DFW Metroplex Early Traffic Net
18:30 on 146.88 MHz/W5FC, PL 110.9 Hz
Net Manager: Sean Peoples, KC5FAZ
Asst. Net Manager: Aaron Hulett, K8AMH

Just before the net is scheduled to begin, ask if anyone needs to use the repeater. If anyone does, let them do so. At 18:30, open the net and give the preamble:

The DFW Metroplex Early Traffic Net Preamble

This is <callsign>, my name is <name>, and I will be your Net Control Station for this session of the DFW Metroplex Early Traffic Net. This net is a local affiliate of the ARRL’s National Traffic System. Our purposes are to move traffic into and out of the DFW area through the NTS, and to provide training to those stations interested in traffic handling. All stations licensed for 2-meter operation are welcome and encouraged to participate. This is a directed net; therefore, please do not transmit without direction from net control. Stations are reminded to check in using their callsign only, using ITU phonetics only and to ID at the end of all transmissions. Stations that need to check out of the net should do so by rechecking with net control, indicating their need to secure, and also indicating what should be done with any listed traffic. Stations with emergency or priority traffic may enter the net at any time using the prosign BREAK-BREAK, followed by their callsign. Are there any stations with emergency or priority traffic?

<Pause for any stations with emergency or priority traffic.>

Order of Business

Liaison Check-ins
Alternate Net Control Station (ANC)
Texas CW Net (TEX)
Texas Slow CW Net (TSN)
Texas Traffic Net Late (TTNL)
7290 Traffic Net (7290)
Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)
Digital (DIGITAL)
DFW Late (LATE)
ARES/RACES from Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, Rockwall (ARES/RACES)
ARES/RACES from any other North Texas Counties (ARES/RACES)

Remember that TTNL also starts at 18:30, and TEX starts at 19:00. TTN liaisons taking out of state traffic will most likely pass that traffic to a TEX liaison on TTN, and should be released as early as possible so that the traffic can be passed there prior to 19:00. TEX liaisons should be released no later than 19:00.

Stations with Traffic Check-ins
Take a list of check-ins from stations wishing to list traffic with the net, using callsigns only, and ITU phonetics only.

General Check-ins
Take a list of check-ins from stations wishing to participate in the net, using callsigns only, and ITU phonetics only.

All stations checking into the net should be regarded as traffic handlers, and eligible to be called upon to handle traffic. Any station called upon who declines to handle traffic, without good cause, should have their check-in stricken from the net’s check-in list, and their callsign should not be included in the net report. Note that checking in mobile or portable is NOT good cause for declining traffic. NCSs should consider mobile stations as outlets of last resort, and only assign traffic to them if there is no other traffic handler from any area available to take it.

After approximately 6:45, stop asking for stations with traffic. Any stations who check in wishing to list traffic after 6:45 should be asked to hold their traffic for a future net.

Traffic Handling
Handle traffic in the following order, and using liaisons in the specified order, as available:
Out of state traffic - TEX, TTN, TSN, DIGITAL, DTTN, 7290
Traffic for other cities in Texas - TEX, TTN, TSN, DTTN, 7290, DIGITAL
Incoming local traffic - Closest available traffic handler to recipient address

If there is a large traffic list, consider asking those passing traffic to move to alternate repeaters. The first alternate is WA5CKF, 146.72 MHz, PL 110.9 Hz.

Bulletins, Announcements, and Training Questions
Ask if there are any stations who would like to give bulletins or announcements, or that need to ask any training questions. If there are, let them do so.

If there is going to be a following net, there are reports pending, and it is five minutes or less before 19:00, omit the Bulletins, Announcements, and Training Questions section of the net.

Reports
If any stations are listing reports for the Net Manager or the Section Traffic Manager, have them pass them. Reports to the Net Manager should be passed to the Asst. Net Manager if he is checked in, but the Net Manager is not.

 

Remember to ask for general check-ins throughout the net. Any traffic not passed can be carried over to the DFW Metroplex Late Traffic net via the DFW Late Liaison. When all traffic that can be passed has been, all other business has been completed, and there are no further check-ins, read the postamble and close the net. On nights when there is a following net, (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday,) this should be done no later than 19:00.

 

The DFW Metroplex Early Traffic Net Postamble

That will conclude this session of the DFW Metroplex Early Traffic Net. To become a registered member of this net, which is not necessary for you to be able to participate, please send email addressed to register@dfwtrafficnet.org; please include your callsign, name, address, telephone number, email address, license class and traffic handling capabilities – the modes and bands you can operate – along with the areas to which you can deliver traffic by a toll-free phone call. All stations are invited to call us on the air following the net, or to visit our website at www.dfwtrafficnet.org. Feel free to contact the Net Manager, KC5FAZ, or the Asst. Net Manager, K8AMH, by sending email addressed to the appropriate callsign @dfwtrafficnet.org. You may also contact the ARRL North Texas Section Traffic Manager, KE5HYW, by sending email addressed to his callsign @arrl.net.

Would anyone like any fills?
<Pause for any stations requesting fills>

DFW Late will meet tonight at 22:30 on 146.72 MHz, with a PL tone of 110.9 Hz, and this net will meet again tomorrow evening at 18:30 on this repeater with a different net control. I would like to thank all stations for their participation, and thanks to the Dallas Amateur Radio Club for the use of their repeater, W5FC. This is <callsign> closing the net at <24-hour format time> and returning the repeater to normal amateur radio use.

 

Please remember to record the number of minutes the net was in session, the number of check-ins, (including yourself,) and the number of messages passed, and send the Net Manager or Asst. Net Manager your net report within 48 hours after the net.