The exchanges in this series are completely fictional. The callsigns were chosen at random from my log book.
The terms "roundtable" and "net" are frequently confused. Both involve multiple operators.
A net is more formal, is usually regularly scheduled, and each operator generally gets one turn. It's not a framework geared for conversation, but rather an exchange of information. There is a "check-in" on a net, where operators are allowed to join the net in an organised manner. There is also an NCO (Net Control Operator) that has actual control over the frequency and decides who gets to speak at which time. Nets are highly-organised and contrived affairs, with a rigid structure, and they are widely popular. I'm not going to get into net procedures, as each net has their own variations of procedure. Sometimes, procedures are posted on the net host's website. Generally, though, a good NCO will spell things out during the course of the net so that virtually anyone can participate without disruption.
Stumbling into a net and disrupting the highly-organised structure is a good way to be labelled as an idiot in your local community, however well-meaning you may be. The best advice that I can offer is to listen to an entire net first, and then try joining in on the next scheduled occurrence. Take notes on procedure. Some NCO's are very welcoming and understanding, while others operate with an iron fist and a sour attitude. Still, if you do your homework, you should be able to navigate even the strictest net and establish yourself as a "non-idiot".
A roundtable is multiple operators taking multiple turns. It's much like a two-person QSO. Roundtables are usually more spontaneous and loosely organised, and frequently evolve from an interrupted conversation between two operators. N0YNT (Matt) has written an excellent post about different organisational styles with multiple operators on a repeater. It's highly insightful. On roundtables, Matt wrote this:
Still, as far as procedure goes, this is how a roundtable works. Each operator takes a turn, and passes control to the next operator in the order. Every operator involved in the roundtable has control when their turn comes up, which means that every operator is:
You can, of course, turn a roundtable into one of the other organisational styles that Matt describes, if you wish. Simply cease enforcing "the order". Still, in any alternate arrangement, the requirements that I stated for a roundtable (clearing and identifying) still apply.
Let's look at an example of a roundtable evolving:
"N0YNT monitoring"
"N0YNT from KD0TLS mobile"
"Hi, Todd. You're out driving in this snowstorm?"
"Yeah, it's not a lot of fun. County Road 9 hasn't even been plowed"
"UIH"
"Hey, it's Chuck. N0YNT. Go ahead, UIH.
"KD0UIH. How's the Crosstown, Todd?"
KD0TLS: "Hi, Chuck. Lucky for me, I didn't have to take the Crosstown, so I can't tell tell ya. Over to you, Matt"
N0YNT: "I heard on the radio that here's been four accidents already on the Crosstown. Over to UIH"
KD0UIH "I have to take it when I leave here in 15 minutes. It sounds bad. I guess Todd has it"
KD0TLS: "You can take 55 and go through town, right? It's slow, but 62 will be slower than slow. Matt has it, I think"
N0YNT: "I'm just staying at home. Hope that I don't have to go out. Over to you, Chuck"
Here we see a roundtable evolving. Each operator passes control ("it") to the next person in line. KD0UIH joined in after N0YNT, so "the order" goes: N0YNT - KD0UIH - KD0TLS.
You may want to scribble down "the order", especially if you have four or more people involved.
The "order" ensures that nobody gets left out, even if they have nothing to contribute to the conversational turn of the moment. Those experienced at roundtable discussions will try to introduce secondary topics of conversation to involve the person who is left out of the primary conversation -- in this case, the condition of the roads during a blizzard. You can always "pass" on your turn and "hand it over" to the next person in the order, if you have nothing to add. Just say that you have nothing to add, and cede control to the next person in line. If you really don't want to be a part of the discussion any more, then just "bow out" by stating your callsign and clearing.
It's important to note that there is nothing sacred about "the order", and it can be modified over the course of the roundtable. Without some clear idea of which operator has "it", however, two operators involved can believe that they both have "it" and end up talking over each other (doubling). That's a waste of time and irritating to those listening.
