Overview
The SEMARA VHF/UHF Net was conceived by Rick, W1RJC. It was held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. For each net, all three W1AEC repeaters/receivers across 2m, 220 MHz, 440 MHz and 900 MHz were linked together. The inaugural net was held on August 14, 2025 and the last net to date was held on April 9, 2026. The objectives of the net included:
1) To test your equipment.
2) To test our repeater equipment.
3) To promote our club activities.
4) To generate on-air fellowship.
The net was open to all amateurs for check-in and general discussion. We conducted two go ’rounds, including a trivia question. In addition to RF, VoIP users also joined us from both the 147.000 repeater’s AllStarLink and EchoLink nodes. It was stated that if successful, we would plan to conduct this net once per month, and to seek hams interested in being a net control station (NCS).
Hiatus
The net was successful, averaging a dozen check-ins monthly in it’s initial 2025-2026 run. We had put out a call for others to get involved in being an NCS. With a minimal response, this primarily left net manager Rick, W1RJC to conduct the net each month. Although he did not mind, a shift in his work schedule in May 2026 has made him unavailable at this time.
We would love to reactivate this net in the future. If you are interested in becoming a net control station (NCS) to help us resume the net, please contact us!
Preamble
The following is the latest revision of the narrative for running the net. It was last edited March 2026 by W1RJC.
Pre-Check
“Is there any further traffic before we begin the SEMARA VHF/UHF Net? This is (your call).”
Net Open
“Welcome to the SEMARA VHF/UHF Net,
sponsored by Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association.
My name is (your name), (your call) and I am located in (city & state).
I’ll be your net control station for this evening.
This net meets on the second Thursday of each month,
at 7:00 PM local time, here on the SEMARA 2m, 220 & 900 repeaters.
This is a directed net, so please wait your turn,
and do not break unless you have emergency traffic.”
“We’ll start with SEMARA club announcements…”
(Read any club announcments, i.e., next meeting, VE session results, etc.)
– Next SEMARA Business Meeting
– This Month’s VE Session Results
– Next VE Session
– Sunday Morning Ragchew
– Next RACES Net
– SEMARA 10m Net Tonight at 8 on 28.493
“You can always check the SEMARA website for the latest information at S-E-M-A-R-A dot org.”
“Are there any further announcements before we continue?”
Check-Ins
“The SEMARA VHF/UHF Net is open to all amateurs.
You do not need to be a SEMARA member to participate.
We will have two go ’rounds with a triva question on the first.
When checking in, please say “this is”…
followed by a carrier drop to avoid doubling,
then state your call sign, name and location.”
“Any mobiles, please check-in now.”
(Read calls and names back to make sure you have everyone. Let mobiles have a go ’round at this point. Mobiles take priority.)
“Any stations operating on the 147.000 repeater, please check-in now.”
“Any stations operating on the 224.800 repeater, please check-in now.”
“Any stations operating on the 900 repeater, please check-in now.”
“Any additional stations on any repeater, AllStarLink or EchoLink, please check-in now.”
Go ‘Rounds
(Read tonights trivia question and start at the top of the list, minus mobiles since they already had their first turn.)
(After every 15 minutes or so, ask for additional check ins. A general announcement follows that you can periodically read.)
“This is the SEMARA VHF/UHF Net.
You can check into this net on our
147.000 and 224.800 repeaters,
both with a PL of 67 Hz.
Our 220 repeater also has an auxilary input.
438.800, also with a PL of 67 Hz.
Plus we have our 900 repeater,
and worldwide coverage via
AllStarLink and EchoLink.”
(At the bottom of the list for this first go ‘round, return to the top of the list to allow any MOBILE stations to have their 2nd turn and to answer tonight’s trivia question.)
(Read tonight’s trivia question and then reveal the answer.)
(Begin the ’73’ round and solicit any closing comments, questions etc.)
Closing
“We had xx check-ins this evening.”
“This concludes another session of the SEMARA VHF/UHF Net.
I would like to thank everyone who participated
and those who stood by while the net operated.
I’d also like to thank the Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association
for providing the repeater and linking resources we utilize to conduct this net.
This net will return on the second Thursday of (month) at 7 PM local time.
Stay in touch by visiting the SEMARA website at S-E-M-A-R-A dot org.
This is (your call) closing the SEMARA VHF/UHF net
and returning the repeaters to normal amateur use at 19:xx (time).”
(Ad-lib your sign-off, i.e., 73 to all from (your call), etc.)