[Elecraft] QSP? relaying ECN check-ins.

[Frank Van Cleef W1WCG]

Hi Tom,

In these days of poor or selective propagation, running a net, particularly 
a wide area net such as ECN, becomes a real challenge as many stations can 
not hear many of  the other stations and/or NCS.  The NCS should frequently 
ask other geographically dispersed stations to call the net.  Stations 
checked in that can hear NCS well (and presumably be heard by NCS) should be 
quick to use a letter break (just send last letter of call) to let NCS know 
that the breaking station has info and/or additional check-in information. 
The more applicable net Q-signal for this is QNB, relay between stations; as 
opposed to QSP, which refers to traffic.  With a little practice this 
procedure can be quick and very  helpful to NCS in managing the net. 
Another useful net Q-signal is QNJ, can you copy xxx? Stations checking into 
a net normally should expect to stay until the NCS releases them, unless the 
net policy dictates otherwise. The NCS should keep a station in the net only 
for as long as needed, and release that station as soon as all business for 
that station has been accomplished.

All in all, Tom, I think Kevin, you, and the stations that often chip in and 
help, do a great job in running ECN and trying to capture all the people 
that show up.  Perhaps all that is needed is a reiteration here from time to 
time as to how the net is expected to work and how stations checking in can 
facilitate and aid in picking up as many potential checkins as possible.

Van, W1WCG

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hammond" <n0ss at embarqmail.com>
To: "Albers" <albers at embarqmail.com>; <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 11:38 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] QSP? relaying ECN check-ins.


> Hi ray:
>
> K2HYD wrote:
>
> I'm wondering whether some experienced net ops could chime in with
> suggestions for getting more QSP going on the weekly Elecraft CW Net?
>
> I don't really know what the right protocol is, but I still have a happy
> glow thinking about the one time I actually QSP'd for a station that NCS
> couldn't hear. (can't recall whether it was Kevin or Tom acting as NCS at
> that moment). It was a thrill to be able to relay the check-in, with my
> little KX-1 signal!
>
> Anyway, on last night's 40m net (was busy with family at 20m net time) I
> could barely hear Kevin but there were a couple of stations that were very
> loud to me, and I suspect might have been able to hear me. I tried sending
> "pse QSP" once or twice (is that the right way to ask for help??) but
> didn't want to do that too much for fear of stepping on someone.
>
> I wonder, would it work for NCS to ask "any QSP?" or some such, just
> before "last call?"
>
> Now that I've said 130% of what I know, maybe someone who really knows how
> to get QSPs going could chime in??
>
> I agree that it would be a GREAT thing for others to assist unacknowledged
> stations to get checked into the ECN when NCS has not acknowledged them
> after several unsuccessful attempts on their part to QNI.
>
> I think that part of the problem is that many (if not most) stations who
> do QNI the net probably check out within minutes of being checked in... as
> a result, they've no longer present and in a position to assist other
> stations who might not be acknowledged by the current NCS.
>
> Many(!) times, when I'm calling ECN in an attempt to help Kevin find
> stations who can't hear him or who he hasn't been able to ferret out of
> the noise, I hear very weak signals which i think are attempting to QNI,
> but which I just cannot pull out of the noise. I'll often ask for
> 'relays', but seldom get a response. Again, I suspect that this may be due
> to many of the previously checked-in stations having already closed their
> stations for the evening.
>
> What I'd like to see is for ALL stations to at least stay on frequency for
> 5-10 minutes (if possible) following their being acknowledged. Then, if
> they hear another stations, after several unacknowledged attempts to QNI,
> AND the NCS not getting any new check-ins, then it would be GREAT to have
> further check-ins relayed to the NCS.
>
> The problem is having relaying stations become too anxious to help...
> sometimes, I'll hear a number of stations trying to QNI... I (and Kevin)
> try to pick them off one at a time, until I hear no further callers. Then
> I'll make a couple more calls which, if they go unanswered, will cue me in
> to turn the beam to another direction, to make a few more calls. relays of
> missed stations would best be made when the NCS is in that position of
> getting no further responses to his calls... so he's not having to pick
> through a current batch of calling stations to stations in order to her
> the relaying station.
>
> Additionally, I know I've experienced a number of instances where I KNOW
> there's been a station trying to QNI, but he gives up before I can get to
> him to acknowledge him.  Frustration is a problem... if we call several
> times and don't get acknowledged, after 4-5 attempts, we assume that the
> NCS can't hear us, and we decide to QRT for another beer.. or whatever...
> muttering to ourselves that the NCS needs a new set of ears... This COULD
> be the case... but it could also be the case that all the NCS has to do is
> to turn his antenna!!! And sometimes either a relay (QSP) or just being
> patient enough to allow the NCS to get TO you (either by weeding out the
> pile of callers OR by turning his antenna will also solve the problem.
>
> But, in the final analysis... if you hear someone who has repeatedly
> called to check in and is not being acknowledged by the NCS (who is not in
> the process of picking up potentially stronger stations), then PLEASE take
> the time to relay the calling station to the NCS... even if you don't have
> the entire call, get the NCS's attention and at least tell him you hear
> someone (which you COULD copy if the NCS would only shut up long enough).
> We'll certainly do our best to pull in all callers.
>
> 73, and thanks.
>
> Tom   N0SS
>
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