net control eric lipanovich ki6aoc, wqdx652. acknowledgments based on presentation by david...

Net ControlNet Control

Eric LipanovichEric Lipanovich

KI6AOC, WQDX652KI6AOC, WQDX652

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

BaseBased on Presentation by David d on Presentation by David Chamberlin, N6DWCChamberlin, N6DWC

Revised by Jerry Haag, K6GACRevised by Jerry Haag, K6GAC SignificaSignificant contributions fromnt contributions from

The Net Control Training ManualThe Net Control Training ManualBy R. Bruce Winchell, N8UTBy R. Bruce Winchell, N8UT

OverviewOverview Purpose of netsPurpose of nets Types of netsTypes of nets Principles of Disaster CommunicationPrinciples of Disaster Communication Net Control OperatorNet Control Operator Net Control BasicsNet Control Basics Net Control OperationsNet Control Operations Radio OperationsRadio Operations Tracking ResourcesTracking Resources SummarySummary

Purpose of NetsPurpose of Nets

““The purpose of any net is to provide a The purpose of any net is to provide a means for orderly communication within a means for orderly communication within a group of stations. In a directed net, a Net group of stations. In a directed net, a Net Control Station (NCS) [run by a net Control Control Station (NCS) [run by a net Control Operator (NCO)] organizes and controls all Operator (NCO)] organizes and controls all activity. Directed nets are the best format activity. Directed nets are the best format when there are a large number of member when there are a large number of member stations.”stations.”

NCS Training ManualNCS Training Manual, compiled by, compiled byAnn-Marie Ruder, K8AMRAnn-Marie Ruder, K8AMR

Amateur Radio NetsAmateur Radio Nets

Open (any station can join)Open (any station can join) Closed (only specific stations can Closed (only specific stations can

join)join) Uncontrolled / Undirected (first come, Uncontrolled / Undirected (first come,

first served)first served) Directed (managed by NCS / NCO)Directed (managed by NCS / NCO)

Principles of Disaster CommsPrinciples of Disaster Comms

EfficiencyEfficiency• Reduce messages to the most simple form that Reduce messages to the most simple form that

still conveys the necessary informationstill conveys the necessary information• Use procedures and techniques to reduce the Use procedures and techniques to reduce the

number of communicationsnumber of communications AccuracyAccuracy

• Avoid rumors and conjectureAvoid rumors and conjecture• Pass as written (if there are questions, handle Pass as written (if there are questions, handle

them BEFORE keying mic)them BEFORE keying mic) Be aware. “Others” are listening!Be aware. “Others” are listening!


Do not transmit personal or confidential Do not transmit personal or confidential informationinformation

Be aware of stress levels in yourself and Be aware of stress levels in yourself and those you work withthose you work with• Make sure to “breathe” and relaxMake sure to “breathe” and relax• Try to be patient and understanding with other Try to be patient and understanding with other

operators who are likely very stressed.operators who are likely very stressed. Use plain English (no Q-codes, 10-codes or Use plain English (no Q-codes, 10-codes or

other jargon)other jargon)


Leave gaps between transmissions - Leave gaps between transmissions - especially important with linked especially important with linked repeaters and cross-band repeatrepeaters and cross-band repeat

Also allows time for emergency Also allows time for emergency traffic to break intraffic to break in

Key up, pause (breathe), then speak. Key up, pause (breathe), then speak. Again, very important for linked Again, very important for linked repeaters and cross-band repeatrepeaters and cross-band repeat

The Net Control OperatorThe Net Control Operator

The most essential part of any The most essential part of any emergency net is the character and emergency net is the character and skill of the net control operatorskill of the net control operator

The NCO coordinates all net activity The NCO coordinates all net activity and shapes the efficiency (or and shapes the efficiency (or inefficiency) of the net operationinefficiency) of the net operation

The Net Control OperatorThe Net Control Operator

Role may be assigned in advance for Role may be assigned in advance for a planned eventa planned event

Often the first station on the air for Often the first station on the air for spontaneous incidentspontaneous incident

May be handed off from one station May be handed off from one station to anotherto another

Often works well to have a “scribe” Often works well to have a “scribe” assisting the NCOassisting the NCO

Net Control OperatorNet Control Operator

Is in charge of the netIs in charge of the net Maintains calm at all timesMaintains calm at all times Must have a commanding signalMust have a commanding signal Activates and assigns resourcesActivates and assigns resources Keeps track of resourcesKeeps track of resources Assigns tactical callsAssigns tactical calls Keeps a good logKeeps a good log


Has a clear speaking voiceHas a clear speaking voice Controls his/her tone of voice; Controls his/her tone of voice;

authoritative without being authoritative without being overbearingoverbearing

Has good command of the English Has good command of the English languagelanguage

Can handle physical and mental Can handle physical and mental stress for long periods (but knows to stress for long periods (but knows to take breaks)take breaks)


Can listen and respond in a Can listen and respond in a noisy/chaotic environmentnoisy/chaotic environment

DecisiDecisiveness and the maturity to veness and the maturity to make good judgment calls.make good judgment calls.

