WEEKLY NET TRAINING TOPICS
Mondays, 7:00 PM
Pelahatchie Repeater: 145.390, 77 tone

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January 1, 2024:
ARRL ARES Link http://www.arrl.org/ares
Our CM ARES Quick Check List lists our specific training requirements and can be found here.
Central Mississippi ARES Training Quick Check List

January 8, 2024:
This link gives complete instruction, from beginner to experienced operators, on passing traffic on a radio net.
Amateur Radio Traffic Handler Training
The following two videos, courtesy of the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club, demonstrate the creation and passing on a net, of a Radiogram message.
How to Compose a Radiogram - National Traffic System - Not that scary Pt.1
How to Compose a Radiogram - National Traffic System - Not that scary Pt.2

January 15, 2024:
Getting To Know Your Radio -- Training: KNW-115 http://msares.com/training/KNW-115.pdf
Choosing A Radio For Emergency Communications -- Training: KNW-140 http://msares.com/training/KNW-140.pdf

January 22, 2024:
Another MS ARES required skill is preparing a 24hr deployment kit. Here are some ideas that will help. Some of the material is a little dated but there are a number of links with great information.
Putting the Go in Go-bag
Go-Kit-Checklist

January 29, 2024:
Two videos from Dave Casler introducing and showing you how to install and use Andeson Powerpole connectors. Also a MS ARES required skill.
Dave Casler on Powerpoles 1
Dave Casler on Powerpoles 2

February 5, 2024: The ICS Organizational Structure
http://msares.com/training/KNW-164.pdf

February 12, 2024:
ICS-213 Form & Instructions ICS-213 Form & Instructions
Basic Messaging Review Including ICS-213 Basic Messaging Review Including ICS-213

February 19, 2024: ICS Resources and Facilities
http://msares.com/training/KNW-165.pdf

February 26, 2024: Organization of the Incident Command System
http://msares.com/training/KNW-166.pdf

March 4, 2024: Where we fit in ICS
http://msares.com/training/KNW-167.pdf

March 11, 2024:
Instructions for filling out a Radiogram Filling out a Radiogram
Blank Radiogram form (fillable online) Radiogram Form

March 18, 2024:
Every member should be using Winlink to practice sending and receiving messages. Even without any digital capability on your radios you can still use the software using Telnet (the Internet) to send and receive messages within the Winlink system. It will be one of the backbones of EMMCOMM traffic passing.

What Is Winlink? What Is Winlink?

Ham Operator Rick Frost K4REF has a great series on setting up and using Winlink and fldigi (NBEMS) software using a Signalink sound card. MS ARES standard modem software for use with HF is VARA HF (VARA FM is used for VHF). This link gives the most current version of Winlink Express as well as a link to the current VARA download page. Winlink and Vara Links
Short Tutorial On Setting Up And Using VaraHF With Winlink Software Setting Up And Using VaraHF With Winlink

Fldigi (NBEMS) free suite of software is the current standard for quick group communications over either VHF or HF frequencies. Rick Frost K4REF has a playlist of videos on YouTube that will give details on downloading and setting up the NBEMS package. His videos are located here: NBEMS - fldigi

Many of his videos are linked in other parts of our web page but this is his complete video YouTube page. A wealth of knowledge here
K4REF Videos K4REF Videos

March 25, 2024:
ARRL Power Point Presentation on the various digital modes. Great reference. ARRL Digital Power Point
Amateur Radio HF Digital Communications (another power point). Digital HF Communications Power Point
ARRL HF Digital Page. Lots of reference material. ARRL Digital HF Page

April 1, 2024:
US Amateur Radio Bands
Color Chart of US Amateur Radio Bands
About Band Plans from the ARRL
More Details on Band Plans from the ARRL

April 8, 2024:
This link gives complete instruction, from beginner to experienced operators, on passing traffic on a radio net.
Amateur Radio Traffic Handler Training
The following two videos, courtesy of the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club, demonstrate the creation and passing on a net, of a Radiogram message.
How to Compose a Radiogram - National Traffic System - Not that scary Pt.1
How to Compose a Radiogram - National Traffic System - Not that scary Pt.2

