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.

Fldigi Configuration

We are testing (as of 6 June 2023) a new configuration baseline for Fldigi. If you want to give it a try (please do if you're working the BLACK SWAN Net), get the BLACK SWAN Fldigi Baseline (ZIP). The ZIP archive contains two files:

Quick Instructions for Installation

Quit Fldigi if it's running. Extract the baseline ZIP contents into your Fldigi config directory. Note that it will overwrite your frequencies2.txt and write a file with the pattern BLACKSWAN_YYYYMMDD.mdf, where YYYYMMDD is the year, month, and date of the macro definition. Use Fldigi's File>Macros>Open to select the new macro file and you're ready to rock! Be sure to use the 48-macros view in Fldigi.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Installation

To install the baseline configuration package, you will want to identify the location of your Fldigi Configuration and the Fldigi Macros. Generally, you can use the File>Folders menu to open the configuration folder, and the File>Macros menu to open macros definitions files. See the Fldigi Users Manual for current and authoritative information. Having done that, you're ready to get started.

Verify Your Frequencies

To use the new frequencies definition, use the Book icon in Fldigi controls, under the frequency display. Click it once and the log controls will be replaced by a frequency list. Double-click on a frequency and it should adjust the frequency and mode of your rig. Note that if your rig uses something different from DATA-U for getting digital tones in from the computer for transmission on upper sideband you'll have to adjust the mode. See the Fldigi Users Manual under Rig Control for details.

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 W8OMR W8OMR
Alt NCS KD8TTE NNA5DB NNA5DB
Second NCS N2LC NNO5HD NNO5HD
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. As a rule of thumb, during mid-day hours expect to find us on 40 meters, during night hours expect to find us on 80 meters, and during transition periods where neither quite works, find us on 60 meters. It's common for us to be on several frequencies at once, even several bands at once.

We're typically operating digital. If a station operator cannot follow the digital or needs help, we will typically instruct that station and another to change frequency (QSY) to a frequency designator (e.g., 40P) to make contact with voice to help the newer operator.

60 Meters

We use these channels for interoperability with government stations and when HF conditions make this band best for covering the State of Ohio. 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 voice "Q-R-M," say "Interference."

References

Procedures (including prowords and prosigns) can be found in

Callsigns

Stations report into the net and operate in accordance with their FCC license or applicable authority to operate. In addition, the net makes use of group callsigns to address all stations in the net, or groups of stations for whom transmissions are applicable. For example:

Stations in the group answer in net order.

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

See It In Action

The video below shows a real, unscripted net session in action, with commentary taking the viewer through the process. This is with a small number of stations and other challenging conditions, which help to highlight the ability to work through adversity.