[TenTec] TEN-TEC SSB NETS ON SUNDAY

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

While I have high regard for net operations, on more than one instance I 
have spent several minutes monitoring a specific frequency.  And I have 
always asked "is the frequency in use?" before calling CQ.   Upon not 
receiving an answer, I'll call CQ and likely start a QSO.  It seems it never 
fails, after a minute or so, I get a call saying "hey buddy, the frequency 
is in use by XXXX net".  I"ve then asked for net control's call and the name 
of the net, as obviously I didn't here any net activity during my period of 
monitoring, nor did anyone respond to my question.  Usually there is no 
further response.   It seems that some believe they own a frequency and no 
one should every operate on that frequency any time of the day or night or 
any day of the week.

Personally, except in the event of a declared emergency, I view that nets 
should limit themselves to about 1 hour of frequency utilization.  There is 
one particular 75 meter net which I hear each evening that occupies a 
frequency for up to 3 hours.  I suppose if they have business to conduct 
then so be it, but in reality, I hear them calling and calling and calling 
for check-ins and this goes on and on and on with little to no activity 
other than net control flapping  their lips.

I think we all need to review our net operations, the procedures, the amount 
of time we utilize a specific frequency along with the productivity of the 
net activity.  As a general rule with today's equipment, correctly adjusted 
and operated, a 3 kHz separation is usually more than adequate for SSB 
operation.

In most cases, call up and net activity should so state the net frequency to 
be "on or about...xxxx......kHz".    In many cases, I've served as a net 
control and I started calling a net some 2 kHz below or above the general 
net frequency.  I've had many operators put their radio exactly on net 
frequency even though the net control is operating slightly different.  And 
then I'm told "hey Bob, you're off frequency".  Well, I hate to inform, but 
it is and always has been that it is net control that established the net 
frequency.  This allows net control to have a clear frequency and not call 
up the net on a frequency that interferes with a QSO or other net activity. 
I prefer to keep it that way.

73
Bob, K4TAX




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy Flessner" <k9arm1 at gmail.com>
To: <TenTec at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2013 10:39 PM
Subject: [TenTec] TEN-TEC SSB NETS ON SUNDAY


> Actually, 7258 is Midcars, Southcars is on 7251 and Ecars is on 7255.
> Midcars normally concludes its service at 1800 UTC, so you wouldn't
> interfere with them. www.midcars.net The 68 group on 7268 runs from 1900
> UTC to 2100 UTC www.68group.net if you have to move close to them. 7260 to
> 7265 is usually pretty clear.
>
> Also note that the hurricane watch net is on 14325 during active
> hurricanes. www.hwn.org
>
> Thanks for your hard work on the Ten-Tec net John, I was able to check in
> on both 40 and 20 from the mobile in the Chicago area last Sunday. I
> received my certificate when I got home today along with a nice package of
> info from the factory.
>
> 73 Andy K9ARM
>
>
> John Occhipinti wrote:
>
> The TEN-TEC 40 meter SSB net will meet on Sunday March 17th at 19:00 UTC 
> on
> or about 7.261 LSB. Yes, the 40 meter net is moving up 1 kHz in order to
> avoid any interference with the SouthCars Net, which has operated on 7.258
> assisting mobiles and handling emergency traffic for many years.
>
> As a former Net Control for the EastCars Net when I lived in Pennsylvania,
> I have had great respect for these groups for over 35 years. Moving up 1
> kHz is only fair to both of our nets and in the spirit of harmony, Amateur
> Radio will continue to be elevated to a higher plane.
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