QRZ! Ham Radio 4

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Text File | 1994-11-13 | 32KB | 749 lines

Subject: NET CONTROL STATION (NCS) RESPONSIBILITIES The Net Control Station has total responsibility for and total authority over a net while in session, even over the RACES Radio Officer or the alternate. The outcome of an exercise and/or a real emergency situation will rest in the hands of the Net Control. There should be several members of the RACES organization well trained in net control procedures and standard traffic handling/ operating procedures as required in a formal directed net. Have the trained Net Control's take turns (monthly with the next months' NCS as alternate for this month's NCS) and be responsible for the months training plan. Here are some points to remember. 1. You are in charge of the net but don't push your weight around. One of your jobs is to teach net discipline by setting the example. 2. Be on time and handle traffic on the net in a timely manner. Don't let the net get too informal and waste time. 3. Know your operators and their locations. You need to know how and where your net fits into the situation at all times. 4. Insure that your equipment and antennas are in good working condition. You always need to be heard by every station possible. Insure there is an alternate NCS standing by in case you do go off the air. 5. Generally the Radio Officer, but sometimes you, sets the net frequency. Know your alternates. If a QSO is already on frequency and refuses to move, than go to a secondary or QSY a few KHZ. Know how to tell intentional from accidental interference. RACES does not own any frequency. Whoever is there first should get to stay. The precedence of the traffic may help determine who gets the frequency. 6. Get all the information you can (situation, station locations, shift lengths, frequencies, agency of primary responsibility etc...) before you put your net into service. 7. Keep a log of every net operation. The FCC has dropped logging requirements, however, unless you have an exceptional memory you will forget some things that you shouldn't. If traffic gets heavy and you have to send operators to other frequencies, you need to know where they went. The call signs of the operator, subject, and precedence for each piece of traffic as a minimum. 8. This is one position (probably the only one) that can operate from from an operators home. As long as there is an alternate communication channel (including telephone) that will provide the RO with a way to send and receive instructions. NOTE: This position should never operate from a command post (CP) or emergency operations center (EOC). This would place all of the highest traffic load stations in one location and increase the possibility if interference. Everyone will have their own style but if these recommended guidelines are followed by each net control operator the net should work out very well. OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITIES All operators need to know what to do and how to do it when it comes to operating on a RACES net. Each operator has a duty to be self-disciplined. One operator who does not make an effort to be the best they can be could cause the net to be less than it should be. Here are some tips that all operators should heed. 1. Make sure you go to the correct frequency. Delays caused in getting all operators on frequency effect the whole net. 2. Be on time and handle traffic on the net in a timely manner. Don't let yourself get too informal and waste time. 3. Respond only to the instructions of the NCS. Always go through the NCS for any of your requests. Let the NCS run the net, resist the temptation to help. 4. Insure that your equipment and antennas are in good working condition. You always need to be heard by every station possible. Do your best to have whatever type of equipment that may be needed in any type of situation. Use the minimum transmitter output power required to maintain a solid contact. Keep batteries charged. 5. Know your equipment. Understand its operation. You may have to adapt to an unusual situation. Have a mini check list for every piece of equipment you may use in the field. Another operator may have to use your equipment while you are not present. Be prepared. 