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Net Control Tips
These Tips are Courtesy of Jim - KZ2P
I hope these tips will assist you in operating the Net.
1.. KEEP AN ORDERLY LIST. I use a sheet of paper and list the mobiles in
a column as they check-in. New check-ins are placed on the bottom of the
list. After a mobile begins his/her
run, I place them on the bottom of the list (and cross them off the top
of the list). When I
call a mobile and he/she "wants down" one or two or requests a
specific time, I make this
notation to the right of the Call and proceed calling down the list.
After the mobile finishes
the run, start calling the mobiles at the TOP of the list for the next
run. When a mobile runs
off frequency, they remain in the exact position they were before they
went off frequency.
NEVER PLACE A MOBILE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST IF THEY RUN OFF FREQUENCY
OR WANT "DOWN".
2.. After a run, always call for check-ins/outs, moves, comments or
questions.
3.. Always give the mobile’s call & county at the beginning and
end of the run and several
times during relays.
4.. I find it easier and more efficient to take relays on a one by one
basis (as opposed to
taking a list). This eliminates the chances of propagation changing
while taking the list.
5.. When a station reports the signal report he/she received, I DO NOT
listen to anything
but the numbers. As far as I am concerned, whether the retort is framed
as a question or a
statement – it is always a statement.
6.. If a mobile, that is not due to run on the Net, gives the Net
Control a contact, I will
ask if someone will move that mobile so everyone can work him/her. The
same holds true if a fixed station receives a contact – I will ask
that station to move the mobile.
7.. When a mobile runs out of time, I will only relay mobiles and DX
stations because it is
more difficult for them to QSY than it is for a fixed station. I will
then ask if anyone would
like to move the mobile to finish the run.
8.. If you find it impossible to run the Net, due to your time
constraints, but you can run
a couple of mobiles PLEASE DO NOT run only those that you know/think are
in the counties that you need. Run them as you hear them and ask someone
from another part of the country to ask for any mobile that is ready to
run. Try to give every mobile a chance to run.
9.. Try to let the mobile conduct his/her run in the manner that they
prefer.
10.. Normal runs are 10 minutes. After I have 12/13 mobiles on the list
I reduce the run
time to 9 minutes. When the list exceeds 17 mobiles, I reduce the time
to 8 minutes. I have
found that reducing the time to less than 8 minutes does not afford the
majority of the
stations enough time to make a contact.
11.. I treat all mobile runs with equal importance and do not give
priority to county
lines. There are only have a few exceptions to this rule: Kalawao, HI,
Dukes, MA, Nantucket,
MA, 2nd District, AK & Island, WA. It is very difficult and
expensive to travel to these
location and when someone "goes out of their way" to operate
from any of them, they should be allowed sufficient time to complete
their run.
Here a some of tips for the Mobile Operators:
1.. Give your call and county after every 3 to 4 contacts. When
conditions are poor it is
difficult for everyone to understand you.
2.. When signing and returning MRC’s; if you are not sure of the
callsign or signal report,
rely on the accuracy of the station that sent you the MRC. I have found
that I have made
mistakes while transcribing my tapes and the individual sending the MRC
is probably correct and I am incorrect.
3.. Please remember to give the Net Control & Assistant Net Control
a signal report as you
run through counties or run off frequency. The NC’s and ANC’s DO NOT
have the luxury of QSYing, as do other fixed stations, because they must
monitor the run. If you do not remember to give them a contact, they
will miss the county.
Here are some tips for the Net Participants:
1.. Always remember that we are there to have fun – PLEASE BE
CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS.
Working the counties should be the byproduct of the operation and not
its main purpose. Always comport yourself in a polite manner, this is
not a DX operation so DO NOT try to make your contact at the expense
someone else. This is why I discourage the use of phonetics when calling
for a contact, "tail-ending", calling several times between
replies and calling over someone else whom is trying to make a contact.
2.. It is much easier for the Net Control to hear and acknowledge a
callsign rather than a
sentence. If you have a question or information, please give your call
and wait to be
acknowledged.
3.. When being relayed to the mobile, wait for the Net Control to ask
you to give your
signal report. This will eliminate any possible "doubling" and
wasted time.
4.. If the mobile misses your signal report, and you are aware of this,
alert the Net
Control. Again, please wait for the Net Control to alert the mobile and
advise you to repeat
your report. Unless the mobile is advised of the situation, he/she will
not be aware that you
are sending another report and they will not be listening.
5.. Please wait until the end of the run to ask the mobile any questions
or requests – give
everyone a chance to work the county. If the mobile runs out of time, be
prepared to move them off frequency to ask your questions.
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