NET CONTROL GUIDELINES - SIMPLEX OPERATIONS

Here are the frequencies used by Pinellas ACS/ARES/SKYWARN :

ACS Primary repeater frequencies: 145.170 (-) 442.400 (+) 442.800 (+) (443.400 (+) 224.120 (-)
All require a P.L. of 156.7 Hz;
ACS Secondary repeater frequency: 147.030 (+)
P.L. 103.5 Hz North County
P.L. 156.7 Hz Central County
P.L. 192.8 Hz South County;
ACS Tertiary repeater frequency: 147.210 (+) P.L. 156.7 Hz;


Remember, as NCS (Net Control Station) you are in charge. If there is a problem on the primary frequency (145.170) you will need to . . .


MOVE THE NET TO 147.030


This is the backup repeater frequency. Get a volunteer or assign someone to remain on the primary frequency's ouput to announce that the net will be on the backup frequency. If the repeater is unusable, have them operate in simplex mode on the repeater's output frequency. Do this ONLY if the repeater is unusable.
Besides an off the air condition, "unusable" includes any condition that makes the repeater output unusable, such as distorted or noisy audio, low sensitivity, etc.
Once the net has been moved and the announcements are being made on the primary frequency, run the net in a normal fashion. But, if the 147.210 backup repeater is also unusable, the next thing to do is. . . .

MOVE THE NET TO 146.430


The same procedure and criteria apply here, but be sure that there is someone on the primary (145.170) AND backup (147.210) frequencies announcing that the net will be on 146.430 simplex. Then you will have a ...

SIMPLEX NET (All on the same Simplex frequency)


* REMEMBER: To remind everyone to use relay stations as needed in Simplex Net Operations)

First, put that roll call list aside. Ask for or assign a North County Area Relay Station) and a South County Relay Station. Call for check ins. Check in those stations you hear then have the North County Area Relay ask for check ins. Have that Station relay any check in heard.
Ask everyone to only check in once, even if they can hear both of the North County and South County Area Relay stations. When the North County Relay Station is finished taking check ins, have South County Relay Station take them.
After both of the Area Relay stations have taken their check ins, you, as the ACS/ARES NCS, will ask for any other check ins.
When the check in portion is over, the net should go on as any other net would. Have each of the Area Relay stations repeat your instructionsand/or info. Be sure to ask if anyone needs fills or relays periodically.
**** SIMPLEX NET (Using two Simplex frequencies) ****

Simplex frequency: (Suggested)
146.430 (S) (North County)
146.470 (S) (South County)

When a NCS has be established for both North and South County Areas, have each of the Area NCS go to their assigned frequency to determine if the frequency is clear to use.
Then Both Area NCS should report back their findings to the ACS/ARES NCS. If all frequencies are clear to use, have all stations move to their designated Area frequency. (If an assigned frequency is not clear to use, the ACS/ARES NCS will assign a new frequency to the Area or Areas affected and the Area NCS will again determine the newly assigned frequency's availability and again report back their findings to the ACS/ARES NCS before moving the stations in that zone to the new frequency.
Both Area NCS should then take a rollcall of stations within thier respective Area ONLY. Once they have completed their rollcall have them report back to the ACS NCS and give thier reports. All other stations should remain on their assigned Area frequency until either released from the net or given other instructions.

BACK TO THE PINELLAS COUNTY ACS COMM PAGE!

UPDATED: NHL-20050518