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How do I participate?

Any Amateur Radio Operator is welcome to participate in our Nets. If you don't have your license yet, click here to learn how.

1. Identify the net you want to join​

Step one may seem obvious, but it begs the question, how do I find the nets in my area? Many of the nets in our area are geared towards social groups, faith based groups, and interest based groups. UCARES is such an interest based group, and our Nets are listed above. Asking other operators in your area, or using other resources1 can help you to identify other nets around you.

Once you have selected the net you want join, you know what time, and what frequency to participate on, now you'll need to select your radio. We will use the UCARES weekly net as our example.

tip

If this is your first time connecting to the net, consider asking for someone who can meet you on the frequency at a different time. This way you can test your equipment and feel more confident in participating the first time. Do you need a mentor? Reach out to us at [email protected] and we can help out!

2. Select your radio​

The net you want to participate in will determine the radio you must use. This is because radios are designed to operate on specific frequency bands. In our example, we are planning to join the UCARES Weekly Net, so we need a 2m (two meter) radio to connect to the repeaters used during this net. 2m radios are ubiquitous and relatively affordable ($ -> $$$).

3. Select the correct frequency​

Each net will meet on a specific frequency. Sometimes this is subject to change (especially in an HF net). Each radio is different in how you configure the radio for the correct frequency. Check-out our Radio Guides and see if your radio is listed with specific details on how to use it. Otherwise, read your radio manual. There's good stuff in there... I promise.

Using a repeater​

There are many ways that repeater informaton can be presented.

In whichever way it is presented, the 3 main components of connecting to a repeater will be shown:

  1. Frequency: 147.340 (sometimes you might see 147.34, but the 0 is still important)
  2. Offset: -, meaning your radio needs to have a negative repeater offset.
  3. Tone: 100.0, meaning your radio needs to have a CTCSS tone of 100.0Hz.

Here you can see a few examples of what this looks like using the UCARES '34 repeater:

  • 147.340 (-) 100.0
  • 147.340 (-100.0)
  • 147.340-100.0

Checkout our comprehensive repeater guide that really gets into the weeds of using a repeater.

tip

UCARES sends our reminder emails & Telegram messages the day of our nets with the specific frequencies for the net.

4. Wait to hear Net Control​

Nice work! You're 90% there. Now that you are on the right frequency, at the right time, with the right radio, you are ready to check-in to the net.

tip

If you're early to the net (like more than 5 minutes), you might consider asking for a signal report:

"This is KI7SHU looking for a signal report."

The Net Control, or Assistant Net Control will respond with a signal report.

5. Check-in to the net​

Alright, the net has started. And you may hear some introductory business, etc. Pay attention to how Net Control asks for check-ins. They may give specific instructuion for how they expect you to check-in. You may hear:

Please check-in in the following format: Key your mic when ready, give your callsign slowly and clearly using standard phonetics. Please provide your name and the city you are currently located.

We now have the instructions to check-in. Net Control may call for check-ins by city or may just leave the airwaves open. In either case, wait for your turn. Once you hear a break, you can start transmitting:

This is Kilo India Seven, Sierra Hotel Uniform. Taylor in Santaquin.

Now we wait for Net Control to acknoledge our check-in. You will hear something like this:

Recognizing Kilo India Seven, Sierra Hotel Uniform.

If you don't hear your callsign, check-out our troubleshooting steps.

tip

Do you need to leave early? Then ask for an early out. If you do not ask for an early out, the Net Control will assume that you are listening until the end of the net. If life happens and you need to leave early, it's is understandable; however, it is courteous to ask for an early out.

This is Kilo India Seven, Sierra Hotel Uniform. Taylor in Santaquin. Requesting early out

Footnotes​

  1. For more information about Nets, Noji's (KN0JI) website is a great local resource. ↩