ROARS (bi-weekly) Net
ROARS hosts a bi-weekly net on local VHF repeaters and simplex (and sometimes HF and UHF) to practice net procedures if there was ever an emergency and we had to do it for real, to share announcements and share information. We rotate Net Control (and Net Control Backup) responsibilities to give all ROARS members the experience of bringing a net alive and managing the traffic flow. A link to the ROARS Net Control script is below, and Net Control monthly assignments and the Net Control log sheet follow. The ROARS net welcomes all amateur radio operators!
WHEN: The 1st, 3rd and 5th (if there is a 5th) Wednesday of each month
TIME: 7 PM Pacific. Total time is around 45-60 minutes depending on discussions.
WHERE: There are typically three phases to the ROARS net, allowing us to practice communications across a range of communications challenges of increasing difficulty. (NOTE: We do make frequency changes on some nets to stay flexible, so always check the ROARS calendar for specific net details!)
ROARS Net Control management is Steve Sampson (K6SRS). In an emergency, who knows who will be around to run a net, so work to rotate through all club members to give everyone Net Control experience. We welcome all to join the net for fun - and for practice. Following are the typical steps used in our nets:
Step 1 - We begin on the PARC 147.130 repeater (+ offset, 107.2 PL) located at 5,600 ft on Mount Palomar. This repeater has broad coverage of San Diego County and is our first choice if we have to communication outside the Ramona area to the larger world. We all should have it programmed and know how to use it to talk to the outside world, BUT in major events it is often jammed with traffic and not useful for local ROARS needs.
Step 2 - The net moves to the ROARS 145.300 repeater (- offset, 88.5 PL) located at 1,400 ft in the Ramona valley. Use it first to start - or join - a ROARS Emergency Net! The beauty of this repeater is that is has solar and battery backup power AND our Ramona valley is RF isolated from much of San Diego, so this repeater is our FIRST CHOICE for quiet, reliable local communications. Have it in your memory and practice during our nets for future local emergencies.
Step 3 - At the end of the net we usually switch to 145.710 simplex (no PL) to test our local VHF connectivity when no repeaters are available. You learn where you do and don't have coverage, and what radios and power levels work well. Surprisingly, simplex works very well in the Ramona area, and is quiet. If the ROARS repeater is down, this frequency is our backup for local communications. We also may switch Step 3 to other frequencies or activities as directed by Net Control.
Please program these frequencies in your radios and join in the fun. While we do follow a simple net protocol (script is attached below) for practice, this net is an informal gathering open to all. We usually start with a roll and want you to respond with your call, name and current location. We may add other information requests from time to time, and we always have a call for announcements and general discussion. Hope to see you on the air!
Click this line for our ROARS Net Control script. Every net control operator should download these for their nets. Just fill in the appropriate dates on the log sheet.
Net Control - Brings the ROARS net alive, takes role, and manages traffic flow at 7 PM the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month. The check-ins are logged on a spreadsheet which is online here. (Give the Net Manager notice as early as possible if you can’t act as NC on their assigned nights.)
Backup - Monitors the net traffic and records check-ins for Net Control backup, and takes NC task if assigned NC can’t take the net. The recent Roll Call List is on-line here. (Give the Net Manager plenty of notice if you can’t act as NC backup on their assigned nights.)
Net Control Script and Procedures can be downloaded using the link above.
Thanks for considering helping with the ROARS 2 meter net.
73,
John German
W6IET
ROARS Net Manager and Chief Operator