- Events can be held on an open/informal style net.  WWI supports a crew race with only three stations.  There is no Net Control, each station simply contacts the station they need to directly.

FSD 218 contains the instructions for filling in a NTS Radiogram including HX codes and Q signals

 - Tacticals.  There is confusion about tactical calls.  Their use is ALWAYS a good idea, but it doesn’t relieve you from the FCC requirement of using your FCC call.  You MUST use your FCC call at the END of your transmission and once every 10 minutes.  If the transmission doesn’t last 10 minutes, then you use it at the end.  If the transmission lasts 15 minutes, you use it at the 10 minute mark and at the end.  97.119.

Prepare: Batteries charged? Best gear for the frequency? Pencil and paper at hand?  Other items you will need? This is Phred in the North East portion of the county at 9300 feet where it is snowing, but it was sunny five minutes ago when I came in from feeding the birds, geese and hamsters, but it's cold right now and it looks like it could rain in the next day or so - just checking in" is unnecessary and unwanted Plan: Plan your transmission – don’t think on the air.  Write it down in advance if you need to then read the note - Checking in with "This is" then a pause or unkey followed by the call may work on a few nets, but causes delays and potential problems on most. It is the option of your local net. - Unless your transmission is longer than ten minutes, you need only identify at the end of the transmission/exchange of information. Inform: Let NCS know when you leave or if you need to leave early. Do not go into details of why you need to leave.

During an event, if the authorities ask you to move, do so immediately and without comment, then notify the NCS of your change in status as soon as you can. If an on-scene authority requests that you shut your radio off, or that you not transmit, do what they ask immediately and without question. This is one circumstance where you do not notify the NCS of a change in your status. This would normally occur only if there is a presence of explosives or explosive chemicals or vapors, and there is the possibility that a spark-producing electronic device is present which might be triggered by an RF signal. Be patient with the NCS. An NCS operator is under high stress. His or her questions and requests should be clear and crisp; but as he/she begins to tire, there may be a tendency to become rather terse. Typically, there is a whole lot going on at an NCS that the field operators never know about. Hams are patriotic, independent people and they are volunteers. The attitude among a few hams is that 'Volunteers don't have to take orders.' That's absolutely correct. We don't have to take orders. But if you are not ready to follow instructions, you may want to do something outside of ARES/RACES. Don't over identify There is nothing that will expend more time, needlessly, than over identification. Someone that uses their FCC issued callsign in every transmission is usually a person that is unsure of himself or worse yet, someone that is more interested in having their call known to everyone at the event. In the latter situation, help them find work elsewhere. The FCC tells us that you need only identify at ten-minute intervals during a conversation (NOT during a net unless you talk for more than ten minutes) and during your last transmission. If you end each exchange with your call, that tells everyone that you are of the opinion the exchange is complete and you fulfill all FCC requirements. Write it down The easiest way to minimize what you say during a net is to write down everything before you key the microphone. Since very few of us like to write lengthy notes, this will promote brevity.

1.      The location is closing. If NCS has given you directions to secure (close the location), simply identify with your FCC issued call, the location tactical call and the word "SECURED" or "CLOSED". The NCS will tell you if anything else is needed. If you are closing the location on orders of the served agency, you will identify wth your FCC issued call, location tactical call and the phrase "location CLOSED per (name of person -- served agency identification)." 2.      You need a break and there is no relief operator. Tell NCS that "I will be away from the radio for (number of minutes)" and end with "Tactical ID, (your call)." 3.      You have turned the location over to another operator. You will normally need to tell NCS that you are leaving. However if there are specific instructions from NCS then follow those instructions. 4.      Net closed and secured, implicitly releasing all remaining stations. In some events, NCS will excuse each station for logistical paperwork, but in other cases, it's more efficient to release everyone.

A good NCS is trained, not born.  Basic net control skills can be learned and honed through regular daily and weekly ARES and National Traffic System (NTS) nets.  Simulated Emergency Tests (SET) conducted by ARES and other groups offer training geared specifically to emergency situations. To begin your NCS training, listen to as many formal nets as you can.  After listening for a while, volunteer to act as the NCS for a net.  This will give you a chance to apply the skills you will learn in this course.  As you gain experience, many of the skills of an effective NCS will become second nature. ·        Fluency in the language – if you have a thick accent or cannot use the language precisely, it may make it difficult for others to understand you. ·        The ability to handle mental and physical stress for long periods.  Information and demands will be coming at you from all directions all at once, sometimes for hours on end.  Can you handle it without losing your composure, or your voice? ·        The ability to listen and comprehend in a noisy and chaotic environment.  Can you tune out all the distractions and focus only on the job at hand? ·        Good hearing - If you have a hearing loss that makes it tough to understand human voices, NCS of a voice net is not the job for you.  Hams with limited hearing problems may elect to act as NCS for a digital mode net, according to one's abilities. A competent NCS must be decisive, and have the maturity to make good judgement calls. The NCS needs a strong and self-assured management style, and to know how to defuse tension and stress with an appropriate sense of humor.  The NCS has constant concern for the safety of participants and releases for rest any net member who is becoming too tired to function effectively.  Net volunteers will toil many long hours for a NCS who has earned their respect.

