ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND MILITARY/AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TEST (13 MAY 2017)
The Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard are sponsoring the annual military/amateur radio communications tests in celebration of the 66th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD). The AFD Military/Amateur Crossband Communications Test is conducted 13 May 2017.
The annual celebration is a unique opportunity to test two way communications between Amateurs and military communicators authorized in 47 CFR 97.111, and features traditional military to amateur cross band SSB voice, Morse Code, practice using legacy interoperability waveforms, as well as an opportunity for Amateurs to utilize more modern military communications modes such as MIL-STD Serial PSK and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE).
These tests give Amateur Radio operators and Short Wave Listeners (SWL) an opportunity and a challenge to demonstrate their individual technical skills, and to receive recognition from the appropriate military radio station for their proven expertise. QSL cards will be provided to those stations making contact with the military stations.
PART I. MILITARY-TO-AMATEUR CROSS BAND SSB & CW TEST CONTACTS. Military-to-Amateur cross band operations will take place on the dates/times in ZULU (UTC), and frequencies listed below for each station. Some stations may not operate the entire period. Participating military stations will transmit on selected Military frequencies and listen for amateur radio stations in the Amateur bands indicated below. The military station operator will announce the specific amateur band frequency being monitored.
The following stations will be transmitting on the frequencies listed below using the operating modes listed:
ARMY STATIONS:
AAZ / FT HUACHUCA, AZ
(13 MAY 1500Z - 2359Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
5,330.5 kHz USB 60M
14,438.5 kHz USB 20M
14,512.5 kHz USB 20M
18,211.0 kHz USB 17M
AAC / BARROW ARMY RESERVE CENTER, KY
(13 MAY 1300Z - 14 MAY 0100Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
5,346.5 kHz USB 60M
7,360.0 kHz USB 40M
13,963.5 kHz USB 20M
20,920.0 kHz USB 15M
ABH / SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI
(13 MAY 1600Z - 2300Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
5,357.0 kHz USB 60M
14,438.5 kHz USB 20M
18,272.0 kHz USB 17M
20,997.0 kHz USB 15M
ADB / CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA
(13 MAY 1500Z – 14 MAY 0100Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
14,487.0 kHz USB 20M
17,545.0 kHz USB 17M
20,994.0 kHz USB 15M
ALT/ CAMP MABRY, TX
(13 MAY 1300Z-14 MAY 0200Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
5,357.0 kHz USB 60M
14,512.5 kHz USB 20M
18,293.0 kHz USB 17M
20,997.0 kHz USB 15M
WAR / PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC
(13 MAY 1200Z - 2400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
5,357.0 kHz USB/CW 60M
13,963.5 kHz USB/CW 20M
18,211.0 kHz USB/CW 17M
24,760.0 kHz USB/CW 12M
WUG-2 / ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TN
(13 MAY 1300Z-15 MAY 0200Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
