THE COFFEE MUG NET

Net meets every Saturday at 9:00 PDST / 16:00Z on 7185 KHz.

All Radio Amateurs are welcome to check-in!

For more info contact:

Charles - KW6G  or  Neil - K2AMF

The Coffee Mug Net was started in 1958 when a small group of ham friends needed to establish a venue to communicate with a member's daughter who was starting college and thus living away from home for the first time...Since they had been casually meeting on 40 meters for some time, it was an obvious selection for their weekly QSO's with the each other and the college student.  

In those days the Net was done using AM and the frequency was set with a crystal controlled transmitter on a frequency of 7285 KHZ.  Following the graduation of the member's daughter, the Net continued to operate, but migrated to SSB.  Over the years the group naturally grew as many more hams stopped by regularly to participate and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and conversation.  During those days, a formal typewritten roll call and roster was developed and distributed via US Mail (a.k.a. 'snail mail') among the regular members.  One member went so far as to handcraft ceramic coffee mug QSLs for the regular check-ins.  Thus the name 'Coffee Mug Net' was adopted.

Today, we like to think we have one of the few remaining 'classical' socially based ham radio Nets....That is to say, our purpose is to just gather at a specific time and place and participate in a casual conversation or information exchange that is moderated using an organized protocol.

The major things that have changed since the Net's inception are as follows:

1.  We still have a roll call and roster, but instead of using a typewriter and snail mail, we use a software supported spreadsheet and e-mail.  We also have this website to disseminate information.

2. We now use several webSDR's to overcome difficult band conditions when necessary.  This cuts down significantly on the need for on the air relays.

3.  We no longer issue ceramic mug QSL's.

The Coffee Mug Net however, still consists of 2 formal sessions:  

1. A roll call session where by the designated NCS will go through the current roll call, visitors roll call, and call for any new visitors who might want to join in the days 'conversation'.

2.  A round table session in which the NCS goes through the list of Amateurs present based on (1) above.

During that session, an operator is free to talk about anything he/she wishes, within the normally accepted scope of good Amateur Radio practice (i.e. no religion or politics).

Following the conclusion of (2), the formal Net is closed and the frequency is returned to "normal amateur use, whatever that means".

Members and visitors  are then free to talk with anyone they desire and about anything they desire...In other words a free formatted un-moderated round table.

Please stop by some Saturday morning and say hello!