OMISS NET CONTROL GUIDELINES

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Pre Net

1. Try to get on at least 30 minutes early to secure a clear frequency. Be courteous and patient if the assigned frequency is in use. While seldom necessary, remember we can shift a few khz.

2. Give call sign and announce that you are Net Control for this session of the OMISS Net.

3. Begin taking check-ins. Advise listeners that they don't have to be a member to check in. Briefly comment that it is a Traffic and WAS/Awards-type net and that all amateurs are welcome.

4. Advise any first-time check-ins briefly about Net procedures and if anyone does not have internet access, give them the address of the Information Officer and what they should send, i.e.; SASE with 2 units of postage. For those with internet access, advise that the address of the OMISS Info on the Internet is www.omiss.info. Advise stations pursuing QSL cards that they must exchange signal reports and be confirmed by Net Control or a relay station. All times are in Zulu.

5. Establish relay stations.

6. Ask relay stations to call for check-ins. Ask for relays from anyone for check-ins not heard by the Net Controller or established relay stations.

7. Advise all to identify each time it is their turn, and also advise the called stations to identify when called.

8. Announce policy on ‘free call’ when contacting a first time check-in. While the ‘free call’ is encouraged, net situations vary and it is at the NC’s discretion whether to invoke this or not.

9. Announce policy on requiring that check-ins and check-outs are accepted by radio only. No Internet or assistance external to SSB radio is allowed for contacts, check-ins or check-outs.

10. Announce that Check-ins should use their full callsign for check-in. OM# is an optional add-on.

Commence Net

1. Open Net as follows: Welcome to the OM International Sideband Society Net. This is (your call, name and number) acting as Net Controller for this session. The objectives of this net are to work for OMISS awards, to pass traffic, and to promote good will among amateur operators, The Net is run by the Net Control Station. All calls must go through Net Control or a designated relay station.

2. Break the Net at any time for emergency or priority traffic.

3. At this time call for any traffic and/or announcements to be passed. Net business of general interest, can be handled at this time. New members numbers and information will be announced if available. More lengthy Net business should be handled at the end of the Net so as not to tie up Net time.

4. If any non-member stations are checked in, briefly describe Net procedures and advise all stations pursuing QSL cards that they must exchange signal reports and be confirmed by Net Control or a relay station. All times are in Zulu.

5. Announce that any stations looking for their 49th or 50th state should advise Net Control and they will be given priority should those states check in. Also advise that contact with any husband/wife combo counts as only one call.

6. Start running the list. Allow one or two calls depending on the number of stations and propagation conditions. This is a judgment call, but perhaps consider starting with only one call if there are over 25 check-ins. When giving a station his turn, give out complete info including their OM#, Call, Name and State. (At least for the first pass)

7. Ask relays for assistance if necessary. If Net Control or designated relays fail to contact a station, ask for assistance from any other relay who can help. Do not assume that if a station doesn't respond that it has left the Net. During running of the list, take check-ins as they occur, but use discretion and try to minimize Net interruptions. Take their check-in information to include call sign, name, state, and OMISS number only and try to avoid other discussion. Wait until the end of the list to give information to any new first-time check-ins. If it is a long list, pause about half way through and ask for additional check-ins.

8. Advise Net when the list has been completed. Try to be sure no one has been overlooked. Use relays as necessary. Make your calls. Try to pay particular attention to first-time check-ins, if other members haven't contacted them. Give Net information to any first-time check-ins.

9. At the end of the first list advise any first-time check-ins not already briefed about Net procedures and if anyone does not have internet access, give them the address of the Information Officer and what they should send, i.e.; SASE with 2 units of postage. For those with internet access, advise that the address of the OMISS Info on the Internet is www.omiss.info. Advise stations pursuing QSL cards that they must exchange signal reports and be confirmed by Net Control or a relay station. All times are in Zulu.

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