[PPRAANet] National Radio Emergency Net (cw)

[W0rw@aol.com]

The National Radio Emergency Network (NREN) will commence operations 
December 1, 2003.  This program is a cooperative effort developed by a 
number of CW net managers throughout the United States.  It is intended to 
provide an alternative public service network geared to low-power, portable, 
and mobile stations. 
 
At the present time, there are numerous High Frequency SSB nets geared to 
regional or special purpose communications functions.  While these nets do 
an excellent job and are to be commended, access to these communications 
circuits often proves difficult for low power or portable stations (i.e. 
QRP, etc.), particularly when propagation conditions are less than optimal.  
Because CW provides significantly more reliability for stations operating at 
low power levels (QRP) or with compromise antennas, this will be a "CW 
based" program.
 
Through NREN, one can.......
 
* Originate routine messages to locations throughout the United States and 
Canada.  These messages may be refiled to existing NTS circuits, or, in the 
case of time sensitive messages, may be delivered via Internet or other 
public telecommunications resource as requested by the originator.
 
* Originate priority or emergency traffic when scheduled nets are not in 
session or when one is located in an area where there is no viable ARES 
group or similar public service program (rural areas, etc.).
 
* Facilitate coordination or the establishment of point-to-point circuits 
between distant locations in time or emergency, such as a circuit linking 
one or more ARES or NTS Nets.
 
NREN is not intended as a substitute for existing NTS or ARES nets.  
However, there are many occasions when communications must be established 
when these nets are not in session.  In addition, the time sensitive nature 
of some public service traffic is such that the usual cycle of NTS nets may 
occasionally need to be bypassed. 
 
NREN works on the time-tested principle of a "radio watch."  NREN member 
stations throughout North America maintain a watch on one or more of three 
selected frequencies.  These frequencies (7068 /10122) 
located in the 40, 30, and 20 
Meter bands have been selected after a two month study of general Amateur 
Radio activity.
 
In order to originate a message, all one has to do is call "NREN" and list 
traffic for subsequent routing and delivery.  The traffic will then be 
routed to the appropriate NTS network or delivered directly as required by 
an NREN operator.
 
A complete description of NREN, along with a file containing the NREN 
Standard Operating Procedures is available at:
 
www.aa8vs.org/nren/
 
It is our hope that this program will provide an excellent alternative for 
stations with an interest in effective, reliable, public service and 
emergency communications.  Please visit our web page and check us out!
 
Submitted by
Chuck AA8VS