5,403.5 kHz USB 60M
13,910.5 kHz USB/CW 20M
18,293.0 kHz USB/CW 17M
20,973.5 kHz USB/CW 15M
AIR FORCE STATIONS:
AIR / ANDREWS AFB
(13 MAY 1200Z - 2400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,517.0 kHz USB 80M
7,305.0 kHz USB 40M
15,807.0 kHz USB 20M
20,740.0 kHz USB 15M
AGA2SY / HANCOCK FIELD, NY
(13 MAY 1200Z TO 2400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,575.0 kHz USB 80M
7,540.0 kHz USB 40M
13,993.0 kHz USB 20M
AGA5SC / SCOTT AFB, IL
(13 MAY 1600Z TO 2300Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
3,308.0 kHz USB 80M
4,872.0 kHz USB 80M
7,545.0 kHz USB 40M
AGA9TR / TRAVIS AFB, CA
(13 MAY 1600Z TO 2300Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,575.0 kHz USB 80M
7,915.0 kHz USB 40M
14,411.0 kHz USB 20M
COAST GUARD STATIONS:
NMC1 / COAST GUARD ISLAND, ALAMEDA, CA
(13 MAY 1400Z - 14 MAY 0030Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
7,542.0 kHz USB 40M
15,740.5 kHz USB 20M
22,924.5 kHz USB 15M
NAVY STATIONS:
NIIW / USS MIDWAY CV-41 SAN DIEGO, CA
(13 MAY 1500Z - 14 MAY 0500Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,003.5 kHz USB 80M
7,360.0 kHz USB 40M
14,441.5 kHz USB 20M
18,211.0 kHz USB 17M
20,997.0 kHz USB 15M
NWKJ / USS YORKTOWN CV-10 CHARLESTON, SC
(13 MAY 1200Z-14 MAY 0030Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,000.0 kHz USB 80M
7,360.0 kHz USB 40M
14,663.5 kHz USB 20M
18,272.0 kHz USB 17M
20,940.0 kHz USB 15M
NEPM / USS IOWA BB 61 LOS ANGELES, CA
(13 MAY 1500Z -2359Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,043.5 kHz USB 80M
6,903.5 kHz USB 40M
14,463.5 kHz USB 20M
24,803.5 kHz USB 12M
NMN / CAMSLANT, CHESAPEAKE VA
(13 MAY 1400Z - 14 MAY 0030Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
7,528.6 kHz USB 40M
14,459.6 kHz USB 20M
19,221.6 kHz USB 17M
NWVC / LST-325 EVANSVILLE, IN
(13 MAY 1200Z-14 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,007.0 kHz USB/CW 80M
6,913.0 kHz USB/CW 40M
13,974.0 kHz USB/CW 20M
24,782.0 kHz USB/CW 12M
NSS / US NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS, MD
(13 MAY 1300Z-14 MAY 0200Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4,038.5 kHz USB/CW 80M
7,533.5 kHz USB/CW 40M
14,487.0 kHz USB/CW 20M
17,545,0 kHz USB/CW 17M
20,994.0 kHz USB/CW 15M
PART II. ARMED FORCES DAY MESSAGE TEST The Armed Forces Day message will be transmitted via Military Standard radio teletype modes described in MIL-STD 188-110A/B and listed below.
MIL-STD 188-110 A/B Serial PSK.
Software to demodulate the military Serial PSK waveform and detailed instructions can be downloaded at:
http://www.n2ckh.com/MARS_ALE_FORUM/MSDMT.html Utilizing this mode with soundcard equipment can be challenging and we recommend Amateur stations review the instructions carefully.
A short practice transmission will be sent at 1930Z and 2330Z on the 6th, 7th, 10th, and 12th of May 2017 on:
13,506.5 kHz USB 17,443.0 kHz USB
FSK in accordance with MIL-STD 188-110A/B
Military FSK is Baudot at 850 Hz, 75 baud, low mark, and 2000 Hz center. Most RTTY programs can be set to decode this mode. To achieve low mark while receiving in USB, the reverse shift is selected.
The Armed Forces Day message can be received from the stations listed below. All times in Zulu (UTC).
