This exercise is designed to provide training in voice net operations. Since voice nets can be joined from any location participants can join the exercise from home or from almost any location. This should increase turnout for the session. It also allows people to join that can't allocate the time for a full-fledged call-out type exercise. The scenario also provides experience in checking into and out of nets, traffic handling, record keeping and net control hand off. Through the use of simplex frequencies it is easy to make sure that everyone gets a chance to handle traffic regardless of how large the turnout is. It also allows us to force the use of relay stations by having people use hand held radios, rather than base/mobil stations with good antennas.
The NCS task should be handed-off several times to give more stations
a chance at running the net and help everyone understand what is needed
for a smooth handoff. About 20-30 minutes for each NCS will be good.
The new NCS will need to know the tactical calls for all stations. This
may be handled by roll call but should be done via "back up" NCS being
assigned and have that person build his/her own "Who's on First" list
(tactical call to location to FCC call list) as the net progresses.
The net is conducted via a NCS on a primary repeater and uses simplex
frequencies for passing traffic. During the opening of the net (see
script below) an explanation of relevant detail will be given to help
all understand their roll in the exercise. When participants check in
they will state their call, name and location. The location should be
by city or closest city and where they are in the city (central, north,
south, northeast, etc). The NCS will then assign them a tactical call
made of the city/location and an incrementing number, (for example
Boulder-Northeast-1 ) since not everyone knows a given street
intersection use of general locations is better served when routing
traffic to a given area.
After reading the opening net script (included below) and stations
have checked in a general call for traffic is made. Any station may
generate traffic, however the exercise coordinators should begin
sending traffic randomly from the pre-written messages setup before
the exercise to keep things going. They can either chose to send the
traffic to a specific station or to a general location, i.e.
north Longmont. If the traffic is for a general location the NCS will
assign the receiving station. Coordinators can recycle messages and
have the receiving station pass messages on to another station as they
see fit.
Traffic is handled by the sender and recipient moving to a simplex
frequency, assigned by net control, transferring the traffic and
checking back into the main net. Make sure that everyone understands
that EMERGENCY traffic is passed immediately and on
the net frequency!
When participants return from passing traffic via simplex two things
must be done:
When participants perform their final checkout of the exercise they
will be asked for there opinions on how things went, what they got
out of it, what areas need more work and what wasn't covered that
they would like covered next time. This information should be sent
via E-mail to w0ipl@earthlink.net if the participant cannot stay
for the debriefing.
Sample messages:
Only the "body" or text of the message is listed. The user should add
the header as needed. Also, it is a good idea to add some fun, silly or
frivolous messages to prevent things from being too dry and to help
listeners understand it is an exercise.
SAMPLE EMERGENCY Messages:
What it the precise time on your watch - NOW (to see if they
understand EMERGENCY messages go immediately AND on the NET frequency)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
SAMPLE PRIORITY Messages:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
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Routine Messages:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
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When the final NCS closes the net they should thank everyone for
participating and remind everyone to hang around for a short summary
net following immediately.
The summary net is informal and doesn't require checking in (enough is
enough, it's time to relax). A report on number of stations
participating and total traffic handled is made by one of the
coordinators. This should help give everyone a sense of doing something
useful with his or her time. A general call for opinions on how the
exercise went is made to help refine the scenario and identify trouble
spots. If anyone needs additional training or coaching it is handled
off-line.
Since there won't be a "eye ball" meeting before beginning the exercise
the opening net script is rather long. This is to give instructions to
everyone as to what is going on and how to participate.
Calling the BCARES training exercise. This is (your call), my name is
(name) and I'm located in (your city). I will be the NCS for this
training exercise. The purpose of the exercise is to provide training
in voice net operations and traffic handling. This exercise may be
interrupted at any time for emergencies or other necessary traffic.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
We will be passing simulated traffic back and forth using both NTS and
ICS213 format messages as well as passing informal messages. Stations
should be familiar with NTS and ICS213 style messages however, since
this is a training exercise all stations are welcome to participate
regardless of experience.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
Several stations have pre-written messages to help get things started,
but any stations should feel free to create messages of their own. The
message content is not important since the purpose is to practice
passing traffic. If you wish to create a message of your own, write it
down in whatever format you choose including informal, give it a
message number, pick a destination and identify yourself to net control
as having "test" traffic. Identifying traffic as test is important
if the traffic is listed as emergency or priority. We don't want anyone
listening to think that this is a real emergency.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
Once a piece of traffic has been listed with net control, the receiving
station will be contacted and a simplex frequency will be assigned to
use for transferring the traffic. Once simplex frequencies are assigned,
both the sending and receiving stations should move to the assigned
frequency, exchange a tactical and FCC call and then the message itself.
Remember that using a tactical call does NOT release you from FCC
stations ID requirements. In addition remember to identify that your
are sending simulated traffic.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
When returning to the main net please check in with your tactical call
followed by your FCC call sign and if the transfer was successful. If
you were not able to transfer the traffic do to poor signal quality
please state so and a relay station will be added to the transfer to
help complete the message transfer.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
If you need to leave the net for reasons other than handling traffic
let net control know before leaving. If you won't be returning to the
net please help us out by letting us know how think the exercise is
going and what we can do to improve both the exercise and what areas
we need more practice in. Do this by E-mail or after the Monday night
net.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
After the exercise is complete there will be a debriefing to discuss
how things went and how we can improve both our net operations and this
style of exercise.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
When checking in please give your call sign, city or closest city
boundary if in an unincorporated area as well as where in your city you
are located. Please use compass boundaries such as north, southwest etc.
since some people may not know where a given intersection or landmark
is. After check-ins you will be given a tactical call to use during the
exercise. Please use your tactical call from this point on. Remember
that using a tactical call does not free you from FCC ID requirements.
Use your FCC Issued call at the close of each exchange to indicate you
have completed that task and to comply with FCC regulations.
(Pause to let repeater reset)
I will now take check ins from stations with call suffixes beginning
ALPHA through PAPA
(Take check ins and acknowledge by handing out tactical call signs as
described)
I will now take check ins from stations with call suffixes ALPHA
through ZULU
(Continue taking check ins as above)
This is (your call) for the BCARES training exercise in voice net
operations and traffic handling. We will now begin handling simulated
traffic. Is there any traffic for the net please call now.
END OF OPENING SCRIPT
Begin taking traffic requests one at a time. Assign receiving stations
to handle the traffic (by tactical call) and simplex frequencies to use
for the exchange. Be sure to keep track of frequencies in use or a pile
up will occur. If stations return and need a relay pick a station in
between or a base station to help. Try not to pass traffic on the
repeater, it defeats the purpose of the exercise. Be sure to watch the
time and hand off to the next NCS when it's their turn.
The messages handled should be kept track of to help make sure that
everyone gets a chance and to give a sense of accomplishment via the
final traffic handled count.
SAMPLE NCS LOG FORM
Use it if you like or come up with your own, it's just to make life
easier. Use "tick" marks in the msgs sent/recvd columns to help keep
the message load balanced.
Operation
1) The recipient needs to state whether or not the transfer was
successful. The NCS will try again, adding a relay station, if the
transfer was not successful.
2) Messages with training information of general interest will be read
by the recipient to the entire net. The best way of handling these are
to mark them as "training priority".
Traffic
Debriefing
NCS Script
Sample Form