Net Control
A net is a group of ham radio operators having a conversation “on the air.” They may be formal or informal, directed or ad-hoc (rag chew) and may meet at a prescribed time on a specific frequency or pop up spontaneously. Nets often have a theme or purpose. Some are all business and others are purely social. There are several nets that meet on the VHF and UHF bands in the Sangamon Valley area. Other nets meet regularly on the HF bands. Each has its own guidelines for participation. Often, all you need to do is listen to the net in progress to get an idea how it operates.
The local nets in the Sangamon Valley area are mostly social in nature. Certain nets such as traffic nets, public service events or Skywarn, however, are more formal and focused on a specific purpose.
Nets have a net control operator who moderates the conversation during a net. The net control operator opens the net, provides the day and time of the net, the frequency, PL tone and (positive or negative) offset when conducted through a repeater and explains the general purpose or topic of the net. The net control operator will ask for ham radio operators (or stations) to check in. Net control will specify the information needed for check in. Generally, check ins are limited to basic information such as call sign and location. Once everyone is checked in, the net control operator will call each station that checked in and invite them into the topic of discussion. Rag chews don’t have a net control operator but often have regular participants.
Text borrowed from Sagamon Valley Radio Club.
Net Manager
N9CLD Joseph Laubinger
N9CLD.ve@gmail.com
847-533-8507