCC call sign> as <their tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
* Proceed to the UHF frequency you proposed and after a brief pause, hail the other station using their tactical call sign followed by your tactical call sign. Note that UHF propagation can be different from VHF propagation so you may not hear the station as well as you did on your regional VHF frequency.
* If the frequency is already in use, return to your regional VHF frequency, report the problem and request advice on what frequency to use.
* Other teams may want to use the same frequency as you have chosen so keep your transmission power to a minimum. If the other operator reports they can hear you well, reduce your power and ask for another signal report. Help the other operator do the same thing.
* Keep your communication as brief as possible because you are risking missing important information being sent to you from the Portland EOC via your regional subnet.
* After successfully or unsuccessfully making contact, give your FCC call sign followed by the proword “clear”,
* Return to your regional VHF frequency and check back in using your tactical call sign.

Communicating with Other Teams

2024-10-02T05:20:52Z

BSchafer: Added paragraph about using minimum power

* To prepare to make a direct contact with another team,
*# Use your team’s FRS/GMRS standard channel number to look up the new Portland NET simplex UHF frequency in the Amateur Radio 70 cm band for your team in the table below. If you’re not sure which FRS/GMRS channel your team uses, [https://pbem.link/net-team-map this map].
*# Using the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]], identify the 70cm frequency that corresponds to your team’s FRS/GMRS channel. The frequencies in the table are not the FRS/GMRS frequencies, they are Amateur Radio frequencies in the 70 cm UHF band that you can use to communicate with amateur radio operators on other teams or perhaps members of your own team.
*# During and exercise or deployment you can propose direct communication with another team using the protocol described below.
*# Note that the table gives an “alias” for each of the frequencies and indicates the channel numbers where the frequencies can be found in the new Multnomah County ARES templates. Make note of the alias for your frequency and consider using a memory channel if you have programmed your radio using one of the new templates.
*# Using a channel number is not required, however, because you can select VFO mode on your radio and select the simplex frequency directly.

* If you wish to make direct contact with another team, wait for a pause in the communication on your regional subnet and give your tactical call sign.
* Be prepared for the possibility that another operator in your region will request a direct contact with you on a particular UHF frequency and accept that request if possible.
* When the subnet controller recognizes you, use something like the following script:
*# You: I would like to make direct contact with <tactical call sign for another station that has checked in>
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>. What frequency do you propose to use to make that contact?
*# You: I propose to use <Frequency from the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]]> which is known as PNTMxx in the 2023 MCARES templates. [PNTM is an abbreviation for Portland Net TeaM. xx is a reference to the two digits in a particular channel alias.]
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>
*# SNC: <Other tactical call sign> Are you prepared to move to the proposed frequency and make contact with <Your call sign>
*# Other station: Affirmative Net Control. I understand that I should go to <proposed frequency> when you release us.
*# SNC: That is correct. <Your call sign> and <Other call sign> please transition to <proposed frequency> and make contact if possible. After successfully or unsuccessfully trying to do so, please return to this frequency and check back in
*# You: <our FCC call sign> as <your tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
*# Other station: <Other station’s FCC call sign> as <their tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
* Proceed to the UHF frequency you proposed and after a brief pause, hail the other station using their tactical call sign followed by your tactical call sign. Note that UHF propagation can be different from VHF propagation so you may not hear the station as well as you did on your regional VHF frequency.
* If the frequency is already in use, return to your regional VHF frequency, report the problem and request advice on what frequency to use.
* Other teams may want to use the same frequency as you have chosen so keep your transmission power to a minimum. If the other operator reports they can hear you well, reduce your power and ask for another signal report. Help the other operator do the same thing.
* Keep your communication as brief as possible because you are risking missing important information being sent to you from the Portland EOC via your regional subnet.
* After successfully or unsuccessfully making contact, give your FCC call sign followed by the proword “clear”,
* Return to your regional VHF frequency and check back in using your tactical call sign.

