This topic applies to both emergency and nonemergency situations although this training will focus on those duties during emergency situations.

The duties of a net control station (NCS) are the same when it comes to emergency nets. Here are just a few of the duties and responsibilities. Note: this is not an exhaustive list by any means as some nets are run quite different from others.

A net control should act in a professional manner. This is as important as any other duty, and maybe is the most important.   Since the NCS and other hams will be working with county and/or state officials your professionalism will give these people a good impression of ham radio. This professionalism will make the officials want to rely on ham radio the next time an emergency situation happens.  This is

The NCS will find a frequency on which to hold the net. Most of the time during emergency situations a frequency would be designated for the net, but this may not always be the case. For local events, this is generally a repeater and the primary and back up frequencies are well known.   NCS will need to make sure that his/her equipment is set up and that he/she has back up power should commercial power become interrupted.

After finding a frequency, or having one designated, follow NCS should follow the procedure of group in charge of the net and take check-ins. In emergency situations these will most likely be emergency operation centers or shelters, but the check-ins may well be from a local hams station and be taking volunteers from individual hams.

The NCS will make sure that information gets to where it needs to go in an efficient and timely manner.  This does not mean that the NCS actually delivers the message, but keeps the net moving easily and is able to prioritize the message.   Information passed on an emergency net it will most likely be going to emergency personnel or relief groups and must be passed accurately and timely. NCS must be familiar with those groups and know how to reach them.  Aside from error free information getting passed you will want to keep order in general on the net. This generally means keeping the frequency clear of unnecessary traffic or conversations. This will also include making sure that all communications go through you before going direct from one station to another.

NCS will need to take breaks (for obvious reasons). NCS should have a backup operator off site if possible, who tracks the net traffic as if he/she is the actual NCS.   The primary operation location may also be staffed with more than one operator to allow for breaks and seamless operations.

It is a good idea to have a back up NCS who can pick up where the primary left off. This person needs to follow the same procedures that have been established for net operations.

As stated above this is nowhere near an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of a net control, but this should give everyone an idea of how important the job is. Anyone can be a net control, and the best way to get experience is to start with a local net so that you can be prepared in the event of an actual emergency.