Western-based Assistant Net Control Station needed.
Last month National Headquarters received an important email from TALARC member Richard, KH2EE, in California. He brought to light an issue about which we were not aware. It's this: the difficulty that some West Coast operators have contacting the monthly Net Control Stations. Right up front, I want to thank Richard for taking time to reach out to us.
In his email, Richard writes, "... It's all well and good to use an East Coast or Midwest station for scheduled nets, but we on the West Coast cannot check into the net no matter how hard we try. Some are using higher power than barefoot, and get picked up, and checked in easily . . . Just a thought to ponder for an apparent solution, have a [Net Control Station] for out West who would report the check-ins to Headquarters at the end of the event."
Richard's concern is valid, and we hope we can remedy that concern with help from those on or near the West Coast. Having a third Assistant Net Control Station to relay check-ins to the two 20-Meter Net Control stations that operate on the second Saturday of each month could allow greater participation from our members, not just in California but anywhere and everywhere west of the Rockies.
Experience as a Net Control Station is not necessary. The staff at National Headquarters will assist you in getting started by providing instructions for conducting Net operations, a prepared script, and monthly announcements to be read during the scheduled Net. Nets typically run for 30 to 50 minutes with an average of about 20 check-ins. If you can help, email TALARC VP Bill, NZ9S, at k9tal@legion.org or wsloan@legion.org and let him know.
- Ham Radio