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Author Topic: ecom and net control  (Read 6792 times)

KB9ZB

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ecom and net control
« on: August 11, 2001, 01:56:29 PM »

I have noticed that we as ham's are a bit slow to respond when the bell rings. the most pressing issue is net control or lack of. yes we have one but most of the time, necos does not know or can not control a net much less the traffic that must go through. it seems that we do train but it always or so it seems to go back to the how to check into a net and what a net is. i am concerned that when we are called upon for the big one, we will be a pack of want to be's and not much of a communications team. what can be done, and how do we get the point accross that the net control is the ONLY one that can make the net happen and is the "link" we need to show of our skills..
nay idea and comments?
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KA0AZS

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ecom and net control
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2001, 01:52:38 PM »

In this area:

Weekly ARES net that practices formal net control protocols, and we periodically explain why and how we use these proceedures in a real world situation.  Also a place to give new folks a try at net control duties in a low stress situation.

We use formal net proceedures during the majority of our public service events.  Again, help ingrain habits and give newbies a chance to act as NCS.

  We also have a formal "ARES 101" presentation that has been given to many of the local clubs.  It also goes into net proceedures, most importantly WHY we do things the way we do.
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KE4SKY

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ecom and net control
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2001, 12:00:09 PM »

Net control is where the "rubber meets the road."

States such as California, who gets "lots of practice" on all kinds of disasters, have developed well proven procedures, operating practices and training to ensure that the job gets done.

Unit Three, Directed Net Procedures of the Virginia ARES / RACES Basic Operator Course goes into some detail on the role of the net control station and provides an overview of "how-to" information for new operators to get their "feet wet" and not be intimidated in their first few times calling up a net.

This material is not original with Virginia ARES / RACES and I would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance of the Office of Emergency Services of the California Governor's Office, for use of materials from their ACS Operations Manual and especially Stan Harder and Rick Rawson for their excellent articles which served as source material for the PowerPoint program featured on our web site.

URL is http://www.va-ares.org/Training/training.html

73 de KE4SKY
Virginia State RACES Training Officer
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KE4MOB

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ecom and net control
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2001, 12:36:08 PM »

I have seen good nets, and awful ones....more awful than good.  Here's a typical net exchange I have heard:

"Net control this is (callsign)"

"Go ahead John"

"Yeah, I'm up here on Bear Creek Road, and the water is in the road, and there is people trapped.  I'm on  Bear Creek Road right past the old service station..turn left after passing the red light on Highway 11 and go about a half a mile.  The creek is flooding really bad up here--I'd say there is a foot of water in the road."

"Now you're where?"

From out of nowhere: "Net control this is (callsign 2)"

"John where did you say you were?"

"Bear Creek Road past the old service station"

"Oh, OK.  And that was off Highway 7?"

"No, Highway 11....there's people standing out on their porches.  They might be able to get out of their homes by going out the back door and up into the woods.  Oh, the Rescue Squad just pulled up. I'll clear outta here--I'd really like to thank you all for such a fine job you are doing with the net--back to net control."

"OK John, thanks for the report, (callsign 2) did you have something?"

And so it goes.  This was from a TRAINED ecomm amateur net control with TRAINED ecomm volunteers on 2 M.  I applaud any practice net that uses official traffic handling protocols...but sadly, they are few and far between.  Perhaps we should make it a prerequsite that before we certify ANY amateurs in ARES/RACES/SYWARN they have to participate in an HF traffic net.  It seems like on the HF nets, protocols are more strictly followed.

My thoughts,
Steve, KE4MOB

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KE4SKY

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ecom and net control
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2001, 02:16:27 PM »

To Steve, KE4MOB - Have I heard you on the ODEN?  Realize from your bio on QRZ that you are more a RTTY and Pactor kind of guy, but since you dabble in SSB, we'd be glad to have ya, anytime!  Or anyone else for that matter.  The net schedule follows, times are Eastern, Old Dominion Emergency Net:

First and Third Mondays, 1830L, 3.947
Second Wednesday (Summer), 1830L, 7.243
Second Wednesday (Winter), 2045L, 1.900
Third Wednesday, 2045L, 144.250
Last Wednesday, 2045L, 3.947

Regarding your comments on the net you heard and all of the extraneous chatter, it sounds like a new or inexperienced net control.  We are having a live training session in Smithfield, VA in November.  If you know the individual or his EC, please extend my personal invitation.  Anyone who can't make the training session is encouraged to use the training materials on our website. 73

 
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WD4HVA

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ecom and net control
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2001, 07:37:06 PM »

The problem is that the existing protocols and procedures often add too much delay to the process.  When the NCS gets bent out of shape because someone missed the check count or didn't say "I spell" at the proper point, or said "OK on number 456" instead of "roger roger 456 456" then you've got a problem - with the NCS.  Many of the nets I've listened to end up degenerating into discussions between protocol lawyers instead of actually accomplishing anything useful.

A good protocol has some flexibility built into it, along with better arrangements for putting traffic that doesn't quite fit the ancient telegram format.

I listened to one "exercise" net a while back where a formal piece of traffic was passed to an official, who responded by picking up the microphone and giving his answer.  The NCS went to pieces and stated that the response could not be handled because it "wasn't in the proper format"... so now you've got a public official who is now convinced that this group is unable to provide the service to his agency because they seem to be stuck in their own little world.

A disciplined net is important, but the key is not making sure everything looks like it came off of a teletype but making sure that the information gets passed without change.  In many cases this requires "formal" protocol and "traffic handling", in other cases it means just doing the job.  The good NCS is able to tell the difference and respond appropriately.
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KF4ZYC

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ecom and net control
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2001, 03:35:19 PM »

Re:  Offical on the mike giving response.

The NCO should have just taken the message, put it into the proper format and let it go.  The last person you want to correct is a public/volunteer organization official.  We are there for them...not the other way around.  If the NCO couldn't do it, what about the person who was at the other mike, the one where the official was?  

If you would like to read about that, look at the postings on "how to involve..."  

NCO's need to be trained.  Not just handed a piece of paper (script).  They need to understand that THEY set the tone of the net.  They determine how the net will be run.  They are the directors-but if they don't know what they are doing, big problems will arise. They also need to understand WHY we have nets and their purposes.

The other problem is when NCO's come in that have not "exercised" their version of the net in a while-instead, they only come on during an emergency.  They are so rusty that they forget what's going on, etc.  They need practice during "calm" times!

73,
Julie
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N5YIQ

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ecom and net control
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2001, 05:42:15 PM »

Julie

I have recieved a email from our E M director that you may have available training materials for the NCO's. If you know of have any materials for training please let me know,
Thanks Mike
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KF4ZYC

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ecom and net control
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2001, 06:41:42 PM »

Sure Mike (and anyone else)!  

Contact me at kf4zyc@gulftel.com and I will be MORE than happy to help.  

The more trained (aka knowledgeable) NCO's we have, the better!  Within the training materials is a list of do's and don'ts as well as "how to find the right people."  

Julie
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W0IPL

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ecom and net control
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2002, 01:19:03 AM »

http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/level2.htm

Provides a good starting point.

Pat
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