DFW METROPLEX TRAFFIC NET MANUAL

 

return to "Welcome" index

return to root page

This Manual is for the support of the North Texas Section Nets, expecially the DFW nets. Any suggestions or additions would be welcomed.

Any content suggestions should be forwarded to Carolyn Womack (KC5OZT)

Index

Welcome General Procedures DFW Early script DFW Late script Traffic Movement Suggestions NTS Relationship

 

THE DFW METROPLEX TRAFFIC NET
WELCOME

On behalf of the ARRL National Traffic System, we would like to welcome you to the DFW Metroplex Traffic Net. This manual was prepared to serve as a guide to Net Control Stations for net operations. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call upon the following personnel:

 

Section Traffic Manager
KC5OZT Carolyn Womack


NET MANAGERS

NET Managers

Early KE5HYW Herman May
Early Assistant    
Late KC5EOK Chance Lindsey
Late Assistant    

 
If you would like to become a net control station, contact the net manager for that net. If you would like to receive an appointment as an Official Relay Station (ORS), contact any of the net managers or KC5OZT, Carolyn Womack, for a Station Appointment application. That application should then be submitted to KC5OZT.

We would like to thank the many Net Managers, Section Traffic Managers and all of the many traffic handlers that have contributed to this Net Manual.

There is now a web site established that will contain up to date DFW net information including this manual. This site is at: dfwtrafficnet.com

return to Top

NET CONTROL STATION PROCEDURES
GENERAL

The DFW Metroplex Traffic Net is the local NTS affiliate net for the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex area. The D/FW Early Net meets at 1830 local time on the Dallas ARC repeater on 146.88 MHZ and the D/FW Late Net at 2230 on the K5GW repeater 147.12 MHZ. The D/FW Early session at 1830 is a training net as well, and anyone interested in learning how to handle traffic is encouraged to check in. The D/FW Late Traffic net is not a training net and everyone checking in will be expected to handle traffic if called upon.

Remember that certain officials and situations can preempt the net before or during operation:

RACES/ARES call-ups, any section, division, area, regional, or national staff member, particularly the ARES or NTS managers. When requested to do so by one of these individuals who identifies him/herself as such, do so immediately and assist them as they request - it is their right to do so, one which is not exercised lightly.

All Net Control Stations are requested to submit their report to the NetManager as soon as possible through the DFW net.

The following procedures are to be used when calling the net:

BACK TO TOP

TRAFFIC MOVEMENT

NOTE: FOR BOTH DFW EARLY AND LATE THE FOLLOWING APPLY:

If there is a lot of traffic, move stations off frequency to another repeater. TEX meets at 7:00 PM so try to free up the TEX Liaisons by 7PM.

The following repeaters have been approved for back up.


The Alternate frequency reference number will be used should the net have to be moved because of interference or problems, and it is not desired that an actual frequency be given over the air.

WE WOULD WELCOME NEW TRAFFIC HANDLERS

If time permits give a special welcome to the new traffic handlers.

BACK TO TOP

SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER
NET OPERATION

  1. The net is only allowed thirty minutes on the repeaters to clear the traffic and net business. Therefore, it is imperative that all stations listen to net control and operate according to net control's instruction.
  2. Limit rechecks to traffic only. i.e. stations returning to net and liaison stations listing additional traffic.

  3. Rechecks for informals and landline should be held until final call for check-ins is made.

  4. Q signals are improper on voice nets.
  5. When checking into the net, only transmit your call. When the net control recognizes you, then state your traffic or that you have no traffic. No other comments are needed. Traffic is listed by city if in Texas, otherwise it is listed for NTX or MARS.
  6. Training tips are given by the Section Manager, Section Traffic Manager, Net Manager or a specific designated station. This is to keep mis-information from being passed to the net.
  7. Do not keep the net open any longer than necessary. After all traffic and net business is cleared, take one final round of check-ins and close the net. Remember, we are guests on these repeaters and we do not want to wear out our welcome.
  8. When moved to another repeater to pass traffic, remember we are guests and the proper courtesy must be observed. If the repeater is in use, return to net frequency, recheck, and get further instructions from net control.
  9. Suggestions for net operation should be made to the net managers.
  10. In the event of obscene interference, suspend net operation without further comment.
  11. Remember, only traffic passed as directed on net is counted in the traffic count.
  12. More than anything else, the net is supposed to be fun. But we must get business taken care of first.
  13. Remember also, that one of the major purposes is to train operators for in case of an emergency. Many operators (and net controls) may still be learning. Training or operation suggestions should be by the managers only and preferably off line in a manner so as not to discourage anyone.
  14. Watch these pages for information updates.
  15. The following materials are recommended to be on hand to provide information and assist in handling traffic related question:

 
Public Service Communications Manual
ARRL Numbered Radiograms FSD-3 (2/94)
Q Signals, Msg. Form FSD-218
ProSIgns, Phonetics etc. FSD-220

Contact the Net Secretary, Net Managers, or Section Traffic Manager should you need assistance in obtaining information materials.

return to Top

NTS RELATIONSHIP

NTS Relationship --

The DFW Net is a local affiliate of the ARRL National Traffic System (NTS), and as such, is the local link in a long and highly organized traffic chain. The local link is perhaps the most important link, inasmuch as without dedicated local members to bring traffic to put into the system and to take traffic from the system for delivery to the public, the rest of the chain would be irrelevant.

Our net liaisons with both SSB and CW Section nets for moving traffic beyond the limited and sometimes uncertain range of VHF modes. These nets are: DTTN, TTN, SW, and 7290 on SSB, NTX and TSN on CW.

DFW, being a local NTS net, also means that we are obligated to operate under a set of guidelines which are given to us in three basic ways.

  1. The "Public Service Communications Manual" (PSCM), which serves as the primary source.

  2. The \"Terms of Reference" (TOR) from the Area Staff, which gives structure and order to the NTS above the Section level (Region, Area Nets and TCC functions), and therefore indirectly effects the NTS at all levels.

  3. "Section Policy", The Section policy is the elasticity of the NTS, and other ARRL programs implemented on a section by section basis so as to meet the varying needs of each section. These policies are extablished by the Section Manager, (SM), upon consultation with the Section Traffic Manager, (STM), and others as needed.

"Chain of Command"

We need to use the "chain of command" when we have questions regarding net operation and related topics. While the NTS is an ARRL function, ARRL members and non-members alike are welcome to express their comments, or criticisms concerning the net or related matters in the following order:

  1. Net Manager or their assistant (as desired by the manager)
  2. Section Traffic Manager
  3. Assistant Section Managers who may be available
  4. Section Manager - Tom Blackwell, N5GAR — 214.361.5275

The final authority for section matters is the Section Manager, but if after going through these steps, you still have not received a satisfactory answer, you may contact ARRL directly:


Steve Ewald, WV1X
Field Service Supervisor
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111-1494
860-594-0265 or WV1X@arrl.org

For questions regarding other policies of the ARRL that you cannot resolve with the Section Manager, please contact:


Jim Haynie, W5JBP
President Emeritus
3226 New Castle Dr.
Dallas, TX 75220
214-352-6180
W5JBP@arrl.net

BACK TO TOP

 

return to "Welcome" index

return to root page

last updated: 19 December 2006

space and domain name provided by KC5EOK