The text below is cut and pasted from the official net script that is maintained through Google Docs.

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Operating procedures moved to a separate document for clarity.

USING THIS SCRIPT

This script is designed to make it easy for any operator to try their hand at being Net Control. It may seem awkward at first, but practice makes it easy. The script is specifically written for Net Control Operators (NCO) to read aloud, verbatim. Please read the script in advance of the net. Preparation is your key to feeling comfortable “on the air”. Sentences are grouped in paragraphs meant to provide for proper pacing. Breathe at commas or ends of sentences.

All “normal text that should be read verbatim is inside quotation marks”. Some worlds may be in BOLD because they should be EMPHASIZED. Any instructions that aren’t supposed to be read aloud are {instructions to operators: in purple italic text inside braces}. In some spots you will insert your callsign, name, or current time: these are shown as [ blue underlined text inside brackets ]. Anywhere that you should pause to listen you’ll find <unkey: in red text inside angle brackets>.

PACING. TAKE IT EASY…

You’re in control of the net. Everyone will follow your lead. If you’re relaxed, they will be too. Slow Down!

NET AGENDA

This section describes the overall flow of the LCSN. For reference, the numbers are included in the text of the script.

8:15 pm Announcements on area repeaters to remind people about the simplex net
8:15 pm Announcement on 146.580 to remind people about the simplex net
8:30 pm Net start announcement by CENTRAL control
8:31 pm Net start announcement by EAST control
8:32 pm Net start announcement by SOUTH control
8:33 pm Net start announcement by WEST control
8:34 pm Net instructions by CENTRAL control
8:36 pm EAST takes check-ins/reports
-> SOUTH takes check-ins/reports
-> WEST takes check-ins/reports
-> EAST – SOUTH – WEST rotation continues until all check-ins/reports are complete
-> CENTRAL announces check-ins complete and participant count
-> EAST stations released and control terminated
-> SOUTH stations released and control terminated
-> WEST stations released and control terminated
-> Net end announcement by CENTRAL control

NET SCRIPT

{1. Announce LCSN on area repeaters}

{15 minutes before the start of the net make the following announcement on an area repeater or two. Listen first!}

“Attention all stations, this is an announcement for the Lancaster County Simplex Net. The Simplex Net will begin in approximately 15 minutes on 146.580 megahertz. No repeater offset and no tones. All amateurs are welcome and encouraged to join this net on 146.580 megahertz. This is [your callsign]. Clear.” <unkey>

{2. Clear the 146.580 frequency}

{15 minutes before the start of the net, on 146.580 MHz, CENTRAL will do the following:}

“Is this frequency in use?” <unkey> {pause 3 – 5 seconds} “Is this frequency in use?” <unkey>

{If no one responds, proceed. If anyone is using the frequency, determine if they will yield the frequency for the net. They don’t have to move off frequency because they have as much right to use the frequency as anyone else. If an existing user will not yield the frequency, notify everyone via the Facebook group to use alternate 146.430 frequency.}

“This is [your callsign] announcing that the Lancaster County Simplex Net will start on this frequency in fifteen minutes.” <unkey>

{3. CENTRAL Net Start Announcement}

“Attention all stations. The Lancaster County Simplex Net is starting on 146.580 megahertz. This is [your callsign], CENTRAL control for this session. My name is [your name], and I’m operating from [your location] with [your power] watts. This is a directed net. Please do not transmit unless requested to do so by a Net Control Operator. Operating procedures can be found online at simplex radio dot net. Now, each net control operator will make an announcement to relay the start of the net. EAST, please proceed with your announcement.” <unkey>

{4. EAST Net Start Announcement}

“Copy, will proceed with the announcement. {pause} Attention all stations. The Lancaster County Simplex Net is starting on 146.580 megahertz. This is [your callsign], EAST control for this session. My name is [your name] and I’m operating from [your location] with [your power] watts. This is a directed net. Operating procedures can be found online at simplex radio dot net. Please stand by for announcements and instructions. {pause} Back to CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies net start for the eastern zone. {pause}

SOUTH, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{SOUTH} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Proceed with your announcement.” <unkey>

