Michigan Net QMN
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Michigan CW Calling and Emergency Frequencies:

3563 khz primary, 7068 and 1812 khz alternate.

 

The Michigan Net, QMN is the nation's oldest public service communications network, having been in continuous operation since late 1935.

Today, QMN continues to provide professional quality emergency and public service communications. In addition to serving as a Section National Traffic System (NTS) Net for the State of Michigan, QMN operates a statewide rain gauge network in support of the National Weather Service and conducts periodic emergency exercises to prepare personnel for disaster operations. Agencies served by QMN include state and local emergency management, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and similar public and private relief agencies.

QMN conducts routine CW traffic nets on 3563 KHz daily.  QMN also sponsors the National Radio Emergency Net, which provides nationwide communications support for major disaster operations as well as an ongoing training program serving the entire United States.

QMN is designed for the serious radio operator. Our nets provide the experience necessary to provide professional-grade service in time of emergency.

Please take the time to visit other portions of our web page to learn more about QMN.

 

Founding of QMN
Don Devendorf  W8EGI

The Detroit Amateur Radio Association was Michigan's largest and most prestigious radio club; only the most highly qualified CW operators were eligible for membership. In early 1935 they voted to sponsor or establish a statewide CW traffic system to be centered in Detroit and outstate ARRL Route Managers were invited to their first organizational meeting held during the DARA Spring Hamfest at the old Naval Armory on East Jefferson. As I recall, three RMs from southern counties were Jim Robinson, W8DVC, Monroe, Harry Hartung, W8BMG, Battle Creek and myself from Jackson.

A few minutes into the meeting W8DVC, to paraphrase Emerson, “fired the shot heard 'round the ham world”--contrary to the current message traffic practice, Jim suggested we all operate as a controlled net on precisely the SAME frequency. Dead silence!  I remember we all just stared at each other, but the logic was inescapable. Jim went on to add he'd already located a dependable source of good X-cut 1" square quartz crystals--a ham up at- Dollar Bay would grind any number to an exact frequency for, naturally, one dollar plus another dollar for the holder, if needed.

Thus was born the first one-spot traffic net, Michigan QMN.  After due deliberation, the frequency was set at 3650 kilocycles. Crystals were ordered and we operated happily ever after until a DARA QMN member, FCC Inspector Ernie Peterkin, became suspicious and measured not 3650, but 3663. We remained there for over 70 years, until band restructuring caused us to surrender the frequency on December 9, 2006 with this QMN QNC

WITH THIS MESSAGE QMN OFFICIALLY SURRENDERS THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED FOR OVER 70 YEARS    X   AS WE MOVE FORWARD INTO A NEW ERA LET US REMEMBER QMN IS NOT ABOUT A FREQUENCY BUT RATHER PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOOD OPERATING PRACTICE  X  MAY THE QMN OF THE FUTURE REPRESENT THE BEST AMATEUR RADIO HAS TO OFFER WHILE CARRYING ON THE FINE TRADITIONS OF THE PAST   X  73 DON W8EGI
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  • Why Participate in QMN?
  • QMN provides a professional grade of service on a par with commercial and military radio networks. Message traffic is routed and cleared quickly. Unnecessary communications is eliminated.
  • QMN is fast and efficient. QMN will typically handle between three and four times more messages than a voice or packet radio network during a typical operation.
  • QMN is reliable. When propagation anomalies render voice and data networks unreliable, QMN often continues to function with little or no difficulty.
  • The use of radiotelegraphy permits the use of low-power, portable High Frequency radios without the need for cumbersome generators. Mobile HF radio installations are heard reliably when CW is used. When infrastructure is damaged by disaster, QMN provides the most reliable messaging service.
  • Getting started on QMN is easier than one might expect. The extra effort required to learn the net procedures yields real dividends in the form of access to an efficient, reliable, and professional net.

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Radiotelegraph Nets offer outstanding reliability and efficiency. 

Join QMN today!

QMN MEETS DAILY ON 3563 KHZ AT:

EARLY NET    6:30 PM EST/EDT  (2330Z)  (2230Z during EDT)

LATE NET     10:00 PM EST/EDT (0300Z) (0200Z during EDT)

Providing quality public service communications since 1935