Club Nets
Participating in club nets as an attendee or as the Network Control Station (aka “Net Control”) is an excellent way to gain confidence in yourself as an operator and grow and hone your amateur radio skills.
Club nets are a great way for new HAM radio operators to get started communicating on the air with others, and for operators of any and every experience level to obtain real world practice for emergency and public service event nets.
The Superstition Amateur Radio Club hosts multiple different nets on our club repeaters. Net information and schedules for Superstition Amateur Radio Club and other local nets can be found on our club event calendar.
Superstition Amateur Radio Club nets are all run on a volunteer basis by our members, and we encourage rotating Net Control among club members so there is ample opportunity to improve skills in this area. If you are a club member and are interested in being Net Control for one of our club nets, even just as a one-time thing, Contact Us through the club info email address.
Ham Radio Nets:
A Deep Dive
From the moment you start your journey into amateur radio there are a handful of words that you will hear so often that you almost become numb to them over time. One of those words is Net.
“Hey, did you hop on the net last night?” “Don’t forget, the club net is on Wednesday nights at 8pm!” “Wow, did you hear about the bad accident on the 202 last night on the traffic net.”
If you are new to amateur radio, you are probably asking yourself, what exactly is a net?
What is a net?
An Amateur Radio Net, or simply Ham net, is an “on-the-air” gathering of Amateur Radio operators. The word “net” is short for “network”. Networks can be defined as groups of equipment, individuals, and/or agencies acting together to increase efficiency and effectiveness through shared information and resources. The word “network” can be further broken down into its two components. “Net” implies a capture and holding effect. “Work” implies that something productive is to be accomplished. Ham radio operators and nets in an emergency situation capture, record, hold, and distribute information so that others may work (produce results) more effectively.
Amateur radio nets are formatted as either directed (formal) or undirected (informal or open); and are organized and convene for a particular purpose, such as relaying messages, discussing a common topic of interest, in severe weather (for example, during a Skywarn activation), emergencies, or simply as a regular gathering of friends for conversation. The purpose of any net is to provide a means for orderly communication within a group of stations, and each net will have its own guidelines for participation. How formal a net is all depends on its purpose and organizer.
Individual nets may even organize and operate in collaboration with each other for a common purpose, such as to pass along emergency messages in time of disaster. One such system of nets is the National Traffic System (NTS), organized and operated by members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to handle routine and emergency messages on a nationwide and local basis.
When you are first getting started in Amateur Radio and start reading about nets it can seem overwhelming trying to figure out how to participate in a net when one is going on. There is no need to fear, the best way to learn how nets operate is to simply grab your radio and listen to that net when it is in progress, and you will learn all you need to know about how that specific net operates, who is allowed to check-in to that net, and what information is required to check into that net. When you find a net you want to (and are allowed to) check into, just listen for the Net Control to call for check-in’s and key up and check yourself in!
Undirected Nets
An undirected net is an informal net and can be held in the midst of other normal frequency traffic. Undirected net participants may converse directly with each other and there may or may not be a specified net control operator (station). If a net control is selected from the group, that station can set the level of formality for the net.
Directed Nets
A directed net is a formal net that has a set of rules or net directives and has a specified station (person) in charge called the Net Control Station (NCS), many times simply referred to as “Net Control”, that manages the operation of the net for a given session.
During a directed net the NCS controls the frequency that the net is being held on to ensure only net related traffic is being passed. The NCS will issue specific instructions on how they want the net to run, and all communications during a directed net must go through the NCS. The NCS operator calls the net to order at its designated start time, periodically calls for participants to join, listens for them to answer (or check in) keeps track of the roster of stations for that particular net session, and generally orchestrates the operation of the net. A different station might be designated NCS for each net session. Overall operation and scheduling of NCS assignments and net sessions is managed by the net manager.
There may be times during a directed net that one station (person) may need to transmit directly to another station, however, the transmitting station must first obtain permission from the NCS before transmitting directly to another station in the net.