COMBINED BROADCAST STATIONS BY TIME
13 MAY/1400Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1410Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1420Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1420Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1430Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1430Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1440Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1440Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1450Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1450Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1500Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1510Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAZ
13 MAY/1510Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1530Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAZ
13 MAY/1800Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1810Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1820Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1820Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1830Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1830Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1840Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1840Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1850Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1850Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/1900Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1910Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAZ
13 MAY/1910Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/1930Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAZ
13 MAY/1930Z RTTY 7,540.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/1930Z RTTY 7,545.0 kHz USB AGA5SC
13 MAY/1930Z RTTY 7,915.0 kHz USB AGA9TR
13 MAY/2030Z MT63 7,540.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2030Z MT63 7,545.0 kHz USB AGA5SC
13 MAY/2030Z MT63 7,915.0 kHz USB AGA9TR
13 MAY/2100Z MFSK 7,540.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2100Z MFSK 7,545.0 kHz USB AGA5SC
13 MAY/2100Z MFSK 7,915.0 kHz USB AGA9TR
13 MAY/2130Z RTTY 13,993.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2130Z RTTY 14,392.5 kHz USB AGA5SC
13 MAY/2130Z RTTY 14,411.0 kHz USB AGA9TR
13 MAY/2200Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2200Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 14,487.0 kHz USB ADB
13 MAY/2210Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2210Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 20,994.0 kHz USB ADB
13 MAY/2220Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/2220Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2230Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/2230Z MT63 13,993.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2230Z MT63 14,392.5 kHz USB AGA5SC
13 MAY/2230Z MT63 14,411.0 kHz USB AGA9TR
13 MAY/2230Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2240Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/2240Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/2250Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/2250Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB WAR
13 MAY/2300Z MFSK 13,993.0 kHz USB AGA2SY
13 MAY/2300Z MFSK 14,392.5 kHz USB AGA5SC
13 MAY/2300Z MFSK 14,411.0 kHz USB AGA9TR
13 MAY/2300Z MIL STD 188-110 FSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/2310Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 13,506.5 kHz USB AAZ
13 MAY/2310Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAC
13 MAY/2330Z MIL STD 188-110 SERIAL PSK 17,443.0 kHz USB AAZ
14 MAY/0300Z CW-25WPM 4,007.0 kHz USB NWVC
14 MAY/0300Z CW-25WPM 6,913.0 kHz USB NWVC
SUBMISSION OF ARMED FORCES DAY TEST MESSAGE ENTRIES. QSL cards are available for individuals that receive the Armed Forces Day test message.
To receive a QSL card copy the printed text of the test message as you received it from the military station, and include it in your QSL report. Transcripts of the received text should be submitted "as received". No attempt should be made to correct possible transmission errors.
Requests for a QSL card must be complete and sent to the appropriate address according to the following instructions:
A. Stations copying Armed Forces Day message transmitted from US Army and US Navy stations and requesting a QSL card, complete the QSL report using the on-line form at
www.usarmymars.org.
B. Stations copying Armed Forces Day message transmitted from US Air Force stations and requesting a QSL card, include the following information on a single sheet of paper and mail to the address listed below:
Transcript of received text
Time observed
Frequency observed
The Call sign of the military station copied
The full name of the reporting individual
Amateur Radio call sign,
Full mailing address (including zip code).
ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATION
CHIEF, AF MARS
203 W LOSEY ST
SCOTT AFB, IL 62225
PART III. AUTOMATIC LINK ESTABLISHMENT. Amateur Stations with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) capability can contact a military station on specific half duplex "cross band" channels established for this purpose. ALE is a selective calling and linking method utilized by government, military, and amateur radio communications.
Military stations will scan and receive certain Amateur HFLINK ALE frequencies, and transmit on the corresponding military ALE frequency. Military stations will also transmit ALE station identification (soundings) on each military frequency at 30 to 90 minute intervals. Amateur stations which are capable may scan the military frequencies and monitor the soundings to build the LQA database or select the channel manually. Amateur stations will call military stations using ALE selective calling on one of the paired cross band channels.
Amateur stations seeking more information about ALE go to
http://hflink.com Military stations participating in ALE are listed below:
STATION CALLSIGN ALE ADDRESS
AAZ AAZ
WAR WAR
AGA2SY 2SYAGA
ALE FREQUENCY LIST
Channel Amateur Frequency Military Frequency
X75US 3,996.0 USB 4,000.0 USB
X60INT 5,371.5 USB 5,371.5 USB
X40US 7,296.0 USB 7,357.0 USB
X20INT 14,346.0 USB 14,383.5 USB
X17INT 18,117.5 USB 18,272.5 USB
X15INT 21,432.5 USB 20,940.0 USB
Good luck to all participants!