WHAT IS A NET?

The OpenQSO DoubleNickels (or any net) is simply a scheduled time and frequecy when ham radio operators can “get on the air” and talk to each other. The DoubleNickels net is a Directed[^1] net at the beginning, but otherwise informal.

NET CONTROL SCRIPT

Ten minutes before:

After listening for a minute ask if the frequency is clear. Wait and then say:

This is KD2WLL/(call sign), NET CONTROL[^2] for the DoubleNickels two meter simplex, analog FM Net. For those monitoring this frequency, we’ll be holding our bi-weekly net, starting in about ten minutes. This is KD2WLL/(call sign) standing by.”

Five minutes before:

This is KD2WLL/(call sign), (Kilo, Delta, Two, Whisky, Lima, Lima), NET CONTROL for the DoubleNickels two meter simplex, analog FM Net. For those monitoring this frequency, we’ll be holding our bi-weekly net, starting in about five minutes. For your information, any licensed ham is welcome to check into this net, but it’s specifically formatted for those who are relatively new to ham radio in some way. This is KD2WLL/(call sign) standing by.”

Start time:

QST QST QST. This is KD2WLL/(call sign) NET CONTROL for this session of the DoubleNickels two meter simplex, analog FM Net. My name is Winston and I am OPERATING FROM (Mount Sinai / location). The NET is held on the FIRST and THIRD saturday in the month at 11:00am local time which will be 15:00 UTC time. You are not required to be the member of any group or club in order to participate.

Hello and welcome to all participants and listeners.

This ia a directed relay net so please go through NET CONTROL or a RELAY NET CONTROL to contact another station.

The purpose of THIS net is to provide participants with a chance to USE their radios to gain experience with ham radio communications; Operating your a radio and relaying information. This is an opportunity to have fun.

Any licensed amateur is encouraged to check in and be available to RELAY contacts from other amateurs. I will REPEAT any checkins that I hear however since this is a Simplex net with no repeaters in the middle a station may be too far away or too low power for me to hear but YOU may be able to hear. When appropriate please just say YOUR callsign and RELAY.

Check-In process:

Stations checking in please give your callsign, name and location when checking in. This is a local, simplex net and we are likely all within the same grid location so please give your verbal location I.e town or village or MOBILE if you are mobile. When giving your callsign please give it as written and then phonetically e.g. KD2WLL and then Kilo, Delta, Two, Whisky, Lima, Lima

At this time, do we have any stations with emergency or priority traffic?

Call for MOBILE Checkins

Call for IN and OUT checkins (no traffic but MAY continue to monitor/listen to the NET)

Any stations with announcements or a question for the net - please check-in now.

Call for any other checkins

NET CONTROL will respond and say (your callsign) after every three or four checkins. If you do NOT hear your callsign please wait until the next round of checkins to repeat if you do not hear your callsign.

NET CONTROL will ask for any RELAY checkins

NET process:

NET CONTROL will ask the Topic/Question of the week to the checked in stations. When your callsign is called you may answer and return control to NET CONTROL. If you are a RELAY NET CONTROL please direct the question/topic to the stations that you are relaying and any responses back to NET CONTROL.

Check-Out/signoff process:

This is KD2WLL/(call sign) NET CONTROL for the DoubleNickels two meter simplex, analog FM Net. The NET is held on the FIRST and THIRD saturday in the month at 11:00am local time which will be 15:00 UTC time. You ae not required to be the member of any group or club in order to participate. Thank you for participating and a special thanks to those stations that performed RELAY functions as these are core skills to have if you need to participate in an emergency situation.

Please enjoy the rest of your day ‘73 and clear