Questions And Answers!

Q & A

Probably one of our most asked questions: What is a 2m Simplex and or a CH3 Station?

Answer - A 2m Simplex and or a CH3 Station is ANY licensed radio op that can act as a local area "NCS" for people around them via:

2m Simplex and or FRS/GMRS (Channel #3) radio for non-licensed radio listeners.

"How To" check-in your 2m Simplex and or a CH3 Station

All you have to do is when ask for any area 2m Simplex and or a CH3 Station, during our 147.320 Net (Part #2) is give "YOUR" last three letters of your call sign. (This will be logged in as your 2m Simplex and or a CH3 Station Name)

Then just give the total number of check-ins you had per band; we DO NOT need any other information about your check-ins BUT we do ask that "you" do keep your own Net Log just for your information.

(BUT this is left up to you to do or not)

Example

2m Simplex and or a CH3 Station Name: "CRD"

Number of Check-ins:

146.520 - 3

146.420 - 2

GMRS CH3 - 2

Q&A

Question - Why, does the "NCWEN" use so many different Radio Modes?

Answer - It's all about "RF" Propagation and Solar Weather!

"RF" is always changing, so we use both Voice and Digital Radio Modes for the changing conditions. Even withg using "NVIS" we will and do have times where we are not able to make contact with other stations over "Voice" and this is where Digital modes shine and are the most accurate way for station contacts to be made, nbo matter the condition...

Q&A

Question - What is the best way to describe what the "NCWEN" is all about?

Answer - "Grid-Up" With your "smart" phone and or the Internet: your able to Call, Text and or email when it's working?

"Grid-Down" The "NCWEN" uses different Radio Modes to be able to do the same things when the grid goes down. We use Voice mods like we were talking to someone; we use JS8CALL for short massaging similar to Texting; we use Winlink for emailing and best of all we use VarAC to be able to "ALL" things using one mode.

VarAC is our Main Digi Mode

With JS8CALL & Winlink as our backups.

In other words - We practice when the Grid is up, for when the Grid goes down...

Q&A

Question - GMRS vs FRS???

Answer - FRS and GMRS radios share 22 channels, with channels 1–14 usable by FRS without a license and channels 15–22 reserved for higher-power GMRS use requiring an FCC license.

Channel Allocations and Power Limits

• Channels 1–7: Shared FRS/GMRS simplex channels; FRS radios are limited to 2 watts, with GMRS radios up to 8 watts, with having the added ability to add an aftermarket antenna for better coverage.

• Channels 8–14: FRS-only channels; maximum output 0.5 watts, no license required.

• Channels 15–22: GMRS channels; allow higher power (up to 50 watts for mobile installations), can be used with repeaters. Repeater input channels are also included in this range, limited to 5 watts output. Operating on these channels requires an FCC GMRS license

FRS - GMRS Frequencies Link - cma-ca-712efc_nc.pdf 

The "NCWEN" Project uses: FRS/GMRS channel 3

This is because of the AmRRON CH3 Program that's in place Nationwide

CH3 Program Link: CH3 Project | AmRRON