NCS Operator Policy & Procedures         [Updated October 1, 2024/revised Nov 25, 2024]

This Section Contains Net Policies and Procedures for all of the Net Controllers and what is expected of them when operating on the air in the name of the Net. When you join any type of organization you take on the responsiblites of following their rules and to act accordingly. INTERCON is no different. You should check this page often for updates, changes and/or additons.

GUIDELINES FOR NET CONTROL OPERATORS

No one is to do anything in the name of the net unless authorized by the Net Manager.

The Net Manager has complete authority over Net operations. The Intercon Net is a controlled net. It is the responsibility of each Net Control Station operator to act according to the policies as stated herein. Each NCS operator acts as a representative of the Net during his/her on air shift only. All NCS operators shall be polite, patient, confident, and should keep traffic running smoothly. EMERGENCY TRAFFIC shall always have priority when hearing the pro-words: MAYDAY, SOS, EMERGECY, HELP or something that indicates priority. It is our goal to assist all those in need whenever possible to fullest extent of our capability.

Assistant Managers are authorized to perform their respective duties or tasks at all times in keeping with the goals and objectives of the Net as assigned by the Net Manager.

All Net Control Operators should maintain a valid email address that should be checked by them on a daily basis to keep up with Net events, particulary shift coverage issues. Operators are asked to supply a phone number to the Net Manager in case of emergencies. Operators are expected to join the Oficial Email List Server of the Net to receive notifications and business items of the Net. This is important to maintain communications with the administrators and other Team members. See the bottom of this page for the link to join.

If you cannot make your scheduled time slot (Shift), and not able to find anyone to cover your shift, then email the INTERCON team using the Email List Server so all operators and managers are notified at the same time. Net Control Operators or Relief Operators should be prepared to take a slot when the scheduled Net Control operator does not take over whenever possible. The objective is to keep constant watch on the frequency during our regular schedule. All help is greatly appreciated.

Should the next scheduled operator fail to take the Net, please make a note in the CHAT feature of the Logger before you sign off *AND* send out a notification on the Email List Server so that another available operator may jump in if you cannot cover all or part of the shift. This provides everyone with the current status of the net.

If you have a technical or personal problem during your shift and you have to discontinue operations, please seek out help on the CHAT portion of the logger from other operators that may be also logged in. If you cannot get immediate relief, at least announce the fact that you had to discontinue your shift using the CHAT function AND send an email using the INTERCON Email List Server in the hope of someone taking over the remainder of your shift. It may be prudent to also make an announcement on the air for any listening NCS operator that may be available to take over.

ADHERENCE TO NET POLICY

The management expects all Net Control Station Operators to follow all the polices and procedures outlined here as well as any emailed notifications. Managers will endevour to provide training and/or video sessions for the purpose of improving the net and its operators in every aspect. Any suggestions, ideas, or comments about training are welcomed by the Net Manager from all operators. The Net is what you make it. Without you, the Net does not exsist.

FCC RULES

All NCS operators shall abide by Part 97 of the FCC Rules and Regulations, as amended.

Have a copy of the FCC Rule Book available in print or accessible on your computer. It is expected that all operators will adhere to the Rules and Regulations and are not immune from prosecution or civil liability because you belong to INTERCON. If someone challenges your operation, you can tell him you will talk to him/her, off frequency, after you are relieved as the Net Control operator. Do not allow controversy to interrupt the operation of the net. You may also refer anyone to the Net Manager for any issue regarding the Net. Please document and record any disturbances or violations of the rules by sending it for further action to the Net Manager.

ON THE AIR POLICY

The Intercon Net begining shift Script has been deleted from the website. Please request a copy of the script from the Net Manager.

It is always nice to engage stations on the air and exchange pleasantries during your net shift, but try to keep any converstions to 2 minutes or less. You should be listening more than transmitting to keep an ear out for priority or emergency traffic, which is our main goal.

No one should purport to be a member of this Net and act as a Net Control Station Operator for INTERCON unless trained, approved, and officially listed on the roster by the management of INTERCON. Please report any discrepancies to the Net Managers.

