[CoARES-D10] "This is"

Sat, 20 Mar 2004 23:02:32 -0700

MR. Pat and Mr. Bob and others reading along...

Please excuse my tardiness in responding, but playing radio while camping
took a precedence...but NCS is a function of this organization that is near
and dear to my heart.

Although the Colorado Connection (hence the Co ARES VHF NET) discourages the
use of the "this is" Pause... and continue with your call sign for quite
another reason... (problems with an inadequate linking system not resetting
promptly). Other nets other than our local ARES nets use this method with
some measured level of success. Let us agree to disagree that this is an
alternative method to alleviate the problem of doubles.  However at the same
time, in fact, has been used with some degree of success on this net in past
years.

Bob (WA9FBO) on the other hand, not only having the experience of MARS
operations, traffic net operations, both SSB and FM, brings to the table
other considerations at the controller level. For those who know me, know
that I do not consider MARS as being the end all for policies, however they
do have some good points and even a dinosaur like me recognizes some of them
for being if not good practice, certainly an acceptable option. Bob's
experience and understanding of how controllers work and human nature are
noted and the options he offers I feel need to be explored (he designs them
and the features offered in them for those who don't know, he is AKA MR.
S-Com). Things do function differently on an SSB net than on an FM net, so
alternatives need to be explored rather than being overlooked.

In all fairness to the powers that be (at the state level), and their
technical prowess, most of them lack the technical background and
understanding of what is possible, that our local guru on repeater
controllers has coupled with that experience with human nature and years of
operational experience, is suggesting. Unfortunately jumping to the
conclusion that what ever method they (people on the state level) have
jumped to alleviate the problem, is the "best" or often times the "only"
solution does not always make it so. Certainly they may have some good ops,
maybe just not the quality of some of the folks we have sitting at the table
(GRIN).

Its my belief that all any of us want is to have nets that run smoother and
that allow for good control on the part of the NCS and good netiquette on
the part of participants. Doubles are inevitable. How we cut down on them
and handle them becomes our problem. Before we beat ourselves up over having
"violated" one of the unforgivable sins, for not using protocols that have
been put in place without trying other options, lets explore some things.

Building better net protocols and procedures is an ongoing process. Its
something that requires experimentation and even the use of input from
sources which the new "old pros"  may have failed to recognize or have at
their disposal. I suggest we not fall into their traps.

I further believe that trying things on the local level and fine tuning them
here is the place for this kind of experimentation to occur. Often what we
implement members of the state team see as being beneficial and implementing
them as is or some derivation. The state has defined that they feel there
are problems with nets and wants to throw patches at things rather than to
meet them head on. In this instance, its a clear issue that local districts
can also identify, as has been done in this case. Now we have the
opportunity to turn to the local expertise that is available to explore
other possible solutions. Lets look at more of the solutions people such as
our own WA9FBO might offer, before we flush it, like others at higher levels
might. Lets try some of the alternatives and if they don't work better, go
with what what's already in widespread use till we find something else.  We
have shown with other situations, training included, that we are not always
ready to accept what the majority of districts, even our own section does.
Lets keep the experimentation going in that spirit. Perhaps calling it
another frontier of the hobby! Give our solutions a fair chance to see what
else can and might work better. I think that's what the hobby is still all
about, experimentation, be it be technical or practical operations. Both in
my mind qualify to try different things and methods till we find what we
consider optimal, and work better than the old set of "rules" or mousetrap
if you will!

Thanks and 73,

Randy, W0AVV

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Pat Lambert -
W0IPL
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 1:14 AM
To: ARES D-10
Subject: [CoARES-D10] "This is"

Sir Bob of the FBO . . .

Let me disagree just a bit on the way to improve on doubles. I do firmly
agree that many people swear by (and others swear at) the use of "This
is" and unkey - process, to minimize doubles. As you mentioned, it is
much more effective on SSB than FM and since the net is on FM is
probably not the most effective way to handle things.

The technique that I could (and should) have used was to key and quickly
  say "Let's pause there." and unkey. This would have let me know that
there was a double - at that time - rather than after listening to the
recording (Thank you thank you Barry for the recordings!). If I had done
that, I would have been able to easily pick up other check-ins and
things would have been smoother and more efficient.

The other item I missed (worst part is that it is in the script) was to
not call for late check-ins. Sigh.

Thus I say "I'll do better next time".

Thanks for the comments and input!

C Ya
  Pat

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