Life's Lessons Part 4 APRN Goals

Life's Lessons Part 4

I have enjoyed sharing with you this series of post on how and why the APRN was born and I hope you have enjoyed getting to know just a little about me and how this all happened. Next, I want to share the main goals we have here at the APRN and coming soon I will try to share some of the plans we have in the works to help accomplish the goals listed here.

The goals of the APRN

1. To have established nets run at least 3 nights per week

2. To help educate people that are either new to Ham radio or that are just learning what Ham radio has to offer them.

3. To demonstrate just how functional Ham radio is for communications needs with no grid support at all and also just how versatile the hobby can be with very limited grid support.

4. To be prepared to assist with any need for communications during an emergency or disaster, and to be on the air to help provide communications in the event of a failure of the grid supported forms of communication.

5. To help with educating people of the importance of being prepared to provide for themselves in the event of any type of emergency, rather it be a natural disaster or a man made event that would disrupt the way we live or normal lives.

This is just an outline of the major goals of the APRN and while there may well be more in the future, this will give you some idea about why we are here. If anyone here reading has any ideas or suggestions please use the email contact on the right side of this page.
73 for now
W4DMH
Dave aka Santa
Copyright © 2009 www.w4dmh.com

Tuesday Night APRN net

The American Preppers Radio Net takes to the air tonight at 2359Z (UTC)

Lee K4USS has informed us that the net tonight will be on the 80 meter band at 3.961 for the first part of the net. Lee has been very busy installing new antennas for the 40 meter band and will move the net to the 40 meter band immediately after closing the 80 meter net.  The 40 meter move will go to 7.198 as soon as we wrap up the 80 meter net.

A lot of people liked the 40 meter net but it has been very unkind to us recently so with a little luck and some people to make the move just maybe we can get that band to work for us again. Everyone that can do 40 meter please come join the net tonight and help us out with this test run to see if all the antenna work Lee has done pays off.

The topic for tonight will be How to Survive an Economic Meltdown.

Thursday Night 80 Meter Net

The 80 Meter net is on for tonight so come join in at 0100Z (UTC) at 3.961 or 3.983

There will be an announcement tonight about something that may interest people so we will go for a round of comments and see what others think. 

The second round for comments will again be a OPEN MIC round like last week. Get your notes out and go over them and see if there is anything we have talked about that you would like to ask questions of other members or just comment with something you have learned on that topic.

Hope to see you on the air tonight once again remember to tell a friend and come join the fun.

40 Meter net turns 80 Meter net out of necessity.

The Tuesday Night 40 Meter net turns 80 Meter net out of necessity on the fly. Lee K4USS took to the air on 40 meters at 2359 Z on Tuesday night for the APRN 40 Meter net. Well folks if you were not there you missed it as Lee took the 40 meter net and multiplied it by 2 and we ended up on 80 meter. Lee has tried very hard to get the ripples work out for the 40 meter net but they just keep coming back even stronger.  With several weeks of giving it his all on 40 it was the straw that broke the camels back as once again 40 meter shut the net net down in record time.


The net was quickly moved to 80 meter at 3.983 and the net came back to life there. Those that were watching on Netlogger (which by the way is a free download on the left sidebar of this page) saw the change in the almost instant messenger window and knew exactly where to go.


The topic for the net was WHAT TYPE OF DISASTERS DO YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR IN YOUR PARTICULAR AREA.

To all our regulars that missed us please note that the Tuesday night net will now be at 2359 Z (UTC) on 3.961 or as a alternate 3.983 so make a note and please do come and join us at the new location next week.

40 Meter net with Lee K4USS

The American Preppers Radio Net 40 meter version will come to life again tonight at 2359Z (UTC) as Lee K4USS once again takes to the air. Folks the 40 meter band has been ruff and tuff for us so don't be surprised if Lee lets us know something new for the Tuesday night net. Rumor has it that there may be some changes in the works by Lee. So everyone please come and join in on the fun and keep your ear to the speaker for any clues as to what may be happening on Tuesday nights for the future.

Net controls for the APRN are free to do what ever they want to do with the net on there night. (almost anyway)  I have been told by a reliable source that Lee has some top secret plans for his night on the air and it is possible we may be clued in on what they are tonight. I sure hope his plans don't include going underwater for the net. Keep in mind he did spend time on subs during his Navy days.

Come one come all and please do tell a friend to come join in

80 Meter net for 9-24-09

I hate to do this but the 80 meter net for tonight is canceled. I will be back next week so please do come back and join us. The net had to be sacrificed due to a paying job tonight that will interfere with the time the net is done. I hope everyone understands this and comes and joins us next week same time same place as usual.



