TALARC President's Message - June 2016

Have you checked in to a nationwide TALARC net yet?

For more than four years now, the Legion's radio club has operated monthly nets from in and around the National Headquarters city of Indianapolis, and from stations operated by TALARC members around the country. The modes of communication include HF (both 20 meters and 40 meters), D-Star, IRLP and EchoLink. Each month, three nets are conducted on the second Saturday, two on the first and third Mondays, and one on the third Sunday. For a listing of start times and frequencies or channels, refer to the Net Schedule at www.legion.org/hamradio.
The number of check-ins had been rather constant over time, but lately the numbers have been down. With more than 2,800 current club members, it seems reasonable to expect contact from more than the 40 operators who checked in for the April nets or the 35 logged for May. Especially so given the varied schedule and several different modes/bands that are used.
Amateur radio nets are conducted for specific purposes. For the TALARC monthly nets, well, that purpose is to facilitate a regular gathering of Legion Family hams for conversation. It's that simple.
Are TALARC nets informative? They can be, if everyone participates. Are they valuable? Yes, if tuning into one of the monthly nets gives cause for you to undertake a new mode of communication. Are they enlightening? Yes, if what is offered by anyone on the net can be put into action by other TALARC members in their respective areas.
Monthly nets can be an opportunity to learn what TALARC members are doing in different parts of the country. The nets can be an opportunity to experience a new communication mode, different from what you may have grown comfortable with. Your participation in a net might launch someone else's new TALARC endeavor based on what you have accomplished for amateur radio and the Legion in your area.
Whatever it is that you might expect from net operations, even if it's just listening in to what others have to offer, you'll be speaking to a Net Control Station operator who is happy to greet you, listeners who are eager to hear what you may have to offer, procedures that are relaxed and conversation that is cordial.
Consider tuning in to one of the nets this month. We'll be listening for your call.