Communicating with Other Teams

2024-10-02T00:44:09Z

BSchafer: Updated link to GIS map

* To prepare to make a direct contact with another team,
*# Use your team’s FRS/GMRS standard channel number to look up the new Portland NET simplex UHF frequency in the Amateur Radio 70 cm band for your team in the table below. If you’re not sure which FRS/GMRS channel your team uses, [https://pbem.link/net-team-map this map].
*# Using the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]], identify the 70cm frequency that corresponds to your team’s FRS/GMRS channel. The frequencies in the table are not the FRS/GMRS frequencies, they are Amateur Radio frequencies in the 70 cm UHF band that you can use to communicate with amateur radio operators on other teams or perhaps members of your own team.
*# During and exercise or deployment you can propose direct communication with another team using the protocol described below.
*# Note that the table gives an “alias” for each of the frequencies and indicates the channel numbers where the frequencies can be found in the new Multnomah County ARES templates. Make note of the alias for your frequency and consider using a memory channel if you have programmed your radio using one of the new templates.
*# Using a channel number is not required, however, because you can select VFO mode on your radio and select the simplex frequency directly.

* If you wish to make direct contact with another team, wait for a pause in the communication on your regional subnet and give your tactical call sign.
* Be prepared for the possibility that another operator in your region will request a direct contact with you on a particular UHF frequency and accept that request if possible.
* When the subnet controller recognizes you, use something like the following script:
*# You: I would like to make direct contact with <tactical call sign for another station that has checked in>
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>. What frequency do you propose to use to make that contact?
*# You: I propose to use <Frequency from the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]]> which is known as PNTMxx in the 2023 MCARES templates. [PNTM is an abbreviation for Portland Net TeaM. xx is a reference to the two digits in a particular channel alias.]
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>
*# SNC: <Other tactical call sign> Are you prepared to move to the proposed frequency and make contact with <Your call sign>
*# Other station: Affirmative Net Control. I understand that I should go to <proposed frequency> when you release us.
*# SNC: That is correct. <Your call sign> and <Other call sign> please transition to <proposed frequency> and make contact if possible. After successfully or unsuccessfully trying to do so, please return to this frequency and check back in
*# You: <our FCC call sign> as <your tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
*# Other station: <Other station’s FCC call sign> as <their tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
* Proceed to the UHF frequency you proposed and after a brief pause, hail the other station using their tactical call sign followed by your tactical call sign. Note that UHF propagation can be different from VHF propagation so you may not hear the station as well as you did on your regional VHF frequency.
* If the frequency is already in use, return to your regional VHF frequency, report the problem and request advice on what frequency to use
* Keep your communication as brief as possible because you are risking missing important information being sent to you from the Portland EOC via your regional subnet.
* After successfully or unsuccessfully making contact, give your FCC call sign followed by the proword “clear”,
* Return to your regional VHF frequency and check back in using your tactical call sign.

Communicating with Other Teams

2024-10-01T19:20:17Z

BSchafer:

* To prepare to make a direct contact with another team,
*# Use your team’s FRS/GMRS standard channel number to look up the new Portland NET simplex UHF frequency in the Amateur Radio 70 cm band for your team in the table below. If you’re not sure which FRS/GMRS channel your team uses, [https://pdx-net.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?layers=6af29d86a7a54278a27ba113a7a1a87f click here for a map].
*# Using the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]], identify the 70cm frequency that corresponds to your team’s FRS/GMRS channel. The frequencies in the table are not the FRS/GMRS frequencies, they are Amateur Radio frequencies in the 70 cm UHF band that you can use to communicate with amateur radio operators on other teams or perhaps members of your own team.
*# During and exercise or deployment you can propose direct communication with another team using the protocol described below.
*# Note that the table gives an “alias” for each of the frequencies and indicates the channel numbers where the frequencies can be found in the new Multnomah County ARES templates. Make note of the alias for your frequency and consider using a memory channel if you have programmed your radio using one of the new templates.
*# Using a channel number is not required, however, because you can select VFO mode on your radio and select the simplex frequency directly.

