ccen

The Coastal Carolina Emergency Net meets nightly on 3.907 KHZ at 7:00 P.M. The net was started in 1954 after the devastation of Hurricane Hazel. It was established for the purpose of providing communications to areas that had been disrupted by hurricanes and nor'easters which ravaged the coastal areas during that period. It provided a link to the outside when traditional forms of communications had been destroyed by winds or floods. Since that that time the net has continued to provide that service when needed but the net has also developed a fellowship of strong friendships over the years and that is what draws many visitors and strangers to the net as they tune the band during the evening hours. "The most friendly net in ham radio" is a description often said about the Coastal Carolina Emergency Net.

Each night the net is called by a different net caller who manages communications and provides a friendly and familiar voice. Visitors and non-members are welcome and are specifically called for each night after the membership roll call. As a courtesy, check-ins who are not net members get to introduce themselves and give their comments or "rag chews" first. After that, net members often welcome them and give their own accounts of their daily activities, comment on topics that are of interest or generally just offer well wishes to all listening that night. It is very informal. Of course, traffic and net announcements precede the check-in portion and mobiles are offered the chance to give their comments at the time of checking in or first on the the list of ragchews.

We welcome all who would like to join our net and particularly look forward to meeting you on the air and at one of our net gatherings we have several times a year. Join us and become part of a great and freindly tradition on 75 meters that provides a great service to others when needed.

CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP DETAILS (AS OF JANUARY 1, 2007)

Membership in CCEN is now a lifetime membership. The initial cost of $3.00 covers the mailing of the certificate and printed roster as well as having your name, call and other details listed. We have eliminated the annual renewal of dues because we will be conducting all net business on the Internet. Provisions can be made for those not having Internet connections to receive paper copies of lists, ballots, etc. but we have felt that electronic communications indicate a cost consciousness and reduce the need for annual dues. Also, electronic/Internet communications is more in keeping with the spirit of keeping up with technology in our hobby.

In order to become a member of the net a new station needs to check in 10 times under the designation of "Visitor or Non-Member" when called by the Net Caller for those nights. This allows net members to begin to become familiar with new folks. After 10 check-ins, just call into your alphabetical group when the Net Caller calls for your group.

When you are ready to join the net formally just contact Scott, KC4Z by email (KC4Z@arrl.net) and exchange information you want listed on the roster. The online roster will only include your call, name and QTH but will not include phone, street address, email, etc. The cost of receiving a printed roster with full information and net certificate is $3.

BENEFITS OF JOINING THE NET INCLUDE:

* Voting

* Ability to be a candidate for the Annual Al Parker Award

* Ability to serve as a net officer

* Supporting some of the friendliest hams on any of the bands

We hope these new policies will help to make the net even better and will more accurately reflect contemporary trends in group membership and participation.

Send membership enquiries to KC4Z, Scott: KC4Z@arrl.net

Other Thoughts

We are always looking for pictures, documents and other items of net interest. It has been amazing to me how much interest this little effort has created among CCEN members. In some ways, looking at these albums of pictures creates a feeling like one has when attending a hamfeast or other gathering of radio enthusiasts. Our hobby is not primarily a visual one and that may explain the enjoyment of attending a hamfeast or other gathering. Looking at these pictures often brings back very vivid memories of past events and times spent with others. In a way it is as if long absent members or silent keys are brought back to life in these memories. That probably explains some of the interest. Like any endeavor, it is only as good as the participation of members allows it to be. If you have any photos that may be of interest to net members, send them along. We all enjoy them more than you may know. We particularly encourage new members to send a picture of themselves, their station and other things that others may find interesting. It is amazing the things that we learn about each other over the various nights' ragchews. Photos help fill in the blanks and make the enjoyment of the Net even more. Ed K3JKQ

Operating Notes

Some Thoughts About Net Operations

It should come as no surprise that I remark on the absolutely horrible band conditions that have plagued our net for over a year now. Every once in awhile we are blessed with a good night when everyone can hear other stations near and far. Most often, we have relied on relay stations to help the net caller complete the net operations. I would like to thank all those who have helped and been patient in each night's activities. I suppose if we wanted perfect communications we could call each other on the phone or write an email! Ours is, after all, a hobby and part of the fun is the challenge of communicating over long distances and under difficult circumstances.

One of the problems we have encountered is rather continuous QRM from other operators who seem to take pleasure in disrupting the enjoyment of others. Lately, the FCC seems to have relaxed once again monitoring of the bands and enforcement has suffered. The best response when others try to interrupt our net is to ignore them as much as possible. Sometimes, that is very hard to do. There are others who feel that they own the frequency at a particular time and begin to try to crowd our net off the frequency when they think it is their time to claim it. Of course, Part 97 or the Federal Communications Regulations requires each of us to respect the use of the ham radio frequencies by others. We do not own 3.907 any more than anyone else and if the frequency is in use when we want to start our net we are required to honor their use of the frequency until they are finished or move to another frequency. It is good operating to do so.

On the other hand, the net directors have met and discussed ways in which the net may take care of its business in a friendly but concise manner. Each net caller has his/her own style. Some are more conversational than others but each of us is aware of keeping the net moving. We are under no obligation to finish the net by 8:00 PM but each of us tries to keep it in an hour's time frame. Late check-ins, visitors, band conditions, private comments back and forth that confuse communications and require extra clarifications and relays, as well as the number of those listed for ragchews all contribute to the length of the net. No one should be rushed or ignored when giving their comments. On the other hand, I might recommend that each of us be aware of the time and temper our comments knowing that the net caller is trying to keep things moving.

This is a hobby and we all are friends on this most friendly of nets on the ham radio bands. I hope we all can continue to practice our hobby and not be discouraged by difficult conditions. We welcome members, visitors and those curious passers-by who wish to join us. I thank each of you for your participation, leadership and friendship.

Ed, K3JKQ

Nominations Al Parker Award

Al Parker Award:

This is the highest award presented by the net. One can receive the award only once in a lifetime and is limited to current net members. Nominees for this award should personify the highest values of the Amateur Radio community and should be persons who have shown dedication and service to the Coastal Carolina Emergency Net. A list of persons who have received this award are listed elsewhere on this site. Remember, this is a once in a lifetime award. Votes for people who have received this award or non-members will not be counted.

Elections Procedures

Names of nominees for Director will be posted on the net blog page (ccen@blogspot.com). Voting is primarily done by emailing the Net Manager (edngilley@gmail.com) Vote for a 2 candidates for the positions. Net members may also vote by mailing in their choices to Ed Holm, 122 Quarter Horse Run, Havelock, NC 28553. We ask that you vote only once for each candidate. Votes for Net Directors will be tallied and be announced on October 14 if more than two persons are nominated.

Al Parker Award Voting

Please submit your choice for the Al Parker Award in the same email or surface mail letter. The votes will be tallied and the outcome announced at the annual Christmas Party where a certificate and plaque will be presented to the award recipient. Vote totals and names of persons submitted for selection for this award will not be publicly posted. Election records will be shown to the Assistant Manager of the net for confirmation.

Join the Net

It is simple. Check in 10 times as a visitior/non-member. You keep the count-we trust you! When you have reached 10 check-ins begin checking into the membership segment for your alphabetical group. (Alpha-Charlie, Delta-Kilo, etc.) Then go onto QRZ.com and look up our net secretary/treasurer, Steve, K4SER. Send him a note with information you want listed on the printed roster. (name, call, address, email, phone, etc.) Place this information in an envelope with $3.00 for the year's dues. That's it. You're now a net member and your certiifcate and roster will be arriving shortly in the mail. Welcome to the "friendliest net on 75 meters"!