I speak off-line with quite a few NCS (Net Control Stations) all the time. There biggest complaint is check-ins that do not pass traffic (TFC). They just check-in and copy other peoples TFC. What will happen when (not if) the interwize or grid goes down? Is that the time to learn how to pass TFC? Is it fair to the other stations that take the time to prep and pass TFC?
I would like your input as to what I and other NCS folks can do to encourage the passing of TFC from all check-ins.
Thanks for your comments.
Speaking only for myself, I can give you some feedback. I have held a general class license for about 20 years now. I used to regularly participate in the local 2 meter nets for years. After a while they got routine and boring. Some NCS?s were more entertaining than others and tried to make them interesting, but most just took check-ins and closed the net. Not much traffic got passed via radio. At the same time these same people checking in on the radio nets were also quite active on the local email and text groups. If a radio event was planned, all the detailed information is passed via email, not over the net other than a statement that the event was happening. That should provide you with a clue.
When I started participating in HF nets, it was simply a repeat of the 2-meter nets, both voice and digital. Some were more fun than others, but most nets were simply taking check-ins. They acted like they did not want to be bothered with traffic. I got chastised a time or two by a rude NCS for checking in to a net out of order (I did not know that they went by states, or used a list, etc.) or for trying to pass traffic to another station during a net. (I had actually asked NCS if I could contact another station to schedule a chat after the net concluded.) It is my opinion that it is up to the NCS to set the tone and request traffic to encourage this usage. Maybe you could conduct a net specifically to pass traffic as opposed to one just to take check-ins?
The way things are run now, field day is a joke when it comes to passing traffic. It is run like a contest where people are looking for a high number of contacts, not a successful conversation or receipt of specific information or a form. Since I am not into contests, I quit participating in field days on the radio although I do sometimes stop by to help set antennas up, etc. Perhaps many of the participating stations simply don?t have anything to say?
I feel your pain. I have heard some of the local NCS ask the same question. My opinion is it will take consistent work to make the nets welcoming and interesting. One local NCS started asking stations to voluntarily submit specified information each week, like local weather reports, new radios, traffic, etc. just to get people involved. He did this in a positive way on both voice and digital nets. It worked for a while, but this slowed over time.
AmRRON seems to have a good approach to handling traffic. I don?t know if that would apply to what you are asking, but it is worth the time to see what they are doing.
I seem to be rambling here. I don?t think I actually answered the question you asked, but maybe this will help. I hope you find a good solution.
