Virgina Traffic Nets
To see a list of additional Virginia Section Traffic Nets, Click HERE.
There are two state/section voice nets and one CW net serving Virginia. All nets meet daily.
| Net Name | Freq | Alt Freq | ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Net (CW) | 3553 kHz | -- | 7 pm |
| Virginia Fone Net | 3947 kHz | -- | 4 pm & 7:30 pm |
| Virginia Sideband Net | 3947 kHz | -- | 6 pm |
How to Check-in to a Traffic Net
Our Virginia traffic nets welcome new traffic handlers! If this is your first time, listen to the net over a few sessions before your initial check-in. Become familiar with the net’s procedures and communication between the Net Control Station and participating operators. Learn the “QN” signals used in CW nets. Both ARRL and RRI offer training videos for voice and CW nets. Take advantage of these resources.
Virginia Net (CW)
About
The Virginia Net (CW) is part of the National Traffic System (NTS), a nationwide network of amateur radio operators who relay formal messages, called radiograms, across the country. Morse code (CW) is used to ensure reliable communication even under limited infrastructure or emergency conditions. This net helps operators refine their CW radio skills and participate in public service communications.
Schedule and Frequency
Frequency: 3553 kHz
Time: 7:00 PM daily
Radiogram Traffic Routing
Traffic generally comes from and is relayed to:
- Messages originated by net participants
- The 4th Region Traffic Net
- Local and other traffic nets in Virginia
- Offloading of messages from the Digital Traffic Network
- Offloading of messages from the ARRL Radiogram Web Portal
How to Participate
If you have never checked into a CW traffic net before, listen to a few VN sessions to familiarize yourself with basic procedures, then give it a try. Pick up a copy of any edition of the "ARRL Operating Manual" and read the chapter on "Traffic Handling". It nicely summarizes CW net procedures for the beginner.
Check-in Procedure
When you hear the NCS send “QNI K”, that means check-ins are invited. Send “DE callsign QRU”, which means you want to be added to the net and you have no traffic to list. If you are bringing traffic to the net, instead of “QRU”, you would send “QTC city (city) …”, listing the destination(s) for your radiogram(s). Familiarizing yourself with standard CW "QN" signals is advised.
Benefits
- Improve your Morse code proficiency and radio communication skills.
- Contribute to public service by practicing the handling of radiograms.
- Become recognized as an NTS traffic handler through certificates and acknowledgment from ARRL programs.
VA Net Control Schedule
| Day | Callsign | First Name | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | WW8D | Tom | Salem |
| T | W4YE | Buddy | Wirtz |
| W | N3SW | Scott | Roanoke |
| Th | WA0WHT | Tom | Chincoteague |
| F | N3SW | Scott | Roanoke |
| Sa | N3SW | Scott | Roanoke |
| Su | WW8D | Tom | Salem |
Net Script (edit as needed)
Translation:
- VN = Virginia CW Traffic Net
- QND = Directed net, follow NCS directions
- QNN = NCS is N3SW, Scott, in Roanoke, VA
- QNZ = Please zero-beat on my frequency
- QNI = Check-in now
CW Speeds
Typical net speed is around 20 wpm. The NCS will adjust to your sending speed as needed to establish and maintain communication. “Accuracy transcends speed”.
Ask NCS to send you a practice message
We have a series of 75 training messages which teach NTS CW traffic handling techniques and net procedures. Ask for a training message when you check-in (by sending TNG PSE), and the Net Control Station will assign a net member to pass one or two training messages to you. Ask for training messages each time you QNI, and before you know it, you will have completed the entire training package and will receive a Section Net Certificate from the Net Manager.
Net Manager:
Scott Walker, N3SW, n3sw@arrl.netVirginia Sideband Net (VSBN)
About
The Virginia Sideband Net (VSBN) is an ARRL-affiliated net and part of the NTS. VSBN is a Virginia section level net. The primary purpose of the VN is to pass radiograms into, out of, and throughout Virginia. This net helps operators refine their voice radio skills and participate in public service communications.
Schedule and Frequency
Frequency: 3947 kHz
Time: 6:00 PM daily
The net is designed to interconnect with other local, state, and regional nets in a tiered structure to move traffic efficiently.
Radiogram Traffic Routing
Traffic generally comes from and is relayed to:
- Messages originated by net participants
- The 4th Region Traffic Net
- Local and other traffic nets in Virginia
- Offloading of messages from the Digital Traffic Network
- Offloading of messages from the ARRL Radiogram Web Portal
How to Participate
Listen First: It is recommended for newcomers to monitor several sessions before their first check-in to become familiar with net procedures.
Check-in Procedure
The Net Control Station will call for check-ins with traffic, and then with or without traffic. Announce your callsign at either point depending upon whether you have radiograms to send or not.
The NCS will then announce any pending radiogram traffic destinations. Respond with your callsign along with what destinations you can handle if there are messages for your locale.
Benefits
- Improve your voice net proficiency and radio communication skills.
- Contribute to public service by practicing the handling of radiograms.
- Become recognized as an NTS traffic handler through certificates and acknowledgment from ARRL programs.
- Serve as a liaison between VSBN and other nets.
- Enjoy the comradery with your fellow VSBN participants.
VSBN Net Control Schedule
| Day | Callsign | First Name | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | K3EP | Emmett | Fredericksburg |
| T | W4SVP | Steve | New Market |
| W | W8PQ | Mike | Lynchburg |
| Th | W4SVP | Steve | New Market |
| F | WA1JQC | George | Powhatan |
| Sa | N3SW | Scott | Roanoke |
| Su | KK4PUX | Raymond | Suffolk |
Alternates: [Add alternate stations here as needed]
Net Manager:
George Stone, WA1JQC, wa1jqc@arrl.netVirginia Fone Net (VFN)
About
The Virginia Fone Net is an independent and directed net which meets twice daily to pass traffic into, out of, and thru-out of the Commonwealth of Virginia. We do this as a public service, and to handle Net Business and Informal Messages, and to promote Friendship and Fellowship among all Radio Amateurs. All Amateurs are welcome to check into this net.
Schedule and Frequency
Frequency: 3947 kHz
Times: 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM Eastern time daily
Northern Virginia Traffic Net (NVTN)
About
This net meets nightly to handle formal written traffic into and out of the local area and to provide a link to the National Traffic System of the American Radio Relay League. This is a directed net, and a training net.
Schedule and Operations
Frequency: 147.300 MHz (+)
Time: 7:30 PM Local time nightly