Richfield Amateur Radio Club

Net Terms and how to check-in.

Nets are fun to check-in and here is some suggestions.

Check-ins

• Use your Full Call and any other information requested by the Net Control. (Always use you full call no matter what.) If you only give your last 3 of your call you have not properly Identified your station in case the Net Controller never hears you. 
• Please use proper Phonetics and not strange codes. If Net Controller is on the ball he only needs to know 26 Phonetics.
• When using numbers Ø is a Zero & not a “Owe”, and 9 is Nine & not Niner. (If giving a big number like 1500 you can say “One thousand, Five hundred, or Fifteen hundred, or One Five Zero Zero.” never use” * * Owe, Owe.”
• When using “.” people can use “Decimal, Period, Dot, or Point.”
• Always wait for the Net Control to turn it to you before giving your detail information.

Terms & procedures

• Ways to Check-in only with nothing to add to the Net.
  • Saying your call & “Clear.” Example “KCØTJ Clear”
  • Saying your call & “No traffic.” Example “KCØTJ No traffic”
  • Your call & saying “In & Out.” Example “This is KCØTJ  In & Out.” 
  • Your call & saying “One for the count.” Example “KCØTJ one for the count.” This method is better after you check-in.
• Saying your call and adding “for a short.” or just saying “short” after your call. this is to say that you are a “Short Timer” this means you cannot stay the whole Net and you maybe ask to check-in at a different time.
• Saying  “Recheck” This means you are a previous check-in and have an update.
• Saying “Comment” is a way to tell the Net Controller you have info based on the last check-in.
• Saying “Info” is a way to add any information related to the Net or topic.
• Saying “Contact” This is to meet another station on a different frequency off the Net frequency.
• Saying “Relay” Is asking another station to repeat information of another station.
• Saying “Break” This is a priority call in and is not necessarily an emergency.
• Saying “Break Break” is an emergency, but not necessarily life or death.
• Saying “Beak Break Break” is the same as SOS, PAN PAN PAN, and MAYDAY and Is a life or death call.
• Saying “a 2fur, or any #fur” is saying multi check-ins under one operator. Example ” This is KCØTJ with a 2fur please copy KAØEPZ she is in the kitchen cooking”
• Saying “Anyone Anywhere” this means typically open to anyone.
• Saying “Taking only 9s” this means only people with 9 in their call.
• Saying “Taking calls A through D” This refers to the letter right after your number. Example if your call was AAØE.. you must wait.
• Open Net is open to All
• Closed Net is restricted access
• Formal Net is restricted by certain rules. please verify them before checking-in

Best Practices

• Monitor the Net for all rules & procedures before checking-in.
• Find a good location with a strong signal before calling.
• Organize your thoughts before TXing.
• Press PTT button then talk.
• Use your call in Phonetics whenever possible.
• Speak clearly and confidently.
• Speak Slowly, and you may have to repeat your info twice this is normal.
• Always be patient with the Net Controller.  The Net Controller might be taking notes at the same time.
• Don’t leave the Net until you are dismissed.
• If you need to leave the Net Check-in saying “Recheck” once you are acknowledged then say “Please check me out.” and your call. (If you coming back to the Net you might say your “Call” or “Recheck.” then ask “Please be check me back in” & your call.
• If you need to talk to another operator on the Net please use another frequency during the Net.
• Don’t use minimum power to check-in the Net this can make it hard for everyone and may take additional time taking away from others.
• Keep all transmissions quick unless otherwise stated.
• Always be friendly.