We have changed the time of the Sunday evening check-in to 6:15pm at the request of several participants.
A great way to familiarize yourself with using a hand-held radio, or to practice what you’ve already learned, is to participate in our regular Sunday evening Radio Net on Channel 5 at 6:15pm. It’s also a handy way to make sure your equipment is working properly. Last but not least, its an opportunity to communicate with a group of your neighbors and make sure everyone is doing OK. That was particularly reassuring during the pandemic and the January 2025 wildfires!
The Radio Call-in is done from your home, with the best reception usually achieved by going outside on your deck/patio or yard.
The format is relatively informal and is run by “Net Control”, the “traffic cop” or moderator of radio communications. We have a couple of regular Net Control operators (usually Ben) but we encourage others to take the helm to gain experience. In a real disaster, we have no way of knowing who may be at home or physically able to run the Net. Assuming the role includes documenting who calls in from what street/block and offering a total number of participants at the end of the session. Wait for a clear space to speak as others may try to talk at the same time. Net Control will acknowledge you and thank you for calling if you can be heard. Please don’t turn off your radio immediately after checking in. Please wait to be acknowledged and continue to listen to other check ins.
If you hear someone check in who is not acknowledged by the moderator, you can help out by relaying the check in. It goes something like this:
Susan: “Don, this is Susan on Oneonta with a relay”.
Don: “Susan, go ahead with the relay”.
Susan: “George on Oban checked in.”
Don: Thank you George for checking in and thank you Susan for the relay.”
We usually have 12-20 check-ins and the entire thing usually takes about half an hour. Several children participate with their parents. Its a fun family friendly activity for a Sunday evening.
Photo of Suzy as Guest Net Control
If you are interested in serving as Net Control one Sunday, send an email to mailto: info@mtwashingtonjessica.org Also, contact us if you need a radio. We have a few radios available to those who donate to our nonprofit.