The Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) adds a couple of new wrinkles to the format when it takes to the airwaves on April 12. The first change is that the FMT will be held on Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday. If weeknight schedules have prevented you from participating in past FMTs, this change is for you. The second change is in the sequence of stations transmitting. The new format will mimic a round-table QSO in which all of the stations are close to the same frequency but not exactly on the same frequency!

Here’s how the new format works: Connie Marshall, K5CM, will lead off with a call-up followed by a key-down period. He will then hand off the frequency to W8KSE, who will lead with a call-up and then perform a key-down transmission before handing it off to the next station and so forth. Your job is to measure and report the frequencies of all the stations.

The test will begin on 40 meters near 7.055 MHz at 10:15 PM EDT (0215 UTC on Wednesday, April 13). This is Tuesday evening in North America (all times are listed in EDT in the tables below). There will be four stations in the 40 meter round-table: K5CM (Oklahoma), W8KSE (Ohio), W6OQI and WA6ZTY (both in California). The test will then move to 80 meters near 3.575 MHz beginning at 10:45 PM. The 80 meter stations will be K5CM, W8KSE and W6OQI. All stations will be within ±200 Hz of the initial frequency for K5CM. While the start time on 80 meters is a little early for the West Coast, this was felt to be a reasonable compromise without becoming too late on the East Coast.

April 2011 FMT Schedule (Eastern Daylight Time)

40 Meter Time Line (near 7.055 MHz)

80 Meter Time Line (near 3.575 MHz)

For more information and any updates in procedure, tune in to the ARRL’s Frequency Measuring Test web page. Results will be reported using the regular web page format provided by WA7BNM. More information on frequency measuring techniques and exercises can be found on K5CM’s website.