Let me remind everyone we are looking for Operators to do Net Control for this very reason.

73 All

W4DMH

Santa

80 Meter net results for 9-17-09

Another great net tonight. They just keep getting better every week as we grow. The topic tonight was Gardening and trust me folks every one had something to add to the discussion. We had a variety ranging from a 130 acre working farm to people doing Square foot gardening due to space limitations.

We have set a new distance record for the 80 meter net tonight with a check in from Iowa to here in West Virginia. By the map it sure does look like roughly half way across the country to me. As winter approaches look for us to reach even greater distances on a regular basis.

Thank you all that take part in this net, because without you it would not be possible. The 80 meter net proves again to be a winner.
73 to all
W4DMH
Santa

Check in list

W4DMH ... WV ... Dave... Net Control

N8BIT/P... MI... Dave

N8TAH ... OH ... Kevin (using his roof for his antenna)

W4SQL ... SC ... Landy

KD4OWY ... AL... Nathan

AC8EM ... OH ... Mike

KD8KWD ... WV ... John

AI4JA ... SC... Gary

AC0BG ... IA... Dean (A distance record for the 80 meter net)

KD8HDP ... MI... Justin

There you it have as we put the wraps on another one.

QSL UPDATE!!!!!!

Ok, the first batch of QSL cards is on it's way to the Post Office to go out Tuesday!!!! Many thanks to Randy KB3IFH for his quality work!!!!
If you have not received one our cards in a week or so after you have checked into a net or heard us on Shortwave or Global Tuners, please click the link and send out a RST and we'll send out a card!!!!
Shortwave listeners, we really want to hear from you!!!!!
All the Hams that have checked in, THANKS and keep on checking in as the topics will change from week to week!!!!

80 Meter net results for 9-3-09

Well folks....The 80 meter net for Thursday 9-3-09 started real rough as the noise level here was high...Staying persistent does pay off....The topic for tonight's net became Alternative energy at the last minute...Here is the truth of how that happened...I have been swamped the last few days dealing with several issues for the APRN.....So I totally dropped the ball for a topic for this net....My apologies to all for that....This topic came out during check ins as one of the stations announced he was totally on solar power for the net....Folks it don't get no better than this.....The wonderful world of Ham radio is always full of surprises....I have been amazed at the quality of our nets....It seems every week we have at least one or more new people joining to our nets.....This week has been no different with a lot of regulars returning as well as several first time check ins that seemed to enjoy and have some fun....I see no need to do a list as the google map says it all.
73
W4DMH
Santa

Ham Radio = Preppers?

It's a little like Rum & Coke, Coffee & Donuts, Fred Astair & Ginger Rodgers... Ham Radio & Preppers seem to go together very well.

The concept behind Prepper(ism), of being self-sufficient, independent, and prepared to function with, or without outside support, is a definition that neatly applies to aspects found in Amateur Radio.

Prime example...the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. With vast regions of the Gulf Coast losing it's normal communication infrastructure, Ham Radio operators sprang to action, filling the gap, providing vital communications. And they did it with their own radios, antennas, generators, time & talent. They did it because THEY CAN.


"Prepperism" is a concept with many applications, but it boils down to a tinkerers philosophy... freedom is sustained when you can build it, grow it or fix it yourself, and the ranks of Amateur Radio is FILLED with those who take that concept to heart.

Scratch a Ham Operator and you'll find a 'Prepper inside.
'73 KI4HEE

American Preppers Radio Net

American Preppers Radio Net Has now posted the Net Schedule on the top of the page. We will update this as needed. You will be able to find us on three nights on different bands for now.
We are still looking for stations to join us and help with relay and Net Control for the American Preppers Radio Net
73 W4DMH Dave

Ham Radio's Ability for World Wide Communication

I was just on the 10 meter band playing and made a 5/9 contact with EA1ABT Luis in Spain I just wanted to post this for people that are not familiar with how great Ham Radio is. 100 Watts and a vertical antenna and able to talk to Spain like he is sitting in my shack. Preppers should all consider this wonderful hobby for it's ability to communicate with THE WORLD
UPDATE: I just looked in the log book and this is my first 10 meter to Spain. The distance between us was 3,732 miles talk about long distance

Test Net's for American Preppers Radio Net

American Preppers Radio Net will be conducting test sessions on different days and bands as we can get operators interested in helping conduct these test. I will post the times and frequency's on this site. Please contact me for more info. or leave a comment if you are interested in helping with this. American Preppers Radio Net welcomes any and all suggestions or comments you may have.

