It's Net Time!It's Net Time!
Boy, there are amateur radio nets for every interest in the book! You can find nets for railroad buffs, satellite operators, police officers, county hunters, missionaries, and on and on. Some folks love nets, others hate 'em.
The HF nets I most check into are WAS nets. I've been slowly working toward completing 5-Band Worked All States. I have all 50 confirmed on 75 M, and am missing one state on 20 M (AR) and one state (NM) on 10 M, but I still need about a dozen each on 40 & 15 M.
This whole quest started when I stumbled across the Geratol Net one night. This is a Worked All States net in the Extra portion of the 75 M phone band; I checked in on a lark and pretty soon I was soon hooked! I finished the basic WAS award in just a couple of months, but I still like to check in to the Geratol Net from time to time to hand out a Louisiana QSO to those in need. You can find the net (except when the summer static sets in) on 3768 kHz, plus or minus, starting around 0100Z. For more info, check out their website:
www.skyport.com/geratol/geratol.html
I also enjoy checking into another WAS net, which meets on a variety of frequencies at a variety of times. The OMISS Net is a handy way to pick up new states, and is a great way to meet some really nice people! From 160 through 10, whatever the band, the OMISS Net has a session for you! Visit their website for more information:
And, when I get home for work in time, I also like to check in to the Louisiana Traffic Net on 3910 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time, and the Louisiana CW Net on 3673 kHz at 6:45 p.m. Central. While I'm not exactly a big-time traffic handler, it's still nice to keep the skills current.
Have fun, meet new friends, check in to the net of your choice today!
