Auxiliary Communications Emergency Service

Burnside Bridge Antietam Battlefield

Present Alert Status

Being a Net Control Station (NCS) or Alternate Net Control Station (ANCS) is not a science, it is not "brain surgery" and an NCS's style is not either right or wrong no matter how they handle the net.  The list below is a good set of guidelines in choosing an NCS, but, in many cases a person becomes an NCS by default not by being chosen.   That being said, we should all be aware of what makes a good NCS. 

If you want to "study" the ARRL's guide book for being an NCS on an National Traffic System Net, click here.  Please keep in mind this gives the ideal, reality often falls very short of these guidelines.

Regardless of your feelings of preparedness, please, don't hesitate to "jump right in" and gain some experience on drill nets or local SkyWarn Nets to get your feet wet. 

Types of Net Open Net     Stations call each other directly to pass traffic Directed Net     Stations call only net control directly,     go direct only with net control permission Net Control... must have a commanding signal is in charge of the net activates and assigns resources must keep track of resources assigns tactical calls keeps a good log has a clear speaking voice controls his or her tone of voice has good command of the English language can handle physical and mental stress for long periods can listen and respond in a noisy/chaotic environment has good hearing writes legibly enforces net discipline uses tactical calls uses plain English - no "10" codes or "Q" signals uses standard phonetics performs welfare checks thinks before keying is as concise as possible knows how to operate the radio frequently identifies name and reason for the net transmits only facts, not conjecture takes frequent breaks when transmitting, key up, take a breath, then talk

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 This page was last modified on July 13, 2009

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