* If you wish to make direct contact with another team, wait for a pause in the communication on your regional subnet and give your tactical call sign.
* Be prepared for the possibility that another operator in your region will request a direct contact with you on a particular UHF frequency and accept that request if possible.
* When the subnet controller recognizes you, use something like the following script:
*# You: I would like to make direct contact with <tactical call sign for another station that has checked in>
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>. What frequency do you propose to use to make that contact?
*# You: I propose to use <Frequency from the [[Frequency Tables#UHF Frequency Table - Frequencies in the 70 cm Amateur Radio Band|UHF Frequency Table]]> which is known as PNTMxx in the 2023 MCARES templates. [PNTM is an abbreviation for Portland Net TeaM. xx is a reference to the two digits in a particular channel alias.]
*# SNC: Roger <Your tactical call sign>
*# SNC: <Other tactical call sign> Are you prepared to move to the proposed frequency and make contact with <Your call sign>
*# Other station: Affirmative Net Control. I understand that I should go to <proposed frequency> when you release us.
*# SNC: That is correct. <Your call sign> and <Other call sign> please transition to <proposed frequency> and make contact if possible. After successfully or unsuccessfully trying to do so, please return to this frequency and check back in
*# You: <our FCC call sign> as <your tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
*# Other station: <Other station’s FCC call sign> as <their tactical call sign> clear this frequency.
* Proceed to the UHF frequency you proposed and after a brief pause, hail the other station using their tactical call sign followed by your tactical call sign. Note that UHF propagation can be different from VHF propagation so you may not hear the station as well as you did on your regional VHF frequency.
* If the frequency is already in use, return to your regional VHF frequency, report the problem and request advice on what frequency to use
* Keep your communication as brief as possible because you are risking missing important information being sent to you from the Portland EOC via your regional subnet.
* After successfully or unsuccessfully making contact, give your FCC call sign followed by the proword “clear”,
* Return to your regional VHF frequency and check back in using your tactical call sign.

Check-in and Check-out Procedures

2023-10-17T18:36:37Z

BSchafer: Removed some spaces

=== Choosing Regional Subnets ===
Choose frequencies corresponding to two or more VHF simplex regions based on this map. Also make note of a backup UHF frequencies in case there is interference on the VHF frequencies.
Propagation is more important than exact location so you may want to start by briefly listening on two frequencies and choosing the one that has the clearest signal. There is a chance, however, that propagation won't be symmetric so that a subnet controller that you can hear clearly may not be able to hear you well and vice versa for the other subnet. In that case, you might have to try one and then the other. Don't give up if neither seems to be working well, however, because after the main check in, the controller will usually ask for one of the stations already checked in to ask for additional check ins from those who are having trouble hearing or reaching the controller.

Things to worry about later: The subnet controllers tend to vary from one exercise or deployment to another and sometimes their equipment will change. So, the best region to check into may vary from one exercise to another. It may also vary based on whether you’re checking in from home or from your team’s staging area. If you find two regions that work equally well, you could break the tie by choosing the one used by teams that adjoin your team geographically.

=== Checking into a Regional Subnet ===
Make sure that your radio is not using an offset because you will not be using a repeater. Use a tactical call sign to check in. FCC call signs should only be used at the end of a communication.
During simplex exercises, your tactical call sign should be your NET team name followed by a number. If your net team name is long, choose an abbreviation. Example: “South Heights 1.” If you hear someone else check in with your chosen tactical call sign, change the number, e.g. “South Heights 2.”

During citywide deployment exercises and actual deployments, your tactical call sign should be your team name or an abbreviation of it. You do not need to add a number as there should only be one ARO representing a team at a time.
After the subnet controller recognizes you during the check in, give your FCC call sign and say the word “Out” as it is the end of that communication. “Out” doesn’t mean you’re turning off your radio; it means you don’t expect a reply

The subnet controller may have trouble hearing some operators. If you hear a station that the controller doesn’t acknowledge, wait for a pause, say the word “Relay” and wait to be told to go ahead. If the subnet controller has requested that relays be held until requested, follow the subnet controller’s instructions

=== What to do if you have trouble checking into a subnet ===
You can try another subnet frequency if you like. If you don’t have an alternate frequency or it appears that the frequency for your region is in use by others you can call or text Bruce at 503-332-4666 for advice.

f you are still not successful, please send an email to BruceSchafer1@gmail.com so he can help you do some troubleshooting in the days after the exercise.