God Bless from the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
Santa

American Preppers Radio Net and your Call Sign

by 'Santa(Dave W4DMH)

A question was asked to me by someone who wishes to remain anonymous, but here's what they asked, and my answer to them. I've also replaced a name of a Web site they've mentioned, at their request, with the word BLANK - 'Santa

Question:
How do you handle the prepper people who want to participate, but who might not want their call sign posted on the website because they made contact with us?
They continue...
For example - I know that I've promoted the new preppers radio net over on BLANK , as there are a ton of amateur radio guys there - there is a whole thread dedicated just to amateur radio. But I also know that most of those guys, because they post about preps and opinions and stuff...are not about to tell everybody their call sign due to the ease of looking up and getting info on their name and where they live.

I haven't disclosed my call sign to anyone on the BLANK either, for the same reason. I just don't want every person I don't know on BLANK, including who knows how many trolls, having the ability to look me up.
Thoughts?

My Reply:

You have asked a very good question, but I'm not sure I can give you the answer you may be looking for.

Consider Amateur Radio as a giant party line... anyone can listen in. There is no privacy when you talk on the public airwaves.



ABOVE: Can you believe it? I've heard he still uses a CB RADIO!

We also use a program called NETLOGGER during the net, that sends the data across the Internet for anyone to see who also has that program. This is a very common practice in Ham radio. Also, most nets do publish lists of the check ins as a common practice. If you Google my call sign W4DMH, you'll find about 14 pages listed.

A persons Ham Call sign, something that is even more unique than a persons actual name, IS by it's nature, a publicly known identity.

BUT...if you check in to ANY net, unless you mention that you blog, or that you post on a forum under "such n' such" name, then NOBODY would know who you are on the computer. So I fail to see why everyone worries so much about it.

I've gotten probably 50 emails from people saying they are hams but they will not check into the net because that links there call to prepping. Well...my answer to them is, while it's sad for you to feel that way but SO WHAT?

As I see it, if you are emailing me telling me that, you must want to come "out of the closet" anyway. Please consider that as long as we hide in the shadows, the only people that will know who we are is the .gov people. This fact alone is what will stop us from being a voice able to effect change...like we preach for other people to do. I for one know the .gov people know who I am, and they are the ones that I worry about more than any one else. I am personally proud of the fact that I consider myself a Patriot and a Prepper and since the .gov people already have my IP address I may as well stay public as everyone that knows me also knows that I am not suicidal so a strange accidental death would seem suspicious.

Gee...I hope that helps and does not scare you off. We need all the help we can get. As I say it is sad that people feel they need to hide.
Santa

PS:
To take this a little farther I want everyone to know I refuse to hide in the shadows like a scared puppy dog with my tail between my legs. I will continue to live free as this nation intended for me to do. If they come and take me away then so be it because my worries will be over and my pain gone. If you are a true Patriot I would think you would feel the same. The word PREPPER or PREPPERS is new but this way of life has been around a lot longer than people think. If you are a PREPPER you should be proud of the fact that you have done what you could to be more self reliant just as my Irish Immigrant Grand Parents did. This is not a new way of life it is just a new word to describe a very old way of life. I am not saying that you should post a list of everything you have but to be afraid of admitting you have an interest in learning about the new word PREPPER or PREPPERS to me seems to go against every thing I have ever stood for.

When you check in to our net with your call sign that is the only thing you are admitting to. That you have an interest to learn more about this new word PREPPER. If we truly believe in teaching people to be more self reliant and less dependent on outside help than we most also be willing to stand in the forefront of this movement and not hide behind some name on a computer lurking in the shadows while we preach how we all need to stand up and teach people how to live a better life and help return this country to what it once was. I refuse to hide and if that means that they will come for me first than so be it. My name is all I have when it really comes down to it because if I don’t pay taxes everything else is gone.

My rant is over...and I guess you now know how I feel about this topic. By the way, Santa is really my nick name and what most people call me but if you want to see what I look like at least in December and you want to know who I am it is easy enough to look my call sign up on qrz.com. I am not busting my butt to get this net going to toot my horn people I am doing it because I feel very passionate about being able to communicate with people like me in the event the grid goes down or whatever. If the Internet is gone where the hell are you going to turn to for communication... No grid No Internet = no cell phone as well.
73 Dave W4DMH

OK I REALLY AM DONE WITH MY RANT NOW
God Bless from the Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
Santa