When a net covers a large geographic area, such as a continent or even the world, it becomes impractical for a single NCS to control. To cover a large scale area a net must operate on a frequency where signals can propagate long distances. Ironically, the same ability for long distance propagation leads to a situation where stations that are too close in proximity cannot hear each other. In this case two or more NCSs spaced geographically from one another can effectively collaborate to maintain contact with all possible participants.
Directed nets are divided into two types: Scheduled and Emergency.
Scheduled Nets
Scheduled nets are scheduled ahead of time and will generally have fixed times, frequencies and formats; many of them re-occuring. Some examples of scheduled nets include:
ARES NETS
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) nets are open to any licensed amateur radio operator. They may be originated by club or public service events. They may also serve agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation Army or any other non-governmental agency.
RACES NETS
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) nets have specific requirements for initiation and discussion. Weekly RACES training nets may be scheduled or initiated by the RO. Scheduled RACES nets may be used to conduct monthly Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Nets.
CLUB NETS
Club Nets may be informational, training or just many times just fellowship. Most of the time, they are run as a directed net, but in a relaxed atmosphere; and this makes a Club Net one of the ideal nets to check into as a HAM radio beginner. These nets are also a great training ground for someone wanting to be a Net Control Station (NCS) for emergency or public service nets.
APRSC NETS
Amateur Radio Public Service Corps (APRSC) nets can be held at the ARRL Section, District, and Local levels. These are information nets. Participants are informed of ARRL policies, news, events, and appointments. These nets represent an excellent training opportunity and should be held weekly. These are always directed nets.
TRAFFIC NETS
Traffic Net handles formal written messages in a specified format. The nets operated by the National Traffic System (NTS) are an excellent example of traffic nets.
Emergency Nets
An Emergency Net is a group of stations who provide communication to one or more served agencies or to the general public in an emergency. Emergency nets may have different purposes, and a given emergency may require one or more of these types of net. During a small operation, all functions may be combined into one net. Tactical, Command, Resource and Information nets are some types of nets used during an Emergency.
It is very important to understand that an “Emergency” when referring to an amateur radio net can be defined as an accident or other crisis where people and/or property are in distress and an emergency situation has been declared by the (federal, state, county, local, etc…) emergency responding agencies or authorities outside of the Amateur Radio Service. That second part of the equation is very important to understand, as an emergency net is only able to be declared if BOTH of those conditions are true.
Amateur Radio operators and net control stations DO NOT have independent authority to declare an emergency. This means that even if you come across an accident or other crisis where people and/or property are in distress, and you decide to start a net to keep people informed, coordinate communications, or for any other reason; unless an emergency situation has been declared by emergency responding agencies or authorities; your net, no matter how directed or coordinated, IS NOT an emergency net; is simply a net.
Some examples of emergency nets include:
SkyWarn NETS
It is absolutely essential that all Net Control Operators be aware of and fully familiar with the SkyWarn activation process for their area and be fully trained by attending the NWS or Emergency Management training sessions for summer and winter weather. Weather reports on severe weather nets are limited to critical sever weather observations unless specifically requested by the net control operator. The procedure for alerting the Weather Net and a list of what to report and how to report using the Time, Event, Location (T E L) method.
SkyWarn nets are usually run under the ARES flag. They are nearly always directed nets, with varying degrees of net discipline, held on local repeaters, FM simplex, and HF frequencies. The level of formality is set by the NCS. ARES NCS operators should be RACES qualified and should be familiar with the incident Command Structure (ICS).
RACES NETS
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) nets are a bit different.
- They are federally sponsored by FEMA and can only be activated by a governmental official. This appointed or elected official can be a local, state, or federal level. It is usually a County Emergency Manager, Sheriff or the State Police.
- A RACES net, under current law, can only have RACES membership. An operator must be RACES qualified in order to participate. To become qualified, an operator must take a simple, short course of instruction available from FEMA. The text for the course and the open book test are available on the internet from FEMA.
- As a general rule of thumb during a RACES net you cannot communicate with a non-RACES station. This is a topic of considerable debate. Some individuals and groups claim an interpretation of the rules that allows communication with non-RACES stations. This is predicated on permission being granted by a government official for such communications. (See Part 97 subpart E: Providing Emergency Communications)
- These are always directed nets requiring fairly tight net discipline.
