[CoARES-D10] "No Traffic"

[On Track Investigations, Randy Long]

HI Guys,


I am an offender of the "no traffic over" transmissions... however, that
being said, I think its notable that when we have had "Actual emergencies"
people do not come across with the "NO Traffic Over" transmission,
accompanying their call and location. Weather nets are a good example, Bike
tours are another, and Fire /flood events are yet more examples. Taking only
a second to say is not an issue. Personally I find it better to not have to
go back and be asked if I had traffic. I do often have traffic and even
though I say so in the beginning, still get asked. More an issue of the NCS
not listening or being in a good enough place to hear. More NCS issues than
a net issue.

The issue I see that comes into play is if we have a NCS that is really
unskilled and thinks everyone that says something about traffic or no
traffic, has traffic. In that case, I think we need to rethink having that
person do something other than NCS!

I like crisp nets too. Don't get me wrong. I have also been a net controller
since the mid to late 60's and don't have  a problem either way. As a rule
though, the NCS sets the tempo for the nets and the participants follow. If
the net controller has a tendency to go down the sheep path, so will the
participants.  They follow the lead very well! I think if we lack anything
its good solid basis for NCS to operate under. There are lots of methods to
achieve good results. So one method is not necessarily the end all, but some
think none other should be followed. I know we have some old traffic doggies
on here and even some MARS ops, which bring some good technique and
discipline to the table. Theirs is not always the best, but certainly has
worked for a lot of years. We can dismember every net that is run by anyone
and only be destructive and divisive. At the same time, we can be dogmatic
and piss off the world and what have we accomplished, especially if its not
a major issue.

How can we change the tempo and crispness of our nets?  I am glad you asked!
Good training for Net Controllers!! Good Elmering for Net Controllers!!!!
Good training for net participants! Shape the controller and the
participants will follow to a great degree. Let the participants know what
the ground rules are and you will have better compliance! It all comes down
to an educational and training process!!!!!! Don't expect people to just
read your mind or understand by osmosis why you think something should or
should not be done!

As Bob said if the issue of Traffic/No Traffic is the biggest issue we have,
we have no issue. Bigger issues I see are people not monitoring the net,
paying attention to what's being asked for, and not standing ready to take
over should NCS go off the air. Probably the three most irritating issues to
me. Another that bothers me, but I don't have an answer for, is those who
check in, and then disappear without notifying NCS. Why not put the
responsibility for good netiquette where it belongs, but train people as to
what's expected. Recognizing that possibly 90% of other nets may operate
differently. People operate on repetition, so its going to be a battle if
most of the other nets they are exposed to do it differently.

In the defense of some who do still do as I have and probably, do most of
the time, past net scripts have had contained in them, "Please indicate
whether or not you have traffic for the net". It is heard on countless other
local nets. Its very easy to get into auto-pilot mode and hear it even when
its not being said. If its confusing to some, have a place where people with
traffic for the net can check in separately. One with traffic,  then all
other stations.  Explaining in net instructions, that there are two
different classes of check-ins.  If it's a change that the powers that be,
are really bent on changing this, discuss it on a net, put it on the
reflector and discourage it officially. Most of all have reasons that are
clear and defendable to substantiate why there needs to be change. Don't
whine about it, be proactive! I don't see it as a problem, but obviously
some do hence we are on this thread.

Now that I have pissed off the world, you at least know what I think. Next
time I won't sugar coat it so much  ;-)

73,

Randy W0AVV