Dealing with Malicious Interference

Dealing with Malicious Interference - Joe, N2QOJ 

The issue of malicious interference has come up recently on a couple of local repeaters, namely the San Tan Valley / Ocotillo repeater and the Usery 1 repeater.  

Where is the best place to discuss and educate hams regarding malicious interference? 

NOT ON THE AIR! - It makes very little sense to discuss this topic, especially how to handle it and how to mitigate it, while on the air where EVERYONE, including maliciously minded individuals may be lurking. The Arizona Repeater Association has a well thought out discussion on this topic at its website. Yes, the website is public so anyone can read it but at least it's not over the air and less likely to be visited by potential interlopers. 

Most of the following information comes from the ARA website on the topic.  

DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE INTERFERENCE OR THE INTERFERER. 

Do not talk to him or about him. If he is unlicensed, talking to him is against the law. If possible continue your QSO as if the interference didn't exist. If that is not possible, move to another freq or tell the other person you've got things to do and will contact him/her later. Do NOT let the interferer know you have even noticed him. If his audience goes away, so will he. 

 There are several types of Interference: 

- Intermod or receiver overload - This is caused by transmitted signals mixing externally or internally in the receiver, or the receiver's input being overloaded by a transmitter or strong signal in close proximity.

 - Accidental - This is caused by operators (us) accidentally bumping or sitting on the Mic button or when we push it to see if the battery still has enough power to turn on the Tx light or when someone transmits on one frequency, when he thinks he is on another. 

- Malicious - This is caused by someone, with the intent to interrupt normal communications or to attract attention to what he is doing. 

Our focus is on malicious interference. The person who causes malicious interference might do it for one of these reasons: 

- He has a grudge or score to settle with someone who owns, maintains, or uses the repeater. 

- He is bored, has nothing to do, and wants to amuse himself. He thinks it is also amusing to others.

When malicious interference occurs, the main desire should be to eliminate the interference. Finding the person and talking to, or reprimanding him may not be the best way to solve it. He may continue, trying not to get caught the next time. The best way to remove the interference is to discourage the person doing it, so that he does not have the desire to continue. Many times he does it to get attention. If he is ignored, he may go elsewhere to play or quit altogether.  

Guidelines for handling a jammer on the air, what to do? Record the interference as often as you can. Try to collect as much information as possible and submit it to a repeater trustee. In the case of STV/Ocotillo and Queen Creek Repeater (449.475MHz), you can submit to Joe, N2QOJ, n2qoj.ham@gmail.com. In the case of Usery 1, you can submit to Dennis, KF7RYX, kf7ryx@gmail.com. 

Here is the information that should be collected for submission along with recordings: 

Interference Date: 

Interference Time: 

Minutes of Length: 

Audio Recorded Minutes Available: 

Repeater Site: 

Output Frequency: 

Input Frequency: 

Strength of Interferer on Repeater Input Frequency: 

Type of Interference (carrier, music, etc): 

Call Signs using the Repeater during the interference: 

Detailed Description of Interference: 

Your Location when you heard the Interference (home or mobile): 

Describe the Antenna and Receiver used when you heard the Interference: 

Heading toward the interference heard on the Repeater Input Frequency: 

Details of the method used to obtain the Heading: 

Your Comments and Suspicions: 

Your Name: 

Your Call: 

Phone: 

Email: 

Submit to: Repeater Trustee 

What’s next? 

Obviously, we hams have very tried and true methods of tracking down malicious interference. There are many folks in the Phoenix valley with the skill set, equipment, and experience to find an abuser and malicious interference offender. However, recordings and documented information as noted above are required to pursue official action with the FCC. 

This article was written and prepared by Joe Sammartino, N2QOJ of the Queen Creek Amateur Radio Club and Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group. 

 

Field Activities For The New Ham

 

Field Activities For The New Ham - Joe, N2QOJ

Every new ham needs hands-on learning, preferably, out in the field with experienced hams so questions can flow and answers follow.

Here in the Phoenix Valley, we hams are very fortunate to have some options that will give a new ham the opportunity to experience stations consisting of radios, antennas, power sources, and a knowledgeable ham. Those four ingredients (yes, there are miscellaneous goodies too) will allow a new ham to observe, learn, ask questions and, most importantly, operate all kinds of stations.

Field activity has benefits for experienced hams too.  For example, a ham might be interested in a different operating mode, learning about radio sports (contesting), engaging satellite stations, and lots more.

So What Field Activities Are Available?

RADIO UNDER SUN SHADE (RUSS) - During the cooler months, namely October through April, many hams take their portable stations to public areas (usually parks), set up and operate simplex to make as many VHF contacts as possible.  Some also utilize UHF and HF bands.  These folks are happy to host new hams, wannabes, and answer questions for the public. It's a ham field activity and a public relations event for our hobby.  Dates and descriptions of this event can be found here: http://queencreekarc.org/  If you would like more information as to where these events are taking place, contact me at n2qoj.ham@gmail.com.

