Join us on Brandmeister Talk Group 31266 (Michigan Nets) for the DMR Tech Net on Monday, October 14th from 7:30 PM ET to 8:25 PM ET. The net will conclude early to allow time to switch (QSY) to the Michigan One DMR Net (which begins at 8:30 PM ET on BrandMeister Talk Group 3126).
This Monday night we will be discussing Emergency Traffic Nets. Are you a member of and participate with RACES, ARES, and/or Skywarn? We’ll explain more about Nets and how we could use DMR before, during, and after a disaster, like Hurricane Helene. You can listen to BrandMeister talk group 3199 to hear the US Hurricane Net channel.
Join us every Monday night as we make Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) easy to understand and fun to use!
An amateur radio Traffic Net is a structured network of amateur radio operators (hams) who pass formal written messages, known as “traffic,” on behalf of others. These messages can include anything from personal greetings to emergency communications. The primary goal of a Traffic Net is to ensure that messages are relayed from one point to another in an organized, timely, and efficient manner, especially in situations where traditional communication methods may be unavailable or unreliable.
Key Functions and Accomplishments of a Traffic Net:
- Message Handling:
- Traffic Nets specialize in the formal handling and routing of written messages (radiograms). Messages can be sent to almost anywhere in the world using a chain of amateur radio operators. They are usually short and precise to minimize confusion during transmission.
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- Emergency Communication:
- During emergencies or disasters, when other forms of communication are down (phone, internet), Traffic Nets become a vital part of emergency services. Amateur radio operators work closely with public service organizations to relay critical information such as health and welfare reports, resource requests, and status updates between agencies or to/from individuals.
- Training and Skill Development:
- Regular participation in a Traffic Net allows amateur radio operators to sharpen their communication skills, message-handling techniques, and proficiency in working within a net. It also helps prepare operators for emergency situations when efficient and accurate communication is essential.
- Community and Coordination:
- Traffic Nets promote community involvement among amateur radio operators. Operators who participate regularly become familiar with best practices, official procedures, and the structure of a net, building a network of skilled communicators who can be quickly mobilized in times of need.
- Coordination of Message Routes:
- Traffic Nets function as a relay system, with specific operators stationed at various locations or with various roles. For instance, some operators may be responsible for taking messages from the local net to a regional or national level, where the message can be passed further along.
- Support of Other Nets:
- Traffic Nets often work in conjunction with other amateur radio nets, such as emergency or weather nets, especially in times of crisis. They ensure that the flow of information is smooth and continuous.
In summary, a Traffic Net is a backbone of amateur radio’s public service function, ensuring that important information can be relayed efficiently over long distances, even in situations where normal communications are down.
Operating an amateur radio Traffic Net requires a clear understanding of net procedures, roles, and protocols. It involves formal coordination to ensure the efficient passing of messages (traffic) from one station to another, often covering long distances or bridging communication gaps during emergencies.
Here are the steps and components involved in operating a Traffic Net:- Net Control Station (NCS)
- The Net Control Station (NCS) is responsible for managing the net. The NCS directs all radio traffic, controls who speaks and when, and ensures that all messages are properly relayed.
- The NCS calls the net to order, assigns roles, and handles check-ins from other operators.
Responsibilities of NCS:- Opening the Net: The NCS opens the net at a scheduled time by announcing the start, identifying the frequency, and calling for check-ins.
- Checking in Stations: The NCS calls for participating stations to check in. Some Traffic Nets may allow check-ins at specific intervals, while others may have open check-ins.
- Managing Traffic: The NCS prioritizes traffic based on urgency and coordinates the handoff of messages between stations.
- Closing the Net: After all traffic is passed and no further stations need to check in, the NCS closes the net and releases the frequency.
- Pre-Net Preparation
- Ensure you are on the correct frequency and have a clear signal.
- Have your equipment ready to transmit and receive messages efficiently, including a pencil and paper (or other logging tool) to take notes or copy radiograms.
- Ensure that your radio is set to the proper mode (e.g., voice, CW, digital).
- Review the specific procedures and codes used by the Traffic Net you are joining.
- Types of Traffic
- Routine Traffic: These are non-urgent messages (greetings, updates, etc.) that do not require immediate delivery.
- Emergency Traffic: This includes high-priority messages related to health, safety, or critical information, often passed during disasters.
- Welfare Traffic: Messages from individuals checking on the well-being of others, or sending reports on their own status, usually during or after an emergency.
- Handling Messages (Traffic)
- Messages passed on a Traffic Net follow a standardized format called a radiogram. Radiograms contain important fields such as:
- Number: Unique identifier of the message.
- Precedence: Priority level (e.g., Routine, Priority, Emergency).
- Originating Station: Call sign of the station originating the message.
- Destination: Call sign and address of the station receiving the message.
- Text: The actual message body, kept concise (usually limited to 25 words or less).
