Florida State Navy-Marine Corps MARS

When do I submit my monthly participation report?

Anytime from the 26th to the end of the month, preferably the 26th or 27th.

Who do I submit the participation report to?

NNN0GAL THIRTEEN (NNN0ZTT) Tell the NECOS on a net that you have 1 routine for NNN0GAL THIRTEEN. The NECOS will then tell you when and to whom you are to send it - you then read it over the air. If you have digital capability, then send it SCD if you so desire.

Where are the answer sheets to these tests sent?

Grading the review/practice tests at state level is an option should the state level FOUR choose to do this. NNN0GAL-4 prefers NOT to do this since it is merely a self review before taking the final. All of the information for this test may be found in the NTP8-D; however, should the need arise, your "Elmer" or NNN0GAL-4 will attempt to assist you.

Only the AREA FOUR has the right answers to the final exam questions.

The final exam answer sheet is to be sent to:

NNN0BJJ
Curtis L. Dahleen
41269 County Road 311
Deer River, MN 56636-9750
cdahleen@cpinternet.com

• Exams may be submitted using Adobe Acrobat PDF format, Microsoft Word doc format, or a text file.
• Submit via e-mail or by U.S. Postal Service.
• If you use the "fill in the block" form provided on the national web page, you must blacken the whole block.
• If written (text) format is used, the "Q" numbers shall be placed in a column with the letter for the selected answer to its right.

What do I do if I can not hear NECOS during the net callup?

You should never try to check into ANY net when you cannot hear NECOS. You should wait for NECOS to direct a station to make a net call and request additional stations. Check in with the alternate NECOS at that time and advise them that you do not hear NECOS. You will be checked into the net by the alternate NECOS at which time they will inform you of the status of the net. The alternate NECOS will relay your callsign and traffic status to NECOS.

Specific questions regarding net operation may be found in the NTP8-D; or you may direct your questions to NNN0GAL-4 who will be happy to assist you.

What do I do if I am called upon by NECOS to make a net call or other function during the net?

First, identify your station using your full phonetic callsign followed by "for net control". Then make the request as directed by NECOS.

If you are asked to make a net call, make this request, but be prepared to list the stations that may try and check in with your station. Once all stations have contacted yours, announce the full phonetic callsigns of those stations that checked in and follow with the proword "ROGER" to indicate these stations have been logged into the net. Be sure to advise these stations as to the current status of the net as NECOS has previously directed. Then contact NECOS and pass the callsigns, zone and traffic status of those stations you have checked in. Always remember to use the prowords OVER, OUT etc.

Specific questions regarding net operation may be found in the NTP8-D; or you may direct your questions to NNN0GAL-4 who will be happy to assist you.

How do I ROGER for traffic when an NNN0ALL is sent?

When NECOS establishes the net roll call of all the members checked into a given net you should note your position (E.G. who is called in front of you). Anytime traffic is sent to all members, starting with NECOS, he/she will roger for the traffic if able to do so. Immediately following the "Roger" from NECOS, the next station in the net call up list should then roger for the traffic if able and so on until all members listed in the net have given their status on the traffic.

Several things can happen though. For instance, what if you can roger for the traffic with fills?

You would state your fill requirement to the station that sent the traffic, for example: "Say again all between paragraph 1, requirements, and Net Managers". The station that sent the traffic, will make a notation of the fill that you and any one else requires, and after everyone in the net sends their status on the traffic they will begin sending the fills as requested by the members. When he has completed, everyone should then be able to roger for the traffic.

Another thing that might happen is due to band conditions or other reasons a station may not hear the person that they are to follow. In that case, you would normally wait five (5) seconds then proceed by sending your status on the piece of traffic.

Under no circumstances, should you ever ROGER for a message unless you absolutely have it! You might be called upon to forward the message to another member.

Specific questions regarding net operation may be found in the NTP8-D; or you may direct your questions to NNN0GAL-4 who will be happy to assist you.

Why is there no Zone One?

Zone one is in the northern part of Florida and recognized as such by some other agencies; however, NAVMARCORMARS identifies that part of Florida to be in the Alabama area.

After the member has "rogered" in additional stations, is it necessary for the NECOS to request the member to go back and tell the additional stations they are "rogered" into the net?

