SOI

Signal Operating Instructions (SOI) aid in the operation of a net. By establishing common operating frequencies, modes, and schedules, members can more easily find one another.

Net Frequencies are established as channels indicating frequency and mode of operation.

Channel definition nomenclature: Channels ending in P, S, or T are primary, secondary, and tertiary voice channels. CW is permitted there if necessary but digital is not. Channels with an F are digital channels, indicating the band and the channel number. Channels with C are defined as a channel by outside authority, as on 60 meters.

A new macro package is coming soon. Download the current FLDIGI macros (ZIP). Unzip the archive and place the MDF file in your FLDIGI macros directory, then use FLDIGI's File>Macros menu to load the macros.

Schedule

Our operating schedule is defined by "Activation." See the Activation page for Warnings (advising of possible upcoming activation) and Notices (advising of activation) for detail.

Summary of current monthly training operation schedule from the present Activation follows. All times are local Ohio time.

Ordinal Func Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
First NCS N2LC NNA5DB NNA5DB
Alt NCS KD8TTE
Second NCS N2LC KD8TTE KD8TTE
Alt NCS KD8TTE N2LC N2LC
Third NCS N2LC KD8TTE KD8TTE
Alt NCS KD8TTE N2LC N2LC
Fourth NCS N2LC KD8TTE KD8TTE
Alt NCS KD8TTE N2LC N2LC
Fifth NCS N2LC KD8TTE KD8TTE
Alt NCS KD8TTE N2LC N2LC

Frequencies

We specify frequencies on several bands, allowing us to use the frequencies most likely to work for the paths our signals need to make at the time of day and year they need to make them.

60 Meters

We begin mid-day operations on 60 meters, and use these channels for interoperability with government stations. We start on Channel 4, and move up to avoid interference, to 5, then to 1, then 2, then 3. Amateur stations have secondary privileges on this band and must yield to government stations.

These channels contain USB (dial frequency likely shows -1500 Hz from emission centers listed here), digital, and CW. Use your rig's channel definitions.

80 Meters

Most commonly as of spring 2023, we start on 80 meters for operations other than mid-day. We use 80 Meters for digital and most CW operations. Voice is not permitted here. These channels are defined by the (suppressed) carrier frequency USB; emissions are centered at 1500 Hz up.

75 Meters

We might use 75 meters if we need a voice circuit outside of mid-day hours. Operators on 75 meters may move up or down 1 kHz to avoid interference; if more space is needed, fall back to another channel. Move further than 1 kHz only when none of the three channels can be used without interference and another and is not suitable.

40 Meters

We use 40 Meters for Digital (40F-), Voice (40[PST]), and CW (40-). 40F- are specified as suppressed carrier frequency USB; emissions are at 1500 Hz up.

Procedures

The BLACK SWAN Net uses formal procedure words (prowords) for telephony and procedure signals (prosigns) for teleprint heavily to convey precise instructions or meaning, aiding in efficiency. The full sets of prowords and prosigns can be found in the Allied Communications Publications (ACP) 125(G) and 131(F), respectively.

Prowords are not written and prosigns are not voiced. Use the procedure to match the mode of operation. Do not write "ROGER," send QSL. Do not say "Q-R-M," say "Interference."

References

Procedures (including prowords and prosigns) can be found in

Message Formats

We use many common message formats, most typically:

Leading signals

Abbreviations and Short Signals

Z Signals - Mostly for Net Operations

ARRL National Traffic System (NTS) QN signals are incompatible with international signals and are not to be used on 60 meters, where U.S. Government stations may be interoperating.

Q Signals