Net Control Station operators have the prerogative to acknowledge whomever they wish and to determine what traffic will be run. However, Net Control Stations MUST adhere to net policy. For example, if the net has adopted a policy of not accepting traffic from a station that has a history of interference with net operations, it is incumbent upon Net Control Stations to follow this policy. When you are off net frequency, operating on your own, do as you will. But, while you are acting as an Intercon Net Control Station Operator, you should respect the policies of the Net to the letter.

The Net Control Station operator should know and understand our standard net procedures well. Be confident, firm, polite, and let people know that you are in control. When you respond to a check-in, use his/her call-sign. When the net is busy you will have doubling and tripling and it will sound like a bee-hive. Possibly the only way a station will hear you is if you use his/her complete call sign. Use standard phonetics at all times. Just using someone’s name, “There’s Bob! Hi, Bob, Good Morning!”, is not very informative to the other stations on the net, who, because of propagation, cannot hear Bob and have no idea which “Bob” you are talking to.

NCS operators should follow some kind of order when asking for check-ins. If you have a beam, swing it around periodically. Terminology and procedure comes with practice so don’t be afraid to listen and try. Always listen for emergency or priority traffic!

When logging any Marine or Maritime mobile, please enter their current Lattitude and Longitude position when underway along with their number of persons on board (POB), plus the name/description of their vessel. Also log their destination and estimated day or date of arrival and any other pertinent information if you can. Otherwise, moored or docked vessels should include the name of their mooring if given.

Operators should also endavour to promote the Net at least once per shift by giving out the website address: INTERCONNET.org and any other pertinant information concerning the Net particulary to new, first time check-ins. Use that opportunity to introduce them to the Net and its operation in every way. Even consider recruiting them as possible future operators!

INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS & THIRD PARTY TRAFFIC

PLEASE NOTE: As of June 7, 2022, according to the FCC, there were "no banned countries". In other words, it is currently permissible for an FCC-licensed amateur to communicate with all countries.

For current rules on 3rd party traffic and International communications, please refer to this link:
FCC Part 97.115 and 97.117

LOGS

NCS Operators should try to use the official logging program of the INTERCON net. Please try to log in at least 5-10 minutes before your shift. If you cannot log in, try to keep a running paper log or spreadsheet log of check-ins who want to “be listed” and email it to the Net Manager at the end of your shift. The FCC no longer requires the logging of amateur operation. The logging program enables a smooth transition from one operator to another, especially when your relief station cannot be heard on the air. Using the CHAT function cures that problem.

You are well advised, however to keep a record of unusual check-ins as well as any emergencies in which you are involved. RECORD ALL AUDIO OF EMERGENCIES or issues if possible. This is important in case you miss a position, location or other pertinant information you will want to recall later. Certain authorities may request the origninal or a copy of any logs or recordings for investigative purposes.

When you are busy, try to take check-ins in the form of Lists when possible. The logger has a way for you to do this. In other words, don’t just recognize the first or loudest station that you hear and begin to talk with him or her. Always ask if there are further check-ins before going back to the first station you heard to ask if he or she has traffic to pass. This lets any other stations trying to check in know they are heard. Stations waiting to join the Net will not mind waiting on a list if they are confident they will be called eventually.

If things get so slow you can’t stand it, play a tape of yourself calling the net and then standby and listen. Most new radios have a record/play feature built into the radios. NEVER USE A KNOWN INTERFERER AS A RELAY.

NET MANAGEMENT and OPERATIONS

Any station holding 3 shifts or more as a Net Control Station, will be required to release one or more of those shifts if a new Net Control operator joins our team, and there are no vacancies available. This enables more operators to take part in the Net which also provides us with more relief stations when needed.

The management, in order to make things easier for the NCS operator, asks that any net control operator having difficulties or requiring assistance in making a decision, should ask for help from the management ONLY. Too often, wrong information is given and this can create more problems. Make no administrative decisions about the net. You should only act as a Net Control Station Operator during your on air shift.

Thank you for what you do and remember you are part of a team of elite dedicated operators that willfully volunteer their time and the use of their personal equipment for the betterment of the ham radio community. "Hats off to you."

**TEAM MEMBER EMAIL LIST SERVER**

Please use the below link to sign up for the Official Intercon Email list server. Subsciptions are limited to Intercon net control station operators only. Joining this email list server is mandatory for all active Net Control Station Operators.