- The NCS is nearly always located in a pre-designated Emergency Operations Center. Expect to deal with a number of agencies and manage communications liaisons with most of them. NCS operators will normally be reporting directly to the EC/RO.
- RACES NCS operators and net participants should be familiar with the Incident Command System (ICS).
- Participants in RACES activities are covered by their State’s Disability/Workman’s Compensation Structure. Recent changes in Federal law also gives participants increased, but limited, liability protection against the possibility of being sued for actions they might take as emergency volunteers.
- A RACES training net is currently limited by flaw, to a minimum of one hour of airtime per month. A RACES training net may be called or initiated by the RO.
RESOURCE NETS
Big events are most often run using the Incident Command System. The ICS uses a different form of a standby net. It is called a Resource Net. These nets are always directed. The Resource Net Control Station makes assignments, gives instructions, and directs the flow of available resources. The Resource NCS receives requests for transportation, equipment, supplied and personnel from a front-line Tactical Net, the Command Net, and outside served agencies. A resource net may be needed to acquire volunteers and hand assignments. Resource nets accept check-ins from arriving volunteers who are then directed to contact an appropriate station or to proceed to a specific location.
TACTICAL NETS
Tactical nets are used for real-time coordination of activities related to the emergency. This is a fast moving ofent less formal operation. Tactical nets are used after an event has occurred or during and after a lengthy event. They are found on the “front lines” of response, disaster assessment, recovery and Search and Rescue operations. There may be several of these nets running at the same time; on different frequencies and from widespread locations… all reporting to a “master” Tactical NCS at the EOC.
COMMAND NETS
Command nets are encountered in all large disasters or emergencies. This is a communications net established to keep the top “executive board” of emergency officials informed. They are also used by fire departments and police agencies during smaller, local events. They are run in accordance with the ICS. It would be rare for amateurs to be nvolved directly in one of these nets, but fairly common for amateur nets and sub-nets to be reporting certain information to a command net. For now, just be aware that they exist and that they are guys who are really running the show.
INFORMATION NETS
An Information Net is usually an open net used to collect or share information on a developing situation without overly restricting the use of the frequency by others. The operation of an information net also serves as notice to all stations that a more formal net may be activated any moment if conditions warrant. A good example is a SkyWarn weather net activated during a severe storm watch.
Participating in a Club or Informal Net
Good Manners
Nothing beats being polite on your local Club nets or other informal nets. Probably the most important good ham radio etiquette when it comes to nets is that while scheduled nets do not “own” a frequency or time slot; if a net control operator joins your conversation in progress and mentions that a net is due to start soon, you should wrap up your conversation so the net can start.
Even though it is not required, it’s the polite thing to do. Some nets have been meeting regularly for decades and you will have a lot of hams listening to your rag chew and wondering when you will end the conversation so the net can start. This is even more important when you are using a repeater that you do not own as many local clubs provide free and open access to their repeaters for the enjoyment of all amateur radio operators, and you don’t want to be “that guy” that made them decide to restrict their repeater use to only their club members.
Also, it is important to know that on rare occasions, such as emergencies, the FCC can and will restrict certain frequencies for emergency traffic only, and it is the responsibility of amateurs to keep clear and stay away from those frequencies during that time. You don’t want to have the FCC knocking at your door with a hefty fine just because you didn’t clear the frequency for a net because you wanted to talk a little longer about your toenail clippings collection.
Some other good manners to be aware of are things such as:
- Keep your comments on the net relevant to the topic of the net. That said, social nets are pretty loose and flexible for discussion topics.
- Listen to the net before jumping in. Different net control operators have different styles. When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
- When finished speaking, say “back to net control” so the net control operator knows you are finished.
- Avoid controversial topics; be polite.
- Thank your net control operator for hosting the net. Being a net control operator is a commitment of time and resources.
- Always follow the FCC rules for ham radio operation and provide your call sign at the end of your transmission.
- You can join informal rag chews by throwing out your call sign or saying “information” when you have something to add to the conversation. Someone in the rag chew will generally acknowledge you when they finish their comment. This is not much different than joining a group of people talking around a table.