On-Air ‘Nets’

<p><strong>What is an Amateur Radio Net?</strong><br />An amateur radio “net” (short for network) is an on-the-air gathering of amateur radio operators. Think of it as a virtual club meeting or a conference call over the radio! Nets meet at pre-scheduled times and frequencies, allowing operators across the Gold Coast and beyond to connect, test their equipment, pass along messages, and share club news.</p>
<p>Whether you are a seasoned operator with a top-tier shack or a newly licensed ham holding your first handheld radio, our nets are a welcoming place to practice your radio etiquette, make friends, and be part of the GCARS community.</p>
<p><strong>More Than Just Talk:</strong><br />While nets are a fun part of the hobby, they serve a much larger purpose for the Gold Coast community:</p>
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<p><strong>Community Welfare:</strong></p>
<p>Our daily check-ins help combat social isolation, providing a friendly, reliable voice and a daily touchpoint for members across the region.</p>
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<p><strong>Emergency Readiness:</strong></p>
<p>Regular nets act as ongoing training. By practicing structured, disciplined communication daily, our operators are ready to provide resilient backup communications during local emergencies or severe weather events.</p>
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<p><strong>Mentorship &amp; Learning:</strong></p>
<p>Nets are the perfect place to ask technical questions, troubleshoot antenna issues, and share knowledge across generations of radio enthusiasts.</p>
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<p ><strong>How to Join a Net</strong> <br />Most of our nets are “directed nets.” This means one operator acts as the <strong>Net Control Station (NCS)</strong>, managing the flow of conversation much like a chairperson at a meeting.</p>
<p>If you want to check in, here is how it works:</p>
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<p><strong>Listen:</strong> Tune into the frequency a few minutes early.</p>
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<p><strong>Wait for the prompt:</strong> The NCS will officially open the net and ask for “check-ins.”</p>
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<p><strong>Give your callsign:</strong> Wait for a pause, press your PTT (Push-To-Talk) button, and clearly state your callsign (phonetically is best) and your name.</p>
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<p><strong>Stand by:</strong> The NCS will acknowledge your check-in and let you know when it is your turn to speak to the group. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything specific to say—an “in-and-out” check-in just to test your radio is perfectly fine!</p>
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<p><strong>Our Regular Nets</strong> <br />We encourage all members and visitors to check into our regular nets.</p>
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<p><strong>GCARS Daily VHF Net</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Time:</strong> 08:00 AM (AEST) Every Day</p>
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<p><strong>Frequency:</strong> 146.700 MHz (VK4RGC VHF Repeater)</p>
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<p><strong>Offset/Tone:</strong> -600 kHz / CTCSS 123.0Hz</p>
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<p><strong>GCARS Weekly 80M Net</strong></p></li>
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<p><strong>Time:</strong> 19:30 (7:30 PM) AEST Every Thursday</p>
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<p><strong>Frequency:</strong> 3.622 MHz (LSB)</p>
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<p><strong>Get Involved!</strong></p>
<p><strong>Want to be a Net Control Station?</strong> <br />We are always looking for volunteers to run our nets. It is a fantastic way to practice your communication skills and gain confidence on the air. If you are interested in trying your hand at being Net Control, please contact the club secretary or mention it during your next check-in.</p>
<p ><strong>Not Licensed Yet?</strong> <br />If you are listening in on a scanner or WebSDR and want to join the conversation, we can help! GCARS runs regular education and assessment sessions to help you get your amateur radio license. Visit our <strong>[Getting Your Licence]</strong> page to find out how easy it is to take the next step and get on the air with us.</p>