Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations Outline Role of the Net Control Operator Incident Management System Structure Maintaining Accountability of Operators Logs NCS Kit The Shift Change The Status Check Closing an Amateur Radio Net Things You Need to Practice Other Forms 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations Objectives At the end of this course you will be able to: Describe the role of the Net Control Operator List the elements of the Incident Management System Structure Demonstrate the ability to maintain accountability of operators List the steps for a shift change Demonstrate ability to fill out logs and other forms 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations Definitions NCS – Net Control Station The station performing net control functions, e.g., K7YCA, W7YRC, etc. NCO – Net Control Operator Amateur operating net control station, e.g., WA6ZZJ, AB7NK, WB9VGJ, etc. Often will be more than one NCO for any given NCS operation Sometimes NCO and NCS will be the same 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (NCO) Management Leadership Control 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Management Maintains an accurate log of traffic Maintains a current roster of operators and their assignments Maintains a summary of key status points to use in periodic briefings 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Establishes precedence of traffic Enforces net procedures and discipline Leadership Sets example of proper radio procedure Acts as a resource to other operators on the net 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) NCO Assignment When possible, 2 operators will be assigned NCO Assistant NCO 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) NCO Assignment (cont.) NCO Primary communicator on tactical frequency Responsible for Event Log Secondary responsibility for Message Log 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) NCO Assignment (cont.) Assistant NCO Primary communicator on Command Frequency Primary responsibility for Message Log 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Equipment Considerations Antennas Radios Other considerations 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Antennas Types of antennas Vehicle-mounted Portable, e.g., J-pole Temporary ground plane as high as possible Rubber ducks should be avoided 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Radios Types of radios Portable base station Mobile radio with power supply HTs with power supply HTs with high power battery and backup pack (cont.) 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Other Considerations Separate radios are a MUST Tactical frequencies Repeater-based HT which can reliably access the repeater is usually adequate External power source or extra batteries are desirable 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Other Considerations (cont.) Simplex frequency Best available antenna should be used A mobile radio with a power supply or portable base station is preferred 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Other Considerations (cont.) Command frequency External antenna is desirable High power HT is usually adequate Power supply or extra batteries desirable Earphone or external speaker is very beneficial 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

I. Role of the Net Control Operator (cont.) Other Considerations (cont.) Roles may be changed as needed during the operation Mutual agreement of operators Notify Command Net for information purposes Short relief periods do not require notification 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

II. Overview of Incident Management System Structure One station runs operation -- Command Net Net Control Station (NCS) No more than five stations controlled by one NCS at any level 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

II. Overview of Incident Management System Structure (cont.) Activated in EOC 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

II. Overview of Incident Management System Structure (cont.) Activated Outside EOC 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

