A number of people have asked me what it takes to be a DSTAR NetControl station for the Florida Hurricane Net. Having heard that question a couple of times, Bob (N6USP) put together a good write-up that will be useful for all – so I wanted to share it with all who might be considering being a NetControl station – either on a scheduled basis, or when needed during an actual emergency. Following is Bob’s write-up :

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Hi Gary, it is easy to run the net using the dongle.

Use the history tab to log all the checkins, then start at the top and go down by calling everybody with callsign, name, location, and any comment for the net. Check the dupes box so only the first time they key up is black, all the rest is grayed out.

Keep your history list short by clearing the list before calling more checkins.

This works good and is easy and fast. When you read the script, don’t read as if your are reading it from a paper, emphasize your words as if you are conducting the net off the top of your head. Throw a little humor once in a while.

The script is attached.

Email me if you have any more questions.

Bob N6USP

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FLORIDA HURRICANE NET PREAMBLE

Net opening

Good Evening. This is Gary, AJ4TC, in Palmetto , FL. and I am on Repeater, Port A, B C. I will be the Net Control Station for tonight’s Florida Hurricane net.

The purpose of this net is to provide training and Hurricane emergency communications for the State of Florida.

Name, Callsign is scheduled as our alternate Net Control Station Name are you on the net?

All D-STAR station using their local repeater should have their radio programmed for local use with CQCQCQ in the UR field and their local repeater’s gateway in RPT2. Dongle users may access the net connecting directly to REF034A.

All participating repeaters are linked to Reflector 034A.

This is a directed net so please do not transmit or key your station unless directed to do so by the Net Control Station. All keying is visible by Net Control. Is there any emergency traffic for the net? Emergency traffic only. Please quick key now.

(pause for any emergency traffic)

The format for tonight’s net will be as follows:

• · First, we will take any weather advisories or Tropical Forecasts affecting the State of Florida .
• · Next, we will take check-ins from each ARRL Florida Section.
• · Finally, we will take any announcements and late check-ins before closing the net.
• · After the Net, we will do the Net training Program (if no program skip this)

This net will take check-ins using the quick key format to transmit your Callsign . When called to check-in, key your radio or Dongle for one second only when the frequency is clear. Net Control will acknowledge all check-ins seen. If your station is not acknowledged, be patient, Net Control will ask for additional check-ins.

Since we are linked via reflectors, please allow a few seconds between transmissions. Tailgating will cause you not to be heard.

This is Callsign conducting the Florida Hurricane Net.

Weather Advisories and Tropical Forecast:

NCS will read the tropical forecast effecting the state of Florida. (NCS may assign someone to do this)

Is there anyone with any weather advisories for the net? Quick Key Now. (Acknowledge stations then allow them to transmit their traffic).

Check-ins:

(Acknowledge check-ins by their call sign, ask for name, location and comments) (Call each section and record check-ins) this is up to you if you want to record the checkins

I will now take check-ins from the Northern Florida Section by first calling for the Section Manager of the Northern Florida Section. Paul, KJ4G are you on frequency?

Next we will call for any section official, any other section official, please quick now.

I will now take general check-ins for the Northern Florida Section, please quick key now.

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I will now take check-ins from the Southern Florida Section by first calling for the Section Manager of the Southern Florida Section. Sherry, W4STB are you on frequency?

Next we will call for any section official, any other section official, please quick now.

I will now take general check-ins from the Southern Florida section, please quick key now.

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I will now take check-ins from the West Central Florida Section by first calling for the Section Manager of the West Central Florida Section. Dee, N4GD are you on frequency?

Next we will call for any section official, any other section official, please quick now.

I will now take general check-ins from the West Central Florida section, please quick key now.

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We will now take any late check-ins. Any stations anywhere, please quick key now.

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This is Callsign conducting the Florida Hurricane Net. We will now take any stations with announcements or questions for the net. Please quick key now.

(Acknowledge stations then allow them to transmit their traffic)

Securing the Net:

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the South Eastern Weather Net. Held on Sunday Nights at 2100 EST. on D-STAR reflector 002A, Please participate in this net if at all possible.

We hope you will join us next Monday evening at 21:00 EST on Reflector Ø34A for the Florida Hurricane Net. “All stations please stand by for 2 minutes to allow linked systems to unlink from the reflector.”  This is N6USP returning the repeaters to normal use. Good evening.

All stations please stand by for 2 minutes to allow linked systems to unlink from the reflectors

This is Callsign returning the repeaters to normal use. Good evening and 73