NEWCOMERS AND EXPERIENCED CW stations from AZ, CO, NM, UT and WY sections are welcome on MSN, a SLOW speed CW net supported by experienced stations from the Region to encourage improved CW operating, familiarity with National Traffic System [NTS] message ("traffic") relaying procedures, and increased support of our Section Nets. NCS's are encouraged to call MSN at slow speeds to encourage newcomers, and will match speeds of stns checking in, returning to a nominal speed after faster ops check in. We currently meet on 3570 KHz at 8:00 PM Mountain Time daily [0300Z winter MST, 0200Z summer MDST]

NEWCOMERS who monitor the net for several sessions, will note the Net Control Station (NCS) does not call roll, but simply calls "MSN MSN DE W0NCS". After he pauses or sends BK or K [BREAK], stations send a letter ( for example, the 1st suffix letter in your call), allowing the NCS to pick one out of a crowd. Experienced ops, with QTC, or "traffic" will check in the first couple minutes, and will be sent off-frequency with ops who can take traffic to their region/state/local SSB or FM nets for delivery, freeing the net freq.
When early business slows down, and the NCS returns your letter or sends your call, just send "DE WB0YOU QRU" (I have no traffic). The NCS may ask your Name and QTH (City, state), and may send "R" (I copy), "AS" (WAIT for a QSO or to be excused later); or he may ask a more experienced op on the net to go off-freq "UP 5", "DWN 10" (Khz) etc. from net frequency for a QSO (chat). You may be excused with: "QRU" (no messages for you) QNX (you are excused) 73 [good bye, etc] ES (and) CUL (see you later) BK".
The net will last 5-10 minutes or longer, and heavy traffic or a QSO may keep the freq busy after QNF (the net is FREE). Enjoy yourself in the company of good CW ops, and be patient with yourself in making errors, and with those giving you tips on proper CW net operating--you generally will not be given messages until you have checked in a number of times, your speed and command of procedures pick up, and the net gets to know you and what areas you can call to deliver a message; or what local SSB / FM nets you can relay messages to. If you subscribe to QST, call ARRL and request the free Public Service pamphlets that explain proper net procedures. Practice copying messages on or off-freq; and expect an occasional QNC (ALL STNS COPY) group announcement, practice message, or closing of the net to be sent. Later, you may take a liaison slot to TWN (Twelfth Region Net), our next higher-level net on 3570 / 7063 at 20:30 and 22:00 local nightly.

OLD TIMERS are challenged to encourage newcomers (accepting their deviations from perfection, and explaining proper operation gently), prioritizing traffic TO and FM (from) TWN, and aiding in the relay of messages to / from section nets in the 5 states. When we have at least 10 active stns from a state, we will encourage CW Section Net[s] to start-up again. YOU can help by going TO TWN, keeping speeds down (10WPM = 10 dashes in 5 sec), and offering to QSO new QNI. Lets not discourage outside stations, but use the ARRL Net Directory or the FISTS Slow Speed Net List [ http://www.fists.org/slownet.pdf ] to refer them to slow nets in their own area. ARRL will help spread the word, but realize slow growth is preferable.

USE IT OR LOSE IT...join us to encourage SKILLFUL CW.

SAMPLE MESSAGES ....
FORMAT TIPS [from ARRL Public Service publications]:
Most ops ask the rcvg stn QRV? [ready to copy?],
Many send HR [here] NR" [number] to start the msg
A brief pause separates Preamble and Addressee
.-.- [AA] indicates end of lines in address or signature in CW
-...- [BT] is sent before / after Text
Copying messages 5 words/line allows easy counting for
comparison with the word-count "Check" in the preamble
to see if any words were lost/run together in relay
.-.-. [AR] is sent at end of Signature,
LAST, send N [if NO MORE QTC for rcvg station ],
or B [and how many if more, ie: B2, B1, then N]
RECORD: From Whom Received, Date and Time; and
To Whom Sent, Date and Time on each message.

TYPICAL MSG [Generally less than 20 words in text;
Preamble dates are copied 5 words/line:
NR 114 R W0HXB 9 DENVER CO NOV 20
CAROL VISITOR KC0LKL .-.-
123 MOUNTAIN VIEW BLVD .-.-
HODGKISS CO 80999 .-.-
TEL 303 555 1212 -...-
WELCOME TO MSN x JOIN
US OFTEN x 73 -...-
PETE .-.-. N
NOTE: X's used instead of periods, NO punctuation.
It is number 114, and the ROUTINE text has 9 words in it.

SAMPLE NET REPORT :
195 R AD0A 13 CO SPRINGS CO NOV 10
W0HXB -...-
MSN NOV 7 AD0A NCS
KI0RP TO TWN NOBN W0HXB
ZERO IN TEN -...-
JV .-.-. N (if no more QTC ), B if more

SAMPLE "BOOK" MESSAGE
Normally same text/sig to more than 1 addressee:
sent like this:..
HR BOOK OF 2 [brief pause]
W0HXB R ARL 7 DENVER CO NOV 20 -...-
[brief pause]
WELCOME TO MSN X JOIN US
FREQUENTLY 73 -...-
PETE .-.-. [pause]
NR 1114 TO WA7LEA .-.-.
NR 1115 TO NN7H .-.-.
END BOOK N (if no more), B if more QTC

SAMPLE SERVICE MESSAGE TEXTS
[sent to Orig St after unsuccessful dlvy]
NR 14 R W0HXB 10 DENVER CO APR 1
W1NGM .-.-.
ABINGTON MA -...-
27 UNDELIVERABLE X ELVIS PRESLEY
NOT AT PHONE AND UNLISTED -...-
W0HXB .-.-.

See you on the net(s)
Pete W0HXB w0hxb@arrl.net 303-333-6273

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