TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 13.33 DATE: August 18, 20131 SUBJECT: STAY WITH THE NET
What is a "NET"? The word net is an abbreviation of the word network. A network is an association of equipment and/or operators which are tied together for the purpose of combining, sharing, or transferring information. If you talk about a network associated with computers, you're transferring and sharing data information between a number of computers. If you're talking about a radio network, you're talking about the sharing and transferring of information, messages, or traffic, from one operator to another via voice, code, packet, or other means. A net is used to test the operator’s equipment and the ability to transfer messages, or traffic, in a unified manner so that it can be transferred quickly and correctly. Passing traffic on a regular, non-emergency, basis allows the operators to practice for the time when they may have to do it during an emergency or disaster. Even though you may have no traffic or information to share with the net, you should still check into it. It's possible there may be traffic coming to you, or someone you can get it to. After you've checked into a net, whether you have made comments or not, you should standby, and not leave the net until it's over. If you check into a net, and leave before it's over, you may miss traffic or information that's important to you, or that you can pass on to someone else. If you're unable to stay with the net until it's over, you should try to let the Net Control Station know before you leave. Another very important thing you must, or should do, is identify, by callsign, your station after you have make comments or taken any traffic. The FCC rules say that you must identify your station at the end of your conversation, and every ten minutes between. If you don't identify your station after your comments, or taking traffic, you may not get to do so until after the net is closed. By then it may be longer than ten minutes.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV