Operation of net
The net is controlled by a specified
station/operator who is responsible for the orderly operation of the net and the
expeditious passing of traffic.
The net control station (NCS) keeps track of who
is on the net, who is off the net and where they are.
This is a demanding job, as such the role of NCS
should be shared. A person should not be NCS for longer than 2 to 3 hours.
This is a job that most of members of the net can share. This is also a job that a
home-bound amateur can handle.
The NCS keeps track of traffic listed, and passed.
This includes the time listed and the time it is declared to the net that the
traffic has been passed.
The Alternate Net Control Station (ANCS), if there
is one, keeps track of what is happening on the net just in case the NCS has an equipment
failure Anything that applies to the NCS also applies to the ANCS
In addition to being ready to stand in for the
NCS, the on our local ANCS may be asked to move off frequency to check on its availability
(in such a case the net should wait for the ANCS to return and give the report)
The ANCS may also be utilized to notify the
persons on another frequency to "come up" on a specific frequency for a message
(again, see the note above
The NCS also keeps track of traffic that has not
been passed.
The NCS is aware of the frequencies that can be
used to "pass" traffic.
The NCS should not move off frequency, and should
keep the ANCS aware of any changes in the net while he/she was off frequency.
CHECKING INTO TRAFFIC NETS
All traffic nets have an operational format.
Listen to the net control's requests for particular types of stations to check in.
Categories include stations with emergency or priority traffic, liaisons (by net name),
formal traffic, informal traffic, and stations with or without traffic. Formal traffic is
written traffic in the ARRL format, informal traffic is a request for words with a station
or a request for information, etc. Wait for your category to be called. The NCS will also
call for stations to check in periodically during the net.
STATIONS ENTERING THE NET
When you check in simply say your full call sign,
with any special assignment or location and then either "NO TRAFFIC" , or
simply "WITH" meaning with traffic. When the NCS is ready to take you traffic
list it will be requested.
STAY IN NET UNTIL EXCUSED, or the net is closed
EXCHANGING TRAFFIC
The NCS solicits traffic and assigns receiving
stations, and then may instruct stations to pass traffic either on the net or off
frequency, immediately or at a later time. The stations may be kept on frequency or sent
to a different frequency. A third station may be dispatched to get in line to wait to call
one of those stations, when it becomes available, for an exchange. Stations should listen
to the net control carefully for such dispatches
Off frequency the receiving station checks that
the frequency is clear then calls first. The sending station transmits the assigned
message(s), gives fills, messages are acknowledged, both listen for a moment to see if
another station arrives to pass traffic, and then the free station(s) return to net
promptly.
RETURNING TO THE NET
Wait for any net transactions to complete, or
pause for call responders, then say:
STN: "(call) BACK", if job complete; and
"(full call) NO JOY", or "(full
call) NO (suffix), or
"(full call) NO JOY (problem)"
if unable to complete the assigned job. Both
stations should so indicate if unable to complete the assignment.
NCS: "(suffix)", acknowledges by
repeating the suffix.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Give your full call sign when checking into the
net and when excused from the net. Give your full call sign after making comments, other
contributions to the net and exchanging traffic. Suffixes may be used to seek attention or
acknowledge leaving the net when dispatched to a stack. No response is expected from
individual stations excused en-mass or by closing the net.
Excusing Stations
Various nets may excuse stations individually,
en-mass by simply closing the net, or en-mass by listing a group of stations excused. In
the later two cases no response from the excused stations is required.
Individual stations are usually excused as
follows:
NCS: "(call) Your are excused (and you might
add THANK YOU), 73"
STN: "73 (full call)"
Listen to dispatches. The NCS may excuse one or
both stations in advance when dispatching them off frequency. If you are so excused, sign
out as you depart for that job.
REQUESTING TO BE EXCUSED
Announce your suffix (unless there are two alike
on the net, then use your full Call Sign) Upon being recognized, just request to be
excused, The net control will act upon your request.
Closing net
Simply thank all for participation and declare the
net concluded.
Net Records
At a minimum keep a list of who is on the net. We
will want a list of all who checked into the official net and the count of formal messages
handled.
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