How to participate in an GMRS Radio Emergency Net

Tips on how to participate in a GMRS Radio Emergency Net

The best way to learn to participate in a net is to listen to nets as much as possible, because you will learn how the local net is run and become familiar with the stations that comprise the net.

Here are some general pointers.

Checking in

• Participating in a net is similar to attending a formal seminar. You raise your hand (give your call sign) and wait to be recognized by the leader (the Net Control Station (NCS) or just Net Control). 
• You NEVER just start speaking without being recognized by net control. If you are at the check-in portion of the net and you have something to say, when you say your callsign add that you have traffic. (“WRQE557 with traffic.”)
• After taking the initial round of check-ins the NCS will go back through their list of check-ins and call on anyone with traffic. Be patient.
• Don’t try to check in during heavy traffic, unless you have time-value traffic.
• Listen to the Network Control Station (NCS) for check-in requests & procedure.
• Unless instructed otherwise, transmit your call sign, and wait to be acknowledged.

Example: “WRQE557 mobile checking in” or “WRQE557 base checking in”.

• If you have specific resources or information, you may indicate that with a “tag line.”

Example “WRQE557 with radar information”

• Never speak for more than 5 seconds with a check-in.
• If the check-in portion of the net is over and you have something to say, wait for a pause in the net and give your call sign (raise your hand to get the attention of the leader). You never just start speaking after giving your call sign until you have been acknowledged by net control.

Transmitting

• All traffic must be authorized by NCS.
• If another station calls you direct, do not answer without permission of NCS.
• Be short and concise. If you need to speak more than 20 seconds, take a 2 second pause to allow NCS or urgent traffic to break in. If no station breaks in, continue for another 20 seconds, etc. When done, say “back to net control.” Do not be long-winded or trivial.