6. Know your area of responsibility. (city, county etc...) Keep current maps for an area at least a 250 mile radius. You may assist neighboring RACES organizations inside their areas via mutual aid. 7. Get all information you can (situation, location, frequencies, shift length, agency of primary responsibility, reporting time, etc...) before going into action. 8. Do not leave the net without permission of the NCS. When temporary time off is needed or you wish to close your station check out with the NCS first. 9. Be brief when transmitting to the NCS. Keep everything short and simple. 10. Know how the net runs. Learn the recommended net and traffic handling procedures. Participate in training sessions and exercises. Practice will pull everything together. 11. REMEMBER, AS OPERATORS, WE PASS ON TRAFFIC EXACTLY THE WAY WE RECEIVE IT. If you have a question, ask it. Do not assume anything where a piece of traffic is concerned. 12. KNOW THE PRIORITY FOR EACH PIECE OF TRAFFIC. If it's too high, a more important message may get delayed. If too low, your message may get delayed. Timely delivery is just as important as the content of a piece of traffic. 13. Insure, where possible, that you have each piece of traffic in writing. A later reference or correction may be required. We can't remember, exactly, the content of each piece of traffic. BASIC NETWORK TYPES There are basically six types of network (net) operations that are used within RACES. There is the Weekly (check-in) Net used pass on information or to provide some training. The Training Net is used for just that, training, and any type of exercise. There is the Service Net on which the management of incident communications operation(s) takes place. There is the Welfare Net on which health and welfare traffic is handled. The Logistics/Resource (L/R) Net is where the logistics communications for an incident takes place and the Tactical Net is where actual incident tactical traffic is handled. These nets can be combined in any fashion if the traffic pressure is not too great. Just ensure that the precedences are used correctly. The following two nets are the most important in training operators. 1. A Weekly Net can be used to disseminate RACES information for the use of the members. Net Control Stations (NCS) can be set on a schedule, lets say monthly, and the next month's NCS can be this month's alternate. Run the check-in in a directed, formal manner. (Good training.) The NCS can also be responsible for any training. (The teacher always learns more than the student.) The net may be opened for informal traffic for a few minutes so that RACES personnel can get together (if they want) and chat in an informal atmosphere. In some cases this may be the only way personnel can get to know each other better, and therefore become a better team. (Common modes: voice and packet.) 2. Training Nets can occur at any time. During the Weekly Net or during any period designated for an exercise. Service, Welfare, L/R and Tactical traffic (explained below) should be exercised at this time. Actually any type of training that the NCS, Radio Officer or Training Officer can think up is appropriate. Practice formal net activities (prowords, etc..), use of maps or any equipment. Traffic handling, including precedences, should be a must. Standard net times do not have to be used, however, the time selected should allow for maximum participation. Remember, the text of all exercise messages both voice and packet should contain a line, both before and after, which contain the word "DRILL". (Common modes: voice and packet.) DIRECTED, FORMAL NET PROCEDURES One of the most difficult operating procedures for most amateurs to follow is that of participating in a contact during emergency communication operations. Most are used to very informal conversations. Call signs are over-used and unless someone specifically signs off it is sometimes hard to tell if the conversation is over. Both excessive use of call signs and the sloppy ""sign off'' can not be tolerated on a relatively busy emergency net. Too much time is wasted and some confusion occurs. The best rule is: The station who initiates a contact will also terminate that contact. The following example, using tactical call signs, is the preferred way to conduct a contact during emergencies. Example: ROCKY CANYON: NET CONTROL THIS IS ROCKY CANYON. OVER. NET CONTROL: THIS IS NET CONTROL. N7!!!. Go ahead ROCKY CANYON. OVER. ROCKY CANYON: I have traffic for FIRE CAMP. OVER. NET CONTROL: Call your station. OVER. ROCKY CANYON: ROGER. WA3???. OUT. ROCKY CANYON: FIRE CAMP. THIS IS ROCKY CANYON. OVER. FIRE CAMP: THIS