Net Control Operator Scripts

PRC NCO Scripts

See link below to the downloadable scripts.

 

A note to Net Control Operators: Thank you for the service you provide as a PRC Net Control Operator.

Nets are of great interest and value to club members and others, including short wave and VHF monitor enthusiasts. Many hams will tell you they started in our amazing hobby by listening to their monitor or “short wave”.

And of course, you are an essential reason they participate on a regular basis. Your topical commentary, relevant radio information, humor and ham stories are important contributions to their experience.

The role of the Net Control Officer (NCO) is many faceted. The NCO brings order to an activity that, otherwise, would be chaotic. While nets are enjoyable to all participants, they serve additional purposes. Nets give users an opportunity to practice the skills we, our friends and family might depend on in the event of an emergency. Nets are also a valuable promotional recruitment asset to the club. They provide outsiders a visit with us so they can hear how we enjoy each other’s company, communicate efficiently, and hopefully will decide to join us in other activities.

You might say the NCO is part traffic cop, part moderator, part club membership representative/ recruiter. That’s a boat load of responsibility but it can be a great deal of fun, too.

I encourage you to experiment with new topics, content and methods for making your net an interesting and informative experience. Keep in mind that because potential check-ins have many other activities competing for their time, we have to really work at making their experience rewarding.

Since the nets are a major outreach to prospective members, please encourage check-ins to:

  • attend an upcoming meeting — talk up an upcoming program

  • go to: QRZ.com and enter “W8PRC” in the search box

  • write to: parmaradioclub@gmail.com and request the e-minder

Report the call signs of new check-ins to parmaradioclub@gmail.com so that we can send club info and invite them to attend a meeting.

Some specifics

Begin your net promptly. An operator expecting to participate in your net will not wait for you. If a repeater clock is running early and reports “PRC NET” you should begin. Otherwise it sounds like you’re running late or there is no NCO.

Open and close the net using the club’s NCO script. A copy is attached to this message. While it’s not necessary to read it word for word, the script insures that all important information is shared with prospective members and operators. The script includes club meeting times and locations, net frequencies and times, and important recognition of the people who are providing their repeater to our club.

We’ve all “timed out” repeaters. For many people this is an embarrassment. Help your repeater uses to understand how to avoid time outs and what to do if it happens.

Since some users are mobile and most don’t sit with pen in hand, keep specific information simple and easy to remember. For example, provide repeater information by directing them to the QRZ site. Or you could say, “in a couple minutes, I’ll give the web site for information on that hamfest.”

Avoid lengthy or repetitive discussion of your equipment problem, i.e., a troublesome computer logging program you’re using. Most people are not able to help and, likely, are only mildly interested. They’re more interested in their own technical problems. But most importantly, your problem is probably not the reason they decided to spend time on the net.

If a check-in says they’re “in and out” we should wonder “why?” While there are many good reasons someone might only stay for one transmission, an NCO should wonder what they could do to motivate them to stay through the entire net. We might be moving along too slowly, getting too chatty, or too laid back. Keep in mind that most people check in for the purpose of talking, not listening.

Ask for new check-ins from time to time. Some people can’t join us from the start.

Use and encourage use of phonetics and delivering call signs and phonetics slowly.

The standard net gives everyone an opportunity for two full transmissions in a rotation. The second round of transmissions is often called the “73 round”. After the 73 round and just before the net close, ask for any final comments. This gives participants an opportunity to make a final comment, such as, “Jim, if you have a minute after the net, give me a call on 146.46.”

The following scripts are intended as a guide and in a word document so that you can adapt them to meet your need by typing in your name and call sign.

Have fun on your net.  If you’re not having fun, nobody is.

 The attached scripts are by no means intended to be read word for word.  Feel free to modify them for your purpose. Once the file is open, use the CTRL-P command to print or CTRL-S to save the document to your computer.

 

 

   Printable NCO Scripts