I have been working at improving my CW skills for what seems a very long
time. I have not checked into a CW net, and I would like to check into
ECN, but it is admittedly difficult here from the right coast. I have
listened one time and was a bit overwhelmed with trying to copy,
understand, and figure out what I needed to do.
I have looked at traffic net protocols, and I understand that practice
will improve understanding. Is it possible to have a script somewhere
of what will happen, so us newbies / slowpokes can follow along, and try
to figure out when to send out our call?
My plan would be to listen to the 20m net, and then try to stay awake
and attempt to check in on the 40m net. Rig is K2/100 w/80m loop. So
main handicap is the operator.
David Wilburn
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
K4DGW
K2 #5982
K9ZTV wrote:
N0SS, being an old and consummate National Traffic System man (as well
as my cross-town good friend), will, I trust, smile kindly on my
contribution to this discussion.
This may be a perfect opportunity to educate and train a whole new
generation of CW operators in long-established, tried-and-tested, ARRL
NTS procedures. Just because the exchange of formal message traffic is
not the purpose of the ECN, does not mean the net itself cannot be
conducted accordingly. Likewise, the repetitive use of a few select
Q-signals by the NCS will not only equip new operators with useful CW
skills, but also help resolve the relay issues under discussion.
I expect the K3 to bring a lot of new hams to HF CW over the next
several years, which may also bring them to the ECN.
I would suggest you begin emphasizing that the ECN is a "directed" net
(QND), which you may believe it already to be, but actually isn't (which
is why you are experiencing trouble in identifying QNIs). Stations
wishing to check into a truly "directed net" transmit nothing until
instructed to do so in some specific fashion by the NCS. Such as . . .
The check-in instructions might be geographical :
CQ ECN de N0SS QNA ("answer in prearranged order") FIRST CALL AREA STNS
ONLY PSE QNI K
CQ ECN de N0SS QNA SECOND CALL AREA STNS ONLY PSE QNI K
etc., etc., through all the call areas. This permits pointing the bean
in one direction at a time without having to continually swing it
through the compass rose.
Another method (unique to ECN) might be . . .
CQ ECN de N0SS QNA KX1 RIGS ONLY PSE QNI K
CQ ECN de N0SS QNA K1 RIGS ONLY PSE QNI K
CQ ECN de N0SS QNA K2 RIGS ONLY PSE QNI K
CQ ECN de N0SS QNA K3 RIGS ONLY PSE QNI K
Many nets have done this for years, it's nothing new, but it IS
effective, and solves two of your problems: (1) reducing (if not
eliminating) QRM from stations all over the country trying to QNI at the
same time; and (2) forcing significant numbers of stations to "stick
around" until their call area is up to bat, thus providing relay
stations if such are needed. But again, it is in an orderly fashion,
not the chaos it is now. Two SSB nets I occasionally frequent (Collins
Collectors Association net and the Interstate Single Sideband Net) have
done the geographical thing for decades. The NTS system routinely asks
for QNI on a QNA (prearranged order) from those stations serving as
liaisons to higher level nets. And to make it fair, each week you
alternate the order, so the zero-call area stations aren't waiting until
the end all the time. Likewise, you alternate the rig-order assuming
your "prearranged order" goes by model.
A companion advantage is the opportunity for CW copy practice for
newcomers. The longer they wait their turn, the more CW they will be
copying, the more Q-signals they will be exposed to, and the less
intimidated they will be when it comes their turn to hit the key.
Finally, it has always been my personal belief that one of the
obligations of the net control station is to be HEARD. This means
transmitting with more than 100 watts off a dipole at thirty feet. It
means an amplifier, especially during sunspot minima. It also means a
decent antenna. Good NCS operators without amplifier capabilities
should not be excluded, but they should be encouraged to save their
pennies for one. They should also be selected on the basis of
consistently good strength signals and good operating skills.
All of this, of course, is my opinion only, but stems from five decades
of CW traffic work and serving as Net Manager of two ARRL section nets
over the years.
73,
Kent K9ZTV
Tom Hammond wrote:
Hi ray:
K2HYD wrote:
I'm wondering whether some experienced net ops could chime in with
suggestions for getting more QSP going on the weekly Elecraft CW Net?
I don't really know what the right protocol is, but I still have a
happy glow thinking about the one time I actually QSP'd for a station
that NCS couldn't hear. (can't recall whether it was Kevin or Tom
acting as NCS at that moment). It was a thrill to be able to relay the
check-in, with my little KX-1 signal!
Anyway, on last night's 40m net (was busy with family at 20m net time)
I could barely hear Kevin but there were a couple of stations that
were very loud to me, and I suspect might have been able to hear me. I
tried sending "pse QSP" once or twice (is that the right way to ask
for help??) but didn't want to do that too much for fear of stepping
on someone.
I wonder, would it work for NCS to ask "any QSP?" or some such, just
before "last call?"
Now that I've said 130% of what I know, maybe someone who really knows
how to get QSPs going could chime in??
I agree that it would be a GREAT thing for others to assist
unacknowledged stations to get checked into the ECN when NCS has not
acknowledged them after several unsuccessful attempts on their part to
QNI.
I think that part of the problem is that many (if not most) stations
who do QNI the net probably check out within minutes of being checked
in... as a result, they've no longer present and in a position to
assist other stations who might not be acknowledged by the current NCS.
Many(!) times, when I'm calling ECN in an attempt to help Kevin find
stations who can't hear him or who he hasn't been able to ferret out
of the noise, I hear very weak signals which i think are attempting to
QNI, but which I just cannot pull out of the noise. I'll often ask for
'relays', but seldom get a response. Again, I suspect that this may be
due to many of the previously checked-in stations having already
closed their stations for the evening.
What I'd like to see is for ALL stations to at least stay on frequency
for 5-10 minutes (if possible) following their being acknowledged.
Then, if they hear another stations, after several unacknowledged
attempts to QNI, AND the NCS not getting any new check-ins, then it
would be GREAT to have further check-ins relayed to the NCS.
The problem is having relaying stations become too anxious to help...
sometimes, I'll hear a number of stations trying to QNI... I (and
Kevin) try to pick them off one at a time, until I hear no further
callers. Then I'll make a couple more calls which, if they go
unanswered, will cue me in to turn the beam to another direction, to
make a few more calls. relays of missed stations would best be made
when the NCS is in that position of getting no further responses to
his calls... so he's not having to pick through a current batch of
calling stations to stations in order to her the relaying station.
Additionally, I know I've experienced a number of instances where I
KNOW there's been a station trying to QNI, but he gives up before I
can get to him to acknowledge him. Frustration is a problem... if we
call several times and don't get acknowledged, after 4-5 attempts, we
assume that the NCS can't hear us, and we decide to QRT for another
beer.. or whatever... muttering to ourselves that the NCS needs a new
set of ears... This COULD be the case... but it could also be the case
that all the NCS has to do is to turn his antenna!!! And sometimes
either a relay (QSP) or just being patient enough to allow the NCS to
get TO you (either by weeding out the pile of callers OR by turning
his antenna will also solve the problem.
But, in the final analysis... if you hear someone who has repeatedly
called to check in and is not being acknowledged by the NCS (who is
not in the process of picking up potentially stronger stations), then
PLEASE take the time to relay the calling station to the NCS... even
if you don't have the entire call, get the NCS's attention and at
least tell him you hear someone (which you COULD copy if the NCS would
only shut up long enough). We'll certainly do our best to pull in all
callers.
73, and thanks.
Tom N0SS
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