April 15, 2024:
ICS-213 Form & Instructions ICS-213 Form & Instructions
Basic Messaging Review Including ICS-213 Basic Messaging Review Including ICS-213

April 22, 2024:
There are a number of ways to accomplish soldering a PL-259 on coax. This is a demonstration of one way of doing that. This is a required demonstratable MS ARES skill.
Soldering a PL-259
Here is a demonstration of using the crimp and solder method to attach a PL-259 to coax
Crimp and Solder a PL-259

April 29, 2024:
Antennas are a favorite subject of mine. Another of the MS ARES required tasks is building a simple dipole antenna.
Here is Dave Casler on building a simple and inexpensive dipole.
Dave Casler on building a simple dipole
Dave Tadlock has been the inspiration for many of my antenna projects. Here is a more in-depth look at dipole and inverted V antennas.
Dipole and inverted V basics - Dave Tadlock

May 6, 2024: We are not recommending any particular brand of battery. The info here holds true for these types of batteries no matter the seller.
Presentation on Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries by Bioenno
Bioenno Power Presentation with owner Kevin Zanjani
Choosing a Battery for HAM Radio
Choosing a Battery for HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe

May 13, 2024:
ICS Basis
http://msares.com/training/icsbasis.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEASV6jYJtE

May 20, 2024:
Skywarn Storm Spotter Training:
Online Skywarn Storm Spotter Basic Course.
Skywarn Basic Spotter Course
A link from the National Weather Service about the Skywarn program.
Skywarn Info from the National Weather Service
The Central MS ARES Group has Skywarn Liaison personnel that will make sure any storm reports get to the National Weather Service when our emergency net is active.
How to Report Severe Weather
For those new to ARES or those wishing to brush up on their Skywarn training, here is a group of videos from the Norman, OK ARES group.
Skywarn Storm Spotter Videos from Norman, OK ARES

May 27, 2024:
Hurricane Checklist https://www.national-hurricane-center.org/hurricane-awareness/hurricane-checklist
Hurricane Awareness https://www.national-hurricane-center.org/hurricane-awareness

June 3, 2024: 2023 ARRL Field Day is June 24 and 25
What is Field Day? http://msares.com/training/What is FD.pdf
More info at: http://www.arrl.org/field-day
ARRL Field Day Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohZW7aCJDps

June 10, 2024: 2023 ARRL Field Day is June 24 and 25
2023 ARRL Field Day Portal https://field-day.arrl.org/
2023 Field Day Packet https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2023/2023%20Field%20Day%20Packet%20v1.pdf
2023 Field Day Safety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIUqr3tMpU
2023 Fleld Day Q&A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjFzpQiK3g
2023 Field Day Radiogram Bonus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55r-dRZ21kw

June 17, 2024: 2023 ARRL Field Day is June 24 and 25
2023 Field Day Rules & Planning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJksl714pIU
2023 Field Day - Basic Training http://www.arrl.org/field-day-basic-training

June 24, 2024: Public Service Events
http://msares.com/training/psv101.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHxNOMGSwAI

July 1, 2024:
What is Net Control? -- Training: NET-102 http://msares.com/training/NET-102.pdf
Tactical Calls -- Training: NET-105 http://msares.com/training/NET-105.pdf

July 8, 2024:
Wide Area Communications Outage -- Training: NET-109 http://msares.com/training/NET-109.pdf
Operational Stress -- Training: KNW-143 http://msares.com/training/KNW-143.pdf

July 15, 2024:
Simulated Emergency Test - S.E.T. -- Training: EME-114 http://msares.com/training/EME-114.pdf
Repeater Etiquette and Insights -- Training: KNW-163 http://msares.com/training/KNW-163.pdf

July 22, 2024:
ARE YOU READY? -- Training: KNW-102 http://msares.com/training/KNW-102.pdf
Basic Communication Skills -- Training: KNW-103 http://msares.com/training/KNW-103.pdf

July 29, 2024:
This link gives complete instruction, from beginner to experienced operators, on passing traffic on a radio net.
Amateur Radio Traffic Handler Training
The following two videos, courtesy of the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club, demonstrate the creation and passing on a net, of a Radiogram message.
How to Compose a Radiogram - National Traffic System - Not that scary Pt.1
How to Compose a Radiogram - National Traffic System - Not that scary Pt.2

