Updated December 31, 2020
Currently two weekly nets are held on the KB1BSS 146.985 Mhz repeater.
The weekly Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) net is not an FCARC club activity, but the FCARC makes its repeater available for this net. The KB1BSS repeater has been determined by the State of Massachusetts and the ARRL to be the best repeater to serve the 2-Meter communications needs for ARES, RACES and Skywarn in Franklin County, MA, due to its location and coverage. Note, Tuesday net time is now 8 p.m.
The weekly FCARC information net, held each Thursday, is less formal and is intended to be an occasion for club members to keep in touch with each other on the air. Net Control Volunteers Needed
If you would like to take a turn as Net Control Station (NCS) for the ARES net, contact Chris Myers, KB1NEK, net manager, at 413-625-0344, or by e-mail, camyers_1@verizon.net.If you would like to take a turn as Net Control Station (NCS) for the Info net, contact Al, N1AW, net manager, at 413-773-3522, or by e-mail, aswoodhull@yahoo.com
ARES 2-Meter Net
Tuesday at 8.00 pm on the KB1BSS repeater, 146.985 MHz, – offset, PL 136.5
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FCARC Informational 2-Meter Net
Thursday at 8.00 pm on the KB1BSS repeater 146.985 MHz, – offset, PL 136.5
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ARES Sunday Morning Nets
HF and VHF
- ARES Western Mass Emergency Net
8:30 am: 3.944 MHz LSB - ARES Hampshire/Hampden/Franklin Net
8:45 am: Mt Tom W1TOM VHF repeater, 146.940 MHz, – offset, PL 127.3
9:15 am: Mt Tom W1TOM UHF repeater, 443.200 MHz, + offset, PL 127.3 - ARES Berkshire Net
9:00 am: Mt Greylock K1FFK repeater, 146.910 MHz, – offset, PL 162.2
RACES Monthly Nets, 1st Monday, or 2nd Monday if 1st Monday is a holiday.
| January 2021 | February 2021 | March 2021 |
| Mon 4 RACES | Mon 1 RACES | Mon 1 RACES |
- 6:45 p.m. – Statewide 75m . Look for the net control station at 3.930 MHz. If net control did not find that frequency free the net will be called higher in the band, up to 3.955. Tune up to find the frequency being used this month.
- 7:00 pm: MEMA Region 3 RACES Net, Mt Greylock K1FFK repeater, 146.910 MHz, – offset, PL 162.2
- 7:30 pm: MEMA Region 3 RACES Net, Mt Tom W1TOM repeater, 146.940 MHz, – offset, PL 127.3
Net Procedures for ARES and FCARC nets on KB1BSS repeater:
Is it your turn to be net control? Nervous about the procedure?
ARES Emergency Net preamble and template.
FCARC information net preamble and template.
If for some reason the scheduled net control operator doesn’t show up, please feel free to ask if someone else is willing to take it. Or go ahead yourself and wing it, even if you don’t have a copy of the formal procedure at hand.
The Snail Net itself is not conducted on the repeater, it is a slow speed CW practice net on the 80 meter band at 8 p.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays. A few minutes before the Snail Net begins the net control station will make an announcement on the KB1BSS 2 meter repeater of the frequency to be used. The usual frequency is 3.532 MHz, but on HF nobody owns a frequency. After the conclusion of the Snail Net the participants usually continue with an informal discussion on the repeater. Anyone is welcome to join.
For general information about the Snail Net click here, and for details of the Snail Net protocol click here.