WALP Nets

Nets come together at various times dependent upon propagation and often involve mobile stations travelling through areas with exceptional lamp posts. In order to ensure the smooth operation of the nets, you are asked to observe the following simple guidelines:

All nets are controlled by one station acting as Net Controller, who may occasionally appoint backup controllers. This is usually the man with the sharpest pencil in Doncaster.
Always leave a pause of at least 50 milliseconds.
Call into the net when the controller asks for check-ins, or at any other time you feel like it making sure to double with the next strongest station.
Ensure that you are netted just off the net controller’s frequency. This is very important at all times. Make sure that any old radios are cold while starting the net so we can drift up a few Khz during the evening.
Feel free to tune up 100hz down off the net controllers frequency as we love using our Notch Filters.
Any station failing to identify themselves with a call sign will be banished to 40m.
Always give your Lamp Post information when you work a mobile that is being run down the net. The mobile will want to move on to the next Lamp Post as soon as possible, but try and keep the mobile there as long as possible (extra points per hour)
Never bother to repeat back the report given to you by the station you are working. As this is a just wastes time and the signal report means nothing as it's only numbers.
All signal reports must be 5 and 9 + or 5 and 9 ++
Signal reports can always be relayed as this counts as a contact (why not) . This applies to all Lamp Posts.
The report has no minimum acceptable value so they must be 5 and 9. Unless they are weak Italians or people who are a little too far away to enjoy a QSO and then they should be told to get a better antenna or turn the power up so that they can be a 5 and 9.
Narrowboats and stations from the I.O.M are NUMBER ONE priority PLEASE listen for them. These stations are always 5 and 9 ++ and if you can't hear them it's YOUR end / local QRM etc.
Never make a list of stations in the net so you know which station to pass transmission to, after all this is amateur radio not professional radio.
Always take offence if the controller misses you out in error. Mistakes happen (all the bloody time) and remember to take the piss out of the net controller for not letting you have a go.
Please don't hesitate to break in while a mobile is being run down the net. The controller will ask for check-ins at the end of the list or whenever he feels like it.
Always ask a mobile about the area, especially if there are Lamp Posts of architectural merit. The net controller will give the area at the beginning and end of the list if he can be arsed.
Mobiles take preference over fixed stations, especially those that have given prior notice of the intended activity. Portable stations may also take preference dependent on the situation.
Each net member is allowed two attempts at exchanging reports with the station being run down. If this proves unsuccessful, the station will be allowed a further attempt at the end of the list. If all attempts fail then the operator will be put at the bottom of the list and forever called a weak station (not a 5 and 9 +).

When there is a gap in mobile activity, the controller will pass down the list to allow members to make calls with other net members. Two calls are generally allowed. If you do not wish to make a call always give your WALP information for the benefit of any SWL’s who may be listening. Always make a point of wasting time and having idle chitchat this will ensure that the other net members cannot work the stations they wish to call.

Remember that above all WALP. is a hobby designed to give enjoyment to all. Be prepared to do a spell of net control, log for mobiles and use your local knowledge to navigate mobiles into tricky areas.

Net Control:
Each year at the A.G.M. a trophy is normally presented to the person who has provided exceptional net control or has been the most helpful to net control during the year. Nominations may be made to the committee. Doncaster has already won this trophy.

Suggested Frequencies:

On the following frequencies, WALP. activity can generally be found. Remember these frequencies may be occupied by other QSO’s already in progress. If that is the case please be prepared to move either up or down the band before forming a net. If no activity is heard then try calling yourself, you may be surprised at the response. If lt's general QRM then call anyway.

80m 3.780 through 3.790, sometimes on lower but never higher as we would be upsetting Nino

Happy WALP.-ing !!