April 30, 2008

General Rules of Operation

1. The Net Control Station (NCS) has absolute control of the frequency until the net is closed.
2. All communications must pass through the NCS for the duration of the net. If you want to speak to another station, call NCS using your tactical call and ask permission:
"TACNET, WARWICK EOC."
"WARWICK EOC."
"GO DIRECT WITH RED CROSS ONE?"
"MAKE YOUR CALL."
3. If the NCS announces that all operators should check into a RESOURCE NET, follow those instructions. If this occurs, you should know that NCS is in a tactical or command operations mode and is very busy. Do NOT attempt to check in with that NCS. Go to the requested frequency and check in with the NCS there. Stay on the Resource net frequency for further instructions, an assignment, and tracking to your destination. Listen to the instructions you are given, WRITE THEM DOWN, and follow them EXACTLY. They will have a bearing on your personal safety, and they may change during the course of the net.
4. Once you have "checked in," you should NEVER leave the assigned frequency without telling the NCS unless you are in immediate danger. Never leave your post or the person you have been assigned to "shadow" without notifying NCS. IF authorities ask you to move, do so immediately and without comment, but notify NCS of your status as soon as you can. If an authority instructs you to shut your radio off or that you do not transmit, DO WHAT THEY ASK WITHOUT QUESTION AND DO NOT NOTIFY NCS. This is the only exception to this rule of notifying the NCS. (This is a legitimate request and is usually made if there is a presence of explosives and there is a possibility of ignition triggered by an RF signal.)
5. You may be issued a tactical call sign by NCS. Use it instead of your FCC call sign for all calls to NCS and other stations. The tactical call stays the same for all operators at your assigned position.
"TACNET, WARWICK EOC."
6. Use your FCC call sign at the end of an exchange to signify you are done or "clear". This allows your legal ID and is understood as the "clear" pro-word. Use your FCC call at least every 10 minutes in a long exchange. Do not interrupt NCS to ID. Just fit it into your next transmission.
"...THE MATERIAL REQUESTED LAST HOUR HAS BEEN RECEIVED. THANKS. K3XYZ."
7. If the NCS senses a lull in the action, they may call for all operators to ID in a fast roll call.
8. Keep all transmissions short yet convey all meaning. Jot down what you will say. Think, key, wait one second, say it, and GET OFF THE KEY. Never add any embellishment, or opinion.
9. LISTEN. LISTEN. LISTEN. Pay attention to everything that is going on. It could affect your safety. If a situation escalates, be prepared to take on a larger role such as a sub-net. If you don't keep track of the situation, you will not be effective.
10. Use these pro-words to break into the net and be recognized immediately by NCS:

ANSWER or INFO--when you have the answer to a specific question being discussed, and time will diminish its value.

QUERY--when time is of the essence and you have a question that needs to be addressed now.

PRIORITY--to request a break to report an important safety issue or non-life-threatening situation, such as a car accident or a minor medical incident.

EMERGENCY--to request a break to report ongoing life- or property-threatening situations.

Your Call Sign--as a break in pro-word it is an indication that you have traffic that can wait and does not require stopping the ongoing exchange. You expect to be put "on hold."

RECHECK--to request a break to check back into the net if you have been off frequency for a while, such as to pass traffic or take a break.
11. It may be quicker and more efficient to hand your microphone to the person who wishes to pass a message than to relay it yourself. Authorities can operate as third parties with your supervision. Just tell then they can't use foul language or conduct commercial business.
12. Use ITU the phonetic alphabet if necessary to clarify spelling or identification. Avoid excessive use of phonetics, as this can greatly slow down communications.
A – Alpha H – Hotel O – Oscar V – Victor
B – Bravo I – India P – Papa W – Whiskey
C – Charlie J – Juliet Q – Quebec X – X-Ray
D – Delta K – Kilo R – Romeo Y – Yankee
E - Echo L – Lima S – Sierra Z – Zulu
F – Foxtrot M – Mike T – Tango
G – Golf N – November U – Uniform