WDN Member Guide

WDN Frequencies

Simplex Night

          The 9:30 PM or Late Session on the 15th of every month is Simplex Night. During this net we DO NOT use the repeaters. We pass traffic by relay on Simplex Frequencies. They are:

Buffalo - 147.540
Rochester - 147.420
Southern Tier - 146.550

VHF THIN (VHF Traffic Handlers Information Net)

          This net is held on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM. Vince, N2JRS will be holding these nets and he will announce what Wednesdays they will be held. This net is an informal net for the purpose of helping stations get answers to their questions about the WDN, traffic and traffic handling. Everyone is welcome to join no matter what your traffic handling experience.

Liaison Policy

          Outgoing traffic will be sent to the outgoing liaison to take to the CW and Phone Section nets. If there is no outgoing liaison, then someone can volunteer to take it. For assigned liaisons and volunteers, if you check into a net as a liaison, Please be sure you check into the net you are going to even if you have no traffic.

WDN Picnic and Coffee Get Together

          We have a WDN Picnic once a year. 2004 was the first picnic we have held after a 3 year sabbatical. Everyone had a good time and we are all looking forward to next year’s picnic in August. In the past there have been quarterly coffee get togethers in different locations in the WDN Net area. Although the coffee get togethers have not been observed lately, that doesn’t say we can’t get something started again.

Contributions

          There are no dues to belong to the WDN and we depend solely on contributions for the picnic and any other expenses the net may have. Any contributions to the net would be greatly appreciated. Contact one of the Net Managers.

Book Traffic

          Any traffic that has common text may be listed as Book Traffic. That way you can save time by sending the traffic to two or more stations at the same time.

Helpful Hints For Net Control Stations

  1. Call the net promptly at the time the net is scheduled to begin. Make sure your watches and clocks are set to the proper time.
  2. Have a good signal and speak loud and clear.
  3. Keep an accurate and complete log of each check-in. Note traffic handled by whom and to whom, incoming destination and outgoing and the number of minutes the net was in session.
  4. Know where net members are located and what traffic they can handle.
  5. Divide traffic among members. If 4 pieces of traffic are listed for Rochester, divide the traffic between the Rochester stations rather than to one station.
  6. Be familiar with the coverage and meeting times of Section, Region, Area and Independent New York State Nets.
  7. Make use of simplex frequencies and alternate repeaters.
  8. Remember, NYS Reps only have ½ hour from the start of the WDN until the start of the NYS net, so clear all outgoing traffic first to these liaisons.
  9. In heavy load times ask liaisons if they would like help.
  10. Excuse all stations not needed about 10 to 15 minutes after the start of the net.
  11. When stations ask to secure at a certain time, if there is no traffic going their way and net business allows, let them secure at the requested time.
  12. In a directed net, don’t allow stations to transmit or carry on a conversation without net control's permission.
  13. After 1 or 2 pieces of traffic have been passed, have a call-up.
  14. Give one last call-up before closing the net.
  15. If the net has been closed, and stations are still off frequency passing traffic, remain listening on the net frequency until they return.
  16. Get net reports to the Net Managers as soon as possible.

Guidelines For Net Members

  1. Be on time.
  2. When checking in, only give the information the Net Control has asked for.
  3. List traffic properly, the destination is given first, followed by the number of messages for that destination: Buffalo 2, Rochester 3.
  4. Call the NCS only if you must. Wait for a call-up (unless an emergency) and then give your call and a short word for the nature of the business. Such as: Info, Query, Relay or Checkout. Under any circumstances DO NOT try to check in or break in while a message is being passed. Wait for a call-up.
  5. Answer Net Control promptly when you are called. Avoid explanations. Just answer the question. Usually a simple Affirmative or Negative is sufficient.
  6. Never transmit without the permission of Net Control, except in an emergency.
  7. Please do not check-in and ask for permission to secure right away. Plan to stay at least 10 to 15 minutes for the net.
  8. Notify the NCS if you must leave the net.
  9. Know the Phonetic Alphabet for Phone nets and "Q" signals for CW nets.
  10. Copy along with the NCS. If the NCS had to leave quickly you would be able to pick up the net.
  11. Have paper and pencil ready to copy traffic if called upon.
  12. Remember receiving station calls transmitting station on the net or when sent off net frequency.
  13. Also, the receiving station "Rogers" the message and sending station sends it back to the NCS.
  14. Keep all personal comments and conversation until the net has closed.

Calling The Western District Net

The call-up procedure for a WDN session should include the following:
  1. Identify the net and yourself (Call and name).
  2. Call for emergency or priority traffic and handle any emergency traffic immediately.
  3. A brief description of when the net meets and what type of net it is.
  4. Special check-in instructions.
  5. Call for Mobiles.
  6. Assigned Liaisons.
  7. Other Liaisons.
  8. Stations with Traffic.
  9. General Call-up.
  10. Net Business.
  11. Close net.

