If you're operating Packet Radio, how often do you check the Callsign on your Terminal NODE Controller (TNC). If you're the Net Control Station of a Packet Net, there's a good chance that you have changed the callsign in your TNC. How about the disaster drills where you change the callsign to an ALIAS callsign to let other operators have a better idea where you're operating from. How about when someone else uses your station. Do you check into Military Amateur Radio Service (MARS) Nets? Do you have a TNC that loses its memory every time you turn it off and when it is turned back on has the call of "NOCALL" in it? Do you confirm the callsign of the TNC has been changed back to your own call? It's not unusual to see stations on the air that have forgotten to verify the callsign in the TNC before getting on the air. Be sure to check your TNC callsign from time to time or every time you use it to make sure that you're still identifying properly when operating your Packet station.
(Reprint, with modification from Wood County ARES Bulletin NR 99.12)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3