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Taylor's Vault

Net Duties

Holding a Net using amateur radio is a critical skill for operators to learn if they are interested. While each net may be different, the basic principles are the same. The net duties outlined below help to make Nets work in and be useful. There is no “one size fits all” for net duties. These thoughts here are things that I have noticed and learned. The outlined net duties here include:

  • Net Control

Net Control

The role of Net Control is that of a facilitator. Someone needs to manage the Net from start to finish. That station is Net Control. Remember that during the net you need to ID every 10 minutes according to FCC Guidelines. Additionally, Net Control is a representation of themselves and can also be a representative of a group if this is a Net organized by a larger club or organization. Some groups have a script to help guide Net Control to the main topics and verbage that they would like during the net. The main duties of Net Control are:

  • Start/End the net
  • Record check-ins
  • Handle Traffic or Emergencies

Start/End Net

The Net Control station is in charge of keeping order during the net. Most nets are a directed net, meaning between the Start & End times Net Control is in charge of who speaks during the net. Keep in mind, though, that nobody “owns” airtime in Ham Radio, so your net is not entitled to being on a specific frequency at a time with the exception of emergency traffic.

It’s a good idea as Net Control to use 24hr time to reduce confusion. If you are not as familiar with 24hr time, take a challenge to set your phone to 24hr time for a few weeks and you’ll pick it right up.

Record Check-ins

As Net Control, if you don’t know who is participating in your net, then you are not going to be an effective Net Control. Whether your net is a directed net, round table, or other format, knowing who is participating is critical! If your participants don’t feel recognized then they will not join your net. Many people have their own format and style for taking check-ins and this can also be specific to each net. Here is an example of how you can call for check-ins.

Stations that wish to check-in please call now
-- this is station ... --
Acknowledging station %callsign%. Welcome to tonight's net!
Any additions or corrections please call now.

Handle Traffic & Emergencies

As stated above, we don’t own any airspace. As such, the FCC rules for identification and breaks still apply. If a station breaks into a net that you are running and states BREAK or EMERGENCY, immediately stop the net and allow the other station to handle their traffic. Other stations without emergency traffic may desire to add comments, pose questions, or other needs. Such stations will customarily give the last few letters of their callsign (example, “SHU” for the callsign “KI7SHU”) during a pause in the net. If it is appropriate, you can pass the mic, or acknowledge the calling station and let them know that you will give the mic shortly.

Additionally, stations may check-in during with traffic if your net has a segment for stations with traffic to communicate broadly to the net group. Such traffic is customarily held for after check-ins but timing is ultimately at the Net Control’s discretion.