While the roundtable has its limitations, judicious use of the "pass" option and an effort to move the conversation in a direction that suits all parties involved can make it move smoothly and enjoyably.
Since activity draws activity, you will probably find that a good conversation will draw an audience. Remember to leave space between each transmission for "breaking stations", even if you don't want to allow anyone else in.
Also remember to keep track of the time, so that you can identify at ten minute intervals. I keep a simple kitchen timer by my radio, or use the timer function on my smart-phone. Otherwise, the operators involved will tend to "over-ID" just to be safe. Those ten minute intervals are also good opportunities to invite others listening to join in, though you can do that at any point. Some repeaters will ID at ten minute intervals, but you can't rely on that. Identification at the ten minute intervals isn't anything elaborate or specialised. Just state your callsign at minimum, or add the words "for ID" after the sign to remind others that it's been ten minutes. If you're operating at home and everyone else involved in the roundtable is mobile, then it's kind of your responsibility to keep track of the time. There's no need to obsess over the matter. If the ID comes at eleven or twelve minutes, nobody is going to swoop in and get uptight. If they do, they've got a serious problem. If the operators involved start to "over-ID", just mention that you have a timer or that you're keeping track of the time. Ten minutes can go by pretty quickly when there's four or five people involved in a good discussion.
Other precautions to bear in mind are to always let the repeater drop after a transmission, and avoid talking over the repeater ID. Repeater IDs are usually the callsign of the repeater in Morse code, though voice IDs are gaining in popularity as controllers become more advanced. The repeater has to identify itself in the same way that you are required to identify yourself, so don't "step on" the repeater ID. You can (and should) use the names of operators once the initial identification by callsign has been made.
Remember that these procedures are established to make the use of shared resources operate smoothly. They aren't an end in themselves. The sort of person that gets really uptight about procedures is generally the sort of person that has marginal conversational skills. FCC requirements aside, as long as your procedures don't confuse others as to who is in control at any given moment or who you really are, then a roundtable can employ more 'fluid' procedures to suit the individuals involved.
You will find that different repeaters have different "personalities". Some are very strict and deadly serious, and others are more open to conversations and "banter". Others are simply dead. Rather than starting up a conversation on a "serious" repeater, you are best off to establish contact and move to a dead or more 'friendly' repeater for your light-hearted conversation. Simply suggest to the other person that you both move to a specified repeater. If they agree, then announce that you are moving and clear.
Here's an example:
"KD0YRD mobile and listening"
"KD0YRD, this KE0NA. Hey, can you move to the 444.375 repeater? I want to hear how your classes are going."
"Sure. This is KD0YRD clear and moving to the .375"
"KE0NA clear and QSY"
"QSY" means "moving to another frequency" in "hamspeak". Notice that both operators identify themselves with their callsigns at the start and at the end of this short contact, and that both of them clear the repeater that they are on. Once at the new repeater, they can throw out their signs or make a specific call to establish a new contact. You need to start all over again at the new repeater. You also need to make sure that the new repeater is clear by listening for a moment or two. If the new repeater is in use, then you can ask to interrupt and then suggest another repeater by way of a specific call. Making a specific call while a repeater is in use is considered to be "bad form", so the best advice is make sure that the repeater is clear before you suggest moving there.
Here's an example:
"KD0YRD mobile and listening"
"KD0YRD, this is KE0NA. Can you stand by for a minute, please"
"Sure. KD0YRD standing by"
"KE0NA clear"
< checks the 444.375 for activity >
"KD0YRD from KE0NA"
"KD0YRD. Go ahead, KE0NA"
"KE0NA. Hey, can you move to the 444.375 repeater? I want to hear how your classes are going."
