A group of GMRS/Ham operators from Marina Bay in Richmond formed a committee to continue the monthly net after Karen and Jay Fenton retired from it to pursue other radio projects.
1st Weds 2.0 will be similar to the original but with a bit more flexible format and some new testing and exercises.
This month it is Bay Front's turn to run 1st Weds. Part A, GMRS check-ins begin as before at 11:00 AM after the sirens. Part C ham UHF & VHF check-ins will begin as usual at 1145 hrs on the 4Cs repeater, WA6KQB. Amelia Morgan, WRCX279, will be net control for GMRS; Gary Harris, KO6GXB, for Ham.
Please note there is a Ham Cram session scheduled soon in San Pablo. Technician, General and Extra:
SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH 8:05AM
STUDY SESSION HAMCRAM FOR ALL LICENSE CLASSES
DOORS OPEN AT 7:45 AM – HamCram starts at 8:05 AM
San Pablo Police Dept – Training Facility
2300 EL PORTAL
SAN PABLO, CA 94806
VE Test Session opens at 2:45 PM
Further details and registration at: https://w6sf.org/hamcram-sign-up/
or contact Jeff Miller at: jeffm65@sonic.net
We encourage all GMRS operators to score how well they receive other operators on a Q5 (strong and clear) to Q1 (hear nothing or unintelligible) scale and send your reception reports (spreadsheets, scanned, photographed) to KO6JJE@gmail.com. We will compile the results in a table similar to what KaroEcho has used and publish it, so all can benefit from shared reception reports. (Give us a month or so). THANK YOU to all who have submitted reception reports in January and February.
Eventually we will be publishing new information in a new section on the WCCERG website. Just google "Marina Bay Neighbors" to find us (Give us another month or so).
If you no longer wish to receive emails about the 1st Weds 1100 nets, please email KO6JJE@gmail.com. Conversely, if you know someone who wants to receive 1st Weds 1100 notices, please contact us too. We added three or four operators to the list since the first of the year.
While 1st Weds is centered about "Central" Richmond, El Cerrito, Kensington and San Pablo, all operators, from Oakland to Rodeo are welcome to check-in to practice radio skills and test the range of their various radios and antennas. We even get check-ins from San Francisco and Petaluma occasionally.
GMRS operators north of San Pablo Ridge in 94803 and surrounds, will likely have trouble reaching the central Richmond area by GMRS due to terrain, the low power of HTs and short antennas. We encourage you to check-in on Rob Johnson's 1st Saturday GMRS at 1000 hrs on Channel 15 (and maybe consider a taller antenna or a GMRS-capable mobile radio with up to 50W to extend your reach.)
For GMRS operators who are unavailable at 1100 hr Weds or just want more radio practice, we encourage you to try the new North & East CERT GMRS net, 1st Monday at 1930 hrs on Channel 7.
Best Regards from the 1st Weds 1100 Committee.
In Part A, at 1100, after the Richmond CWS sirens sound, all GMRS and FRS operators will check in with net control on GMRS Ch.15 simplex, 462.550 MHz. [The NCS may substitute alternate Ch.19 simplex, 462.650 MHz, if Ch.15 encounters severe outside interference. If you do not hear the net on either channel, search nearby GMRS simplex channels.]
The WA6KQB three repeaters are tested every Saturday morning, starting with 2m [145.110 MHz) @ 0900, followed by 70cm [444.275MHz] @ 0915 and 1.25m [224.300 MHz] @ 0930; all three repeaters use PL 82.5.