ORCA DIGITAL NET

ORCA DIGITAL NET is dedicated to learning and practicing digital traffic-handling skills. To support our mission, we focus on three fundamentals: Directed Net protocols, Computer skills, and digital traffic-handling with NBEMS software. Directed Net protocols are essential for orderly digital communications, especially on HF. Doubles are the bane of digital net operations. Unlike CW and Phone, digital doubles usually scramble both signals and nothing is copied. On Directed Nets, all transmissions go through NCS.

Digital operations require familiarity with PC operating systems and file management. Basic typing skills are important too. Handling digital traffic often involves file manipulation and editing. Computer skills are basic to learning, configuring, and operating digital software. Of the NBEMS software suite developed by Dave Freese W1HKJ, we use FLDIGI, FLMSG, & FLAMP every session. The FLDIGI suite of applications is a world-class digital messaging system, used by many agencies and governments around the world.

If you’re interested in learning to pass digital traffic in emergencies, or just expand your knowledge of digital operations, ORCA may be right for you. Read our Quick-Start Guide and monitor the net.  NCS controls net operations; you will learn digital traffic-handling by observing net operations. Our members are the actual Instructors.  Many of them have been with us for years.  They’re digital veterans that continue to work the net because they value the opportunity to practice their skills. Observing them will teach you the routines.  When you feel comfortable, check in and practice with friendly and supportive colleagues.  Don’t worry about newbie errors.  It’s a training and practice net; we’re error-tolerant. Others may learn from your mistake.

NCS: Doug K7KY
NCS: Mindy W7ZAP