When asking for reports or soliciting traffic, listen carefully! This might seem obvious, but it is easy to miss critical information when operating under the stress of an emergency situation. For efficiency, note on your net worksheet as many calls as you can before you acknowledge anyone. Acknowledge all stations heard by call, and then yield the frequency to any station reporting in with emergency traffic. Clear all emergency traffic first, then turn to stations with priority messages, and finally to those with routine messages that do not involve the emergency situation. Pair up stations to pass traffic on another frequency whenever possible. This practice results in net “multi-tasking” and a higher rate of traffic handling.  This is especially true when longer formal messages are being passed, or when a protracted discussion or exchange of information is required. Break from the routine of message handling frequently to solicit and clear any emergency or priority traffic, the net’s primary mission in an emergency situation. Most participants will catch on to the pattern quickly. If they do not, take time to explain. Things get done much faster if everyone uses the same techniques. Be as concise as possible. Use the fewest words that will completely say what you mean. This will minimize the need for repeating instructions and messages Take frequent breaks. While you may not recognize the stress that being an NCS produces, it is constant, and will become evident in your voice. If you are asking yourself when your last break was, you know it is time to take one. Turn over the net to your backup at least every two hours and rest. Do not listen to the net – rest. Once rested, listen to the net for a few minutes before resuming as NCS. Control the tone of your voice. Be as calm as possible. Tension tends cause voices to increase in pitch, and the net members will detect this change. Use a calm tone and members of the net will tend to remain calm. Remember to speak with confidence and authority. A weak or indecisive demeanor undermines your effectiveness as NCS, and consequently the productivity of the net.

Use a script when possible. This promotes efficient operation. If you have time, annotate your script with updates before you start the net. Have the applicable preamble handy, and a roster to keep the net moving smoothly. A roster also assists in keeping names, calls and locations together. (This can be really important, especially in the wee morning hours.) Be friendly, yet in control. Speak slowly and clearly with an even tone, not a monotone. Speak with confidence, even if you are inwardly nervous. Ask specific questions -- give specific instructions. This reduces the need for “repeats” and prevents confusion. Have pencil/paper ready and write down ALL calls. Practice writing down calls when you are not the NCS. Read your radio owners' manual and know your radio before an emergency occurs.  Random fumbling with the knobs wastes valuable time and is very unprofessional.

Know how to use your microphone. The worst NCS is one that cannot be heard or sounds like a train huffing and puffing into the microphone. Articulate, don't slur. Speak close to your mike, but talk across it, not into it. During check-ins, recognize participants by name whenever possible. It helps boost morale. Frequently identify the name and purpose of the net. Advise listeners of the sub-audible squelch tone (CTCSS or DCS) required, if applicable. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it. The net manager should be able to assist you. That is part of their job. If the net is an emergency operation, tell listeners where to go for other nets, such as resource nets. A listener checking in to say simply that they are listening degrades net efficiency. Don’t think on-the-air. If you need a moment to consider what is needed next, say something like "stand by" and un-key your microphone. This adds a professional touch.

Transmit only facts. If there is a real need to make an educated guess or to speculate, make it clear to others that it is only speculation and not fact. Avoid becoming the source for general information about the event. If it is an emergency, refer event status questions to the proper public information net or Public Information Officer (PIO). When necessary, use standard ITU phonetics. There is no such thing as “common spelling.” Send all numbers as individual numbers, e.g., 334 is “three three four” not “three hundred thirty four.” If the net has been quiet for more than ten minutes, check on operator status. This keeps the net running more smoothly and insures that you know about equipment failures and missing operators as soon as possible One of the functions and duties of an NCS is to keep a current list of stations checking in, where they are, their individual assignments, and what capabilities they have. This goes along with logging or record keeping which is very important and causes many a good NCS to slip. This information is important during the operation or incident, and also is needed during the after-action reports following the conclusion of the incident.

Net Liaisons Make sure you have two radios if you sign up to be a liaison.  Don’t leave either net without clearance or permission.  Don’t just “check in.” Simplex/Repeater There is no courtesy tone on simplex, don’t be too fast on the key.  There is no repeater time out on simplex either.  Keep your transmissions short. Subnets Some nets will have “command and control” subnets, either on the same band or another band.  Some information from EC to NCS will be passed that way, rather than by the net to reduce overall traffic.  Make sure you know if your plan calls for a c&c subnet. “Mouth Piece”  ECs and AECs are busy.  They may “talk to the net” through designated people.  Traffic from these stations should be treated as if coming directly from the EC/AEC on-site. Where to Turn  Know and have a copy of your jurisdictions plan and frequency list in your go kit and where ever else your radio might be.  Keep it current!