=== Checking out of a subnet ===
When your subnet controller asks you to do so, check out from your subnet. Respond with your FCC call sign and the proword “Out” or “Clear.”*
* “Out” means you don’t expect a response.
* “Clear” means you don’t expect a response and you are leaving the frequency.

=== Checking into the Resource Net ===
Listen to MC-2 for the Resource Net. Subnet Controllers will be asked to check in first, so wait for the Resource Net operator to ask you to check in. The general check ins will probably be in alphabetical order by callsign suffix. Check in using your FCC call sign using the ITU spelling alphabet . Once you have checked in and been released by the Resource Net Controller, you can transition to your regional subnet.

Note: While you are waiting for your call sign suffix to be called, you may want to use the Reverse button on your radio occasionally to check to see if there are operators near you who are not reaching the repeater. If you hear someone trying to check in while you are on reverse but don’t hear them without reverse, they are not reaching the repeater. You have the option of offering a relay by using the proword “Relay”. ''Be sure and turn off the reverse feature before doing so.''

=== Reasons for Resource Net ===
Here are some of the reasons that resource nets are used during exercises and actual deployments.

(1) Keeping track of amateur radio operators to help assure their safety and to determine their availability to assist in the deployment.

2) Keeping track of resources such as radio capability (e.g., bands, power) and availability (e.g., power supply, mobility).

(3) Sharing updated information as people become available during an exercise or emergency. Examples would include frequency changes and changes in organization.

(4) At the beginning of an actual emergency there would likely be no amateur radio operators at ECC to operate the radios and it could take an hour or more to staff the radio room with operators. The Resource Net can be operated from nearly anywhere in the Portland area -- less so if the MC-2 repeater is down but still in a variety of places.

=== Additional Information About the Resource Net ===
The protocol is to use MC-12 if the MC-2 repeater is down. Not only is MC-12 simplex but it uses the output frequency of the MC-2 repeater. This has a couple implications:

# If the repeater is down and we don't remember that the alternate is MC-12 we can perhaps remember that it is the same frequency without an offset and turn off offset on our radios to access the Resource NET in simplex mode.
# We can't practice on MC-12 because if we did so, we would be conducting simplex conversations on the output frequency of an active repeater and would conflict with anyone using the repeater (who may not be able to hear our simplex conversations).
Details of MC-2 and MC-12
* MC-2 and MC-12 are references to Channels 2 and 12 in the [https://multnomahares.org/resources/frequency-lists-and-radio-programming-templates/ Multnomah County ARES frequency templates].
* MC-2 gives access to a repeater owned and operated by the [https://www.wb7qiw.org/ Hoodview Amateur Radio Club]
** The repeater's output frequency is 147.280 MHz
** The transmit offset is +600 KHz
** The PL Tone is 167.9 Hz
* MC-12 is a simplex channel to be used only when the MC-2 repeater is not operating
** The frequency is 147.280 MHz.
** Note that operating on MC-12 is operating the output frequency of the MC-12 repeater.

=== Regions ===
Please choose a subnet according to your location. A map of regions can be found at www.tinyurl.com/pnet-simplex-map. If an exercise starts with a Resource Net the frequency for each region will be given by the Resource Net operator. If an exercise does not include a Resource Net, try the standard frequency for your region. If you don’t hear anything, try another region or check the backup UHF frequency for the region. Here are the names of the simplex regions:

* Alameda North
* Alameda South
* Columbia
* New Northeast
* Outer East
* River North
* River South
* Southeast
* Westside

=== Checking Into a Regional Subnet ===
Tune your radio to your regional frequency. Make sure that your radio is not using an offset because you will not be using a repeater. Once you’re satisfied you’re on the correct frequency, listen for the subnet controller. After some preliminary remarks, he or she will call for check-ins. Remember to check-in using your tactical call sign as described above. FCC call signs should only be used at the end of a communication.

Wait for the regional subnet controller to call for check ins. When check-ins are requested, provide your tactical call sign. When controllers recognize you they may ask for additional information. You should provide your tactical call sign, the requested information, your FCC callsign, and the word “Out”. Out” doesn’t mean you’re turning off your radio; it means you don’t expect a reply. For example if your SNC may ask you for your first name and the names of the NET teams or neighborhoods you represent. You could respond with something like, “Net Control, South Heights, name is Jake. I represent Portland South Heights and Jake Creek NET. This is KK7PDX Out”.