"Sure. This is KD0YRD clear and moving to the .375"
"KE0NA clear and QSY"
Okay, let's look at what happened here. KD0YRD threw out their sign. KE0NA established contact with a specific call. KD0YRD went on standby, which surrenders control of the repeater. KE0NA cleared, because the specific call gave him control. And, since nobody had control when KE0NA returned, they started all over again with a specific call. Then, they both announced that they were moving and cleared, since the specific call established a contact -- and control. Once at the 444.375 repeater, they must begin all over again. Got it?
There's no need to specify the frequency that you are moving to when you clear. It just ensures that there's no confusion in the move. Technically, you don't even have to say that you're changing frequency -- just do it after you clear. Announcing your QSY is a courtesy, but hardly a necessary one. Others may wish to follow you. Others may have wished to make a specific call to KE0NA or KD0YRD when they cleared, but they now know that neither of them is on the frequency at that point in time. Also, someone else may show up shortly afterwards and make a specific call for KE0NA, for example. Others can then inform the operator that KE0NA moved to another frequency and is not around. The important thing is that both operators cleared before changing frequency, and in so doing informed everyone else on the repeater that it was available to use.
QSY can also be used if one person in the contact isn't getting in to the repeater very well. Rather than trying to have a conversation with someone buried in noise, you can suggest a repeater closer to them (or with better coverage). That's not only polite; it's also sensible. This is where your familiarity with the local repeater "scene" is valuable. Perhaps you've spoken with the other person on another repeater before with good results, and you know that it will be an acceptable substitute in advance. Worst case, you can simply ask the other operator which repeater works best for them, and offer to move there. Hopefully, that repeater also works well for you, too.
Even if you are accessing a repeater with EchoLink, you still have to follow all of the procedures that apply to someone using a radio. Even though the link announces your callsign upon connection, you still are required to identify yourself when throwing out your sign or making a specific call. You still have to listen and determine if the repeater is in use or not before transmitting. You still have to clear when giving up control over the frequency (if you do establish control at some point). But you don't have to announce that you're disconnecting if you don't have control. You don't have any special status as an EchoLink operator, though most nets will make special accommodations to allow EchoLink users to check in -- provided, of course, that the net is on a repeater that has EchoLink implemented. The link announcement doesn't serve as a request to "break", nor does it replace throwing out your sign.
Procedures on FM simplex aren't really different from those used on repeaters. There's no waiting for the repeater to drop, nor is there a repeater ID. The simplex channel is a shared resource in the same way that a repeater frequency is, and procedures ensure that everyone knows who has control of the frequency and when they can make their calls. You identify, clear, and handle interruptions on simplex exactly as you would on a repeater. You can have roundtables (and even nets) on FM simplex. PL tones generally aren't used (nor encouraged) on FM simplex, unlike on repeaters.
On FM simplex, there is a particular channel established by convention as a "calling frequency". On two metres, 146.520 serves this purpose. This is where operators listen for each other and meet up, and it's not for extended conversations. You can use a specific call or throw out your sign to establish a contact on the calling frequency, but you should then QSY to one of the many other channels for your conversation. Short conversations (two or three "go-rounds") can be had on the calling frequency, but don't push your luck. Even if people aren't waiting to use the frequency to make a call, they are still listening to the frequency for people calling them. It's best to just change frequency right away, and have a favourite one ready in your mind to suggest when you make your call. Once you move to another channel, you will have to start all over again with your procedures, but you can talk as long as you like without irritating anyone.
This has been a long post, but I wanted to get this series wrapped up. Maybe one of our guest writers will go into depth on some matters touched upon here, or explore specialised aspects of some procedure. Still, this series covers the fundamentals that will allow new hams to operate alongside experienced hams without a lot of friction.