IS FIRE BASE. K6???. OVER. ROCKY CANYON: I have traffic for the Fire Information Officer. OVER. FIRE BASE: Send your traffic. OVER. ROCKY CANYON: ROGER, traffic follows. BREAK. Thirty structures have been destroyed since 0900L July 12. BREAK. FIRE BASE: ROGER your traffic. OVER. ROCKY CANYON: ROGER. WA3???. OUT. The proword "OVER" leaves no doubt as to whose turn it is, and the proword "OUT" insures that everyone knows the contact has ended. Notice, the station who initiated the contact also terminated the contact. Everyone participating knows that the contact is definitely over and the frequency is clear for other traffic. Call signs were used only three times in each contact, yet there is no confusion as to who is speaking or who they are speaking to. See "NET OPERATION AND TRAFFIC HANDLING PROCEDURES". This is another good thing to practice as often as possible. A good time to do this is during the formal session of the periodic training nets. See the TRAINING MANUAL for more information. TRAFFIC PRECEDENCES The following ARRL precedences for use in connection with verbal or written message traffic. They are designed to increase efficiency both in normal times and especially during emergencies. (Packet: use CW/RTTY references for packet traffic as well.) 1. EMERGENCY - Any message having life or death urgency to any person or group of persons, which is transmitted by Amateur Radio in the absence of regular commercial facilities. This includes official messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to relief of stricken populace in emergency areas. On CW/RTTY this designation will always be spelled out. 2. PRIORITY - Use abbreviation on P on CW/RTTY. This classification is for important message having a specific time limit and official messages not covered in the emergency category and press dispatches and emergency related traffic not of the utmost urgency and notice of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official. 3. WELFARE - This classification, abbreviated W on CW/RTTY, refers to either an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in the disaster area or the reply to such an inquiry that indicates all is well. Welfare traffic is cleared/handled only after all emergency and priority traffic has been cleared. The Red Cross equivalent to an incoming welfare message is DWI (Disaster Welfare Inquiry). 4. ROUTINE - Most traffic in normal times will bear this designation. In disaster situations, traffic labeled Routine (R on CW/RTTY) should be handled last or not at all when circuits are busy with higher priority traffic. Most traffic handled on amateur circuits in normal times will fall into this category. TACTICAL CALL SIGNS Tactical call signs are often used to identify a station instead of the regular amateur call sign. When an operating location is set up it will probably be there for several days. Generally there would be two or three operators each day. Obviously this would be too many call signs to try to remember. This is where a tactical call sign proves to be an asset. The call sign is usually assigned according to location (FIRE BASE), or the duties (NET CONTROL). Sometimes unit numbers (UNIT 3) are used. They are assigned by the agency you are currently working for, the Radio Officer, or Net Control in that order. Operators do not make them up or assign them. If there is a suggestion then request the call sign or the change through Net Control, the Radio Officer or current agency in that order. The change should only be one that would help improve operations. Tactical call signs should be used during exercises. This will familiarize all operators with their use. The amateur call signs of the operators currently on the air should be announced during every contact (a series of exchanged transmissions between two or more stations) and at least once every 10 minutes during prolonged contacts as per FCC regulations. This can be accomplished by the initiating station announcing the amateur call sign once at the end of every contact. The station called can announce that amateur call during the initial response. Perhaps during "quiet times" the Net Control can perform a "roll call, radio check" every 10 minutes. Example: EOC: Net Control, THIS EOC. OVER. NCS: THIS IS Net Control, KC6???. OVER. EOC: I have traffic for Unit 3. OVER. NCS: Call your station. OVER. EOC: ROGER. K6???, OUT. The most important thing to remember about tactical call signs is that they help