The subnet controller may have trouble hearing some operators. If you hear a station that the controller doesn’t acknowledge, wait for a pause, say the word “Relay” and wait to be told to go ahead to assist with the relay. For more information see Relaying During Radio Communications.

=== What To Do If You Have Trouble Checking Into Your Regional Subnet ===
The strength of simplex communication will vary from exercise to exercise and operator to operator based on factors like location, elevation, available transmission power and sensitivity and selectivity of receivers. Note that there are many combinations of these factors in a region including a subnet controller who may be in a different location and team AROs in varying locations depending on who is available and the nature of the exercise or deployment. This unpredictability of simplex communication means that you and the other operators must be ready to ask for and provide relays. There are at least two cases to consider.

# ''Net Control cannot hear you.'' Other stations may offer to provide a relay. If Net Control gives them permission to do so, they may ask you for more information, which you should provide. If no station offers to provide a relay, consider increasing the transmit power of your radio or moving to another location, wait for a pause in the communication, and repeat your tactical call sign in hopes that someone will offer a relay or that propagation has improved enough to allow Net Control to hear you. Do not repeat your call sign often as you may unintentionally interfere with other stations that you cannot hear. If you are still not heard, consider moving to another subnet by changing frequency or going back to the Resource Net for advice.
# ''You cannot hear Net Control.'' You may want to wait for several minutes in case another operator in your region offers to repeat the announcement or request from Net Control. You may also want to consider moving to another location (B). If you still cannot hear Net Control or a relaying station, consider moving to another subnet by changing to its frequency or going back to the Resource Net for advice.

Operating Simplex

2023-04-06T22:07:02Z

BSchafer: Took out space

''Memory Mode.'' If your radio has been programmed with a Multnomah County ARES 2021 template, your regional frequency will be stored in one of your radio’s memory locations. See the tables on the previous pages for the channel number.

''VFO Mode.'' In some cases the simplex frequency for your subnet won’t be programmed into a memory location on your radio. So, you’ll need to put your radio into VFO mode. This is sometimes done by tapping a V or VFO button. On many radios there’s a V/M button that will cause the radio to alternate between VFO mode and Memory Mode. Once you’re in VFO mode, you should be able to select any frequency by either turning a knob or pressing up and down arrows, depending on which radio you’re using. Some radios allow you to enter a frequency on a keypad.

''Band.'' When you shift to VFO mode you may find that your radio is on the wrong band. For example, for this exercise we’ll be using frequencies in the VHF 2-meter band which start with 144, 145, or 146 or 147. If you find your radio displays a frequency that starts with 440 or something similar your radio is on the UHF 70-cm band. Most radios have a Band button that allows you to tap until you get to the desired band.

''Squelch.'' When you’re using a repeater, you almost always want your squelch set high enough so your radio audio is automatically turned off when there’s no signal. Doing so is easier on your ears and your brain. When you’re operating simplex, however, the incoming signal may not be strong enough to “break the squelch”. For this reason, it is often best to turn down your squelch one or more notches so that you hear weak signals and rather than suppressing them. The downside is you will hear obnoxious noise when there is no signal. While doing so will be harder on your ears, having your squelch turned down makes it more likely you’ll hear weak signals, and with some luck and persistence decipher what the other operator is saying.

''Power.'' For this exercise, you probably want to set your radio on high power to maximize the chance that the net control operators and other operators will be able to hear you. During an actual deployment however, operating on high will drain your radio’s battery more quickly than low or medium power. So, when we once again have a chance to practice from our staging areas, we should try communicating at lower power settings, especially when we are communicating with operators on our own team or teams nearby.

''Location and polarization.'' If you are using a handheld radio, your exact position can make a big difference in how well you will be able to hear and be heard. If you don’t hear the control operator well, try moving your position including whether you are standing or sitting, how you are holding the radio*, where you are in your home, etc. You may even need to go outside if weather permits. Note that your best position relative to the Resource Net operator may be quite different from what works best relative to your Subnet Controller.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Holding your radio so its antenna is vertical will usually produce the best results.