The
40 meter band is an amateur radio frequency band, spanning from 7.125
to 7.300 MHz for Extra license holders and 7.175 to 7.300 MHz for
General license holders in the United States for voice
communications. Forty meters is considered one of the most
reliable all-season long distance communication bands and is most
useful for inter-continental communication. The 40 meter band
is
many ham's favorite band as it is always open somewhere.
During
the summer daytime distances of 300 to 400 miles and nightime distances
of 1,000 miles is very common. Winter days with distances of 500 miles
or more are usual and night time conditions bring DX (intercontinental
communications). This band is shared with short-wave
broadcast
from countries outside of North America. Between these
interfering signals a ham with a reasonable station can work stations
worldwide if he can find a clear spot! The forty meter band
is
not as affected by the sunspot cycle as the 20 and 10 meter bands are.
Many nets frequent the 40 meter band both day and night.
In
amateur radio, a "net" is an on-the-air gathering of amateur radio
operators. Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific
frequency, and are organized for a particular purpose, such as relaying
messages, discussing a common topic of interest, emergencies, or simply
as a regular gathering of friends for conversation.
Below are some of my favorite nets that I check in to or are a member
of.
The
United States Traffic Net
The
United States Traffic Net operates 7 days a week. USTNET is a
Worked All States and awards type net. You do not need to be
a
member to check in to The United States Traffic net. View the
net
schedule on the The United States Traffic Net website at http://ustaw.net
The
Rare Ones of New Orleans
The
Rare Ones of New Orleans is a forty meter group of local guys that can
be found on 7.275 MHz on most nights around 1900 CST right out of
historic downtowwn New Orleans. Check out their website at https://therareones.net or
better yet, tune in and say hello to Big John and the guys. Hey, they
got some of them good old Cajun recipes on their website for you,
too. Make some contacts with the Rare Ones and earn your Rare
Ones of New Orleans Associate membership. "They all ask'd for
you."
The
Old Mans International Sideband Society
Old Man #14497 at your service!
The
Old Mans International Sideband Society is a forty meter net
that
can be found on 7.185 MHz at 0100 hrs UTC daily. The Old Mans
International Sideband Society is a group of amateur radio enthusiasts
who have been operating on the General Amateur bands since
1981.
Visit their web page at https://www.omiss.net,
chat with the guys, join the Net, and get yourself an "Old Man"
number! Membership in the Old Mans International Sideband
Society
is only TEN BUCKS for a lifetime membership! You won't be
disappointed.
The
Treasure Coast Net
Loitering
around the frequency of 7.153 MHz you'll find the Treasure Coast Net, a
group of amateur radio operators from Canada to Florida's east coast
meeting daily at 0800 hrs Eastern Time. You can
find out
all about the Treasure Coast Net fellas on their website at https://www.tc7153.com.
Stop in and join them on forty meters and say hello!
The
RV Service Net
The
RV Radio Network is an association of amateur radio operators who share
an interest in Recreational Vehicles. You'll find information
about RV rallies, hamfests, radio nets, and other activities of
interest on their website at https://www.rvradionetwork.com.
The RV Service Net can be found on 7.264 MHz at 1900 hrs Central Time
Sunday through Friday.
The
East Coast Amateur Radio Service Net
The
East Coast Amateur Radio Service Net gathers daily on 7.255
MHz.
Weekday operations run from 0730 to 1400 hrs and weekend operations run
from 0800 am to 1200 hrs, East Coast time. Learn all about
the
East Coast Amateur Radio Service at their website at http://www.ecars7255.com.
The East Coast Amateur Radio Service Net also has a Swap and Shop net
each Wednesday from 1100 to 1200 hrs. Membership is the East
Coast Amateur Radio Service Net is only a measly three bucks per year,
or $30 for a lifetime membership! I'm Member # 30849!
The
Caribbean Amateur Radio Society Net
All
the way from Jamaica, Mon! I stumbled on this net one
afternoon
scrolling on the dial in the forty meter band. My first
contact
from Jamaica was Errol (6Y5EH) in Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica,
Mon! You'll likely find these guys on 7.195 MHz, 365 days a
year. The Caribbean Amateur Radio Society has check-ins from
Canada to the Florida Keys and their website is here at https://grenadaamateurradio.blogspot.com
The
Good Old Boys Net
Good
Ole Boys Net is a is a nice bunch of folks that meet on the 40 meter
band everyday except Sunday, at 1700 hrs Eastern Time. All
licensed amateur radio operators are welcome to check in. Y'all stop by
and check in and chew the rag with the Good Old Boys.