II. Overview of Incident Management System Structure (cont.) All traffic or requests will go through NCS Traffic will be passed through NCS for other NCSs or other stations NCO may permit stations in his/her net to talk directly to another station in the net 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs Three main logs will be used for operations Mobilization/Demobilization Log Track location/status of operators Event Log Track events during incident/operation Net Control Message Log Log all messages on a net 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) The Mobilization/Demobilization Log Will be used to keep track of the status and location of all operators during an event Check-in Availability Assignment Movement Departure/Arrival 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Mobilization/Demobilization Log 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Mobilization/Demobilization (cont.) 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Mobilization/Demobilization (cont.) 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Mobilization/Demobilization (cont.) 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Mobilization/Demobilization (cont.) Examples of the Mobilization/Demobilization Log appear in the next section Maintaining Accountability of Operators 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) The Event Log Will be used to keep track of all current events during an operation 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Event Log 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Event Log Example 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) The Net Control Message Log Will be used to keep a record of all messages Number To/From Summary Action Taken 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Net Control Message Log 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Net Control Message Log Example 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Net Control Message Log Example (cont.) Message #231455 From: Fire Center To: County EOC Summary: 2 areas being evacuated Action Taken: To EOC IC 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Net Control Message Log Example (cont.) Message #231605 From: Shelter 1 To: County EOC Summary: Need meals for 45 people Action Taken: To EOC IC 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations III. Logs (cont.) Net Control Message Log Example (cont.) Message #231630 From: County EOC To: Shelter 1 Summary: 45 meals ordered ETA 1800 Action Taken: To Shelter 1 operator 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IV. Maintaining Accountability of Operators A phone tree will normally be used to activate a net. Operators will then be assigned or check into Resource Net Availability and/or assignments of operators will be logged on the Mobilization/Demobilization Log 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IV. Maintaining Accountability of Operators (cont.) Mobilization/Demobilization Log Example 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IV. Maintaining Accountability of Operators (cont.) K7XXX Checked in at 0930 Is available until 1400 Assigned to tactical call Shelter 1 Departed for shelter at 0950 Arrived at shelter at 1010 Left for home at 1300 Arrived home at 1330 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IV. Maintaining Accountability of Operators (cont.) N7XYZ Checked in at 0935 Is available from 1300 – 1700 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IV. Maintaining Accountability of Operators (cont.) K7ZZZ Checked in at 0940 Is available any time Assigned to tactical call Fire Center Departed for Fire Center at 1005 Arrived at Fire Center at 1030 (This operator is still active) 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations V. NCS Kit Suggested NCS Kit Items 1 - Clipboard 1 - Note pad 25 – Event Logs 5 – Mobilization/Demobilization Logs 5 – Net Control Message Logs 3 – Pens 3 – Pencils 1 – Box paper clips 1 - Set NCS job aids 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations VI. The Shift Change Responsibilities of Incoming NCO Arrive 10 - 15 minutes prior to assigned shift Review standard net procedures and job aids Verify supplies you will need and make arrangements for replenishment if necessary Observe message handling procedures being used and note any questions Review all logs for an overview of current status 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VI. The Shift Change (cont.) Responsibilities of Outgoing NCO Show incoming NCO where key documents are located Mobilization/Demobilization Log Event Log Net Control Message Logs Etc. 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VI. The Shift Change (cont.) Responsibilities of Outgoing NCO (cont.) Brief incoming NCO on the current operation Review nature of activity in field Identify messages which are awaiting action/reply 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VI. The Shift Change (cont.) Responsibilities of Outgoing NCO (cont.) Verify incoming NCO understands the message handling procedures in use Advise incoming NCO of any problems or unusual activity which has occurred on your shift and how they were dealt with Introduce incoming NCO to the local manager, if one is present 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VI. The Shift Change (cont.) Responsibilities of Incoming and Outgoing NCOs When both satisfied that they are ready to change control Contact Command Net and advise of call sign of incoming NCO and status of outgoing NCO Outgoing NCO should contact Resource Net to advise of status and destination 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations VII. The Status Check What it means Of utmost importance All operators must be accounted for on a regular basis, approximately every half hour when possible 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VII. The Status Check (cont.) How to conduct a status check for your net Announce you will be performing a status roll call Perform the roll call and record status of each operator Contact Command Net with short status of net and a report that all operators are accounted for 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VII. The Status Check (cont.) What to do if an operator fails to respond to the status check Repeat call one time If no response, move on to other operators and come back at end of roll call and make two attempts to contact the operator If no contact, immediately notify Command Net and provide the call sign, current assignment, and last know location (and destination if mobile) 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

VIII. Closing an Amateur Radio Net Announce net will be closing Contact operators with continuing assignments, advise of new net frequency, check operators out Advise remaining operators of procedures to be used upon release Conduct closing roll call Announce net is closed Contact Command Net Return all net-related paperwork 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IX. Things You Need to Practice Copying Call Signs Ear-to-hand coordination difficult to master Ask for slow pace and space between check-ins Listen how contesters/DXers handle pile-ups Writing it Down NCO is always writing something down Practice taking notes listening to a net Plan and train for worst case scenario 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IX. Things You Need to Practice (cont.) Practice Listening Train your hearing to sort out the messages from the noise Try to make sense out of that “bad” signal Listen to any conversation on HF during distant weather disturbances Practice Running Nets Run local rag chew net, ARES/RACES net, Skywarn net, club net, etc. Tape record any net you run – you will be your own worst critic 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

IX. Things You Need to Practice (cont.) Practice Passing NTS Messages NCO must be able to pass NTS format messages! The Radiogram form should be a “picture” in your mind Ability to take, pass and initiate NTS messages should be as automatic and natural as eating 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations

Net Control Operations X. Other Forms Job Aids Net Start Up Status Checks Shift Change Net Closing Things That You Need to Practice 11/23/2018 Net Control Operations