[PHX-Skywarn] RE: SKYWARN Net Control

[DON I BRAZIE]

   Thank you Brian.

   Another  comment I would like to add.... Please remind spotters on the
   air  during  activation  and  non-activation never to give out the NWS
   back  line over the air.  Spotters should have that number.  I noticed
   this  was  happening the other night during the big storm (where the 2
   palm  trees  were  hit  by  lighting  5 housed down from my house).  I
   reminded  people,  but I heard the number repeated and the net was not
   activated.

   Josh  -  We  need to talk to work with that other person to get him to
   assist with net control.  Give me a call and we can set up a time.

   Don Brazie,

   KD7GYA
       ______________________________________________________________

     From: wb7oml at att.net
     To: phx-skywarn at mailman.qth.net
     CC: wx7phx at mailman.qth.net
     Subject: SKYWARN Net Control
     Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 05:12:28 +0000

   Greetings!  I'd  like  to  take  this opportunity to thank all our net
   controllers  who  have  been  helping  out  during  this year's active
   monsoon.  We have been thrown some challenges too -- like losing power
   at  the  NWS  office  the other night! As a SKYWARN team, we have been
   very effective when these challenges occur - hats off to Dave and Josh
   during that recent event.
   This  is  a  good  time  for  all NCS operators to review the training
   material,  which  is  available  on  www.arizona-skywarn.org. Focus on
   keeping  control  of  the net, and remember, when you have NCS duties,
   the  frequency  is  yours.  Do not be afraid to ask for "emergency" or
   "criteria"  reports only and ask all non criteria reports to not check
   in.  Don't forget to clearly and repeatedly state what mode the net is
   operating  in, and what you as a net controller are looking for at any
   particular  time  (criteria  reports, specific location, etc.). If you
   need  a  moment  to catch up on notes or reporting to the forecasters,
   ask the net to "stand by".
   As an NCS, you should think of Routine, Priority and Emergency Traffic
   protocols,  and  the  net  control operator needs to identify what the
   need is at the time and manage the net accordingly.
   Routine  would  be anyone can check in, and if there is not alot going
   on, this would be the time to take non-criteria reports.
   The  net  wou  ld  be  put  into  Priority whenever the NCS feels that
   Criteria  Reports  are  being  pushed aside by non-criteria reporting,
   and/or  if  the  forecaster  on duty wants the net to concentrate on a
   particular region ( i.e. Tempe/Mesa/Chander). Another example would be
   in  the  case of power failure at the NWS forcing the net to be picked
   up  remotely.  In  those situations, the backup net operator will have
   his/her  hands  full,  and  won't  have  time  to give to non-criteria
   reports.
   Emergency  would  be  reserved  for times when life or property safety
   traffic  may  be  handled  on  the net. e.E. a severe traffic accident
   being reported via SkyWarn.
   And  this  is  useful  for non-net control operators to know as well -
   remember,  your  NCS  operator  will  have control of the net, and may
   declare  specific operating procedures depending on what is happening.
   As  a SKYWARN spotter and ham operator checking into the net, be aware
   of  these  requests,  and  respect  the  NCS  when s/he is looking for
   specific informa tion. It will help out the NCS operator!

   This material is covered in the NCS Training, and I encourage everyone
   to  review  it.  If  you have questions, please let me know - I can be
   reached at wb7oml at arrl.net.
   Thanks  again!  And  if you want to be a net controller, please let me
   know - we sure could use you!
   Brian
   WB7OML