1	Directed Nets Or, How I Learned to Listen David A. Lane, KG4GIY EC, Prince William County
2	Topics Types of Nets A Net Has Been Activated So You Want To Be An NCS Odds and Ends
3	Types Of Nets Open/Informal “Rag chew” Small events Directed/Formal NTS Operations Nets Logistics Nets
4	Open/Informal Net “Rag Chew” Any type of traffic or communications permitted Conversations flow with breaks for incident traffic “Rotation” is unregulated Participants are few in number
5	Small Events Events with few stations Orderly rotation to the information flow
6	Directed/Formal Nets NTS Nets Operations Nets (Tactical) Logistics Nets (Resource)
7	National Traffic System Formal messages Four priorities (Emergency, Priority, Health and Welfare, Routine) Strict operating procedures Casual conversation may be allowed at NCS discretion
8	Operations Nets Primary coordination nets for the event Generally use tactical calls May or may not be repeater based depending on the situation Traffic is restricted for the event ONLY NCS has absolute control over the net
9	Logistics Net Used to acquire volunteers and make work assignments Generally directed using FCC calls rather than tactical calls Normally restricted to traffic dealing with the event All traffic goes through the NCS
10	A Net Has Been Activated Prepare Listen Follow NCS instructions Plan Inform
11	Working a Net If told to move, MOVE If told to change frequencies, CHANGE Be patient with NCS Be ready to follow instructions Don’t OVER identify, but don’t forget to identify WRITE IT DOWN!
12	Leaving a Net Don’t leave without permission or informing NCS. Example reasons Location closing You need a break and have no relief You are turning the location over to another operator The net has closed and secured
13	So You Want to be NCS NCS is the “traffic cop” Clear speaking voice Fluency in the language Ability to handle mental and physical stress for long periods of time Ability to listen AND comprehend in noisy and chaotic environments Good hearing The ability to write legibly what you hear as you hear it
14	Basic NCS Techniques Listen carefully Note as many calls as possible before acknowledging them Clear emergency traffic FIRST, then priority, h&w, then what’s left Pair up stations and pass them to another frequency to “do their business” Create regular breaks for Emergency traffic BE CONCISE Take frequent breaks Control the tone of your voice
15	Trade Secrets for NCS Keep transmissions short Use a script when possible Be friendly, yet in control Ask specific questions Have a pencil and paper ready and write down ALL calls Know your radio BEFORE the event, and have your manual with you
16	More Trade Secrets Know how to use your microphone Recognize participants by name Frequently identify the name and purpose of the net Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance Send people to the “right” net Don’t think on the air
17	Yet More Trade Secrets Transmit only facts Avoid becoming the “source of general information” for the event Use ITU phonetics when needed USE PLAIN ENGLISH on phone Check operator status on a quiet net You will make mistakes
18	Odds and Ends Bringing up a Net Net Liaisons Simplex vs. Repeater Nets Subnet communications “Mouth pieces” How do you know where to turn?
19	Thanks For more information ARRL Certification and Continuing Education courses on Emergency Communications, Level I, II, and III Public Service Communications Manual Your local EC