Subj : Net Etiquette
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Mar 01 2018 10:41 am
There are a seemingly large number of ham radio operators who think
that it is THE END OF THE WORLD if:
1) They don't check into a net FIRST.
2) They aren't in the FIRST GROUP of checkins.
3) They want to check in immediately, no matter what time they
connect to the repeater, node, etc.
4) They miss checking into a ham radio net.
5) They are late checking into a ham radio net.
The fact is that NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!
Ham Radio is a HOBBY, and it should NOT take priority over
church, family, job, health, etc. There is more to life than
ham radio, and the nets that go with it!! If you have to work
late, or have another family, health, or job issue, take care
of that FIRST!!
Also, the Net Control Station is ALWAYS going to be NUMBER ONE
on the log, whether you like it or not!!
The ONLY time one should break into a net is if they have Emergency
Or Priority Traffic...that is, information involving the safety of
life, and the protection of property.
Not being able to check in just so you can "go back to your TV
program" is NOT a matter of life and death. If your TV program is
more important to you, go watch the TV program, and forget about
the net!!
Also, may ham radio operators can't seem to understand that:
A) Most, if not all nets, are DIRECTED by Net Control, and that
ANY and ALL calls will go through Net Control. The Net Control
determines the format (roundtable or otherwise), and stations
are expected to follow the directions of Net Control.
B) Net Control is basically "the home plate umpire", and they
have the AUTHORITY to order a station OFF THE NET or OFF THE
REPEATER, Echolink Node, D-Star Node, etc. if a station FAILS
to comply with their instructions. Most all nets and repeater
traffic is RECORDED, and LOGGED...and easily traced to the
individual. This is especially true on digital modes, such as
D-Star and Packet...you can NOT hide on either of those modes.
Those failing to comply will likely receive a notice from an
Official Observer, or a Notice Of Violation from the FCC, for
disrupting a net.
C) When a station IGNORES Net Controls instructions such as:
i) "Do NOT transmit or key your station, unless directed to do
so by Net Control".
ii) "Transmit reportable criteria only during severe weather nets,
and especially if they are in emergency mode".
iii) "Turn off such things as beaconing software, etc. during a
net".
iv) "Observe the timeout timer limit".
It disrupts the net for everyone else who wants to "play by the rules".
D) When a station uses "cutesy phoenetics" instead of the ITU
phonetics, if they are noisy, they are NOT going to be copied.
If that's the case, the station may NOT get logged.
E) When a station talks too fast, it's difficult to understand
what they are saying. The same is true of controlling ones
emotions, such as reporting a tornado near you. People will
hear the terror in your voice, and you can set them into a
panic attack.
F) If a station fails to unkey after transmitting, it may time out
the repeater; and if on Echolink or D-Star, it locks the system where
no one else can use it.
G) If a station fails to participate in training nets (such as ARES
Nets, Skywarn Nets, etc.), they have NO BUSINESS BEING ON THE AIR,
when "the real thing" (tornado outbreak or other disaster) occurs.
I've been running nets practically ever since I was first licensed
24 years ago, and I've seen so much of this over the years. I've
also seen where people throw a fit when they see how a net is run,
but when you ask if THEY want to do it, they backpedal. They want
the GLORY, and NOT the GALL and the WORK required before, during,
and after a net. No wonder it's like pulling teeth to get stations
to be Net Control operators. Most hams have no idea what it's like
to be on THIS SIDE of the microphone.
While we were all beginners at one time, those who have been on
the air for awhile, and who have checked into nets, should know
better.
We say we "put our heart into ham radio" (especially for Valentines
month in February). In that regard, everyone should bone up on their
"netiquette", as people are LISTENING on scanners, etc. When they
hear this "bad behavior", "disorganization on the nets", it TURNS
THEM OFF to becoming a ham radio operator. We need to do our part
to PROMOTE the hobby.
Otherwise, sooner or later, attrition will kill it...pun intended.
Daryl Stout, WX1DER, Little Rock, Arkansas
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