Active Networks K1FRC uses/checks into
East Coast Amateur Radio Service Net (ECARS) – http://ecars7255.com online. Frequency 7.255 mHz. Net Controllers rotate each hour –
Weekdays. Net begins operation promptly at 7:30am mornings, with a hard stop at 13:30 Eastern for Central Traffic Net 3kc below.
Weekends Net begins @ 0800 Eastern, Secures approximately 1300 depending upon band conditions and how swamped with check ins.
Tune to 7.255 mHz to hear proper net ops/check in procedures. Mobiles/QRP check ins take priority. Membership encouraged, but not
required for participation. See website for membership infos, volunteer as Net Control (membership in good standing required/dues
paid/current) and each year for ECARS officer elections. See “Election Committee” members for details on nominating yourself or
a friend willing to serve. Oct 1-Dec 31 annually (officers) Bi-Annually (2 year positions). Again, see https://ecars7255.com for
details.
Al Williams Memorial Net
Monday – Saturdays two rounds check ins in order by specific call, by region. Frequency 7.228 mHz time 0700-800am Eastern
Sundays – informal roundtable all welcome in no particular order: 0700 Eastern until no further traffic – usually lasts 30 minutes
or less. Remote check ins via N4PIQ online remote (ask net members, Steve, N4PIQ or Dave Heller (Net Control) KA1W Shelton CT
Coffee Net
Monday – Friday 8am Check ins taken in no particular order. Ask Net Control for particulars.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS –
Maritime Mobile Service Net
Hurricane Warn Net
Army MARS
Air Force MARS
Navy MARS (discontinued/folded into U.S. ARMY in 2017 – included former U.S. Marines Signal Corps & Marine Veteran Amateurs )
Frequencies vary depending on each mil. service Signal/Radio Communications official publications promulgated
by SECNAV. See mygov.ArmyMARS.org (Army MARS) mygov.AFMARS.org (Air Force MARS) for general operating procedures and frequencies as promulgated by SECNAV and other authority.
GENERAL INFORMATION (see above links)
MARS members/affiliate stations are subject to DOD regulations regarding Communications security. A piece of advice my Ham volunteers
– DO NOT violate Crypto Security, encryption security, or any other communicaions regulations which apply to stations covered by SECDEF and Army/Air Force regulations by the commanding officer of each branch and the DOD executing officer. While you’ll likely never see truly classified traffic pass through your station, you might handle sensitive messages, and these have special handling instructions, which you will be instructed to handle in according to each service’s official procedures, ordered by the Officer commanding the region in
which you will operate. Trust me. Don’t mess this up. These messages are sensitive enough that the military says basically “Handle
With Care”. otherwise, people are going to get hurt if the info falls into the wrong hands.
Just DON’T. You’ll thank me in the morning.
FREQUENCIES:
Daily 14.300. Start there. Maritime Net. There’s also various nets that alternate on this frequency, Maritime Mobile Net takes total
control when tropical weather/threats to Maritime Shipping/Liesure and possibly Military vessels navigating hazardous waters near
hazardous weather systems/conditions.
SOME SPECIFICS
In the event of expected or occurring Tropical conditions within a watch area, monitor 14.300, also the Hurricane Watch Net
which activates when specific weather warnings/hazards are expected within 24 hours or already occurring. Frequency 14.225 on 20
Meters, see the Hurricane Watch Net online @ https://hwn.org for other frequencies activated as required. Members of Army/Air Force
MARS and general area RACES/ARES managers should coordinate with Army/AF Mars Mgrs for activation and volunteer member support
activities. In the event of tropical WX warnings issued by NOAA/NWS/Navy.mil forecasters for a specific area, early monitoring of
both HWN and MMSN is of importance – but watch for official ARMY/AF MARS emails for possible activation. MIL authorities take
precedence if activated, otherwise WX updates are broadcast by Net Control by HWN on both primary (20 m/days, 40 m/nights with overlap
on both frequencies during critical (early morning/evening hours). Maritime net on 14.300 primarily is used for ships/vessels in
distress, along with regular announcements regarding lost (no contact within 48 hours) vessels and personnel from vessels. These
announcements provide last known coordinates, any known health condition and physical descriptions of people and vessels. Therefore,
while watching for official emails from mil/Mars/ARES/RACES officials, properly licensed Ham/MARS station(in the appropriate
comm circuit) maintain a guard on MMSN on 14.300 USB and only switch to HWN when there is a missing person/vessel report.
Additionally, if there is no official MARS, ARES/RACES net activation by the various organizational leaders, DO NOT SELF ACTIVATE unless
some local call for weather spotters is issued through local media or NOAA/NWS serving your area concerning local severe storm/tornado/
ice or damaging wind conditions that WX officials require the presence of local trained spotters. All others should NOT transmit on
official emergency designated frequencies unless instructed to.
People should seriously take note here, that if an operator is either not an authorized member of Army or AF Mars, not an official with
ARES or RACES or an offically trained “Weather Spotter” through the National Weather Service, all other Amateurs should simply remain
in a safe location and refrain from transmitting on frequencies being used by emergency services. One CAN cause more harm than good,
and it’s likely that well intentioned hams might even violate local law while attempting to be helpful. If your services are
requested, you will be contacted by competent authority BY YOUR CALLSIGN… and that is assuming that you have already joined a
a particular emergency comm organization through Army/Airforce or the Ham service, you volunteered and IF a service needs you.
Otherwise, sit tight and wait out whatever the situation in a safe location and hope for the best. Remember, whatever it is WILL pass,
eventually. Highly trained personnel are on the job to keep YOU safe. If YOU don’t get picked, it’s likely not because you lack
of experience or proper equipment, it’s more likely that even though you’ve trained for ‘this’ (whatever ‘this’ turns out being), the
various organizations who need communications, probably have operating positions and key circuits up, manned and ready. Possibly
already handling important traffic important to safety of life and property.
Again, the proper freuencies will be announced if & when weather or other emergencies force MARS/ARES/RACES officials to coordinate
with local safety officials, formally activate, and order a ‘general callup’. Non military affiliated hams monitor 14.300 and 14.225
20 meters and just stand by until you’re needed, or leave to a place of safety. Let the trained and billited individuals handle this
stuff. Don’t be a hero- just be a good communicator and be available to help where available. Thats it.