[OZAPRS] QRG drift HF APRS

[Ray Wells]

Hi Larry,

I understand that we have net stations but one of them is not on the 
correct frequency by a very significant amount. If we considered 
Australia in isolation we could net to that station and all would be 
fine. However, we are a part of a global 30m network and we must take 
every step possible to ensure we are on the same frequency as the rest 
of the world. On a nightly basis I log (and gate) stations from around 
the globe on 30m. If I shifted my frequency to the net station's 
frequency I would likely not log any of those other stations. That I log 
so many international stations tells me that I'm on (or very close to) 
the international 30m frequency.

If I'm treading on the toes of net stations with my criticism, so be it. 
If they can't (or won't) get it right they should be replaced. The fact 
that most 30m users in Oz are higher in frequency than one net station 
speaks volumes about our confidence in that net station.

I understand that the net stations provide their facility on a 24/7 
basis but so do many other Igate stations.

Ray vk2tv


On 02/07/11 09:45, Larry wrote:
> Hi Ray
>
> You wrote
>
>> I think we need to decide on a reference (net) station that is on
>> frequency and from that known reference, every station would be able
>> to use a waterfall display to net to the reference station. Those
>> simple steps would eliminate most of the frequency error related
>> problems. In fact, if one station was the standard, every other
>> station could, by using a waterfall display, become a pseudo
>> sub-standard - a bit like calibrating meters.
>
>
> The Aus/NZ net stations are already listed at:
>
> http://www.aprs.net.au/hf/hf-net-stations
>
> If everyone took the time to net to these stations then any discussion
> about frequency and drift etc is academic. After all this is why the net
> stations were established. The other discussion about the relative
> accuracy of particular TNCs etc is pointless - I for one have no trouble
> in netting my Igate to VK3MY and leaving it at that - if everyone was on
> the same page then no problem!!
>
> FWIW I do use a DSP TNC on 30m (is handy to capture those off frequency
> sigs) but a soundcard TNC on 40m. Both transceivers are Codan 8528 which
> are rugged and stable - and yes I do calibrate them from time to time
> against a lab standard HP frequency counter. I do not claim any degree
> of accuracy however in terms of actual or supposed carrier frequency - I
> do not seem to have any difficulty in getting heard or hearing others!
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Larry vk5ly
>
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