A net is more formal, is usually regularly scheduled, and each operator generally gets one turn. It's not a framework geared for conversation, but rather an exchange of information. There is a "check-in" on a net, where operators are allowed to join the net in an organised manner. There is also an NCO (Net Control Operator) that has actual control over the frequency and decides who gets to speak at which time. Nets are highly-organised and contrived affairs, with a rigid structure, and they are widely popular. I'm not going to get into net procedures, as each net has their own variations of procedure. Sometimes, procedures are posted on the net host's website. Generally, though, a good NCO will spell things out during the course of the net so that virtually anyone can participate without disruption.
Stumbling into a net and disrupting the highly-organised structure is a good way to be labelled as an idiot in your local community, however well-meaning you may be. The best advice that I can offer is to listen to an entire net first, and then try joining in on the next scheduled occurrence. Take notes on procedure. Some NCO's are very welcoming and understanding, while others operate with an iron fist and a sour attitude. Still, if you do your homework, you should be able to navigate even the strictest net and establish yourself as a "non-idiot".
A roundtable is multiple operators taking multiple turns. It's much like a two-person QSO. Roundtables are usually more spontaneous and loosely organised, and frequently evolve from an interrupted conversation between two operators. N0YNT (Matt) has written an excellent post about different organisational styles with multiple operators on a repeater. It's highly insightful. On roundtables, Matt wrote this:
Everyone gets a turn, regardless if they have anything meaningful to say or not. (Most often, people have nothing meaningful to stay when they get a turn and spend round after round turning the chatting over to the next dude "in line" for time on the air.)And that's pretty accurate. Everyone gets a turn, and the "talking stick" gets passed to the next person in the order. The "order" is established by how people joined the conversation. If you jumped in after operator A, then you will always be after operator A in "the order", for the duration of the roundtable. The problem is that conversations don't usually work that way in the real world. As more people join in, and the conversation takes multiple paths, "the order" becomes an obstacle.
Still, as far as procedure goes, this is how a roundtable works. Each operator takes a turn, and passes control to the next operator in the order. Every operator involved in the roundtable has control when their turn comes up, which means that every operator is:
- supposed to clear when they leave
- required to state their callsign when joining the roundtable
- required to identify when they leave the roundtable
- required to identify every ten minutes during the duration of the roundtable
You can, of course, turn a roundtable into one of the other organisational styles that Matt describes, if you wish. Simply cease enforcing "the order". Still, in any alternate arrangement, the requirements that I stated for a roundtable (clearing and identifying) still apply.
Let's look at an example of a roundtable evolving:
"N0YNT monitoring"
"N0YNT from KD0TLS mobile"
"Hi, Todd. You're out driving in this snowstorm?"
"Yeah, it's not a lot of fun. County Road 9 hasn't even been plowed"
"UIH"
"Hey, it's Chuck. N0YNT. Go ahead, UIH.
"KD0UIH. How's the Crosstown, Todd?"
KD0TLS: "Hi, Chuck. Lucky for me, I didn't have to take the Crosstown, so I can't tell tell ya. Over to you, Matt"
N0YNT: "I heard on the radio that here's been four accidents already on the Crosstown. Over to UIH"
KD0UIH "I have to take it when I leave here in 15 minutes. It sounds bad. I guess Todd has it"
KD0TLS: "You can take 55 and go through town, right? It's slow, but 62 will be slower than slow. Matt has it, I think"
N0YNT: "I'm just staying at home. Hope that I don't have to go out. Over to you, Chuck"
Here we see a roundtable evolving. Each operator passes control ("it") to the next person in line. KD0UIH joined in after N0YNT, so "the order" goes: N0YNT - KD0UIH - KD0TLS.
You may want to scribble down "the order", especially if you have four or more people involved.
The "order" ensures that nobody gets left out, even if they have nothing to contribute to the conversational turn of the moment. Those experienced at roundtable discussions will try to introduce secondary topics of conversation to involve the person who is left out of the primary conversation -- in this case, the condition of the roads during a blizzard. You can always "pass" on your turn and "hand it over" to the next person in the order, if you have nothing to add. Just say that you have nothing to add, and cede control to the next person in line. If you really don't want to be a part of the discussion any more, then just "bow out" by stating your callsign and clearing.
