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Net Rules and Procedures
                                                                         

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Pre-Net Activities:                        
AT 8:15 Alaska time, the net controls begin the pre-net part of getting the net started. It is important to allow the net controls of both the Alaska and the Lower 48 to establish contact with each other before trying to check into the net.

 
What to do if the band conditions are poor:      
During times of poor propagation, it is important that ALL net members listen for one of the net control operators.

"There is always a net; it may be informal with no roll call, but random check-ins will be taken." (From the net manager, 1/17/2004)

 In a directed net such as this one, all communications are routed through the net controls so as to maintain order and to eliminate the interference caused when stations transmit out of order.

To maintain order, please standby until you actually hear a net control or until you hear someone making a sweep call for net control. The net controls will ask stations in different locations to pick up those that were not able to hear the net controls during the roll call.

 
Helping with a relay:                                          Top of Page
If you hear someone that is trying to get in and they are not being acknowledged and you feel you can help with a relay, please use the following procedure:

 

  1. Say "RELAY" and wait to be acknowledged by the net control.
  2. When acknowledged, simply state who is calling in and the reason (if you heard it) for the call. Keep your transmission short and listen for doubling by un-keying your transmitter momentarily to check for doubling.
  3. If you have already checked into the net then you have identified your station and thus you DO NOT have to say your call sign when you provide a relay.
  4. If you have not yet checked into the net, then say your call sign once (phonetics are not needed) before providing the relay. You do not need to identify each time once you have identified.
  5. Please avoid adding extra comments or unnecessary information as this tends to slow the net down.
  6. Take a sip of a refreshing beverage of choice!

 
When NOT to transmit!                                      Top of Page   
It is important that we, as valued net members, know that if we transmit our stations at the wrong time, we may unintentionally cause interference to other net members who may be trying to hear. Here are some guidelines the (if followed) will help to create an atmosphere of professionalism that a net such as ours should portray:
  1. Do not transmit to say that you are not hearing anything or that you are not hearing net control unless you have traffic that needs to be handled immediately.
  2. Do no transmit to arrange a meeting on another frequency without being acknowledged by a net control unless the net is over.
  3. Do not transmit to other stations while the net control is calling the roll.
  4. Do not transmit until you have had a refreshing drink of your beverage of choice.

 
The purpose of the net control stations:             Top of Page
Our net control operators are the heart of making this net a pleasant experience for all. They are the focal point of ALL communications that occur (for any reason) while the net is in session. Here are some of the things the net control operators do:

 

  1. Establish and maintain contact between their station and other net control stations during the net session.
  2. Direct net members and acknowledge net members.
  3. Provide entertainment.
  4. Call roll for the net to log attendance.
  5. Coordinate traffic handling, informal contacts, and provide information about the net.
  6. Make announcements and read bulletins.
  7. Make communication possible between stations that may not hear each other.

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