keep the traffic flow both fast and accurate. Tactical call signs during packet operations would provide the same benefits as in voice. However, this is sometimes difficult as the terminal node controllers (TNCs) don't provide enough space in the MYcall or MYALIAS or MYPBS calls. Abbreviations may be called for. PROWORDS/PROSIGNS; THE KEY TO ACCURATE, EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS The use of procedure words and signs (prowords/prosigns) is a most important part of traffic handling. They are the framework around which a traffic net can provide a very high volume of traffic in minimum time with minimum errors. In a way they provide the same effect that the phonetic alphabet provides in that they are always the same (OVER is always OVER and K is always K like Alpha is always Alpha). In this way an operator always knows what is being said, even in very poor conditions. Poor conditions will always be with us. Todays VHF/UHF microprocessor controlled FM repeaters are now bleep-blooping the end of every transmission. So, why say OVER? When rag chewing, don't. It's not necessary. (Most of the time.) However, when handling traffic, especially during an emergency, it's a very good idea. Sometimes when conditions are poor, it is necessary. National Traffic System (NTS) operators use prowords/prosigns on just routine traffic. RACES operators need to have a working knowledge of these prowords/prosigns for use in emergency communications. These organizations have members who are also MARS and CAP members. Under extreme conditions, all could be working on the same emergency. MARS and CAP use these prowords/prosigns in all of their communications. Interaction is being encouraged more and more. (Field Day and the Simulated Emergency Test exercises.) It seems that all of us should speak the same "radio language". The following lists of prowords/prosigns and cw abbreviations with definitions are not much trouble to learn. In fact, if they are used in a formal weekly check-in net and any exercises they will become almost automatic. A RACES emergency communications operation may be the only line of communication available. It has happened before and it will happen again. Property and even lives along with the welfare of many others will be at stake. A working knowledge of these procedures is one of the best ways to insure that the word does get through. Both accurately and efficiently. RECOMMENDED PROWORDS/PROSIGNS AND THEIR SOURCES The following prowords/prosigns (including Q signals) are very helpful when operating on a traffic net. Most operators already know many and use them. EMERGENCY HANDBOOK/ RECOMMENDED COORDINATORS OPERATING MARS/CAP CW PROSIGN/ Q PROWORD MANUAL MANUAL PROWORD ABBREVIATION SIG OVER OVER OVER OVER K / KN OUT OUT CLEAR OUT SK / AR ROGER ROGER ROGER ROGER R AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE C NEGATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE N CLOSE CLOSING CLOSE CL STATION WAIT WAIT/STANDBY WAIT AS ALL BEFORE ALL BEFORE AB ALL AFTER ALL AFTER AA BREAK BREAK (I) BREAK (I) BREAK BK / BT RELAY RELAY QSP SAY AGAIN SAY AGAIN (I) REPEAT (I) SAY AGAIN RPT QSM CALL SIGN CALL SIGN (I) CALL SIGN(I) CALL SIGN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN QRZ STATION STATION MAYDAY MAYDAY ( I) MAYDAY (I) MAYDAY SOS DRILL DRILL/ DRILL/ DRILL DRILL/TEST TEST (I) TEST (I) TO TO(I) TO FROM FROM (I) FROM GROUPS CHECK (I) GROUPS CORRECTION CORRECTION EEEEEEEE CORRECT CORRECT C THIS IS THIS IS(I) THIS IS DE MORE TO MORE TO MORE TO B FOLLOW FOLLOW (I) FOLLOW EMERGENCY EMERGENCY (I) EMERGENCY (I) IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY (I) PRIORITY PRIORITY (I) PRIORITY (I) PRIORITY P (I) WELFARE WELFARE ( I) WELFARE (I) W (I) ROUTINE ROUTINE (I) ROUTINE (I) ROUTINE R (I) I SPELL* I SPELL FIGURES* FIGURES INITIALS* INITIALS WRONG* WRONG DIRECT DIRECT COPY BY INTERCEPT LETTER LETTER QTB THE TEXT THE TEXT WORDS TWICE WORDS TWICE QSZ The prowords followed by an (I) are not listed as prowords but, instead, mentioned or (I)mplied both directly and indirectly as prowords within the text of the ARRL publications listed in the headings. The operator when handling traffic via voice, and converting from CW, packet, AMTOR or RTTY traffic is instructed to change certain prosigns for these modes to prowords in voice. (BT to BREAK etc...) Many (precedence, TO, FROM etc..) are only indirectly implied. The prowords marked * are now only used within