August 5, 2024:
Operating At Your Next Event -- Training: NET-106 http://msares.com/training/NET-106.pdf
How to Sound Like An Expert Operator -- Training: KNW-160 http://msares.com/training/KNW-160.pdf

August 12, 2024:
Instructions for filling out a Radiogram Filling out a Radiogram
Blank Radiogram form (fillable online) Radiogram Form
ICS-213 Form & Instructions ICS-213 Form & Instructions
Basic Messaging Review Including ICS-213 Basic Messaging Review Including ICS-213

August 19, 2024:
Knots useful for Ham Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fT8N0jWO5A
Ohms Law for Normal People - in 5 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVDsKJTDfUw

August 26, 2024:
Minimizing RF Interference:
WE are killing the amateur radio bands, and here is how to fix it RFI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQzmMOJvFfc
Power Line Noise On Your Ham Radio? How To Find AND Get it Fixed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtDJpq8UIGo

September 2, 2024:
Parks on the Air POTA:
Parks on the Air POTA Sponsored How-to Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@ParksOnTheAir/videos

September 9, 2024:
Digital Voice Modes:
ARRL Presentation on Digital Voice Modes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_AXCrgzhQA
Ham Radio Digital Modes Comparison - DMR, DSTAR or YSF? P25 or NXDN?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBYjPkXJFa8

September 16, 2024:
VHF Repeaters and Digital Voice Hotspots:
What is a Repeater in Ham Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StC5rkZfQWQ
What is a Ham Radio Hotspot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN-HA0eSRhA

September 23, 2024:
Ham Radio Propagation and VOACAP:
Understanding HF Propagation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y_RTdPs3NI
Propagation Prediction with VOACAP.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ5FlcvQxPI

September 30, 2024:
Using Antenna Analyzers:
Using Antenna Analyzers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FzWhRFhEc

October 7, 2024:
Antenna Modeling with MMANA Software:
Introduction to Antenna Modeling - MMANA-GAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgBcYy6kwWs
Model to make a Dipole in Software - MMANA Antenna Modeling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMBQiFAvcRo
Easy Modelling Your First Antenna in 5 Minutes - Vertical Antennas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxedmw0dfjg

October 14, 2024:
Building an End Fed Halfwave HF Antenna with Steve Ellington:
EFHW Antenna --- Building The Transformer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sty7RlXQoJI
Winding a transformer for End Fed Half Wave Antenna -- EFHW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ceZNjM-7g4
Steve Ellington's video library on building and testing EFHW antennas: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=steve+ellington+efhw

October 21, 2024:
Near Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) Antennas:
Near Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) Antenna: https://w6af.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/The-NVIS-Antenna.pdf
A Practical NVIS Antenna for Emergency or Temporary Communications: https://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/instructions/wp-nvis-rev3.pdf

October 28, 2024:
Understanding Coax Cables for Ham Radio:
Understanding the Differences Among Types of Coaxial Cable: https://www.onallbands.com/coaxial-cable-guide-understanding-the-differences-among-types-of-coaxial-cable%EF%BB%BF/
Coaxial Cable Characteristics : http://www.hamuniverse.com/coaxdata.html
What Coax do I use? 4 Tips to choosing the RIGHT coax for Ham Radio : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSvjpbIJWCs

November 4, 2024:
ARRL Emcomm Course
EC-001 Emergency Communications (Course Transcript)
Drop Box Files

November 11, 2024:
Incident Command System (ICS):
ICS: Basis
KNW-164 The ICS Organizational Structure
KNW-165 ICS Resources and Facilities
KNW-166 Organization of the Incident Command System
KNW-167 Where We Fit In ICS

November 18, 2024:
FEMA Shelter-in-Place Guidance
2021 MEMA Emergency Guide

November 25, 2024:
Weather / SKYWARN:
Central Mississippi ARES Storm Report Guide: Storm Report Guide
National Weather Service Storm Spotter Training Book: Book
Storm Spotter Cloud Identification Chart: Cloud ID Chart
Online Skywarn Storm Spotter Basic Course.
Skywarn Basic Spotter Course

December, 2024:
Installing and operating Winlink Express and VARA HF:
https://www.msares.com/digital/digital.html#1

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