The Key

Compared to last month, QNI's were up 41 and traffic handled up 16. Also, compared to December of last year, QNI's were up about 2.5 times (or 135 %) and traffic handled about 3 times (or 189 %).
Thank you all for making this one of the best months we have had for some time!

There were 17 different stations QNI in the month of December and 136 pieces of traffic passed. 66 pieces were passed during the early net and 70 pieces during the late net.
Average time per session for the early net was 16.4 minutes, and 25.6 minutes for the late net.
The (1430z) late net reported 31 sessions for 100% participation again, and the (0000z) early net reported 30 sessions for 97%.
QNI's for the morning (Late) session were 215 total, and for the evening (Early) session 144 total.

Outstanding QNI's:
Bob/WB8LQU - 20, Jim/K9ZBM - 20, Kirk/KO9D - 22, Don/KA9QWC - 23, Gary/KB9TUI - 30, Andy/KC9BZL -37, Homer/WB9OZZ - 45, and Dick/K9PUI - 54.

NCS stations:
Paul/N9PF - 1, Brent/N9HZ - 4, Kirk/KO9D - 6, Gary/KB9TUI - 6, John/WB9OFG -13, Don/KA9QWC -13, and Dick/K9PUI -18.

Help Needed!!

Help needed for NCS station assignments on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on QIN/Early and for more 9RN liaison stations to help the NCS's.
The NCS, are doing double duty by taking traffic to, and picking traffic up on the 9th region nets (3640 kHz at 0145z and 0330z).
Volunteers will gladly be trained and put into service by any of our NCS stations. It is not much more difficult than checking into any of the QIN nets. There is just a little different way to list the relayed traffic, and just telling them you are from QIN.
The 9RN nets generally only have 4 to 7 stations there (1 from each of IN, WI, IL, and KY sections), the NCS, and a liaison or two, to take traffic to and from the Central Area Net (CAN), so they are usually very short and sweet.

Thanks to each and every one of our stations for making it a fine December. We are looking foward to this great New Year, 2003.

I missed my NCS spot on Jan 2, because we got over 5" of the white stuff dumped on us up here, and since I leave work at 5:30, it's a tight fit to get home in time for ITN and ICN even under the best of driving condx. Thanks to Dick, K9PUI, for filling in for me.

I finally solved that pesky S9+25 noise that's been plaguing me for the past several months! I converted the lights in my apartment over to those compact fluorescents, and the 2 in my shack decided to become noise generators. I was concerned about the possibilty of this happening when I started this project, but a lttle "field testing" with the HT and one bulb went OK, so I changed them all. The savings on the monthly bill is incredible (around $10-$15 a month)so I'll continue using them, but, oh, lets just say I won't be buying any more GE bulbs <HIHI>....

In response to a request from Dana, KB9SSS of Tippecanoe Co. ARES, I'm putting tgether a PowerPoint presentation of an introduction to the NTS and traffic handling. This will be for the purpose of introducing ARES members (and others) to the World of Formal Traffic Handling, and starts out with a little history, then goes into NTS organization, THEN we learn what all that stuff on the top line of the Radiogram form means...PP is a powerful tool for making slide shows to go with your presentaions, and I'll be "taking the act on the road" sometime in Feb or Mar at the TARA meeting. I'll let you know if I get pelted with tomatoes or not <HIHI>

That's it for this month, thanks to all for your support and check-ins, and if you know of a CW op who's looking for something a little different, invite them to drop by, 3705 kcs., 6:15 PM local, most nights, and say "GE".

[Editor's note: from Dick, K9PUI - Here are a few paragraphs written by Sam, WB5ZJN, Mgr. of the HBSN, Hit and Bounce Slow Net, and quoted from their November 2002 Newsletter, the "Traffic Call". I think what he says is truly good insight to the function of many CW traffic nets, maybe even ours. (That reported month (Oct) they had 33 different stations QNI, and 141 pcs. of traffic handled.)]

Is It Okay to Bring Traffic to HBSN? One of our newer HBSN members sent the following: "I get the feeling that I am one of very few net members who bring traffic. Is there a problem with me bringing traffic? I seem to be out of step here, and I don't want to be a pain to others on the net." To which I responded: "Absolutely not! Please bring your traffic. HBSN is a traffic net and traffic is needed, appreciated, and wanted.

This got me to thinking about why people check into the net. It is true that we dont pass much traffic, but we are always willing and ready for traffic and, in the event of an emergency, I think we could do a most creditable job of taking care of almost any situation within our limitations. So, due to the low amount of traffic on HBSN, handling traffic is most likely not the primary reason why most of us QNI. Then what is?

I think that many traffic nets function on at least three levels maybe more but these three ideas come to mind: to move traffic, to keep ones fist in shape, and to enjoy the camaraderie a group like ours affords. I think that some traffic purest may flinch at this, but I do think this is the case, and I don't think we need to apologize for thinking like this. The net can serve many functions, and it can be enjoyed and appreciated on many levels.

The fact that HBSN doesnt pass a lot of traffic indicates that many ARFers come for reasons other than traffic. Yes, our primary concern is handling traffic, but the reality is that we have a group of about fifteen hams that consistently check in each day, and there must be something other than traffic that draws them to their rigs each morning at 7:30 a.m. We are much like a fraternity. We are group of people sharing a common interest in a very unique hobby.

As Net Manger the only thing that I insist upon is that we maintain proper net protocol and follow established net procedures. So, check in to pass or take traffic, work on your CW skills, or just come and be with some great guys and gals (occasionally) who love CW.

Be on the lookout for other hams who are showing an interest in handling traffic on the Ham Radio Bands.
One good source for recruiting is right in our own net's back yard. Occasionally visitors check in to a traffic net, mostly just curious. How we treat these individuals when they are first heard will determine if they come back, and if they get involved on a regular basis.