- Signature: Name of the person sending the message.
Steps to Relay a Message:- The NCS directs traffic by asking for stations holding traffic to announce what they have.
- The NCS then pairs a station with outgoing traffic to a receiving station.
- The sender reads the message slowly and clearly, using phonetics if necessary, while the receiving station copies it down.
- The receiving station acknowledges when they have copied the message in full.
- Check-ins
- Stations wishing to participate in the net must check in. This is typically done by calling the NCS when prompted.
- A typical check-in format:
“Net Control, this is [Call Sign], [Name], [Location], with [number] of messages.”
- Stations check in with information like call sign, their location, and whether they have traffic to pass. Stations without traffic may still check in to help relay messages.
- Traffic Net Flow
- Call the Net: NCS begins the net by stating, “This is [Call Sign] calling the [Net Name] Traffic Net.”
- Solicit Check-ins: NCS asks for stations to check in, saying something like, “Stations with traffic, please check in now.”
- Acknowledge Stations: The NCS acknowledges each station and makes note of the traffic they have or their willingness to help relay.
- Direct the Traffic: The NCS pairs stations to send and receive traffic.
- Repeat if Needed: If any stations have difficulty relaying messages due to poor conditions, the NCS finds a station to act as a relay.
- Handle Emergency Traffic: Emergency traffic takes priority and must be passed immediately. The NCS will suspend regular message passing to handle urgent communications.
- Close the Net: Once all traffic is passed, the NCS officially closes the net, thanking all participants.
- Message Relay and Routing
- Traffic may need to be relayed across multiple nets or operators to reach its destination. Some operators may serve as liaison stations, connecting local nets to regional or national Traffic Nets.
- Stations act as relays, taking messages from the originating station and passing them along to the next net or operator in the chain.
- Logging and Reporting
- Many Traffic Nets require operators to log all traffic that is handled, including the time, message number, and call signs involved.
- Logs are essential for tracking the movement of messages, especially in emergency situations.
- Closing the Net
- Once all traffic is handled, the NCS closes the net. The typical closing might sound like:
“This concludes the [Net Name] Traffic Net. I would like to thank all stations for participating. This is [Call Sign] returning the frequency to normal amateur use. 73.”
Key Points for Net Operators:- Efficiency and Clarity: Communication must be precise, clear, and without unnecessary chatter.
- Preparedness: Have all necessary tools (radio, paper, pencil, logging software) ready before the net starts.
- Patience and Coordination: Handling traffic, especially in emergency situations, requires patience and coordination between multiple stations.
Practice Makes Perfect
- Joining regular Traffic Nets is a great way to practice the skills needed to participate in or run a net during an actual emergency. Many nets meet daily or weekly, providing consistent opportunities for training.
In summary, operating an amateur radio Traffic Net involves following a structured procedure to relay messages efficiently, often in support of emergency services. It’s essential to have good communication skills, equipment readiness, and an understanding of the formal processes involved.
Here are the Michigan DMR nets we know about.
Saturday:- 7:00pm Arrow DMR Net on BrandMeister talk group 3126
- 7:30pm DMR Trivia Net on TGIF talk group 31268
Sunday:
- 6:30pm UP (Upper Peninsula) Net on BrandMeister talk group 31268
Monday:
- 7:30pm DMR Tech Net on BrandMeister talk group 31266
- 8:30pm Michigan One DMR Net on BrandMeister talk group 3126
Send an email to subscribe@dmrtechnet.net if you want to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter. To see previous newsletters, check out our website: https://dmrtechnet.net/
You can always chat with the DMR Tech Net team on TGIF talk group 31268, the DMR Tech Net channel or Brandmeister talk group 31266, the Michigan Nets channel.
The DMR Tech Net team is assisting Dustin N8RMA with NCS duties on the Michigan One DMR net.
Here’s the upcoming list of upcoming NCS’:
- Oct 14 Dustin N8RMA
- Oct 21 Brad KE8WNV
- Oct 28 Rick AD8KN
- Nov 4 Steve KC8WXM
https://www.michiganonedmr.net/
- On Tuesday, October 15th from 8pm-9pm ET for DMR Tech Net TV, we’ll have Jeremiah Mulford W9JAM, to discuss his tech support work and DMR issues he deals with at Bridgecom Systems.
- To join the DMR Tech Net TV Zoom meeting, click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84447664395?pwd=djZMbFZaWVRkRDRudkRFeWc2WWV4UT09
You can also go to https://zoom.us/, then select “Join” (in the top right-hand corner), then input the following details to connect to the DMR Tech Net TV Zoom meeting:
- Meeting ID: 844 4766 4395
- Passcode: 370040
To join with only your phones’ audio, dial (312) 626-6799 and input the following:
- Meeting ID: 844 4766 4395
- Passcode: 370040
- Emergency Communication:
