MESSAGE TO REPEATER NET CONTROL STATIONS

Hold a simplex net at regular intervals to test your group's "direct communications" readiness. The first simplex net will probably identify some weak points. Stations who have trouble communicating using simplex might find the fix to be as simple as raising their antenna 10 or 15 feet, or replacing that old coax with a more efficient type. Regular reliance on repeaters can mask these simple "deficiencies". As a net control station, you may have to transfer, at least temporarily, the NCS duties to the station most able to communicate city-wide or county-wide using simplex. Also, how about having your group check in to the net using "emergency power only" at least 3 times a year.