TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA (INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.50 DATE: December 16, 2007
SUBJECT: WHERE SHOULD THE NCS BE LOCATED?
Several years ago the question of where the Net Control Station (NCS) should be located was discussed and the best answer was decided. It was decided that the NCS should be located away from the main communications center. The NCS has a lot of coordinating to do, and should be located in an area that doesn't get distracted by other people walking around and asking them questions. When that happens it may distract the NCS and he/she may miss an important communication. The NCS should also not operate more than one radio system at a time, except for a Voice or Packet link between NCS' that are operating on different systems at different locations. The NCS needs to keep track of those who are in their net, and any traffic that needs to be handled. It's important the NCS doesn't get distracted. A Voice or Packet link between NCS' can keep the NCS' informed of traffic on each other’s nets. The subject of where the NCS should be located was renewed during the exercise last week, when the Net Control Stations for both HF and Packet stations keep getting interrupted by other activities at their location. When the time comes that emergency communications is needed at a disaster scene or an Emergency Operations Center, Net Control Stations should be operated from a different location.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3