TM 11-5820-890-10-3
COMPLETE NET OPENING PROCEDURES AND ERF Continued
NCS NOTES
•
It is extremely Important that you consider LOS (line-of-sight) when setting up a net. Radio signals cannot go around
corners or transmit out of a valley to a flat plain or vice versa. You must be aware of man-made obstacles such as
tall buildings and power lines as well as natural obstacles such as mountains and dense Jungle areas. You should
also be aware of distance (range) due to the curvature of the earth. LOS simply means that your RT antenna must
be able to be seen by the antenna of the RT that will be transmitting or receiving your signal.
•
A cold start net opening should be used to initially open a net. It Is used when all radios in a net have the same
TRANSEC and MAN frequency. The NCS will ERF FH sync time to all net members. If net is to be opened in CT,
refer to procedures for secure communication.
•
The use of COMSEC and TRANSEC fill devices may be limited to communications personnel and unit NCO's to
reduce the Incidence of operator loading errors.
•
Make sure that you and the members of your net release the handset push-to-talk as quickly as possible after you've
finished talking. Before answer ing a call, make sure that you wait 2 or 3 seconds after pressing handset push to-talk
before responding.
•
Only one hopset or lockout set can be in holding memory at one time. Only one hopset, or lockout set, can be sent at
one time.
•
A retrieved hopset does not have to be stored back into permanent memory. To clear the display of a hopset or
lockout set in holding memory, move FCTN to position other than LD or LD-V.
•
Make sure that you allow enough time between steps for members to do what you've Instructed them to do.
•
The MAN channel Is the net's communication channel during a cold start net opening. Make sure that members
know to set CHAN to MAN if contact is lost.
•
When operating from a location having multiple radios, make maximum possible use of OE-254 antennas at greatest
attainable distances.
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