The USAF Phone Patch Net needs your help!
The net operates 24/7 and can use extra help at anytime during the day or night that you are available to
volunteer. Most members do not have a pre-set schedule, and check in with Net Control anytime they have an hour or more that
they are able to volunteer.
The net runs interesting and real traffic every day! Surveillance aircraft, Medivac aircraft,
Tankers, Heavy Transport aircraft, Reserve aircraft, and Hurricaine Hunters routinely utilize the services of the Phone
Patch Net. While the overwelming majority of the traffic is routine morale or routine official traffic, virtually
all members of the net have at one time or another run traffic for an aircraft with an emergency situation.
If you are an Amateur Radio operator and would like to join the USAF Phone Patch Net, you must first become
a member of Air Force MARS, and have the recommendation of your State MARS Director.
In addition, you must have a modern station, a 1KW amplifier, and a full-size directional beam type antenna
capable of operation on the primary AF MARS phone patch frequency (just below the 20 meter amateur band). A separate
transceiver and antenna for the secondary frequency (a bit above the 40 meter amateur band) is also required.
This secondary antenna is not required to be rotatable, and dipoles are often used for this frequency. An on-the-air
phone patch test must be performed prior to net admission. You must also be willing to devote
a minimum of 4 hours per week to the Phone Patch Net.
Members of Air Force MARS who are interested in phone patching are encouraged to check in to the weekly Phone
Patch Administrative Net (APCN1). This net is held each Sunday morning at 1600Z on AF MARS frequency "PF". Again, only AF MARS members are permitted to check into APCN1.
John McGee (AFN2AC), is the final authority on phone patch net membership. Contact John
at afn2ac@juno.com for further details.