I have outlined a few items that we can all do to encourage these visitors to become involved.

Personally Invite Them Back

Net control can do this most easily, but others on the net can also make personal contact with visitors. Remember to do this after the net, however.

When you make this contact with visitors after the net be sure to give them enough information to help them understand what we do and why. But don't overwhelm them with information or they may feel that it is more than they want to get into.

Provide Training

Once a ham becomes more than a visitor, either by checking in often or by making a request to be part of the net, then begin training the new member. Make sure the new handler is made to feel welcome, and that they can feel at ease as they go through the learning process. As outlined in the section above, all members of the net can get involved in training. Just be aware that although traffic handling does not appear very complex to us, there are a lot of things to learn and some folks may need more time and/ or experience before they get it all. So be very patient.

Provide Opportunities to Handle Traffic

Make sure the new net member gets enough opportunities to handle live traffic. If not enough traffic is coming their way then generate some or get some of your other ham friends to generate some. This will not only make traffic handling more interesting to the new members but will get more traffic flowing on the net. This is something we all need in order to get more practice for ourselves and others on the net.
I hope this inspires us all to become more involved in finding new stations to add to the check-in list not only on ICN and QIN but all of the local NTS nets.

I would like to leave you all with the encouragement to become a Traffic Net Elmer. Mentoring ("Elmering") others in various aspects of Ham radio is one of the goals of Amateur Radio.
It is a great way to further your own enjoyment of the hobby. You not only help to to improve the skills of those you "Elmer" but you also improves your own skills as a radio operator, get to know other hams better and become a better citizen.

I would like to say that I have been made to feel very welcome on QIN and ICN. I appreciate all the help I get as I am learning traffic handling on CW. Not only have I been helped in the area of CW net operations but the practice has vastly improved my CW skills.

Thanks everyone!
Andy (KC9BZL)

Andy's Autobiography:

I am a second time around ham. I was first licensed in the mid 1970's.

At that time I only worked on 2 meters and very little on 10 Meters with a converted CB radio that had SSB. I did not get very involved then and shortly lost interest and let my license expire.

Then a few years ago my interest in Ham radio was renewed when I was exploring my past as a Morse Code Operator in the US Army.

Through the internet I found pictures of the base I was stationed at in Thailand and my first few years in Morse Code. I discovered that the radios I used at that time were quite easy to obtain and so bought two for myself. My big interest was in picking up CW stations. Of course I wanted to do more than that so (without taking time to study) I retook my Tech and General Class License exams and passed the Tech.

It was a couple of years before I could afford any ham gear so I was a silent Ham, just listening in on my old military boatanchor (R-390A).

A good friend of mine who used to also be a ham became interested in ham radio again as a result of my interest and together we studied for and took the ham exams. He passed the CW, Tech and General class, and I passed the General Class and so we both reentered the fascinating world of ham radio.

We both bought Yaseu VX-5R handhelds and began learning all the new and exciting things hams were doing. I was anxious to get started on morse code and after months decided to sell my two old radios to buy a new rig that would give me HF capabilities. That new rig is the ICOM IC-706 MKIIG and it is doing a pretty good job for me.

I continue to explore what ham radio has to offer and am really enjoying improving my CW skills. I've been pretty active in ARES/RACES and have been certified in Level 1 and Level 2 Emergency Communications. I just completed Terrorist Awareness Training and am signed up for a Weather Spotters class. I am interested in all modes and only tinker in the contests.

DAY	QIN/E (early) (0000Z)	QIN/L (late) (1430Z)
MON.	KO9D	KA9QWC
TUE.	K9PUI	KA9QWC
WED.	N9HZ	KA9QWC
THUR.	WB9OFG	KA9QWC
FRI.	OPEN	KB9TUI
SAT.	OPEN	WB9OFG
SUN.	OPEN	WB9OFG

STATIONS	QNI	NCS	NAME	*QTH
NY9A	25		ALAN	S. BEND
KC9BZL	37		ANDY	W. COLLEGE CORNER
W9CM	1		MAC	EVANSVILLE
KO9D	22	6	KIRK	INDIANAPOLIS
K9EDF	1		LOU	INDIANAPOLIS
NA9F	13		RON	NORTH VERNON
N9HZ	6	4	BRENT	GOSHEN
W9KT	17		MARV	TERRE HAUTE
K8LEN	16		PAT	PEKIN
WB8LQU	20		BOB	COLUMBIA CITY
WB9OFG	13	13	JOHN	BROOKSTON
WB9OZZ	45		HOMER	FRANKLIN
N9PF	15	1	PAUL	YORKTOWN
K9PUI	54	18	DICK	INDIANAPOLIS
KA9QWC	23	13	DON	LARWILL
KB9TUI	30	6	GARY	FORT WAYNE
K9ZBM	21		JIM	MIDDLEBURY
TOTALS	359	61

STATION	QNI	NCS	NAME	*QTH
K8LEN	X		PAT	PEKIN
K9EDF	X		LOU	INDIANAPOLIS
K9PUI	X	X	DICK	INDIANAPOLIS
K9RFK			BILL	INDIANAPOLIS
K9ZBM	X	X	JIM	MIDDLEBURY
KB9GVA	1		RAY	WAWATOSA, WISCONSIN
KB9TUI	X	X	GARY	FORT WAYNE
KO9D	X	X	KIRK	INDIANAPOLIS
KC9BZL	X		ANDY	W. COLLEGE CORNER
N9PF	X	X	PAUL	YORKTOWN
NA9F	X		RON	NORTH VERNON
WB9OFG	X	X	JOHN	LAFAYETTE

NET SCHEDULES:

QIN - meets on 3.656 Mhz at 0000 UTC and 1430 UTC daily