It's important to note that there is nothing sacred about "the order", and it can be modified over the course of the roundtable. Without some clear idea of which operator has "it", however, two operators involved can believe that they both have "it" and end up talking over each other (doubling). That's a waste of time and irritating to those listening.
While the roundtable has its limitations, judicious use of the "pass" option and an effort to move the conversation in a direction that suits all parties involved can make it move smoothly and enjoyably.
Since activity draws activity, you will probably find that a good conversation will draw an audience. Remember to leave space between each transmission for "breaking stations", even if you don't want to allow anyone else in.
Also remember to keep track of the time, so that you can identify at ten minute intervals. I keep a simple kitchen timer by my radio, or use the timer function on my smart-phone. Otherwise, the operators involved will tend to "over-ID" just to be safe. Those ten minute intervals are also good opportunities to invite others listening to join in, though you can do that at any point. Some repeaters will ID at ten minute intervals, but you can't rely on that. Identification at the ten minute intervals isn't anything elaborate or specialised. Just state your callsign at minimum, or add the words "for ID" after the sign to remind others that it's been ten minutes. If you're operating at home and everyone else involved in the roundtable is mobile, then it's kind of your responsibility to keep track of the time. There's no need to obsess over the matter. If the ID comes at eleven or twelve minutes, nobody is going to swoop in and get uptight. If they do, they've got a serious problem. If the operators involved start to "over-ID", just mention that you have a timer or that you're keeping track of the time. Ten minutes can go by pretty quickly when there's four or five people involved in a good discussion.
Other precautions to bear in mind are to always let the repeater drop after a transmission, and avoid talking over the repeater ID. Repeater IDs are usually the callsign of the repeater in Morse code, though voice IDs are gaining in popularity as controllers become more advanced. The repeater has to identify itself in the same way that you are required to identify yourself, so don't "step on" the repeater ID. You can (and should) use the names of operators once the initial identification by callsign has been made.
Remember that these procedures are established to make the use of shared resources operate smoothly. They aren't an end in themselves. The sort of person that gets really uptight about procedures is generally the sort of person that has marginal conversational skills. FCC requirements aside, as long as your procedures don't confuse others as to who is in control at any given moment or who you really are, then a roundtable can employ more 'fluid' procedures to suit the individuals involved.
You will find that different repeaters have different "personalities". Some are very strict and deadly serious, and others are more open to conversations and "banter". Others are simply dead. Rather than starting up a conversation on a "serious" repeater, you are best off to establish contact and move to a dead or more 'friendly' repeater for your light-hearted conversation. Simply suggest to the other person that you both move to a specified repeater. If they agree, then announce that you are moving and clear.
Here's an example:
"KD0YRD mobile and listening"
"KD0YRD, this KE0NA. Hey, can you move to the 444.375 repeater? I want to hear how your classes are going."
"Sure. This is KD0YRD clear and moving to the .375"
"KE0NA clear and QSY"
"QSY" means "moving to another frequency" in "hamspeak". Notice that both operators identify themselves with their callsigns at the start and at the end of this short contact, and that both of them clear the repeater that they are on. Once at the new repeater, they can throw out their signs or make a specific call to establish a new contact. You need to start all over again at the new repeater. You also need to make sure that the new repeater is clear by listening for a moment or two. If the new repeater is in use, then you can ask to interrupt and then suggest another repeater by way of a specific call. Making a specific call while a repeater is in use is considered to be "bad form", so the best advice is make sure that the repeater is clear before you suggest moving there.
Here's an example:
"KD0YRD mobile and listening"
"KD0YRD, this is KE0NA. Can you stand by for a minute, please"
"Sure. KD0YRD standing by"
"KE0NA clear"
< checks the 444.375 for activity >
"KD0YRD from KE0NA"
"KD0YRD. Go ahead, KE0NA"
"KE0NA. Hey, can you move to the 444.375 repeater? I want to hear how your classes are going."
