Training Tips

The Central Ohio Traffic Net handles traffic 365 days per year (and 366 days on leap years). Each day we hold a regular session and we hold special sessions throughout the year for training sessions and for emergencies as events warrant. As a training net, we pay special attention to our procedure and help new traffic handlers.

When we hear mistakes (as they invariably will) and have questions, our more senior handlers offer their words of wisdom. Here we memorialize some of them. We also provide some training for how to get started in origination, relay, and delivery of radio messages. Finally, we also present information on the administrative side of Central Ohio Traffic Net, to ensure that it remains a viable resource for communication even in emergency and disaster response conditions.

Relaying ICS 213 General Message by Radio — Jan 31, 2022

Top 10 Reasons Why You Don't Need Radio Training — Jan 18, 2022

Serving Your Community With Amateur Radio — Dec 13, 2021

The Role of the Training Officer — Dec 9, 2021

Message Origination In a Disaster: BLACK SWAN Drill 2149A — Dec 8, 2021

Your First Radiogram — Dec 6, 2021

Message Precedence — Nov 30, 2021

The Role of Net Manager: How To Be a Good One — Nov 15, 2021

Behind the Scenes at Net Control — Nov 9, 2021

Winlink Global Radio Email — Sep 9, 2021

Booking Traffic — Jul 24, 2021

Net Order Improves Efficiency — Mar 14, 2021

Buckeye Net Mixed Mode Interop — Feb 28, 2021

Counting Net Traffic — Feb 23, 2021

Rep COTN to Buckeye Net Mixed — Dec 28, 2020

COTN Coverage Area — Dec 16, 2020

Using the Speaking Alphabet to Enter the Net — Dec 13, 2020

Relay Assessment — Aug 21, 2020

Radio Message Routing — Aug 20, 2020

Punctuation In Radio Messaging — Aug 17, 2020 10:02:49 PM

Long Messages Through Traditional NTS Circuits — Aug 15, 2020 3:19:28 PM

Using FLMSG to Create Properly Formatted Radiograms — Aug 13, 2020 12:14:17 PM

Check / Group Count Mismatch — Aug 9, 2020 6:52:37 PM

Radio Message Format: The Preamble — Aug 8, 2020 12:30:16 PM

Training by Demonstration: Receiving Radio Messages (HF, SSB, Voice Procedure) — Aug 4, 2020 11:41:17 AM

How to Avoid Common Mistakes in Message Relay — Aug 3, 2020 9:48:33 PM

How and When to Use the REC'D and SENT Parts of the Radiogram Form. — Jul 30, 2020 2:05:23 PM

When do we put EXERCISE in the text or use TEST in the precedence? — Jul 26, 2020 5:39:15 PM

Should I Relay A Message That I Don't Understand? — Jul 25, 2020 12:54:20 AM

Originating Radio Traffic: Preparing a Message for Transmission and Relay — Jul 19, 2020 1:21:02 PM

Bringing Radio Messaging to ARES: More Than Dispatch — Jul 12, 2020 2:26:16 PM

Joining a Radio Net (CW) — Jul 2, 2020 4:09:24 PM

Handling Priority Bulletins — Jun 4, 2020 12:38:41 PM

Making the National Messaging Layer Work For All — Apr 29, 2020 11:48:30 PM

Use of X in radiograms — Dec 2, 2019 12:50:33 AM

A Radiogram Occasion — May 6, 2019 5:52:29 PM

Use of "Time Filed" in the Preamble — Apr 18, 2019 12:23:57 AM

How Do We Route Traffic? — Feb 3, 2019 3:25:00 PM

Where can I direct practice radiograms? — Mar 25, 2018 12:12:20 PM

Third-Party Traffic Handling Is a Public Service — Apr 2, 2017 11:24:38 PM

FEMA Emergency Management Institute Online Training — Mar 26, 2017 11:12:10 PM

How Do We Count Interrupted Net Sessions? — Aug 31, 2016 12:45:22 AM

Having Trouble Delivering Traffic to Rural Areas by Phone? — Aug 26, 2016 7:34:51 PM

How Do I Deliver a Message? — Aug 10, 2016 7:32:46 PM

Station Activity Reporting and Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR) Report — Apr 2, 2016 4:54:24 PM

Receiving Traffic as a Radiogram — Feb 21, 2016 6:38:03 PM

Training Video: NTS Net Operation, and Passing Book Traffic — Feb 15, 2016 6:40:52 PM

Use of Prowords: NUMBER, BREAK, END, and ROGER — Feb 13, 2016 11:03:41 PM

Getting to Know Your Local Calling Area — Nov 1, 2015 12:20:25 AM

Advising the Station of Origin of Delivery — Jul 7, 2014 12:45:53 AM

Passing Traffic When Away — Jul 2, 2014 5:56:43 PM

How Do I Start Transmission of My Message? — Jun 30, 2014 10:29:01 AM

Introductory Words and Message Count — Jun 23, 2014 12:15:40 AM

Expressing Time in Radiogram Text — Jun 21, 2014 3:10:01 AM

Why Take Traffic at "Reading Speed?" — Jun 16, 2014 12:22:21 AM

How Long Do I Keep Trying To Deliver Traffic? — May 13, 2014 12:43:47 AM

How do I read figures for message number, check, and date in the preamble? — May 12, 2014 1:10:25 AM

Why We Use the Phonetic Alphabet On the Air — May 4, 2014 3:07:46 PM

What Does a Check of "ARL 3" Mean? — May 3, 2014 12:18:36 AM