MARS, CAP and other official government communications agencies. Many amateurs who have picked them up from MARS etc... also use them. In an attempt to apply some common sense to having them added they should speak for themselves. The examples should provide ample explanation on the importance of their use in fast and accurate traffic handling. DEFINITIONS OF PROWORDS/PROSIGNS Procedure words and signs (prowords/prosigns) help speed communications as well as help insure accuracy of messages. They are often able to express complex phrases or instructions in a word or two. They are distinctive sounding and their meaning is clear. This is helpful, especially under marginal and poor conditions. They are only effective, however, if everyone understands them and uses them correctly. Below are the definitions of the prowords most commonly used. for definitions of prosigns cross reference from "RECOMMENDED PROWORDS/PROSIGNS AND THEIR SOURCES. RECOMMENDED PROWORD DEFINITION OVER: This is the end of my transmission to you and response is necessary. OUT: This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected. COPY: I have received and understood your last transmission. It does not mean "yes" or signify agreement. ROGER: Same as "ROGER". (Archaic) AFFIRMATIVE: Yes. NEGATIVE: No. CLOSE: I am closing my station. WAIT: I must pause for a few seconds. ALL BEFORE: The portion of the message to which referenced is all that which proceeds (use next known word here). ALL AFTER: The portion of the message to which referenced is all that which follows (use last known word here). BREAK: I am indicating the separation of the text from the other parts of the message. RELAY: Transmit this traffic to or for other stations. Use CALL SIGN(s). SAY AGAIN Repeat all or portion indicated of last message. CALL SIGN: The word group that follows is a CALL SIGN. UNKNOWN STATION: Call sign/identity of a station is unknown. MAYDAY: International distress call in emergencies. DRILL: Word used to indicate that the text of a message is not real and is for exercise purposes only. TO: "ADDRESS GROUP" or "CALL SIGN" to whom the message is going. FROM: "ADDRESS GROUP" or "CALL SIGN" of message originator. GROUPS: The number of words, "INITIAL" and "FIGURE" groups within the "TEXT" of a message. In exercises include the proword DRILL or TEST as part of the "TEXT". TEXT: The body of a message. Includes DRILL or TEST in the lines before and after actual TEXT in exercises. ADDRESS GROUP: Group containing the "TO" and/or "FROM" address, or "CALL SIGN(s)". CORRECTION: I have made an error, transmission will continue from the last correct word. CORRECT: You are correct. THIS IS: This transmission is from (your "CALL SIGN"). MORE TO FOLLOW: There is more traffic following this message. EMERGENCY: Message precedence is (highest) EMERGENCY. PRIORITY: Message precedence is (2nd highest) PRIORITY. WELFARE: Message precedence is (3rd highest) WELFARE. ROUTINE: Message precedence is (lowest) ROUTINE. I SPELL: I will spell the next word phonetically. FIGURES: The next word group is, or begins with, numbers. INITIALS: The next word group is, or begins with, letters. WRONG: Your last transmission is not correct. DIRECT: A station is copied directly, no RELAY is required. LETTER THE TEXT: There is a word or words missing. Repeat the first letter or number of each word or group phonetically. WORDS TWICE: Transmit each phrase or word twice INTERNATIONAL PHONETIC ALPHABET There is no such thing as "common spelling" in RACES work. If there is a proper name to be transmitted, always spell it out using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Do not improvise a phonetic alphabet; if you don't know the International Phonetic Alphabet, now is a good time to learn it and use it in your daily operations. A Alpha F Fox-trot K Kilo P Papa U Uniform B Bravo G Golf L Lima Q Quebec V Victor C Charley H Hotel M Mike R Romeo W Whiskey D Delta I India N November S Sierra X X-ray E Echo J Juliet O Oscar T Tango Y Yankee Z Zulu Many times radio conditions are poor and words must be over-exaggerated to be understandable. In general, speak very slowly and distinctly to carry through static or weak signals. The following list provides pronunciation of numbers in poor conditions: One - "Wun" Two - "Too" Three - "Tharee" Four "Fower" Five - "Fiyuv" Six - "Siks" Seven - "Sevven" Eight - "Ate" Nine - "Niner" Zero - "Zearow" (The number "zero" is not to be pronounced as "oh".