Sunday night net, traffic net, maritime net,doughnut net. Why do we participate in nets? Is it for a social get-together? To get on the radio once a week and practice saying our call signs? Well, yes; for these reasons and more.

The original purpose for nets was to practice our communications skills in directed communications and to prepare for emergency communications. A “directed net” is one which we wait to be called before transmitting. This practice instills some of the radio discipline necessary during disaster communications.

On a “directed net” the net control operator calls stations on a roll call. As the stations respond, they either pass whatever traffic they have or simply check in with no traffic. Most “directed nets” allow for those not on the roll call to check in at some point before, during or after the roll call.

SANDRA sponsors “directed nets” on Sunday nights on the Otay repeaters and on Wednesday nights on the Laguna repeaters. We encourage hams to check in to any of our nets. Membership is not required, but we do encourage any users of SANDRA repeaters to support our club by joining. Any member interested in being a net control operator can contact any board member or email us at wb6wlv@wb6wlv.com.