Good sense of humorGood sense of humor


Has good hearingHas good hearing Writes legiblyWrites legibly Enforces net disciplineEnforces net discipline Uses tactical callsUses tactical calls Uses plain English (no “10 codes” or Uses plain English (no “10 codes” or

“Q codes”)“Q codes”) Uses (and reinforces use of) standard Uses (and reinforces use of) standard

phoneticsphonetics


Performs welfare checksPerforms welfare checks Thinks before keyingThinks before keying Avoids using “Uhhh”Avoids using “Uhhh” Is as concise as possibleIs as concise as possible Knows how to operate the radioKnows how to operate the radio Frequently identifies name and Frequently identifies name and

reason for the net (use a script)reason for the net (use a script) Transmits only facts, not conjectureTransmits only facts, not conjecture Takes frequent breaksTakes frequent breaks

Net Control BasicsNet Control Basics

Starting a netStarting a net Do NOT start until you are ready!Do NOT start until you are ready! Never let yourself get “behind”Never let yourself get “behind” Get familiar with the radioGet familiar with the radio Prepare your work-space. Be NEAT!!!Prepare your work-space. Be NEAT!!! Keep regularly-accessed information Keep regularly-accessed information

easily visible/handyeasily visible/handy Set up your radio, headset, etc.Set up your radio, headset, etc. Prepare your log sheetPrepare your log sheet


Starting a net, items youStarting a net, items youshould have available:should have available:

Pen, pencil, paperPen, pencil, paper Radio logRadio log Message formsMessage forms Visible clockVisible clock Maps (Thomas Guide)Maps (Thomas Guide) Index cards (3” x 5”)Index cards (3” x 5”) Water/liquids for drinkingWater/liquids for drinking


Starting a net – If there isn’t a Starting a net – If there isn’t a prepared script for the event/net, prepared script for the event/net, take the time to write one out: take the time to write one out: introduction; regular update; introduction; regular update; closing:closing:

Type of net (tactical/resource, Type of net (tactical/resource, open/closed)open/closed)

Expected hours of operationExpected hours of operation EventEvent Thank owners of repeaterThank owners of repeater

Example ScriptExample Script

This is <callsign> operating as Net Control This is <callsign> operating as Net Control for the American Diabetes Association's for the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure bike event. Emergency traffic Tour de Cure bike event. Emergency traffic may break in at any time. We will be may break in at any time. We will be operating on this frequency until operating on this frequency until approximately 1800 today. This is a approximately 1800 today. This is a directed net. We would like to thank the directed net. We would like to thank the County of San Mateo Sheriff's Office of County of San Mateo Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services for their permission to Emergency Services for their permission to use their repeater for today's Tour de use their repeater for today's Tour de Cure.Cure.


Starting a netStarting a net Take a deep breath! Relax.Take a deep breath! Relax. Check that the frequency is clear and Check that the frequency is clear and

useableuseable Key up, breathe, read the Key up, breathe, read the

introduction scriptintroduction script


Taking checkinsTaking checkins Depends on situation, possibilities Depends on situation, possibilities

are:are:– By callsign suffix. If number of By callsign suffix. If number of

stations may be large, split into at stations may be large, split into at least 3 groups (A-I, J-P, Q-Z).least 3 groups (A-I, J-P, Q-Z).

– Roll-call – e.g., call each stationRoll-call – e.g., call each station– By “precedence” – e.g., “all stations By “precedence” – e.g., “all stations

reporting major damage”, “all stations reporting major damage”, “all stations reporting minor damage”, etc.reporting minor damage”, etc.


Taking checkinsTaking checkins•Copy as much as possible, even if Copy as much as possible, even if

you don’t get it allyou don’t get it all•When asking for repeats, try to When asking for repeats, try to

avoid additional doubles. E.g., avoid additional doubles. E.g., “The station ending in Zulu please “The station ending in Zulu please repeat”repeat”


Using repeatersUsing repeaters•Repeaters may be linked Repeaters may be linked •Stations may be using cross-band Stations may be using cross-band

repeatrepeat•There are internal delays in There are internal delays in

repeaters. Always pause after repeaters. Always pause after keying up.keying up.

