Wide Area HF Radio Nets (RB370)

Tactical HF radio nets over areas of several hundred miles that operate on only one frequency may, in actual practice,  be generally unrealistic. Propagation,  operating conditions and ommunications needs often dictate that more than one frequency is necessary. Conditions over which the Net Control Station may have no control  frequently can ruin a net limited to just a single frequency.

The main reason a statewide RACES net over an area of hundreds of miles is unrealistic is that the typical emergency involves an area of much less size. Thus, the net control selects the best frequency dictated by propagation characteristics, since the requirement is to communicate between Point A and  Point B - not the entire state. This is why station operators shouldn't be too upset about poor conditions between some stations and excellent results between others. All too often such poor HFpaths are the results of the laws of marginal propagation being in charge.   

Where wide area nets are really necessary to disseminate information or assure total station participation, sub-nets are the techniques to use. This means breaking the larger area into smaller areas and changing to a more appropriate frequency. In that regards, the Near Vertical Incidence Skywave -- or NVIS -- antennas will improve your nets more than any other step. The NVIS antenna is just a few feet off the ground. Antennas for DX serve no purpose in our nets. Refer to various printed handouts and other Bulletins including the two that follow.