Example of Call-Up

Station and Net Reports

WDN Net Reports

The following is an example of a typical WDN net report. All reports should follow this format and be sent to the Net manager for the session of the net you ran as soon as possible.
ARRL RADIOGRAM
NUMBER
11
PRECEDENCE
R
HX
 
STATION OF ORIGIN
KB2DQ
CHECK
29
PLACE OF ORIGIN
Arcade, NY
TIME FILED
 
DATE
Oct 6
TO:




Telephone No:		Vince N2JRS
Buffalo NY


October
6
WDN/E
STATIONS
20
TRAFFIC
4
MINUTES
23
AF2K
K2AN/I
ULB
KA2BCE
IWK
KB2DQ/N
VVD
KC2GMH
LGL
MQU
KG2D/O
N2JRS
W2MEK
WA2GUP
UKX
WB2IJH
N1MWR
WD8CQB
VA3KKY
VE3MBA
 
   
Tom KB2DQ
Rec'd From:Date:Time:Sent To:Date:Time:
NOTES:

Station Activity Report

Station activity reports are your opportunity to let the Section managers know how busy you are during the month. Send these reports to Bruce Zeller, KA2GJV, Fulton, NY and Scott Bauer, W2LC, Baldwinsville, NY. They would appreciate them no later than the 6th of the following month. You may send these reports as Book Traffic. You must have a minimum of 70 points to qualify for the PSHR section. If you don’t, just send in the Station Activity Report section.
  1. Originated: A message originated by someone other then yourself and filed for initial transmission at your station.
  2. Received: Any message received over the air at your station.
  3. Sent: Any message sent over the air at your station.
  4. Delivered: Any message received at your station and delivered to someone other than yourself. This delivery must be an off air function by telephone, mail, or in person etc.
  5. Total.

Example:

Book of 2
RKB2DQ12Arcade NYOct 6
(Break)
SEPTEMBERTRAFFICORIGINATED0RECEIVED
3SENT2DELIVERED1
TOTAL6
(Break)
Tom KB2DQ
(Break)
NR 15Scott W2LCBaldwinsville NY
(Break)
NR 16Bruce KA2GJVFulton NY
End of Book

Public Service Honor Roll

Example:

Book of 2
RKB2DQ21Arcade NYOct 6
(Break)
SEPTEMBERTRAFFICORIGINATED0RECEIVED
42SENT16DELIVERED0
TOTAL58PSHR4040
1013000TOTAL
220
(Break)
Tom KB2DQ
(Break)
NR 15Scott W2LCBaldwinsville NY
(Break)
NR 16Bruce KA2GJVFulton NY
End of Book
International Third-Party Traffic
US amateurs may handle third party traffic with:

V2...Antigua & BarbudaC5...GambiaOA...Peru
LU...Argentina9G...GhanaDU...Phillippines
VK...AustraliaJ3...GrenadaVR6*...Pitcairn Is.
V3...BelizeTG...GuatemalaV4...St. Christopher/Nevis
CP...Bolivia8R...GuyanaJ6...St. Lucia
T9, E7...Bosnia-HerzegovinaHH...HaitiJ8...St. Vincent and the Grenadines
PY...BrazilHR...Honduras9L...Sierra Leone
VE...Canada4X...IsraelZS...South Africa
CE...Chile6Y...Jamaica3DA...Swaziland
HK...ColombiaJY...Jordan9Y...Trinidad & Tobago
D6...ComorosEL...LiberiaTA...Turkey
T1...Costa RicaV7...Marshall IslandsGB...United Kingdom
CO...CubaXE...MexicoCX...Uruguay
H1...Dominican RepublicV6...MicronesiaYV...Venezuela
J7...DominicaYN...Nicaragua4U1VIC...VIC, Vienna
HC...EcuadorHP...Panama4U1ITU...ITU, Geneva
YS...El SalvadorZP...Paraguay 

Notes: * Since 1970, there has been an informal agreement between the United Kingdom and the US, permitting Pitcairn and US amateurs to exchange messages concerning medical emergencies, urgent need for equipment or supplies, and private or personal matters of island residents.

Please note that the Region 2 Division of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has recommended that international traffic on the 20 and 15-meter bands be conducted on the following frequencies:

The IARU is the alliance of Amateur Radio societies from around the world; Region 2 comprises member-societies in North, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.

At the end of an exchange of third party traffic with a station located in a foreign country, an FCC licensed amateur must transmit the call sign of the foreign station as well as his own call sign.