If the NECOS requests a station to make a net call, then that person is acting for the NECOS and should acknowledge the check-ins with a "roger". The person acting for the NECOS definitely needs to tell the NECOS who the check-ins are just to keep it all straight. When the NECOS acknowledges the check-ins from the "acting NECOS" it should be done with a "roger." All those check-ins will then again be repeated by the NECOS thus satisfying all the requirements. Although not necessary, if the NECOS chooses to do an additional "roger" he/she may do so as they are in control of the net. If a member calls in a relay to the NECOS or to the Alternate NECOS, then it is advisable to go back to that member and ensure the station is aware he/she has been rogered in.

Should all members use their staff calls when checking into a Florida ECOM net during an exercise or actual incident?

No. NNN0GAL TWO should definitely use his. Since NNN0GAL and NNN0GAL ONE are addees on messages using their staff calls would assist with traffic passing and reduce the need for passing instructions.

How does one go about conducting a radio check on the air?

Below is an excelent guide on the proper way to conduct a radio check on the air.

From: nnn0as4-2@navymars.org [mailto:nnn0as4-2@navymars.org]On Behalf Of Jim Burrows
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 7:51 AM
To: All NNN0DVG
Subject: RADIO CHECK
Date: 22 MAR 05

From: Jim, NNN0GAA
To: All Hands

Subj: Radio Check Guidance

Below is well written guidance on conducting 'radio checks' taken from
Army MARS training material. It has been edited to prevent conflict with
some small areas of difference between Army and Navy procedures. For
exact Navy procedures see NTP 8(C) Chapter 7 paragraphs 710 - 712.

Take heed and use these procedures for conducting radio checks.

73 de Jim
==========================================================

RADIO CHECKS, SIGNAL STRENGTH AND READABILITY

Unlike the amateur service, a MARS station is understood to have
good signal strength and readability unless otherwise notified.
Signal strength and readability reports should not be exchanged
unless one station cannot clearly hear another station.

This difference in operating practice between the MARS and
amateur services applies during formal MARS network operations as
the assumption is that exchanging signal reports without good
reason is in fact detrimental to our operational ability, in
other words it just slows things down.

Stations reporting signal strength and readability will do so by
means of a concise report of actual reception such as "LOUD AND
CLEAR", "WEAK READABLE", "GOOD BUT DISTORTED", "WEAK WITH
INTERFERENCE", "FADING AND DISTORTED", etc.

The proper proword we use for requesting a signal report is
"RADIO CHECK" meaning "What is my signal strength and
readability; how do you hear me?"

The following prowords are used when answering requests for
signal strength and readability:

REPORT OF SIGNAL STRENGTH

--"LOUD" - Your signal is very loud.
--"GOOD" - Your signal strength is good.
--"WEAK" - Your signal is weak.
--"VERY WEAK" - Your signal is very weak.
--"FADING" - At times your signal strength fades to such an
extent that continuous reception cannot be relied upon.

REPORT OF READABILITY

--"CLEAR" - Your transmission quality is excellent.
--"READABLE" - Your transmission quality is satisfactory.
--"UNREADABLE" - Your transmission quality is so bad that I cannot read you.
--"DISTORTED" - I am having trouble reading you because your signal is distorted.
--"WITH INTERFERENCE" - I am having trouble reading you due to interference.

Reports such as "FIVE BY FIVE", "FOUR BY FOUR", "LIMA CHARLIE",
should not be used to indicate strength and quality of reception.

Now having said all that, signal reports in more detailed
amateur service terms may be made during a free-net.
Stations making technical equipment tests and adjustments,
evaluating antenna performance, etc. may exchange reports in
terms of "S" units, "dB above S9" and so forth since this
ultimately enhances our ability to communicate during formal
or emergency situations.

Used with the permission of Jim Burrows

What are the requirements to receive full membership in NAVMARCORMARS Florida?

The following minimum requirements must be met before full NAVMARCORMARS membership is authorized:

a. Satisfactorily complete the MARS Operator course
b. Attend a minimum of four training nets
c. Perform net control and satisfactorily complete a minimum of four FL NAVMARCORMARS NETS
d. Satisfactorily transmit a minimum of one Navy Marsgram.
e. 90 days will be served in "Tango" status.

Why is Zone 1 never called during a NAVMARCORMARS Florida Net?

While zone one is technically in Florida, it is actually considered part of Alabama for NAVMARCORPS MARS purposes.