RADIOS AT HOME (RAH) - During the hotter months (May through September, third Saturday), hams are encouraged to operate at home in comfort.  The idea is to keep our operating skills sharp and our equipment in ready-to-go condition while not succumbing to heat strokes.  Of course, there are folks who still bring this activity outdoors where conditions can be favorable such as park ramadas.  In either case, new hams can still participate.  Dates and descriptions of this event can be found here: http://queencreekarc.org/  Current Dates:  May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, and September 20.

GATHERING OF THE WILLING - Also known as GOTW, this event on the third Wednesday of each month is brought to you by members of the East Valley QRP Group.  QRP operation was their original meeting theme but now includes all modes of operation, all kinds of transceivers - Analog, Digital, SDR, etc.  These folks get together to try out new radios, old radios, antennas of all types, and more.  They are very happy to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities to share all about ham radio.  Here are the details:

When:  Third Wednesday of the Month @ 5:00pm to 7:00pm, (UTC-07:00)
Where:  Mansel Carter Oasis Park ((West side of the Park). The address to Mansel Carter is 19535 E. Appleby Rd and can be entered either off of Sossaman or 196th and Ocotillo Rd.   Contact Dave Martin @ ac7ff1@gmail.com directly if you are interested in attending or if you should have any questions. Here are links to their web presence:

Facebook: East Valley QRP Group  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/944276985746258)
Groups.IO (Email Distribution Group) Gathering of the Willing:  https://groups.io/g/GOTW

Chandler Amateur Radio Society - This bunch of hams meet every 3rd Saturday morning at Desert Breeze Park in Chandler.  They have named this event, "Hams in the Park", or "HIP".  Their catchy motto is "Be HIP".  They do exactly what was noted above; the members meet, set up complete stations and have a great time socializing and checking out each other's stations.  They welcome everyone to participate, hams and non-hams.

Here is a description of the Group from their "Reflector" site:  "This is the email reflector for the BE-HIP group of Chandler AZ.  We are simply a group of amateur radio operators in the Chandler AZ area that enjoy doing ham radio field events and getting together for social events such as breakfast or lunch.  We are not organized as a CLUB nor will we ever be.  No rules or dues for this group of hams.  We are just HAMS having fun on amateur radio.  Our park events are on the 3rd Saturday of every month between Oct and April (the bearable months).  All other events such as lunches and breakfasts are always published on this reflector.  We do have a weekly NET on Wednesday Nights at 8pm on MARCA owned repeater 443.050 + PL100....this is a 100% open to anyone NET, all hams are welcome.”

If you have questions, comments, etc., please contact KI7PBR, Gary, at ki7pbr@cox.net.  Their Reflector site: https://groups.io/g/chandler-ars

Coolidge / Florence Amateur Radio - Some hams in the Coolidge / Florence area have organized into a Group (not a club) and are making their monthly meetings open to everyone interested in ham radio.  They are meeting every 2nd Saturday of the month at 10 AM.  They meet at the Viney Jones Library located at 778 North Main Street, Florence 85132.  They encourage setting up stations.  This is a link to their Group Flyers:  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p0hxo3izlzk1j5afwenhe/Florence-Amateur-Radio-Hams.pdf?rlkey=djy1nh303xxw73u5matwcy10h&dl=0

They will host an "Amateur Radio Day" on March 8th.  Here's a complete description of their event on March 8th running from 9:30 AM to 2 PM:

"Florence/Coolidge Amateur Radio enthusiasts invite you to a HAM RADIO DEMONSTRATION DAY.  Come operate a working radio, talking to other operators locally and from all over the world!  See demonstrations of Satellite, digital modes, and various forms of communications. Come look inside and operate from a mobile communications van. Learn about antennas and participate in finding a hidden transmitter (referred to as Fox Hunting) and learn about getting your FCC license.

Arizona T-Hunt / Fox-Hunt - If you like to exercise your skills of direction finding, then Fox Hunting or T-Hunting is for you.  This is what we call a Radio-Sport.  It’s a competition to find a hidden transmitter.  There are different types of hunts such as walking and driving.  We are very fortunate to have a very active group of hunters in the Valley.

You can find their website here:  https://azthunt.com/index.html.  Their email distribution Group (reflector) is here: https://groups.google.com/g/azthunt.

This Group runs their own hunts, plus they partner with local clubs and organizations to host educational hunts.

Additional Field Activities for Hams

Check out the following organized activities (Most are International) that experienced hams can share with new hams and folks interested in remote communications, emergency communications, etc.:

POTA – Parks On The Air - Parks on the Air ® (POTA) site for international portable amateur radio operations that promote emergency awareness and communications from national/federal and state/provincial level parks.
https://parksontheair.com

Bonus:  Arizona has a very active POTA Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/399293225621827

SOTA – Summits on the Air - SOTA is an award scheme for radio amateurs that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas.
https://www.sota.org.uk/

ARRL Field Day – Held Annually During the Last Full Weekend in June
https://www.arrl.org/field-day

Winter Field Day – Held Annually During the Last Full Weekend in January
https://winterfieldday.org/

This article was written and prepared by Joe Sammartino, N2QOJ of the Queen Creek Amateur Radio Club and Queen Creek Emergency Communications Group.  If you would like to publish this article in a club newsletter or on a club website / blog, or your club's Facebook Page/Group, please send your request to N2QOJ.HAM@gmail.com. Copyright © 1/30/2025.