•Make sure to allow sufficient time Make sure to allow sufficient time for all repeaters to drop squelchfor all repeaters to drop squelch


LoggingLogging• Log as much as you can!Log as much as you can!• When working with a scribe, still log as When working with a scribe, still log as

much as possible. Redundancy can fill much as possible. Redundancy can fill gaps without wasting airtime.gaps without wasting airtime.

• Log every incoming and outgoing Log every incoming and outgoing transmission, at least callsigns/tacticalstransmission, at least callsigns/tacticals

• Take the time to write legibly! Legibility Take the time to write legibly! Legibility is more important than speed is more important than speed


Running the netRunning the net• Announce the purpose of the net regularly Announce the purpose of the net regularly

(usually every 30min). Use the script!(usually every 30min). Use the script!• Provide information to field stations regularly Provide information to field stations regularly

(warnings, advisories, any information provided (warnings, advisories, any information provided by Public Information Officer, etc)by Public Information Officer, etc)

• Make sure all stations are ID’ing regularlyMake sure all stations are ID’ing regularly• If resources are in the field, do regular health & If resources are in the field, do regular health &

welfare checks – “We will now do a roll call. welfare checks – “We will now do a roll call. When called, respond with your callsign or When called, respond with your callsign or tactical if you are OK.” (usually every 30min)tactical if you are OK.” (usually every 30min)

Net Control OperationsNet Control Operations

““Going Direct”Going Direct”• Requests to 'Go Direct' can save Requests to 'Go Direct' can save

valuable air time, or can seriously valuable air time, or can seriously disrupt the efficiency of the netdisrupt the efficiency of the net

• Quick response is “Make your call”Quick response is “Make your call”


Handling untrained participantsHandling untrained participants• Remember that everyone else on Remember that everyone else on

the net is listening!the net is listening!• Don't be condescending or Don't be condescending or

sarcasticsarcastic• Gently teach them proper net Gently teach them proper net

etiquette etiquette


The Irate / Upset ParticipantThe Irate / Upset Participant• Again, remember that everyone is Again, remember that everyone is

listening!listening!• Slow up. Don't respond instantly. Slow up. Don't respond instantly.

Take a deep breathTake a deep breath• Do a quick personality review of the Do a quick personality review of the

upset partyupset party


The Irate / Upset ParticipantThe Irate / Upset Participant

Do these Three Steps All in One Do these Three Steps All in One StatementStatement

• Acknowledge the problem. Give in Acknowledge the problem. Give in to the "Problem". Whether they are to the "Problem". Whether they are right or wrong! right or wrong!

• Empathize with them!Empathize with them!• Ask them for a quick and simple Ask them for a quick and simple

suggestion for a solution.suggestion for a solution.


The Irate / Upset ParticipantThe Irate / Upset Participant• Listen INTENTLY!Listen INTENTLY!• Reasonable solution; use it.Reasonable solution; use it.

Not reasonable; make counter-Not reasonable; make counter-suggestionsuggestion

• If problem can't be resolved quickly If problem can't be resolved quickly & reasonably, replace the individual& reasonably, replace the individual


MiscellaneousMiscellaneous Heavy, clear-plastic sheet over tableHeavy, clear-plastic sheet over table 3” x 5” cards (passing notes, health 3” x 5” cards (passing notes, health

& welfare)& welfare) Enforce good practices from startEnforce good practices from start Maps, layouts, etc. w/sticky notesMaps, layouts, etc. w/sticky notes There is no situation, no matter how There is no situation, no matter how

bad, that cannot be made worse by bad, that cannot be made worse by panickingpanicking

Radio OperationsRadio Operations

Take time to familiarize yourself with the Take time to familiarize yourself with the radio before starting the netradio before starting the net

Know how to set frequency, offset, tone, Know how to set frequency, offset, tone, power levelpower level

Know how to listen on repeater inputKnow how to listen on repeater input Know how to lock/unlockKnow how to lock/unlock Know how to use headsets and remote PTTKnow how to use headsets and remote PTT Program all expected frequencies into Program all expected frequencies into

memorymemory Program “simplex mode on repeater Program “simplex mode on repeater

output” for all repeatersoutput” for all repeaters

Tracking ResourcesTracking Resources

You are responsible for the field You are responsible for the field stationsstations

Always try to be aware of the safety Always try to be aware of the safety of the stations (including yourself!)of the stations (including yourself!)• In stressful situations, people often In stressful situations, people often

overlook safety and/or get a “hero” overlook safety and/or get a “hero” mentalitymentality

Perform health & welfare roll-calls Perform health & welfare roll-calls regularlyregularly

SummarySummary

Stay calm! Stay calm! Stay in controlStay in control Never let yourself get behindNever let yourself get behind Practice, practice, practice!!!Practice, practice, practice!!!

net control eric lipanovich ki6aoc, wqdx652. acknowledgments based on presentation by david...

Documents