One of the more common things that happens in Amateur Radio are nets, which is short for Network. Much like a computer network, an amateur radio net is used to transfer information from one place to another in an efficient manner. I remember studying for my Technician license and ran across several questions about nets, but had no idea what they were, so I simply memorized the questions and didn’t think much of it. That was until I got my first radio and started listening. I realized that nets are a big part of amateur radio.
Nets are extremely useful during times of emergency and for events–such as parades or races–but they can simply be used to discuss a common topic of interest. Nets are also used to provide trainings and to allow other operators to share traffic. In an emergency situation, nets are critical to being able to effectively communicate across a wide geographical area quickly and efficiently. Nets can be as small as two operators, but can have over a hundred operators spread across the entire state, or even across several states. Etiquette in nets is crucial for a net to run smoothly.
A typical net will consist of a net control operator and possibly one or more assistant net control operators. Net control operators are the glue that holds a net together. Net control operators are the ones who are in control of the net and set the rules for the net. While most nets follow a pretty similar pattern, there may be slight differences in how those nets are run, who can check into the net, and how to check into the net. So pay attention and listen to the net control station.
Knowing and participating in nets is a good way to practice the skills that you may need to help out with an event or during an actual emergency. You will generally run across two different types of nets: Directed or formal nets, and informal nets.
Directed nets
A directed net is probably the most common net you will come across. These kinds of nets can be extremely formal and are set up in a way that helps keep the most order. As the name suggests, a directed net is directed by the net control operator. Other operators should not transmit unless they are directed to do so. It is important to listen to net control’s instructions as those instruction.
During a net, if you have a comment or traffic, you should provide the last part of your call sign (after the number) and then unkey to await acknowledgement from net control. Net control will either acknowledge you by repeating your call sign and something like, “Go ahead”, or, if net control is not ready to handle your traffic, you may hear your call sign, followed by “Stand by.” You should only transmit once you have received the go ahead from net control. Not only does this help keep things organized, but if you transmit without acknowledgement, net control may not hear what you have to say. This could be because they are talking to someone in person, they are writing something down, or they are waiting for another operator to bring information back to them.
If you are wanting to transmit information on the net to another operator, net control may either let you speak to the other operator directly, or they may relay your information. You will want to pay attention to the instructions given to you by the net control operator.
Informal nets
As the name suggests, these are informal nets and they may or may not have a net control operator and usually don’t have many of the formalities of a directed net. However, rules may still be set on topics, checking-in, etc. Most often times these nets are usually conducted in a round robin format where operators each take a turn saying something and passing it to the next person in the line.
Checking into a net
The method in which a net control operator may check people into a net vary, including breaking things up into counties, cities, or blocks. But the methods of checking into a net can be divided into two types of methods: Roll-call or open-call. In a roll-call situation, net control will have a list of people to check in and will go down the roll and call each station one-by-one. When your call sign has been called, you will generally respond to net control with your call-sign, your location, and indicate whether or not you have traffic. In an open-call situation, net control will allow operators to call in during a specific window. Net control will then acknowledge those stations calling in. As with most everything with amateur radio, listen and pay attention. Net control will inform everyone of when to check in and how to check in. They may request that you use a standard phonetic alphabet when giving your call sign and may request additional information. And the number one rule for checking into a net: speak clearly and slowly. It takes much longer for someone to write your callsign down than it does to speak it. This also help speed things along so net control doesn’t have to ask for your call sign several times.
Leaving a net
In most situations, once you have checked into a net, you should remain on the net until you are dismissed. Net controls needs to know who they can rely on to send or receive traffic. However, circumstanced may arise where you will need to leave a net early. If you need to check into a net but may or may not be able to stick around, you can inform the net control operator that you need to leave early during the check-in process. This will notify the net control operator that you may not be available later on in the net to comment or receive traffic. This is good in a situation where you are letting net control know that you are alive and well, but need to take care of something else.
If you need to leave a net after you have checked-in, and didn’t make your request during your check-in, during a break in the net, you can ask net control to be dismissed from the net by following the same guidelines that were discussed in the direct net section of this training.
Similarly, if you need to check back into a net, wait for a break in the net, and contact net control to request to be checked-in.
Conclusion
It can be a lot of fun to participate in a net. It allows you to practice your skills and to get to know other operators in varying locations. I personally have used nets as an opportunity to practice listening to call sign and writing them down. I’ve learned names and locations of people so I can try calling them at a later time. I’ve also found people who share common interests outside of amateur radio or found out who has particular skills for a task that I’m working on. But please remember to be courteous of others and follow the rules and etiquette of the net so it can be a good experience for everyone involved.