Way back in March 2006, Gary Hoffman’s, KB0H, column “The Amateur Amateur: Our Net Controller is Missing” appeared on the ARRL web site. He related the story when forgot one night that he was the net control station for their weekly net and no backup NCS made it either. In the absence of any of the regular net control stations, the awaiting participants jumped in and ran the net. They knew what needed to be done, knew how it was done, and did it.
How would your local net do? Would someone step up and run the net if the net control did not show up? Or would there just be a number of kerkunks as the lurkers check to see if the repeater is alive?
In a real emergency, who would get the nets going if none of the group's leadership or net controls is available? It’s been reported that typically 75% of an emergency response organization may not be available when an emergency occurs. They may be victims, been evacuated, busy taking care of the immediate needs of their family, out of town on business or vacation, etc.
Part of training is having been through an experience so than when you encounter it for real, part of your response is more automatic. Would you jump in and do a net if no NCS shows up? Remember, all the other participants on the net are so happy that they don't have to step up as the NCS that they will consider your performance to be outstanding no matter how bad you think you were.
Better yet, get experience as net control when you can prepare for it rather than having it suddenly thrust upon you. Volunteer to run a net occasionally or fill in for the regular net control when they are on vacation or out of town.
zeke, AB8OU
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