[BARC-List] Good Practice to Remember

[Frank Murphy]

from the : EMCOMWEST bulletin

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+ DOES YOUR SINGLE SIDEBAND RADIO HAVE A CHANNEL SWITCH?
  by Ed Ewell, K7DXV - Associate Editor for Training - ewell@e-isco.com

  When you listen to the bands, you will notice that everyone seems to be
on some pre determined channel, or frequency.  Every signal is on even
or odd numbers. Example 7265, 7265.5, 7268.5, 7232 etc. I think this
happens because of the digital read-out displays on most modern radios.
  When you come up on a net frequency, for example 7232 kHz, and the
net control happens to be on 7232.7 kHz; you may notice that some stations
will be on the designated frequency of 7232 kHz.  It appears that some
dials have rust in them and they can not be turned, and some may say that
the net control station is off frequency.  I am sorry, but the net control
is always on frequency.  That is to say, the frequency he is operating on
at the time, is the net frequency.  The net control station is the station
that you tune to, get on its frequency and match the frequency.
  How do you do this?  Well rather than looking at your dial, tune for
normal voice on SSB.  Tune the radio until the net control=B9s voice sounds
natural. You may note the dial for reference, but the net control is never
=B3off frequency=B2.
  I have heard stations sit on a frequency and the net control station does
not come up on the designated (announced) frequency.  Why?  The announced
frequency may be in use, and the net control station has moved up or down a
few kHz to avoid interference with other stations. You should tune up or
down the band and locate the net.  Most nets are on schedule.
  No net has exclusive right to a frequency.  The FCC rules are very clear
and it is not good practice to break in on a communication in progress and
ask or tell the stations to move.  Stations that operate on nets should be
flexible and know that the net may move because of other activity.  A net
with trained operators can come up on any frequency, and the other stations
will meet net control on his or her operating frequency.
  So, do not be afraid to move the dial on your radio, match the station
with which you want to communicate.
  Nets should practice operating at different frequencies so that the
operators will turn their dials.  Do not be a robot.  Be a good operator.
  If a net on 3980 kHz was to move to 3981.3 kHz, I wonder if the operators
would be on frequency with the net control?  And, please,  do not tell the
net control he or she is off frequency. The net control is boss, and
perhaps there is a reason for not being on the exact frequency.  Older
radios do not have digital readout dials.  But they are good radios and
they may work when others fail! - Ed Ewell 73 K7DXV
 =20
NEXT WEEK:  How close, is too close, to the band edge?