Radio Net- a group of radio sets operating on the same frequency
a. Each course net has a net control station which will be the "boss" of the channel- which will be the course control located in the tower
b. The administrative net   If this channel is used for front gate operations the net control station is registration trailer event manager.

Nets at USFRA
a. Channel 1- Long track operations
i. Starters, spotters and course control
b. Channel 2- Short track operations 130 / 150 / 36 hp
i. Starters, spotters and course control
c.  Channel 3- Administrative
i. front gate and administration

Net control station
a. The ncs will be the authority that guides and regulates communications.  All stations on the net will communicate direct only with the ncs unless otherwise instructed by the ncs.

Technical details
a. Each net operates duplex - transmitting and receiving is done on different frequencies.
b. All nets utilize a retransmitting (repeater) station located on the mountains to the west of the pit area.
c.  The repeater is powered by batteries which are charged by solar panels.  Alignment of the panels is critical to proper battery charging.
d. When one radio on a net is transmitting no other radio can break into the transmission until the first radio has stopped transmitting
e. When using the hand held radios the antenna must be oriented up or vertical
f.  Should the radio emit short melodic beeps it is telling you the battery is low.  Immediately inform your ncs and another battery will be sent out.

Radio operation
a. On off volume rotary switch- turn on and to full volume.
b. Channel rotary switch- turn to your work channel (Short track spotters and starters will be on channel 2 for instance)
c.  To speak / transmit
i. Formulate what you want to say in a brief message
ii.        Listen- when traffic has stopped or is at a point where you can send your message without interrupting someone else’s conversation
iii.       Transmit- press the transmit button and wait ½ second then begin speaking
iv.       Release the transmit button to receive your response
d. Radio telephone procedure
i. We are on an FCC monitored business channel
ii.        No profanity, no slang or crude jokes. 
iii.       To transmit- an example: “Tower, this is mile 0”.  Tower will reply: “go ahead 0”.  Then state your message. 
iv.       When you are done speaking and desire a reply say “over”.  When you are done speaking and do not require a reply say: “out”.  Roger means: “I understand”.  Wilco means: “will comply”
v.         Once we get under way and get our radio rhythm we will start to shorten up the formality a bit in the interest of reducing un needed radio traffic.

Track / Radio operation
a. Once a vehicle is on course each mile station will notify the tower when the on course bike goes by their station.  “bike by 2 mile” is adequate.
b. Should the on course bike be having troubles such as misfiring or smoking state that in your report.
c.  When a bike has cleared the course safety line, which is the return road / line of spotter stations call “course clear at the 7 (or whatever) mile”
d. Should a vehicle stop on course or short of the safety line say: “bike stopped on course at the ? mile”  or the “bike is short of the safety line”  Say the course is still “ACTIVE or the COURSE IS HOT”
e. Do not say “ the course is not clear”,  if we miss the word ‘not’ we could send another vehicle into a hot course.

Charging the battery
a. We are all responsible for charging our own batteries at night.  Put the radio in the charger until a red light comes on, when the red light turns to green the battery is at full charge.   Do not forget!    The radios will not last 2 days usage.

Radio communication is the life blood of track and event operations and safety so monitor your channel all the time all day, every day.
Turn in your radios and chargers at the registration area when the meet is over along with the rest of your issued gear.