Subj : Net Etiquette To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Sun Apr 01 2018 10:38 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 --- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32 * Origin: RadioWxNet: The Thunderbolt BBS wx1der.dyndns.org (801:1/2) þ Synchronet þ Temple of Doom BBS - tod.eothnet.com .