WELCOME Waukesha County ARESRACES Hey Its a review

WELCOME Waukesha County ARES/RACES

Hey! It’s a review!

What’s the NTS and where does ARES/RACES fit?

Why do we do this? • It’s the service we provide • It’s a skill that transfers • It meets an FCC requirement • It’s satisfying to do a job well

What’s it all about? • The National Traffic System • NTS & ICS 213 msg format • Traffic handling tips • Net controls

background

The NTS provides routing for traffic in times of need – and it provides daily training.

You can be part of that training.

In the National Traffic System. . .

traffic flows. . . • from local • to section • to region [9 RN] • to area [CAN] • to region [9 RN] • to section • to local.

WISCONSIN SECTION PHONE NETS 0500 BADGER WEATHER NET 3984 1200 BADGER EMERGENCY NET 3985 / 7268 1700 WIS. SIDE BAND NET 0800 (SUN) WISCONSIN ARES/RACES HF NET 3967 k. Hz

WISCONSIN SECTION PHONE NETS WISCONSIN ARES/RACES VHF NET WECOMM SYSTEM last Thursday of the month

Try 145. 47 (127. 3) in Waukesha for the WARES/RACES VHF Net WECOMM SYSTEM

WISCONSIN SECTION CW NETS 1800 WIS NOVICE NET 1830 WIS SLOW SPEED NET 1900 WIS INTRASTATE NET/E 2200 WIS INTRASTATE NET/L (CW frequency: 3555 KHz)

And the WARES/RACES Digital Net WINLink –Tuesdays all day

Send a digital message to KB 9 MMC @winlink. org subject: check in

Quick Review

Why a formal message? • It creates a record of what happened – perhaps for review or evaluation. • It’s concise. It often takes less time than informal messages. • It’s easier to copy. Receiving operators know the sequence of the information resulting in fewer errors and repeats.

Served agencies don’t just want an op with a radio. They want a trained operator.

An NTS message looks like this:

ARRL Format NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE ADDRESSEE ADDRESS PHONE TEXT SIGNATURE

The NTS format is predictable.

Here are the parts. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE The NUMBER of the message can start with the year, an activation or an event. It’s unique so we can trace a message.

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE A NUMBER makes it easier to reply without quoting. Operators and networks change. A message number doesn’t.

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE 1 of 4 Precedences emergency priority “P” welfare “W” routine “R”

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE In ICS-213 format 1 of 3 Precedences Urgent Immediate Routine

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Handling Instructions This optional part of a preamble may ask for a reply (HXE) or for time of delivery (HXC). See FSD-218 for the full list.

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Station of Origin Call of the station where the message is first written and introduced into the system

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Check The number of words or number groups in the text - This is a good way to see if you’ve received the text accurately.

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Place of Origin Where the message started – regardless of where the originating station is located.

NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Time and Date • Use current date or • Use Zulu time/date (labeled) but • Don’t skip the date because it helps to tell how long the message has been in the system. • Use local time in 24 -hour format • Use Zulu time (GMT) if necessary • Skip the time if it’s not important

Addressee and Address Accurate spelling is a must. Say all figures individually. (“ 1 – 2 – 3” not “one hundred twenty-three”)

Phone Number (three groups) When sending, pause between groups 920 (pause) 898 (pause) 5335

“Break” Break Say the word “break” just before you start the text and when the text ends – before the signature.

And when you “break”. . .

Your text?

In any NTS message it’s any legal text.

GREETINGS BY AMATEUR RADIO X REALLY ENJOYED BEING WITH YOU X LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN X BEST REGARDS

That’s a check of 20.

ARRL numbered texts are handy.

ARL FIFTY TWO 73 Now the check is. . .

ARL 6 (It has an ARRL numbered radiogram in the text, and the total count is 6. )

GREETINGS BY AMATEUR RADIO X REALLY ENJOYED BEING WITH YOU X LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN X BEST REGARDS

Notice the ARL radiogram numbers are spelled out in the text and they aren’t followed by an x-ray.

There’s no x-ray at the end of the text.

Instead there’s another “Break” and

And then the signature (not counted in the check)

The signature (and position) is essential.

So what if you don’t understand the message?

Ask. Clarify.

Keep the pink card handy! ARRL op aid FSD-218 can be very helpful.

So what about the ICS-213 format? It’s just another form for a formal message.

TO: POSITION: FROM: POSITION: SUBJECT: NR + PREC______ IN ______ GROUPS DATE / TIME: --------------------------------- MESSAGE: ---------------------------------- SIGNATURE: POSITION: TITLE

Tell the receiver which form’s coming. Subject line for a ICS-213 reply REPLY MSG NR ___ TITLE

Use the same prowords. “Say Again” “Figures” “Break”

How to Be the Net Control Station 1. Stay in charge. 2. Listen carefully.

3. Acknowledge each station by call (and name) before asking for more check-ins or continuing.

4. Have a plan. q Preamble, announcements and check-ins q List traffic often. q Find outlets and take more check-ins.

5. Designate liaison (pick up) stations. 6. Keep track.

7. Don’t complain about interference. Move, filter, or ignore. 8. Know when to close. Send a report.

Good net controls know - that callsigns are important - to listen a lot - to keep a sense of humor

Section nets provide good NCS training.

What is the net frequency?

What problems does an NCS face?

STATIC INTERFERENCE LOCAL NOISE UNCOOPERATIVES TIME LACK OF OUTLETS

. . . and the answers?

FILTERS & RELAYS HEADPHONES TACT - MOBILITY EFFICIENCY LIAISONS / ROUTING

And that’s why we need. . .

THE DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT

At any time, the NCS may need to be replaced. Be ready.

The NTS needs your Precision Protocol Persistence in bad conditions

HINTS FOR TRAFFIC HANDLING • DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. • RESPECT THE NCS. • DON’T USE “Q” SIGNALS ON VOICE. • IF YOU MOVE OFF NET FREQ. , THE RECEIVING STATION CALLS FIRST.

ADVANTAGES OF QSK, VOX, OR PAUSES Clarifies quickly Saves explanations

little things • Speak only as fast as you can write • Don’t identify the parts of the preamble – or the message • Don’t forget the “breaks” ~ [address / text] & [text / signature] • There’s no “X-ray” after an ARL Number • Don’t forget to “translate” on delivery

Hint: PAUSE BEFORE YOU RETURN TO NET FREQUENCY. ON RETURN, LET THE NCS KNOW.

Under poor conditions, you might – 1. Check first and often 2. Use phonetic spelling 3. Get fill requests 4. Say each group twice

When to use “I Spell” DO NOT automatically spell familiar words or acronyms like “EOC” or “RACES” unless operating conditions are so poor that it is needed Necessary for proper names (There is no “common spelling” on emergency nets): “Jones, I spell JULIET OSCAR NOVEMBER ECHO SIERRA” To clarify homonyms words which sound alike, but have different meanings, such as : “To, I spell TANGO OSCAR”

ROGER MEANS ROGER. QSL MEANS QSL. NEVER CHANGE THE TEXT.

The section nets offer DAILY TRAINING, DAILY TESTING.

They’re an important part of the NTS …

and an important part of how we serve the public.

You would be especially welcome on any section net.

One ham can’t do it all – even Heather.

Our service works because we do it together.

It’s a network.

Feel free to use these slides.

Thanks for all you do. It matters.