The
Chit Chat Net
The
Chit Chat Net was established to promote Ham Radio. Join the
Chit
Chat Net on 7.207 MHz on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 1000 hrs
Eastern Time. Learn more about the Chit Chat Amateur Radio
Net at
https://groups.io/g/ChitChatNet.
The
Tarheel Emergency Net
The
Tarheel Emergency Net is a directed net and is the North Carolina High
frequency Amateur Radio Emergency Services net. The purpose of the
Tarheel Emergency Net is to provide communications during emergencies
such as hurricanes. All radio amateurs are invited to participate in
the Tar Heel Emergency Net nightly at 1730 hrs Eastern time on 20
meters. The Tarheel Emergency Net operates mainly on 20
meters at
2.923 MHz. Should that band be congested or drop out, the
alternate frequency is 7.232 MHz on 40 meters. The 40 meter frequency
is activated only when needed. The ARRL Tarheel Emergency Net
web
page is here https://www.ncarrl.org/nets/THEN/index.html.
The
Waterway Net and Cruising Club
The
Waterway Radio and Cruising Club Net is an association of amateur radio
operators who also share an interest in recreational boating.
The
Waterway Net begins daily at 0745 hrs Eastern Time on 7.268 MHz and
runs for about an hour. The main purpose of the Waterway Net
is
to encourage amateur radio communications to and from boats with an
emphasis on safety and weather information. Position reports
help
keep boats in touch with families and friends and the net provides a
strong measure of safety for off-shore passage makers. Check
out
the Waterway Net and Cruising Club webpage at https://www.waterwayradio.net.
The
National Traffic System Net (4th Region)
The
ARRL National Traffic System uses radiograms to communicate information
critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or
welfare of a family member in a disaster area. The NTS fourth region
net covers the Eastern states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Virgina, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. The net operates on the 40 meter band
frequency
7.243 daily at 1345 hrs Eastern time. Learn all about the
National Traffic System network and how emergency communications are
passed worldwide on the ARRL webpage at https://www.arrl.org/chapter-one-national-traffic-system.
The
Triple H Net
The
Triple H 40 Meter Net operates 364 days a year on a 7.190 MHz, starting
at 0700 hrs UTC. The first thirty minutes are dedicated to
check-ins, with preference given to DX stations first and
foremost. The stateside check-ins are taken according to call
districts that coincide with the day of the month. The Triple H 40
meter Amateur Radio Net website is https://www.hhhnet.net
The
OMIK Amateur Radio Net
The
OMIK Amateur Radio Association, Inc. was founded in 1952 by black
amateur radio operators from the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and
Kentucky to deal with discrimination prevalent in the culture at that
time, and to assist black travelers with information on places where
they could eat and lodge. Because membership in many other ham
organizations was denied, a black ham organization, with its own nets
and other activities, was clearly needed. The OMIK net is
active
on 7.185 MHz from 1230 to 1400 hrs UTC. Visit the
OMIK
website at https://www.omikradio.org
The
Country Hams Net
The
Country Hams Net is a 40 meter net operating on 7.225 MHz from 0900 to
1000 hrs Eastern time Monday thru Saturday. Here you can talk
about projects, chat with friends or just enjoy ham radio in
general. The Country Hams net is a round table style net that
is
open to all. They group has no dues, no fees, and no member
numbers...it's a place where all are welcome and everyone from newbies
to Elmers can participate. The Country Hams Net webpage is http://countryhamsnet.com.
Visit the Country Hams and say hello.
The
Hurricane Watch Net
The
Hurricane Watch Net is a 40 meter amateur radio group of licensed
amateur radio operators, trained and organized to provide essential
communications support to the National Hurricane Center during times of
Hurricane emergencies. The mission of the Hurricane Watch Net
is
to disseminate hurricane advisory information along the Atlantic
seaboard of the U.S. and throughout the Gulf of Mexico coastal
areas. The Hurricane Watch Net generally activates
whenever
a system has achieved hurricane status and is within 300 miles of
populated landmass or at the request of the forecasters at the National
Hurricane Center. You will find The Hurricane Watch Net on
the 20
meter band at 14.325 MHz by day and the 40 meter band at 7.268 MHz by
night. When required, they will use both frequencies
simultaneously. Learn more about the Hurricane Watch Net at https://www.hwn.org.
