On Monday, February 26th, at 8:00 p.m. a new net will begin. This net will be called the ARES Tactical Net. Its purpose will be to provide a very easy and enjoyable way for new radio amateurs to start using their radios. This net is planned for the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month. It will not occur on significant holidays.

The primary goal will be to provide a place for CERT volunteers to move their ham radio skills to the airwaves. But all new or inexperienced hams are very welcome.

Of course there will be discussion of emergency nets, how they run, what you want to say to them, and how you convey information from shelters or other places during an activation. But there will also be discussions of how to hold the microphone, how to increase the distance you can reach with a handheld, etc.


One of the neatest parts of the FCC rules for Amateur Radio Operators is to ‘get on the air and talk.’ They also refer to this talk as “unimportant” and of “no consequence.” Sounds like me on the air. But there is a very deep importance to this directive! If you get on the air and go “blah blah blah,” when Rhode Island needs you, you’ll be prepared and comfortable with your radio!! Hopefully everyone can remember this directive and have a good time. That’s also why it’s great to overhear conversations on repeaters that are absolutely unimportant and of no significance whatsoever. It means that hams are working hard on the FCC directive.

Perhaps we can attain this lofty directive and also sneak in a few pointers and helpful hints as we go along.

Steven Hodell (KA1RCI) has enthusiastically endorsed this new net and has offered his repeaters for this effort.

We will start with the following repeaters:

147.075 positive offset with a PL tone of 67.0
for access Portsmouth

441.350 positive offset with a PL tone of 103.5
for access Providence

All ARES members who consider themselves to be mentors (I think that’s everybody) are also welcome to monitor the net and to participate. This will also be a great opportunity to try out some net control skills.

Another internet site to follow on this matter is http://www.arrlri.org/ . Thanks to Mark (W1EOF) for keeping us informed on this site.

Finally, not all new hams will receive this e-mail. Please forward this note to those who can benefit from getting on the air for the first time.

Also glad to answer any questions along the way.

73s

Bill (W1VH) W1VH@cox.net