There are two nets that YARC currently sponsors, the Digital Net and the CWPN (CW Practice Net). Below you will find information for both nets on its structure and how to join in.
Digital Net
The Digital Net started as a ground for YARC members to get on the air through easy digital means like Echolink on your phone. To this day the net is a place to get air time, to learn, and have a good time in a very standard directed net.
Net Coordinator
Alex KE8VXG
[email protected]
Schedule
Monday at 0200z, 9/10 P.M. Sunday Eastern
How to Join
The Eastern Michigan Link hosts the net, so please visit EasternMILink.org on all RF Repeaters and nodes in Michigan, and digital modes to connect in for the net!
Extra Tips
The Eastern Michigan Link is a interconnected system, please allow a couple seconds before keying, 1-2 seconds after keying to beging speaking, and 1-2 seconds after speaking to unkey. This allows your entire message to be transmitted across all repeaters and node without dropping any words. The system takes a moment to key and unkey every person, and it allows anyone to break in in an emergency.
CW Practice Net
The YARC CWPN is an open forum for practicing copying and sending morse code. Generally many of those who are interested are young operators, but there is no required skill or age to check in to this net.
Net Coordinator
Isaiah KQ4AAR
[email protected]
Schedule
9 P.M. Eastern. 0100z/0200z.
Please mind EDT or EST for specific time. Check the discord for any further changes.
How to Join
7115 Khz ± QRM/QRN
CWPN is structured and brief. Follow along the guide and listen to instructions of Net Control.
Extra Tips
Please take consideration of others and allow for everyone to have an opportunity to check in to the net and give a brief message. The following are the normal stepsp and structure of this net:
1. Net Control (NCS) Calls QRL? QRL? to check if the frequency is in use
2. NCS calls "CQ CQ YARC CWPN DE KQ4AAR KQ4AAR NCS QNI K
3. LISTEN for any stations. If nothing is heard send "SE YOURCALL". Make sure to place a space between DE and YOURCALL so you can hear if another station tying to check in at the same time. NCS may send AGN PSE or just a letter or number out of your call
4. Once NCS hears your full callsign they will repeat it. "RR WY4RC DE KQ4AAR TU QNI AS". Here "AS" is a prosign for standby. I standby so you can later be called on to give any traffic you might want
5. After all initial check-ins wait for NCS to send your call again. "WY4RC DE KQ4AAR KN". "KN" means NCs is calling you. You may send any traffic at this time! This could be something longer like your NAME, QTH(Location), and WX(Weather). Example. "RR NAME BEN BEN QTH TN TN WX 68F 68F KQ4AAR DE WY4RC KN". Or it could simply be something like this "TU FB 73 KQ4AAR DE WY4RC KN".
6. Inbetween each stations comments NCS will call "QNI K" a few times in case there are any late check-ins. If NCS hasn't called you keep trying when "QNI K" is heard.
This will continue until every checked-in station has made the comments/traffic they wish to send. After wich NCS will send "LAST CALL YARC CWPN DE KQ4AAR QNI K". If nothing is heard NCS will send "YARC CWPN DE KQ4AAR TU QNX QNF 73 SK". This means Thank you (TU) you're excused from the net (QNX) and this net frequency is free (QNF). Best Regards (73), End of Contact (SK). And thats it! You've made your first CW Net QSO! Congratulations and CUL (See You Later)!
CW is much less scary once you start sending and listening! Send whatever speed is comfortable for you! THE NCS will likely QRS or add additional Farnsworth spacing inbetween each letter as low as 15 wpm, but can go lower if absolutely necessary. Learning in this way allows for speeding up your copy of CW.
Common Prosigns
K - End of messaging looking for anyone
KN - End of message to specific station
AS - Please standby
BT - End of section. (like a period)
QNI - Asking for check-ins
QRU - NO TRAFFIC
QNX - You're excused from the Net
QNF - This net frequency is free