Check-in and Check-out Procedures

Choosing Regional Subnets

Choose frequencies corresponding to two or more VHF simplex regions based on this map. Also make note of a backup UHF frequencies in case there is interference on the VHF frequencies. Propagation is more important than exact location so you may want to start by briefly listening on two frequencies and choosing the one that has the clearest signal. There is a chance, however, that propagation won't be symmetric so that a subnet controller that you can hear clearly may not be able to hear you well and vice versa for the other subnet. In that case, you might have to try one and then the other. Don't give up if neither seems to be working well, however, because after the main check in, the controller will usually ask for one of the stations already checked in to ask for additional check ins from those who are having trouble hearing or reaching the controller.

Things to worry about later: The subnet controllers tend to vary from one exercise or deployment to another and sometimes their equipment will change. So, the best region to check into may vary from one exercise to another. It may also vary based on whether you’re checking in from home or from your team’s staging area. If you find two regions that work equally well, you could break the tie by choosing the one used by teams that adjoin your team geographically.

Checking into a Regional Subnet

Make sure that your radio is not using an offset because you will not be using a repeater. Use a tactical call sign to check in. FCC call signs should only be used at the end of a communication. During simplex exercises, your tactical call sign should be your NET team name followed by a number. If your net team name is long, choose an abbreviation. Example: “South Heights 1.” If you hear someone else check in with your chosen tactical call sign, change the number, e.g. “South Heights 2.”

During citywide deployment exercises and actual deployments, your tactical call sign should be your team name or an abbreviation of it. You do not need to add a number as there should only be one ARO representing a team at a time. After the subnet controller recognizes you during the check in, give your FCC call sign and say the word “Out” as it is the end of that communication. “Out” doesn’t mean you’re turning off your radio; it means you don’t expect a reply

The subnet controller may have trouble hearing some operators. If you hear a station that the controller doesn’t acknowledge, wait for a pause, say the word “Relay” and wait to be told to go ahead. If the subnet controller has requested that relays be held until requested, follow the subnet controller’s instructions

What to do if you have trouble checking into a subnet

You can try another subnet frequency if you like. If you don’t have an alternate frequency or it appears that the frequency for your region is in use by others you can call or text Bruce at 503-332-4666 for advice.

f you are still not successful, please send an email to BruceSchafer1@gmail.com so he can help you do some troubleshooting in the days after the exercise.

Checking out of a subnet

When your subnet controller asks you to do so, check out from your subnet. Respond with your FCC call sign and the proword “Out” or “Clear.”*

• “Out” means you don’t expect a response.
• “Clear” means you don’t expect a response and you are leaving the frequency.

Checking into the Resource Net

Listen to MC-2 for the Resource Net. Subnet Controllers will be asked to check in first, so wait for the Resource Net operator to ask you to check in. The general check ins will probably be in alphabetical order by callsign suffix. Check in using your FCC call sign using the ITU spelling alphabet . Once you have checked in and been released by the Resource Net Controller, you can transition to your regional subnet.

Note: While you are waiting for your call sign suffix to be called, you may want to use the Reverse button on your radio occasionally to check to see if there are operators near you who are not reaching the repeater. If you hear someone trying to check in while you are on reverse but don’t hear them without reverse, they are not reaching the repeater. You have the option of offering a relay by using the proword “Relay”. Be sure and turn off the reverse feature before doing so.

Reasons for Resource Net

Here are some of the reasons that resource nets are used during exercises and actual deployments.

(1) Keeping track of amateur radio operators to help assure their safety and to determine their availability to assist in the deployment.

2) Keeping track of resources such as radio capability (e.g., bands, power) and availability (e.g., power supply, mobility).

(3) Sharing updated information as people become available during an exercise or emergency. Examples would include frequency changes and changes in organization.

(4) At the beginning of an actual emergency there would likely be no amateur radio operators at ECC to operate the radios and it could take an hour or more to staff the radio room with operators. The Resource Net can be operated from nearly anywhere in the Portland area -- less so if the MC-2 repeater is down but still in a variety of places.

Additional Information About the Resource Net

The protocol is to use MC-12 if the MC-2 repeater is down. Not only is MC-12 simplex but it uses the output frequency of the MC-2 repeater. This has a couple implications:

1. If the repeater is down and we don't remember that the alternate is MC-12 we can perhaps remember that it is the same frequency without an offset and turn off offset on our radios to access the Resource NET in simplex mode.
2. We can't practice on MC-12 because if we did so, we would be conducting simplex conversations on the output frequency of an active repeater and would conflict with anyone using the repeater (who may not be able to hear our simplex conversations).

As a reference see, Section 900.35 of NET Communications Operations and Protocols (There are many things in this document which are outdated but the info on MC-2 and MC-12 isn't one of them.)

Regions

Please choose a subnet according to your location. A map of regions can be found at www.tinyurl.com/pnet-simplex-map. If an exercise starts with a Resource Net the frequency for each region will be given by the Resource Net operator. If an exercise does not include a Resource Net, try the standard frequency for your region. If you don’t hear anything, try another region or check the backup UHF frequency for the region. Here are the names of the simplex regions:

• Alameda North
• Alameda South
• Columbia
• New Northeast
• Outer East
• River North
• River South
• Southeast
• Westside

Checking Into a Regional Subnet

Tune your radio to your regional frequency. Make sure that your radio is not using an offset because you will not be using a repeater. Once you’re satisfied you’re on the correct frequency, listen for the subnet controller. After some preliminary remarks, he or she will call for check-ins. Remember to check-in using your tactical call sign as described above. FCC call signs should only be used at the end of a communication.

Wait for the regional subnet controller to call for check ins. When check-ins are requested, provide your tactical call sign. When controllers recognize you they may ask for additional information. You should provide your tactical call sign, the requested information, your FCC callsign, and the word “Out”. Out” doesn’t mean you’re turning off your radio; it means you don’t expect a reply. For example if your SNC may ask you for your first name and the names of the NET teams or neighborhoods you represent. You could respond with something like, “Net Control, South Heights, name is Jake. I represent Portland South Heights and Jake Creek NET. This is KK7PDX Out”.

The subnet controller may have trouble hearing some operators. If you hear a station that the controller doesn’t acknowledge, wait for a pause, say the word “Relay” and wait to be told to go ahead to assist with the relay. For more information see Relaying During Radio Communications.

What To Do If You Have Trouble Checking Into Your Regional Subnet

The strength of simplex communication will vary from exercise to exercise and operator to operator based on factors like location, elevation, available transmission power and sensitivity and selectivity of receivers. Note that there are many combinations of these factors in a region including a subnet controller who may be in a different location and team AROs in varying locations depending on who is available and the nature of the exercise or deployment. This unpredictability of simplex communication means that you and the other operators must be ready to ask for and provide relays. There are at least two cases to consider.

1. Net Control cannot hear you. Other stations may offer to provide a relay. If Net Control gives them permission to do so, they may ask you for more information, which you should provide. If no station offers to provide a relay, consider increasing the transmit power of your radio or moving to another location, wait for a pause in the communication, and repeat your tactical call sign in hopes that someone will offer a relay or that propagation has improved enough to allow Net Control to hear you. Do not repeat your call sign often as you may unintentionally interfere with other stations that you cannot hear. If you are still not heard, consider moving to another subnet by changing frequency or going back to the Resource Net for advice.
2. You cannot hear Net Control. You may want to wait for several minutes in case another operator in your region offers to repeat the announcement or request from Net Control. You may also want to consider moving to another location (B). If you still cannot hear Net Control or a relaying station, consider moving to another subnet by changing to its frequency or going back to the Resource Net for advice.