For me, the long wire I have strung up about 40 feet in the air works great for 80M nets. Not so much for distance but adequate for the regional nets that I can check in daily. There are several “characters” in the PNW that frequent these nets – each friendly and helpful. It is worth getting to know them as you frequent all of these social and check-in nets. Here are a few:
0800 DAILY: The DIPSEA NET. 3.940 This is a social net. They ask for call signs and create a list. When it is your turn, you can talk about anything. (They call it “bloviating”). The regulars check into this net twice a day – at 0800 and 1600. Prior to the DIPSEA NET, at 0700, is the Christian Radio Fellowship Net with many of the same people.
1130 DAILY: The NOONTIME NET. 3.970 This is a mix of a check-in and social depending on the number of check-ins and how chatty net control is. From 11:30 to 12:00 are early check-ins. Just jump in with your call sign. At noon, they call for check-ins, usually by suffix, in some orderly fashion while noting the early check-ins.
1800 DAILY: The COLUMBIA BASIN NET. 3.960. This is a check-in net of mostly Oregon and Washington stations. However, there are a few California, BC, and Idaho ones mixed in. Net control calls “roster members” by city first and then visitors (around 1830). You have to check in 10 time during a calendar month to get on the roster. So far, K1KRT is the only Anderson Island station on the roster.
1900 DAILY: NW COUNTRY COUSINS. 3.968 This net is similar to the Dipsea net with a lot of the same folks. However, to be called a “cousin” you have to check in a certain number of times on the same day of the week. Then you have to write an essay which is read over the air. Fun! They call for members first and then visitors later on. It is a two-hour net.
2100 TUESDAY NVIS NET. 3.943 This is an evolving and fast-growing net begun by Mike and Key members but open to all, of course. They call for check-ins first and then there is discussion time about radios, antennas, etc.
There are 80M nets organized by OMISS and others. These tend to cover a greater area and I have not had much luck checking in with my 100 watts and a wire. I have better luck with the 40M and 20M nets when I want greater distance. Netlogger is the best way to discover these nets.