The
Nighthawks Amateur Radio Net
The
"NightHawks" operate nightly from approximately 1815 to 2100 hrs
Eastern time on 7.255 MHz. Net operations share the same frequency with
the Voice of America so the schedule may vary slightly depending on
propagation and VOA's programming and schedule changes. On
Wednesday nights starting at 1930 hrs is the Swap and Shop edition of
the Net hosted by WA3GIN, Dave Jordan. Occasionally, Friday
night
becomes a technical discussion night when the
NightHawks
will have a special guest speaker who will provide a lecture on a
Amateur Radio related topic of interest. The Nighthawks have
no
formal organization, no officers, no constitution, no dues, only ham
radio and the web site https://qsl.net/nighthawks.
The
South Coast Amateur Radio Service Net
South CARS Member # 14136 here. The
South Coast Amateur Radio Service net (AKA "SCARS") is a 40 meter net
operating on 7.251 MHZ seven days a week from 0800 to 1300 hrs Eastern
time. The net has been in operation since 1967 with the
purpose
to assist those seeking to contact other amateur radio stations, to
provide weather and travel information, and to assist in emergencies
when needed. All amateur radio stations with a General class
amateur radio license or above are welcome to check in.
Additionally, a Traders Net is conducted each Wednesday from 1000 to
1100 hrs Eastern time. Check out the SCARS guys at their
website https://southcars.com
The
Nuts Bolts and Screws Net
This
group originally started out as just a few hams gathering together,
helping other hams with antenna issues, audio, radio adjustments,
etc. With the help of some very experienced hams, the group
grew
and grew. Now it's become a great place to meet for an hour
mon-thurs at 0300 hrs Eastern time on frequency 7.185 to rag chew with
some really nice guys and gals. So don't be shy. The Nuts
Bolts
and Screws web page is http://www.nbsnet7185.com.
The
North American Traffic and Awards Net
The
North American Traffic and Awards Net is nightly on 7.185 MHz at 6 pm
Eastern Time, Pre-Net check-ins up to one hour in advance of
net
time. The North American Traffic and Awards Net is not a
“club
net" ~ there are no memberships, The North American Traffic
and
Awards Net has no rigid rules, they are an essy going bunch of amateur
radio operators who just go with the flow. Check them out online at http://www.natanet.info
The
American Legion Amateur Radio Club Net
American
Legion Post #275 from Glenarden, Maryland operates
the
American Legion Amateur Radio Club net the second Saturday of each
month on 7.275 MHz from 1000 to 1200 hrs Eastern
time, The net is open to all licensed Radio
Amateurs; you
do not need to be a member of The American Legion to join
in. View to American Legion Amateur Radio Club net
schedules at http://www.laark.org/hamradio.html
The
3905 Century Net
The
3905 Century Club is an international amateur radio club founded in
1977. The 3905 Century Club forty meter net
operates daily
at 7:00 pm Eastern time on 7.2675 MHz. Check out their other
nets
on other bands at the 3905 Century Club website at https://www.3905ccn.org.
The
International Morse Preservation Society (FISTS)
FISTS
is a well established and recognized Morse Code organization founded in
1987 by Geo Longden (G3ZQS). FISTS has a world-wide
membership in
the thousands. Anyone interested in learning CW (Morse Code)
and
communicating with other hams via CW is welcome to become a
member. A love of Morse code and a concern for its
perpetuation. is the only requirement for membership in
FISTS.
I'm FIST # 21368. For more information, the FISTS website is https://www.fistsna.org.
The
North American QRP Club
The
North American QRP Club is a nonprofit organization established for the
purpose of promoting and sharing the building, designing, and operation
of low power radios. If you are interested in learning CW
(Morse
code) the fellas at NAQCC are glad to help you. NAQCC is open
to
any amateur wanting to learn and explore CW, and there are no dues or
membership fees. I'm member # 11129. Check out the North
American
QRP Club at http://naqcc.info.
The
Straight Key Century Club (SKCC)
The
Straight Key Century Club claims to be the most active group of
mechanical-key Morse code radiotelegraph operators in the world and was
founded in 2006, SKCC boasts thousands of members around the
globe. SKCC membership is for life, membership is for life ~
once
a member, always a member. Stop by the SKCC website at https://www.skccgroup.com
and check them out. I'm SKCC Member # 25298
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