{5. SOUTH Net Start Announcement}

“Copy, will proceed with the announcement. {pause} Attention all stations. The Lancaster County Simplex Net is starting on 146.580 megahertz. This is [your callsign], SOUTH control for this session. My name is [your name] and I’m operating from [your location] with [your power] watts. This is a directed net. Operating procedures can be found online at simplex radio dot net. Please stand by for announcements and instructions. {pause} Back to CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies net start for the southern zone. {pause}

WEST, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{WEST} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Proceed with your announcement.” <unkey>

{6. WEST Net Start Announcement}

“Copy, will proceed with the announcement. {pause} Attention all stations. The Lancaster County Simplex Net is starting on 146.580 megahertz. This is [your callsign], WEST control for this session. My name is [your name] and I’m operating from [your location] with [your power] watts. This is a directed net. Operating procedures can be found online at simplex radio dot net. Please stand by for announcements and instructions. {pause} Back to CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{7. Net instructions by CENTRAL control}

{Pause 1-2 seconds for anyone to break in and then proceed}

“CENTRAL copies net start for the western zone. <unkey>

* * * {Announcements or additional instructions are inserted here.} * * *

{CENTRAL} “EAST, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{EAST} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Proceed with check-ins and reports.” <unkey>

{8. EAST takes check-ins and reports}

{Pause 1-2 seconds for anyone to break in and then proceed}

“This is Simplex Net EAST. Copy, will proceed with check-ins and reports. {pause} All stations, we will begin check-ins and reports shortly. When I call for check-ins please listen before transmitting and respond with ONLY your phonetic callsign. Repeating, when I call for check-ins please listen before transmitting and respond with ONLY your phonetic callsign. Once I have a block of callsigns, I will call each station individually. After I call your station, please report ONLY the following information: repeat your callsign, your location by municipality, your transmit power in watts, and answer the question of the week. This week we want to know: . If I don’t call your station, please hold your transmission until the next block of check-ins. Check-ins will be taken round-robin by each zone until all stations are recognized. {pause} Please listen first and transmit only your callsign to check-in. This is EAST control now taking check-ins.” <unkey>

{On first round of check-ins, take a block of no more than (5) STATIONS! Don’t call for relays. After you have their reports, move on. On second and subsequent rounds, remember to ask for relays.}

“This is Simplex Net EAST control, [your callsign]. All stations please stand by. CENTRAL, this is EAST calling.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “EAST, go ahead.” <unkey>

{EAST} “The first round of reports is complete. Passing control back to you CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies, the first round of eastern check-ins are complete. {pause}

SOUTH, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{SOUTH} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Proceed with your check-ins and reports.” <unkey>

{9. SOUTH takes check-ins and reports}

{Pause 1-2 seconds for anyone to break in and then proceed}

“This is Simplex Net SOUTH control. Copy, will proceed with check-ins and reports. {pause} All stations, we will begin check-ins and reports shortly. When I call for check-ins please listen before transmitting and respond with ONLY your phonetic callsign. Repeating, when I call for check-ins please listen before transmitting and respond with ONLY your phonetic callsign. Once I have a block of callsigns, I will call each station individually. After I call your station, please report ONLY the following information: repeat your call sign, your transmit power in watts, your location by municipality, and answer the question of the week. This week we want to know: . If I don’t call your station, please hold your transmission until the next block of check-ins. Check-ins will be taken round-robin by each zone until all stations are recognized. {pause} Please listen first and transmit only your callsign to check-in. This is SOUTH control now taking check-ins.” <unkey>

“This is Simplex Net SOUTH control, [your callsign]. All stations please stand by. CENTRAL, this is SOUTH calling.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “SOUTH, go ahead.” <unkey>

{SOUTH} “The first round of reports is complete. Passing control back to you CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies, the first round of southern check-ins are complete. {pause}

WEST, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{WEST} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Proceed with your check-ins and reports.” <unkey>

