[SJRA-Members] Fusion Net Improvements

[John Fogleboch]

The first 2 meter Fusion net of 2017 held Thursday the 12th of January had a few rough edges due primarly to differences between this net and the long standing FM net and the new rigs that each station is using.  These rough edges are to be expected, keep in mind we are still learning and inventing solutions to new problems.  I ran the three expermental fusion nets held in 2016, wrote the new protocol used on the 1st 2017 net with Art N2CPR as the control operator for the first time.  I have been keeping notes on problems experienced to date and have made recommended fixes.  I think the approach being used is sound but needs some additional education of all stations on the net as well as more discipline in running a net.  Here is a list of what I think needs more emphasis.

1.  The net control operator controls all activity on the net and determines who transmits next.  On call in he will give instructions on the order of call in and will acknowledge the last station received before proceding to additional stations.  The rapid fire call in with little or no space between stations, common on the FM net, places an unacceptable burden on the net control operator in Fusion mode.  In addition it locks out stations attempting to call in through WireX VOIP because of the several seconds required to set up a new IP conection in at least three different computers scattered through out the world.  Leave at least three seconds for the last transmission to drop and new conections to stabilize before talking.

2. All nets must start on time, exactly 8:00 PM.  Each station on the net should warm up his equipment including allowing time for his GPS receivers to lock on and provide accurate location data.  Set up of rigs should be complete before the net starts.  Make sure that your rig is set up in DN mode, not AMS/DN.  The net control station uses your digitally transmitted call sign and name to confirm your voice transmission.  Each calling station needs the distance from his station to net control to determine when to call in.  This requires the net control station to transmit his location and all other stations on the net to have their location data in their rig.  It is desirable for all stations to transmit their location data but this can be locked out on some rigs if the operator is sensitive to revealing his location.

3.  After check in is complete the net control station is to pause every 10 minutes and call for late check in stations.  Stations that missed the first call in are to wait for this announced oppertunity to call in.  Do not break in between hand overs unless it is a real emergency.  In such case call the net control station and wait to be acknowledged.

4.  Net control is to actively suppress out of order conversation between two or more stations that have not requested and been granted transmission time by net control.  Private conversation between stations is to be reserved for after the net closes unless time on the net is granted by net control.

5.  The net control stations and myself recognize that the net is a good place to connect stations with technical problems and other stations more expert for the new radios and modes of operation, however the net is not the place to solve problems unless it takes place following net closing.

6.  Please keep in mind that it is the responsibility of each Fusion rig owner to read and attempt to understand the contents of the user manual that came with the rig.  In addition there is a great deal of information missing from the user manual for topics such as APRS and GM modes as well as WiresX that is available on line at the Yaesu web site.  Make sure that you download this data and study it before requesting help with these modes.  This data is radio specific so get the right data. 

The action in the six numbered paragraphs above is being directed at the two Fusion net controllers, Art N2CPR and Roy WB2EOD for their comment, change or addition.  Please get back to me with your ideas or recommendations.  This e-mail is being sent to the entire club membership so as to provide visability into what's going on with changes to the Fusion net.  Just trying to keep everybody informed and on the same page.

73,
John WY2J
wy2j at arrl.net