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.
60C4 emissions centered at 5373 kHz
60C5 emissions centered at 5405 kHz
60C1 emissions centered at 5332 kHz
60C2 emissions centered at 5348 kHz
60C3 emissions centered at 5358.5 kHz
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.
80F1 3578.5 kHz USB
80F2 3581.5 kHz USB
80F3 3583.0 kHz USB
80F4 3584.5 kHz USB
80F5 3586.0 kHz USB
80F6 3587.5 kHz USB
80F7 3589.0 kHz USB
80F8 3590.5 kHz USB
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.
75P 3847.5 kHz LSB
75S 3947.5 kHz LSB
75T 3962.5 kHz LSB
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.
40F1 7079.5 kHz USB
40F2 7081.0 kHz USB
40F3 7082.5 kHz USB
40F4 7084.0 kHz USB
40F5 7085.5 kHz USB
40F6 7087.0 kHz USB
40F7 7088.5 kHz USB
40F8 7090.0 kHz USB
40P 7182.5 kHz LSB
40S 7207.5 kHz LSB
40T 7212.0 kHz LSB
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
QTC Mailing List #Training threads.
Message Formats
We use many common message formats, most typically:
Basic Message Format ("16-Line"), as specified in the ACP series,
Amateur Radiogram, as specified in Radio Relay International and American Radio Relay League references,
Various military message formats, with voice examples specified in FM 6-99, and
Custom formats we have created or adopted such as OHGOREQ and FIELDSITREP.
Leading signals
INT - Interrogatory, used as a leading signal to turn the signal into a question
ZUG - Negative, used as a leading signal to negate the next signal
Abbreviations and Short Signals
C - Confirm, see also Y
K - Over, I am finished transmitting and am listening for you
N - Negative
R - Roger, I understand your transmission - not the same as yes
Y - Yes, affirmative, see also C
AS - Wait
AR - Out, I am terminating the contact
DE - This is, introduction of station identification
73 - Best regards
IMI - also ? - Say again, or I say again (for correction or emphasis)
BULL - Message for all stations in the net
BCAST - Message for broadcast transmission
WL2K - Winlink Global Radio Email
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.
ZBO - Traffic: (quantity) (precedence) (target), e.g.,
N2LC DE KD8TTE ZBO 1 P WD8SABZBR - Send your traffic (to...) using:
R - Direct Method, i.e., ZBRR
F - Broadcast Method, i.e., ZBRF
ZBZ - Printing acceptability of your (or ...'s) signals is...
1 - Unacceptable, totally corrupt
2 - Unacceptable, very corrupt
3 - Unacceptable, partially corrupt
4 - Acceptable, occasionally corrupt
5 - Acceptable, no corruption
ZEV - Message acknowledged, e.g.,
INT ZEV - Request acknowledgement
ZEV - I acknowledge message
ZUG ZEV - Do not acknowledge
ZKA - Identification of Net Control
ZKB - This net is directed, c.f.,
ZUG ZKB - This net is free - not the same as closed, see ZKJZKD - Take control of net
ZKE - Reporting into the net
ZKJ - Close down - leaving this frequency (may be going off-air), e.g.,
BLACKSWAN DE KD8TTE ZKJ K - Closes the net by telling all stations to close down
KD8TTE DE N2LC ZKJ K - (net control) (this is) (calling station) I am closing downZNB - Authentication, e.g.,
INT ZNB AB - What is the authentication of AB (voice equivalent: AUTHENTICATE AB)
ZNB C - Authentication is C (voice equivalent: I AUTHENTICATE C)
ZNB C INT DE - Mutual authentication: authentication is C, what is the authentication of DE
ZNB ABC - Used for message authentication without challenge, as part of instructions: authentication of AB is C.
ZOF - Relay (pass) this message (or message number...) to... now (or at ...)
ZOK - Relay this message via...
ZVR - Relay to subordinate stations (or nets)
Q Signals
QMH - Change frequency to _; if communication not established in 5 minutes, return to this frequency, e.g.,
N2LC DE KD8TTE QMH 80F1 KQRM - Interference
QRN - Noise
QRU - I have nothing to transmit
QSA - Signal strength, 1 (scarcely perceptible) ... 5 (very good), e.g.,
QSA2 - Your signal is weak
INT QSA - How is my signal?
QSB - Fading signals
QSL - Acknowledge receipt
QSP - Relay
QSY - Change frequency
QTC - How many messages, e.g., QTC 5 ("I have 5 messages"); NTS use overloads the meaning and is accepted but deprecated. Use ZBO instead.