Some Amateur Radio operators will be used in a brand new role as Area Gateway and NCS operators. To my knowledge this has never been done before for On Target (at least not on this scale between multiple states)! Each state should have at least one Area Gateway station. The Area stations will act as NCS operators for the VHF repeater frequencies in their area (and possibly the simplex frequencies). They will also track all Varsity Teams on mountain peaks in their area and place them on the APRS internet map at http://www.aprs.net (via APRS frequencies) for other gateway stations to view. The gateway stations will also relay mirror contact and other information not only between local teams that are having difficulty communicating (like from a cell phone team to a HAM operator team) but also will relay mirror contact information for teams trying to complete a chain of confirmed contacts between states. Gateway stations will relay mirror contacts to other state Gateway stations using HF frequencies (see list below), VHF repeater systems, APRS frequencies, telephone/cell phone (direct or via a telephone conference call), through the Internet via ICQ Chat or any other means at their disposal.

HF FREQUENCIES FOR ON TARGET

Primary: 7.282 Mhz (subject to change based upon propagation test results)
Secondary: TBD?
Third Backup: TBD?

SUGGESTED SIMPLEX FREQUENCIES FOR ON TARGET:

145.750
146.460
146.520
147.420

Area Gateway NCS stations will move line-of-site Varsity Teams in their area off to one of the simplex frequencies listed above for them to directly pass their traffic.

NOTE: The Area Gateway/NCS operator should have checked with local Amateur Radio clubs and officials to make sure these frequencies are not being used for service events or emergency nets during On Target hours.

U.S. APRS Packet Frequency:

144.390 MHz

REMINDER TO ALL HAMs WITH ON TARGET TEAMS: Please follow net protocol on the repeater systems and follow the instructions of the NCS (Net Control Station)! Be sure to report back to the NCS when you have returned to the repeater frequency from a simplex frequency. Let the NCS know if you made a confirmed mirror contact and with what peak. Be sure to ID with your call sign at least every 10 minutes when operating on a simplex (or other frequency) to comply with FCC regulations. Also be sure to leave a short pause between transmissions to allow emergency traffic or other breaking stations to get in.