Opportunities are often things you haven't noticed the first time around
The following is a list of questions an NCS operator should ask of themselves BEFORE starting a net. If you cannot answer at least two thirds of the questions in the affirmative, you should seriously consider having some one else run the net.
The noise and commotion at CP degrades your ability to run a good net and the noise you generate only adds to the confusion there.
A "rubber duck" is not adequate unless you can see the repeater antenna. That does not mean see the mountain the repeater is on, it means see the antenna. For HF, polarization of your antenns WILL affect your signal to others.
Most desired is to have a battery with at least 90+% charge but if you are the only choice for NCS then make sure you can run the net long enough to have some one else get ready.
Even from home the background noise will affect how well you can hear and be heard.
You will NOT be able to remember enough about the traffic to be effective unless you write it down.
For example; The Colorado Connection system must have the repeater at the Denver end down for three seconds for the time out timer in Grand Junction (200 miles away) to reset.
Your effectiveness as NCS will be adversely affected if you do not.
For large scale events all three are required. You cannot handle the net and run messages.
Everyone gets tired and NCS must be the most alert operator on the net.
Noise and commotion degrades your ability to run a good net and the noise you generate only adds to the confusion there.
A "rubber duck" is not adequate unless you can see that repeater antenna. That does not mean see the mountain the repeater is on, it means see the antenna. Even a quarter wave ground plane antenna (for VHF/UHF) will significantly improve your signal. For HF, polarization of your antenns WILL affect your signal to others.
Most desired is to have a bettery with at least 90+% charge. You will only make the net more confusing if you try to squeeze out the last little bit of use from you battery pack.
Even from home the background noise will affect how well you can hear and be heard.
You will NOT be able to remember enough about the traffic to be effective unless you write it down.
For example; The Colorado Connection system must have the repeater at the Denver end down for three seconds for the time out timer in Grand Junction (200 miles away) to reset.
Your effectiveness as NCS will be adversely affected if you do not.
Only weekly and daily nets are exempt.
Only weekly and daily nets are exempt.