|
Page 20 General Net Procedures
1. Under stress, many operators have a tendency to talk fast. Even if you are in the midst of the action, remember to talk slowly and clearly in order to get the message across correctly. ACCURACY FIRST, SPEED SECOND. 2. Sound alert. If you are a Net Control and become tired during an emergency, get a relief operator. 3. Use humor with discretion and sparingly on the net. A radio system suffers enough confusion without wisecracks and jokes. Amateur Radio may be a hobby to enjoy, but the function of a net is serious business and should be treated as such. 4. Watch certain words. They sound almost like the opposite meaning. For example, “can’t” almost sounds like “can” and with a poor signal—who knows. “Unable” is a better choice. Use “affirmative” instead of “yes.” Use “negative” instead of “no.” “Roger” is a good word. It means “message received,” implying that it is understood. It does not mean “affirmative” or “yes.” 5. The word “break” is never used UNLESS there is an emergency. Otherwise, use your call sign to gain access to the net. 6. Remember that the strongest signal “captures” the receiver in a FM radio system. When two or more stations are on the air at the same time, confusion can result. Check to see that you are not over-riding someone or blanking out their communications with your signal. 7. Do not act as a “relay station” unless Net Control, or another radio station, asks for a relay—and you can fulfill the requirement at your station. 8. Net Control Stations frequently are very busy with work that is not on the air. If you call the net control station and do not get a reply, be patient and call again in a minute or two. If it is an emergency, call more often and state so. Otherwise, just space the calls to the net control station until they answer. You may be in a dead spot. Try moving your position slightly until acknowledged. Be patient+--both at the net control station and at the outlying stations.
These few rules/suggestions are intended to help you become a better operator whether in a ham contest, communications emergency, or during every day communications. Net Control Station may have final authority, but good, clean operating methods and procedures almost make a net run without a net control station.
Net # ____________ # Announcements _____
Date ____________ # Traffic ________
Net Control _______________ # Check-Ins _______
|