Good Evening,
I found working with a slow speed NTS net very helpful while I was improving
my CW copy. After about a year with WCN I moved on to our regular NTS net. I
worked with them passing traffic for a few years until my work schedule
precluded my activity. ECN runs as a directed net and while acting as NCS I
have accepted traffic. Later, either after or between the nets, I passed it
on.
Earlier today Tom gave a good summary of how he and I run the nets. After
you send your 'hail' sign, and we echo it, all you need to do is send the
information he listed at YOUR comfortable copying speed. He and I will slow
down to your rate to acknowledge your information and welcome you. I have been
told there are many folks listening while ECN is running. Some try to be heard
and are not acknowledged while others simply listen along for practice. I
don't mind folks listening but I would like to meet them if at all possible. I
would also like to encourage folks to relay stations or to run the net for a
while. It is not difficult and is good practice.
ECN is not a traffic net, per se, but will handle traffic if necessary. It
is meant to be a casual net where folks can meet and listen to others around
the continent (or world if propagation improves). If you send QRS we will slow
down; I try to be as polite as my mother taught me. Being kind and courteous
has paid me great dividends over the years. I'll not stop any time soon!
There is nothing strict about ECN, we try to enjoy ourselves, have fun, and
welcome others to the group. Please feel free to listen or participate; your
choice.
73,
Kevin. KD5ONS
-----Original Message-----
>From: "Stephen W. Kercel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Aug 15, 2007 3:38 PM
>To: David Wilburn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QSP? relaying ECN check-ins.
>
>David:
>
>If you're interested in improving your CW network skills, your best
>bet would be to participate in an NTS slow net. Although the ECN is
>fairly easy to hit from the east coast on 20 M, until you get your CW
>speed up, you may find it a bit overwhelming.
>
>Your QRZ.com listing says that you are in southern Virginia. I looked
>on the Virginia ARRL Section Web site, and unfortunately Virginia
>only has a fast CW NTS net.
>
>However, the Virginia site does include a link,
>http://home.carolina.rr.com/w4eat/csn.html to the Carolinas Slow Net.
>Since it is listed on the Virginia site, I expect that they welcome
>Virginia checkins. The net runs on 80 M at 8-10 wpm, and is
>specifically geared to educate beginners on CW net operating procedures.
>
>I used to operate from Chester Virginia, and I can tell you that the
>Carolina nets are easy to hit on 80 m from southern Virginia, and the
>Carolina operators are very friendly.
>
>You might want to give that a go. If you do not feel quite ready, you
>might want to e-mail w4eat and seek his advice on participating.
>
>73,
>
>Steve Kercel
>AA4AK
>
>
>At 12:02 PM 8/15/2007, David Wilburn wrote:
>>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
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