Sponsored Emergency Nets
The Worcester Emergency Net (WEN) is a emergency net sponsored by the Worcester Emergency Communications Team, and listed with the ARRL. These nets take place every first and third Monday of each month at 8:00 PM local time (if holiday, delay one week). Net Control Stations vary monthly and any team member is welcome to participate as a Net Control Station. All team members are encouraged to participate in these nets as often as is practical and to take an active role as Net Control at least twice per year so as to better understand the fundamentals of operating a net in that function. In an emergency, you might end up as net control, so skills of this nature are very important to the team. Although membership is always encouraged, all stations are invited to participate regardless of membership status. The team thanks Worcester Emergency Management for being such an active supporter of our emergency net activities, and the WPI Wireless Association for permission to use the W1YK repeater for our nets and for activations.

Feel free to to contact the WEN Net Manager if you'd like to try your hand at Net Control for WEN. See the events calendar in the right column to view the WEN schedule, including the Net Control Station assignments.


Worcester Emergency Net
2M Repeater / Starting Frequency: 146.925 MHz repeater PL 100.0
2M Simplex: 147.540 MHz simplex (transmit only PL 123.0)
440 Repeater: 449.875 MHz repeater PL 103.5
440 Simplex: 446.125 MHz simplex (transmit only PL 123.0)
8:00 PM local every first and third Monday monthly (if holiday, the following Monday)
NCS Script: Download from here
The purpose of the Worcester Emergency Net is to practice emergency net skills, both with respect to repeater operations and simplex operations. In an actual incident, per standard amateur emergency practices in place throughout the state, we will operate on the repeater and when the repeater goes down we will operate on the repeater output on simplex. Additionally, we will use the simplex frequencies listed above for simplex training and practice, as well as an alternative frequency during actual incidents. Each net session, expect NCS to make use of any and all of these frequencies in order to fully practice all the nuances of operating on both repeaters and simplex in a simulated emergency net environment. Although membership in our organization is always encouraged, all stations are invited to participate regardless of membership status.



MEMA South Region 4 Net
Primary: 146.970 MHz W1BIM repeater (PL 114.8)
Backup: (if W1BIM is down) 146.970 MHz simplex
Backup: (if W1BIM is busy or unavailable) 146.925 MHz W1YK repeater (PL 100.0)
7:15 PM local every first Monday monthly (if holiday, the following Monday)
NCS Script: Download from here
Our organization also manages the MEMA sponsored South Region 4 Net. The Radio Room at 50 Skyline Drive also doubles as MEMA's Region 4 Radio Station. The purpose of this net is to practice statewide communications and to facilitate traffic of a statewide MEMA / emergency management nature.


Useful tips for operating in Simplex Mode:
  • Never take the local repeater system for granted. It may not be there in an emergency. All it takes is for one or more repeaters to go off the air, leaving the remaining to do double duty and quickly become overloaded.
  • Repeaters should be used for priority traffic only or for "talk-in" prior to switching to simplex.
  • Simplex should be used as the primary working frequency not the repeater.
  • Use relays to convey information. When hearing a station not heard by the NCS, wait for a break, then drop the carrier and state, "relay." This signals the NCS that you have information for the net. In this case, another station trying to contact Net Control.
  • When using simplex, open your radio's squelch so you can listen for weak stations. Do not maintain a low squelch setting in order to reduce noise or you may miss far-away or low power stations operating on Simplex.
  • Use minimum power for reliable communications but remember that with simplex the emphasis is on the word RELIABLE.
  • Open mics can be dealt with easily and efficiently if all net participants are aware of the best way to handle the problem. Review this handy open mic handling procedure written by KD1LE and KD1SM for ways on how to do such.

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