{10. WEST takes check-ins and reports}

{Pause 1-2 seconds for anyone to break in and then proceed}

“This is Simplex Net WEST control. Copy, will proceed with check-ins and reports. {pause} All stations, we will begin check-ins and reports shortly. When I call for check-ins please listen before transmitting and respond with ONLY your phonetic callsign. Repeating, when I call for check-ins please listen before transmitting and respond with ONLY your phonetic callsign. Once I have a block of callsigns, I will call each station individually. After I call your station, please report ONLY the following information: repeat your call sign, your location by municipality, your transmit power in watts, and answer the question of the week. This week we want to know: . If I don’t call your station, please hold your transmission until the next block of check-ins. Check-ins will be taken round-robin by each zone until all stations are recognized. {pause} Please listen first and transmit only your callsign to check-in. This is WEST control now taking check-ins.” <unkey>

“This is Simplex Net WEST control, [your callsign]. All stations please stand by. CENTRAL, this is WEST calling.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “WEST, go ahead.” <unkey>

{WEST} “The first round of reports is complete. Passing control back to you CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies, the first round of western check-ins are complete. {pause}

EAST, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{EAST} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Proceed with more check-ins and reports.” <unkey>

{11. RETURN TO STEP 8 AND REPEAT THROUGH STEP 10 UNTIL NO MORE STATIONS ARE CALLING. THIS WILL TYPICALLY BE THREE ROUNDS FOR EACH ZONE. ON ROUNDS TWO AND THREE, YOU MAY TRUNCATE THE CHECK-IN PREAMBLE AND SHOULD CALL FOR RELAYS AFTER CHECK-INS. CENTRAL WILL MAKE THE DETERMINATION OF WHEN TO PROCEED TO STEP 12.}

{12. CENTRAL announces check-ins complete participant count}

“This is Simplex Net CENTRAL control, [your callsign]. All stations please stand by. Check-ins and reports are now complete. We had a total of [# of people] participants. {pause} EAST, CENTRAL.” <unkey>”

{13. EAST releases stations and terminates control}

{EAST} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Please release your stations and terminate EAST Control.” <unkey>

{EAST} “Copy, I’ll release checked in stations and terminate control operations.” {pause}

“Attention all stations that checked-in with EAST control. Thanks for participating in tonight’s Simplex Net. We had a total of [# of people] participants. Your station is now released from net control and you may secure your equipment. Join us again next Saturday night at 8:30 pm Eastern right here on 146.580 megahertz. {pause}

This is [your callsign]. EAST control is now terminated and clear of the frequency..” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies, eastern stations released and EAST control is terminated.” {pause}

SOUTH, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{14. SOUTH releases stations and terminates control}

{SOUTH} “CENTRAL, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Please release your stations and terminate SOUTH Control.” <unkey>

{SOUTH} “Copy, I’ll release checked in stations and terminate control operations.” {pause}

“Attention all stations that checked-in with SOUTH control. Thanks for participating in tonight’s Simplex Net. We had a total of [# of people] participants. Your station is now released from net control and you may secure your equipment. Join us again next Saturday night at 8:30 pm Eastern right here on 146.580 megahertz. {pause}

This is [your callsign]. SOUTH control is now terminated and clear of the frequency..” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies, southern stations released and SOUTH control is terminated.” {pause}

WEST, CENTRAL.” <unkey>

{15. WEST releases stations and terminates control}

{EAST} “WEST, go ahead.” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “Please release your stations and terminate WEST Control.” <unkey>

{EAST} “Copy, I’ll release checked in stations and terminate control operations.” {pause}

“Attention all stations that checked-in with WEST control. Thanks for participating in tonight’s Simplex Net. We had a total of [# of people] participants. Your station is now released from net control and you may secure your equipment. Join us again next Saturday night at 8:30 pm Eastern right here on 146.580 megahertz. {pause}

This is [your callsign]. WEST control is now terminated and clear of the frequency..” <unkey>

{CENTRAL} “CENTRAL copies, western stations released and WEST control is terminated.” <unkey>

{16. CENTRAL net close announcement}

“Attention all stations still on frequency. All zone controls are terminated and all checked-in stations are released. Thanks for participating in tonight’s Simplex Net. We had a total of [# of people] participants. Join us again next Saturday night at 8:30 pm Eastern right here on 146.580 megahertz. The net is now closed and this frequency is returning to normal amateur radio operator use. This is [your callsign], CENTRAL control, clear.” <unkey>