Western District Net - Historical Highlights
(Compiled from the WDN archives)

June 15, 1976The first session conducted by founder and Net Manager, Don Partis, WA2AIV, on 146.640 repeater at 9:30 PM.
September, 1978WB2KHT becomes Training Manager, N2AOB Records Manager.
March 1, 1979N2APB appointed ANM, WB2KHT and N2AOB leave respective positions.
May 1980N2APB appointed new Net Manager as WA2AIV resigns.
August 1980KG2D appointed Assistant Net Manager.
October 1980WDN "Simplex Night" established, last Sunday of each month.
January 1981Traffic Handlers Information Net (THIN) starts.
May 1981WB2OWO appointed new Assistant Net Manager replacing KG2D who resigns.
August 16, 1981First WDN Picnic, Letchworth State Park.
August 22, 19816:30 PM Session established; now two sessions daily.
January 1, 1982WDN "Honor Roll" established (Top 10 Check-ins each month).
April 1982KA2GOH appointed Simplex Night Manager, WB2IDS and KA2GOH co-managers of THIN.
September 1, 1982KC2QQ (ex-KA2GOH) appointed new Net Manager as N2APB resigns.
October 1982N2ABA becomes Simplex Night Manager, WB2PID and KC2QQ become co-managers of THIN as WB2IDS resigns.
February 26, 1984NCS KA2QIK breaks old record of 45 with 52 check-ins at 6:30 session with unusually high traffic volume as a direct result of K2GXT (R.I.T.) Valentine Massacre.
April 1, 1984WDN/Morning Session established at 11:00 AM.
August 4 1984WB2OWO appointed Net Manager as KC2QQ resigns.
September 2, 1984KA2QIK appointed Assistant Net Manager.
November 23, 1984KA2QIK resigns as Assistant Net Manager; replaced by KA2DQA.
January 1, 1986KA2DQA resigns as Assistant Net Manager.
April 1, 1986N2ABA appointed new Assistant Net Manager.
May 17, 1986N2EVG becomes new Simplex Night Manager.
December 31, 1989WB2OWO retires as Net Manager, N2ABA resigns as Assistant Net Manager.
January 1, 1990N2EVG appointed Net Manager; WB2OEV becomes new Simplex Night Manager.
August 1990WB2OEV becomes Assistant Net Manager.
April 1, 1992AA2CX appointed new NM as N2EVG resigns; AF2K becomes ANM and Simplex Night Manager.
January 1, 1994N2GUN becomes new ANM and Simplex Night Manager as AF2K resigns.
June 1, 1994AA2CX and N2GUN both resign. New Net Managers established:
 WDN/Morning      AF2K, NM      K2BCL, ANM
WDN/Early           ND2S, NM      AA2ED, ANM
WDN/Late            WI2G, NM 
August 1, 1994WI2G resigns as WDN/L NM, WB2DYJ appointed new WDN/L NM with N2TOY new ANM.
April 1, 1995WB2OWO resigns as THIN Coordinator.
May 1, 1995N2JRS becomes new WDN/E Net Manager as ND2S resigns.
June 15, 1996WDN Observes 20th year of continuous operation and enters third decade.
August 1, 1996KB2TIY appointed WDN/L Net Manager as WB2DYJ resigns; KB2UQZ becomes ANM.
N2TOY becomes new VHF THIN Manager.
July 1, 1998WB2UQZ (now W2GUT) appointed WDN/L NM as KB2TIY resigns.
July 1, 1999KB2VVD appointed WDN/M NM as AF2K resigns.
July 28, 2001KA2IWK appointed WDN/M NM as KB2VVD resigns.
July 1, 2004KB2DQ appointed WDN/L NM as W2GUT resigns.
May 1, 2007WDN/M and WDN/E cease operations. KA2IWK and KB2DQ resign and N2JRS continues as NM.

146.640 and WDN Origins

The Western District Net was the brainchild of Bart Bridge, W2ZYQ. In 1973, a group met at the home of Allen Capwell, WA2GVM, Sheriff of Wyoming County and made plans for a new repeater. Bart was a Commercial Sales Manager for General Electric radio systems, and obtained a reconditioned GE Mastr II repeater which was donated to the Western District Office of NY Civil Defense, now the State Emergency Management Office. W2ZIA/R (now WA2CAM/R) was activated on 146.04/64 in October, 1975.

Since the original meeting in 1973, the philosophy was, and continues to be of a state-owned repeater, tested daily and available to public service agencies in the Western District as a backup to government communications.

By the summer of 1976, I had eight years of operating with the NYS CW Traffic Net, NY State RACES Net, and Navy-Marine Corps MARS. While operating during the Hurricane Agnes disaster in 1972, I had heard some really terrible procedures. I realized that the amateurs of Western New York needed some training in handling messages and now there was a means for doing so.

As the RACES Radio Officer for Western District, and with a repeater owned by New York, there was no one to tell me I couldn't use 15 to 30 minutes to run a net. I called the first session of the WDN at 0133Z, June 15, 1976. The net began running Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 0130Z for liaison with NYS, and had continually increasing attendance. On August 9, 1976, the WDN became a daily net and has continued to grow, train operators and serve the public ever since.

Except for my two sons, I am most proud of having created the WDN.

Don Partis, WA2AIV







© Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
Created by Vincent R. Harzewski
coffee cupWeb page designer powered by caffeine!coffee cup
This file was last updated 28 October 2007.