The Central Arkansas UHF Group participiates a net each Tuesday. The "Arkansas Section Traffic Emergency Net / AR Link System Net" can be
accessed through any AR Link System network repeaters. The net is also accessible via
Echolink (node number 408701) and on the Lone Star Reflector (channel 2, number 9452).
The net meets at 8:00 PM Central Time and is opened to any properly licensed
amateur. The net is directed and stations are to contact net control before
making comments or passing traffic or other information.
The net meets for the purpose of training in net operations, providing
information to amateurs, amateur fellowship and handling traffic into and out of
the central Arkansas area.
Suggestions for participating in the net
- There are usually several repeaters linked during this net and it takes almost a
second before they all sync together after you key the mike. For this reason,
please count to two after you key up before you start talking.
- Wait until the net control calls for check-ins that meet the criteria set by the
net control, stations with emergency traffic, stations with priority traffic,
stations with regular traffic, stations short of time, regular check-ins, etc.
Next give the net control call sign, say this is and give your call sign
phonetically followed by your name, location and whether or not you have traffic
for the net. If you have no traffic or announcements, simply say no traffic.
Listen for the net control to acknowledge your check-in. If you do not hear your
call recognized, simply repeat your check-in. It wastes to call in and say you
weren't recognized, etc.
- Do not transmit until net control directs you to or if you are responding to
another station which net control directed to call you. If you need to contact
net control, simply give your call and wait for net control to recognize you.
Keep your transmissions brief and to the point. If someone asks you what time it
is, don't tell them how to build the watch.
- Let net control know that you are leaving the net if you think others may need
you during the net and you leave before it is over.
Net preamble and guidance for net controls
The following is a suggested guide for use as a net control when calling the
Central Arkansas UHF net. As a net control you should be prepared before the net
to keep a log of the net and keep the net running as smoothly as possible. You
should also be ready to start the net on time.
If there are stations on frequency when it is time to start the net, politely
request if they could let you begin calling the net. Remember FCC regulations
state that no station or stations have a "right" to a frequency. If a group of
stations are on frequency, they have as much right to be there as a scheduled
net. Most hams will clear a frequency if politely requested to do so to allow a
net to open. However, they are under no requirement to do so. Simply wait until
the stations leave the frequency and then open the net.
Have some means of recording station calls, names and locations and a list of
any traffic for the net. Take your time and remember you are directing the net.
Serving as a net control can be fun and provides a real service to the amateur
community. Serving as a net control is also good practice for real emergency
situations.
Feel free to copy the following information and feel free to volunteer to serve
as a net control.
Net preamble
QST, QST, QST, this is (give call sign of net control station phonetically)
opening this session of the Central Arkansas Ultra high Frequency Net. This net
meets every Tuesday evening at 9:00 Central time. The purpose of the net is to
provide training in proper net procedures and to handle traffic into and out of
the central Arkansas area.
The net control for this session is (Give name and call sign phonetically
again.) There are usually several repeaters linked during this net and it takes
almost a second before they all sync together after you key the mike. For this
reason, please count to 2 after you key up before you start talking.
This net is a directed net and stations should contact net control before
attempting to contact other stations. When you attempt to check in: Please key
up count to 2 then give my call sign and give your call phonetically, name,
location and whether or not you have traffic for the net.