Nets are ham radio's scheduled programming. While most operating is random (call CQ, hope someone answers), nets provide guaranteed activity at specific times on specific frequencies. For new hams, nets are the easiest way to make contacts, practice operating skills, and become part of a community.

I participate in 4-5 nets weekly and have for years. Some are purely social, some serve a communications purpose, and some exist to develop operating skills. Here's a guide to what's out there and which are worth your time.

Types of Nets

Traffic Handling Nets (NTS)

The National Traffic System moves formal written messages ("radiograms") across the country via ham radio. Messages pass from local nets to section nets to regional nets and back down to their destination.

Why join: Learn formal message handling — the skill that actually matters in emergency communications. Learn to copy messages accurately under pressure. Develop net discipline.

Time commitment: 15-30 minutes per session. Most nets run daily or several times per week.

Examples:

  • Section-level CW traffic nets (every ARRL section has one)
  • Region nets (Eastern Area, Central Area, Pacific Area)
  • Trans-continental nets (RN1, RN5, etc.)

What you'll do: Check in, accept or send traffic (formal messages), relay messages to their next destination.

Ragchew/Social Nets

Scheduled get-togethers where a group of regulars chat about whatever comes up. Net control manages turn order so everyone gets a chance to talk.

Why join: Social connection, predictable QSOs, low-pressure operating practice. You'll become a "regular" quickly.

Examples:

  • Local club nets (every ham club has one — check your local club's website)
  • 75-meter afternoon ragchew nets (3.860-3.990 MHz, various groups)
  • OMISS (Old Man International Sideband Society)
  • Maritime Mobile Service Net (14.300 MHz, continuous)

What you'll do: Check in, wait your turn, share news/weather/projects, listen to others.

DX Nets

Nets that help stations work DX by providing a controlled pileup environment. A net control station manages who calls the DX station.

Why join: Work DX you might not get through a pileup on your own. Learn split operating.

Examples:

  • International DX Net (14.236 MHz)
  • Manzanita DX Net (14.240 MHz)
  • Various regional DX nets

What you'll do: Check in, wait for net control to give you a turn calling the DX station, make your contact, move on.

Controversy: Some hams consider DX nets unnecessary in the modern era ("just work them in the pileup"). Others find them valuable for modest stations. Your mileage varies.

Emergency/ARES Nets

Scheduled practice nets for ARES/RACES groups, plus activation during actual emergencies.

Why join: Preparedness, community service, developing emergency communications skills.

Examples:

  • Weekly ARES net (your local ARES group — find via ARRL ARES website)
  • SKYWARN nets (activated during severe weather)
  • Hospital disaster nets (HDSN)
  • Salvation Army SATERN net (14.265 MHz)

What you'll do: Check in, practice ICS forms, pass simulated emergency traffic, participate in exercises.

Digital/Data Nets

Scheduled digital mode activities. Less common than voice nets but growing.

Examples:

  • NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System) practice nets
  • Winlink Wednesday (weekly Winlink practice and testing)
  • JS8Call scheduled groups
  • Various DMR talkgroup nets

CW Practice Nets

Nets specifically for CW learners and practice.

Examples:

  • SKCC (Straight Key Century Club) slow-speed activities
  • CW Ops CW Academy practice sessions
  • FISTS slow-speed nets
  • State QRS (slow speed) nets

Why join: Practice CW in a supportive environment where speed matching is expected and patience is standard.

How to Find Nets

Online Resources

  • ARRL Net Directory (arrl.org/resources-for-nets): Comprehensive US net listing
  • NetLogger (netlogger.org): Real-time net activity monitor showing which nets are active NOW
  • Your state/section ARRL website: Lists local nets with frequencies and times
  • RepeaterBook (repeaterbook.com): Many listings include scheduled nets
  • QRZ forums and local club websites: Often have net schedules

Discovery by Listening

Tune these frequencies at predictable times:

  • 3.860-3.990 MHz evenings: Multiple ragchew and traffic nets
  • 7.185-7.290 MHz daytime and evening: Various nets
  • 14.300 MHz continuous: Maritime Mobile Service Net
  • 146.52 MHz (2m simplex calling): Occasional local nets
  • Your local repeater: Most clubs run weekly nets (often Wednesday or Thursday evenings)

How to Check Into a Net

Formal Nets (Traffic/Emergency)

Net control will say: "This is [NCS CALL] calling the [NET NAME]. Are there any stations with traffic or bulletins? If not, are there any stations wishing to check in?"

When called:

"[YOUR CALL]" (just your callsign, nothing else)

Net control acknowledges you, may ask for your name, location, and whether you have traffic.

Keep it brief. Formal nets value efficiency.

Informal Nets (Ragchew/Social)

Net control typically calls for check-ins by some order (alphabetical, geographic, round-robin). When your turn comes:

"[YOUR CALL], [Name], [Location], [brief comment]"

Example: "W3ABC, Bob in Pittsburgh, good evening all."

Common Mistakes

  • Talking too long during check-in (others are waiting)
  • Not listening first (jumping in before net control asks for check-ins)
  • Transmitting over net control (wait for clear invitation)
  • Forgetting to say your callsign (NCS needs to log you)
  • Chatting between turns (stay disciplined until NCS releases the net)

Which Nets to Start With

If You're Brand New to HF

Start with your local club net (usually VHF/UHF repeater). Low pressure, everyone's local, friendly, forgiving of mistakes. Ask at your next club meeting for the frequency and time.

If You Want to Improve Operating Skills

Join a traffic handling net. NTS nets teach you precise, disciplined radio communication. The skills transfer directly to emergency communications, contest operating, and general proficiency.

If You Want Regular DX Contacts

Check into a DX net. The structured environment ensures you get a chance to work the DX station without competing in a raw pileup.

If You're Interested in Emergency Preparedness

Join your local ARES net. You'll meet the local emergency communications community, practice relevant skills, and be positioned to help when needed.

If You Want CW Practice

SKCC activities or FISTS nets. Supportive environments where slow speed is welcome and expected.

Net Etiquette

Be consistent. Show up regularly. Nets work because people are reliable.

Listen more than you talk. Especially when new. Learn the rhythm before contributing heavily.

Respect net control. They're volunteering their time to manage the frequency. Follow their lead.

Don't monopolize. If there are 20 check-ins, keep your comments brief to allow everyone a turn.

Offer to help. After attending regularly, volunteer for net control duty. It builds operating skill faster than anything else.

QSY for long conversations. If you and another net participant want to have a long chat, move to another frequency after the net ends. Don't tie up the net frequency.

The Value of Regular Nets

Beyond operating practice, nets provide:

  • Predictable radio activity (you know someone will be there at that time)
  • Community (the same people each week become friends)
  • Motivation to get on the air (commitment to attend keeps you active)
  • Skill benchmarking (you notice your improvement over weeks/months)
  • Emergency readiness (practiced operators perform better under stress)

Ham radio can be lonely if you only call CQ and hope. Nets guarantee connections. Start with one net per week. Add more as you find groups you enjoy. Within a month, you'll have radio friends who expect to hear you and notice when you're absent.

That's community. That's why nets have existed since the earliest days of ham radio and will continue as long as the hobby exists.