Difference between revisions of "What is a Radio Net?"
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A net is kind of like a meeting, or a directed conference call, on the air. It meets either on a pre-arranged schedule (such as Seattle's Nine O'Clock Net on the PSRG repeater) or ad-hoc, such as during or after an emergency. | A net is kind of like a meeting, or a directed conference call, on the air. It meets either on a pre-arranged schedule (such as Seattle's [[Nine O'Clock Net]] on the PSRG repeater) or ad-hoc, such as during or after an emergency. | ||
Nets are directed, meaning a station acts as the net control operator. They function much like a police or fire dispatcher or an air traffic controller: they have the "big picture" of what's going on, they keep track of who has checked in, they indicate when it's a given station's turn to talk, and so forth. | Nets are directed, meaning a station acts as the [[New_Ham_Operator_FAQ_and_Terminology#Net_Control_Station | net control operator]]. They function much like a police or fire dispatcher or an air traffic controller: they have the "big picture" of what's going on, they keep track of who has checked in, they indicate when it's a given station's turn to talk, and so forth. | ||
Nets meet for many different purposes: | Nets meet for many different purposes: | ||
*'''"Ragchew"''' or social nets meet purely for the enjoyment of it. Hams share stories of what's going on in their days, insights about the hobby, etc. | *'''"Ragchew"''' or social nets meet purely for the enjoyment of it. Hams share stories of what's going on in their days, insights about the hobby, etc. The [[Nine O'Clock Net]] is a social net. | ||
*'''Public service''' nets provide logistical support for non-emergency events such as road races, parades, etc. | *'''[[Are there Public Service Events I can participate in? | Public service]]''' nets provide logistical support for non-emergency events such as road races, parades, etc. | ||
*'''Emergency organization''' nets often meet on a regular basis to pass information relevant to the organization, and to check the function of radio equipment. They're also useful for keeping folks from getting rusty on net procedures. | *'''[[Emergency Communications | Emergency organization]]''' nets often meet on a regular basis to pass information relevant to the organization, and to check the function of radio equipment. They're also useful for keeping folks from getting rusty on net procedures. | ||
*'''Emergency''' nets are called when an actual emergency has occurred, to provide communications support in the emergency situation. | *'''Emergency''' nets are called when an actual emergency has occurred, to provide communications support in the emergency situation. | ||
Ragchew and public service nets are a great way to get more familiar and comfortable with local hams and with operating procedures. They're a good stepping-stone to emergency communications, for those hams wishing to get involved with that side of the hobby. | Ragchew and [[Are there Public Service Events I can participate in? | public service]] nets are a great way to get more familiar and comfortable with local hams and with operating procedures. They're a good stepping-stone to emergency communications, for those hams wishing to get involved with that side of the hobby. | ||
== Related Articles == | |||
* [[How do I find Radio Nets?]] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:08, 22 May 2017
A net is kind of like a meeting, or a directed conference call, on the air. It meets either on a pre-arranged schedule (such as Seattle's Nine O'Clock Net on the PSRG repeater) or ad-hoc, such as during or after an emergency.
Nets are directed, meaning a station acts as the net control operator. They function much like a police or fire dispatcher or an air traffic controller: they have the "big picture" of what's going on, they keep track of who has checked in, they indicate when it's a given station's turn to talk, and so forth.
Nets meet for many different purposes:
- "Ragchew" or social nets meet purely for the enjoyment of it. Hams share stories of what's going on in their days, insights about the hobby, etc. The Nine O'Clock Net is a social net.
- Public service nets provide logistical support for non-emergency events such as road races, parades, etc.
- Emergency organization nets often meet on a regular basis to pass information relevant to the organization, and to check the function of radio equipment. They're also useful for keeping folks from getting rusty on net procedures.
- Emergency nets are called when an actual emergency has occurred, to provide communications support in the emergency situation.
Ragchew and public service nets are a great way to get more familiar and comfortable with local hams and with operating procedures. They're a good stepping-stone to emergency communications, for those hams wishing to get involved with that side of the hobby.