"Sure. This is KD0YRD clear and moving to the .375"
"KE0NA clear and QSY"
Okay, let's look at what happened here. KD0YRD threw out their sign. KE0NA established contact with a specific call. KD0YRD went on standby, which surrenders control of the repeater. KE0NA cleared, because the specific call gave him control. And, since nobody had control when KE0NA returned, they started all over again with a specific call. Then, they both announced that they were moving and cleared, since the specific call established a contact -- and control. Once at the 444.375 repeater, they must begin all over again. Got it?
There's no need to specify the frequency that you are moving to when you clear. It just ensures that there's no confusion in the move. Technically, you don't even have to say that you're changing frequency -- just do it after you clear. Announcing your QSY is a courtesy, but hardly a necessary one. Others may wish to follow you. Others may have wished to make a specific call to KE0NA or KD0YRD when they cleared, but they now know that neither of them is on the frequency at that point in time. Also, someone else may show up shortly afterwards and make a specific call for KE0NA, for example. Others can then inform the operator that KE0NA moved to another frequency and is not around. The important thing is that both operators cleared before changing frequency, and in so doing informed everyone else on the repeater that it was available to use.
QSY can also be used if one person in the contact isn't getting in to the repeater very well. Rather than trying to have a conversation with someone buried in noise, you can suggest a repeater closer to them (or with better coverage). That's not only polite; it's also sensible. This is where your familiarity with the local repeater "scene" is valuable. Perhaps you've spoken with the other person on another repeater before with good results, and you know that it will be an acceptable substitute in advance. Worst case, you can simply ask the other operator which repeater works best for them, and offer to move there. Hopefully, that repeater also works well for you, too.
Even if you are accessing a repeater with EchoLink, you still have to follow all of the procedures that apply to someone using a radio. Even though the link announces your callsign upon connection, you still are required to identify yourself when throwing out your sign or making a specific call. You still have to listen and determine if the repeater is in use or not before transmitting. You still have to clear when giving up control over the frequency (if you do establish control at some point). But you don't have to announce that you're disconnecting if you don't have control. You don't have any special status as an EchoLink operator, though most nets will make special accommodations to allow EchoLink users to check in -- provided, of course, that the net is on a repeater that has EchoLink implemented. The link announcement doesn't serve as a request to "break", nor does it replace throwing out your sign.
Procedures on FM simplex aren't really different from those used on repeaters. There's no waiting for the repeater to drop, nor is there a repeater ID. The simplex channel is a shared resource in the same way that a repeater frequency is, and procedures ensure that everyone knows who has control of the frequency and when they can make their calls. You identify, clear, and handle interruptions on simplex exactly as you would on a repeater. You can have roundtables (and even nets) on FM simplex. PL tones generally aren't used (nor encouraged) on FM simplex, unlike on repeaters.
On FM simplex, there is a particular channel established by convention as a "calling frequency". On two metres, 146.520 serves this purpose. This is where operators listen for each other and meet up, and it's not for extended conversations. You can use a specific call or throw out your sign to establish a contact on the calling frequency, but you should then QSY to one of the many other channels for your conversation. Short conversations (two or three "go-rounds") can be had on the calling frequency, but don't push your luck. Even if people aren't waiting to use the frequency to make a call, they are still listening to the frequency for people calling them. It's best to just change frequency right away, and have a favourite one ready in your mind to suggest when you make your call. Once you move to another channel, you will have to start all over again with your procedures, but you can talk as long as you like without irritating anyone.
This has been a long post, but I wanted to get this series wrapped up. Maybe one of our guest writers will go into depth on some matters touched upon here, or explore specialised aspects of some procedure. Still, this series covers the fundamentals that will allow new hams to operate alongside experienced hams without a lot of friction.
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