September 21, 2019
What is the West Coast Net (WCN)? Here's what Wikipedia says.
A net is an "on-the-air" gathering of amateur radio operators.
Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific frequency, and are organized for a particular purpose, such as relaying messages, discussing a common topic of interest, in severe weather (for example, during a Skywarn activation), emergencies, or simply as a regular gathering of friends for conversation.
Nets operate more or less formally depending on their purpose and organization. Groups of nets may organize and operate in collaboration for a common purpose, such as to pass along emergency messages in time of disaster. One such system of nets is the National Traffic System (NTS), organized and operated by members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to handle routine and emergency messages on a nationwide and local basis.
Nets operate more or less formally depending on their purpose and organization. Groups of nets may organize and operate in collaboration for a common purpose, such as to pass along emergency messages in time of disaster. One such system of nets is the National Traffic System (NTS), organized and operated by members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to handle routine and emergency messages on a nationwide and local basis.
Traffic nets operate primarily to relay formal written messages. For decades, amateur radio operators in the United States and Canada have traditionally passed both routine and emergency messages on behalf of others as part of the public-service mission allowed within the USA and Canadian government amateur radio regulations.[4] The original organizational purpose of the American Radio Relay League or ARRL which was organized in the early 20th century (1914–15) was mainly for the purpose of relaying third party messages. In many parts of the world outside North America, it is illegal for amateur radio operators to pass messages on behalf of third parties.
Today, with inexpensive communication capability available to anyone, routine message handling has dwindled and is largely used for training purposes. During emergencies (such as natural disasters) – especially when normal communications channels are disabled or compromised – traffic nets (utilizing emergency-powered stations) are used to pass information into and out of affected areas.
If you live in the Northwest and you are a ham radio operator and learning CW (Morse Code), this is the place for you. Running at 10 words per minute, WCN is a good place to learn message handling while building up your speed.
During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used to communicate information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or welfare of a disaster victim.
At other times Ham Radio Operators like you deliver radiograms as a public service. These messages are passed from Operator to Operator on their way from origination to destination often using CW or Morse Code.
New operators with little experience with the code cannot copy. The CW speeds are to high.
WCN provides a place for you to learn message handling at a much lower speed: 10 WPM.
Wikipedia: Net_operation
Wikipedia: Amateur Radio Net
by Bill Howard