Weekly Training Net
This net provides an opportunity to get on the radio, check-in to a net, and hear a training item. Net duties of Net Control, Assistant Net Control, and Training Item are provided by UCARES members.
Quick References:
Net Duties Sign UpNet Duties Script
Check-in Log
When and Where
When: Every Tuesday @ 2100hrs
Where: Linked Repeaters 147.340 (+100.0) & 145.23 (-131.8)
(use the repeater that you can hear/use the best)
📄️ How do I Participate?
Any Amateur Radio Operator is welcome to participate in our Nets. If you don't have
What to Expect
You will hear a Net Control operator start the net, take check-ins (like roll call), and present annoucements. Following annoucements, a training item will be presented by another UCARES member. Following the training item, the Net Control will ask for any missed check-ins and then close the net.
Net Duties
There are 3 Net Duties: Net Control, Assistant Net Control, and Training.
Before the net starts, the Net Control Station (NCS), Assistant Net Control Station (ANCS), and Training item should make sure each other are present. Some nets will not have a training item; in this case, a roundtable format can be used where anyone can ask Ham Radio related questions that other Hams can help answer.
UCARES uses a digital Check-in Log which we would prefer you to use when taking Check-ins. You can also use a paper log, but if you do, please make sure to send a copy of the Check-ins to net@ucares.org following the net.
Keep in mind, while we prefer the use of the digital log, being familiar with paper recording is good for emergency practice. Both skills are important.
In the digital log, Net Control will record check-ins in the red columns and the Assistant Net Control will record check-ins in the blue columns. Additional columns are provided for other participants to record what they hear so that Net Control can see in real time if what they heard is correct. This can be really helpful for NCS and ANCS to focus on taking check-ins.
When a callsign is put in the first column, the station’s name will automatically appear in the “Name” column if we have their callsign on record. In the Notes column you can put a “T” for if the station has traffic, and “E” if an early out is requested.
Please make sure to record your own call sign because you’re checking in too!
Remember that UCARES Nets are a place to practice! You don’t have to have it all figured out during your first time, but we hope that this provides a good starting point. You’ll do great!
Net Control Station [NCS]
The role of Net Control is that of a facilitator. The main duties of Net Control are: Start/End the net Record membership check-ins Handle Traffic or Emergencies Represent UCARES
Think of Net Control as managing traffic at an intersection. Net Control needs to stay in control of the net by directing who should be speaking at what time. UCARES nets are directed nets, meaning that what Net Control says is what happens. As Net Control, you manage who talks over the air. While Net Control should stay in control, that control should never be overbearing. UCARES as an organization promotes positivity, and members joining in on our nets should feel welcome to make comments as time permits.
During the net, the Net Control is a direct representative of UCARES. Please be kind, courteous, and stay in control throughout the net. Here are some guidelines to help you stay in control: During check-ins, some stations may have trouble being heard. In such cases, give them 2 opportunities to check-in, then ask them to email our net managers for additional help. While we want to help everyone join the net, this is not the time for troubleshooting. Check with UCARES Net Management beforehand for a list of Event Announcements. Such announcements will be pre-planned. Any additional event announcements are to be handled during the traffic portion of the net. After a few sentences, make sure to stop transmitting and allow for a break in the net. This allows for you to take a breath, and for any emergency traffic to break into the net.
Assistant Net Control Station [ANCS]
The Assistant Net Control helps the Net Control Station with their duties and can step in as Net Control should the acting Net Control Station have any difficulty. The main duties of the ANCS: Make 2 net announcements before the net 20 minutes & 10 minutes respectively Record membership check-ins from a separate repeater Take over as Net Control if needed
Before the net, at 20 minutes & 10 minutes before the net, make an announcement on the main frequency that the net will be starting soon (see the Pre-Net Script).
During the net, you will switch to a separate repeater to take additional check-ins. This is a good opportunity to practice taking check-ins, as well as helps us speed up the net by reducing the number of check-ins that the NCS must handle. If the repeater announced for ANCS check-ins does not work well for you, please coordinate with Net Control to make sure that they are aware of which frequency to announce during the net.
Training Items
Each UCARES Net provides an opportunity for anyone to offer a training item. The purpose of training items is to help us learn or remind us about particular topics. Training items should not run longer than 10 minutes.
Quick References:
Net Duties Sign UpNet Duties Script
Check-in Log