August, 2006

Web Site Waypoints
Ed Daszkiewicz / AAA4TN

For the past 4 years I have been authoring a web page for the TN MARS program.
It started out as a single page, and over the years has morphed into the web site we have today.

This site serves as a place to store information so that it can be readily available to all members. Even out-of-state MARS members are welcome to contribute and use the information.

On the web pages, you will find photos of members, file downloads for both radio and computer operations, information on contacting the staff, served agency links, and of course the online reports page. The Online Reports is still under construction and will change from time to time as all things are wont to do.

On these pages you will find most of the forms you will need to conduct a complete exercise or actual incident. By having these forms online, you can access them from anywhere and maintain adequate participation while out of your ham shack, or when you just don’t have your MARS materials with you. The reports that are available at the present time are:

• Participation
• Essential Elements of Information
• After Action
• Alert Notification
• Info Request/Response
• Net Activation/Deactivation
• Support Request/Response

As you can see there are enough reports to make life a little easier for all of us. Take some time and learn how to access them using the password available on the TN MARS roster, and send an exercise report or two just to familiarize yourself with the way they work. Once you have done one you will know how to do them all. All the instructions are printed on the screen next to the item to be filled in--making them very easy to use.
I hope to see lots of activity on the web pages in the future.

TN MARS Digital Operations
Mike Bishop / AAM4ATN

I hope everyone is doing well.

There has been a call sign change of the PMBO at this location. AV4ATN is now AAB4TN scanning 5 HF frequencies and 1 VHF frequency. The HF frequencies are KBC, KDH, KEB, KIB and KMH USB PACTOR I, II, and III. The VHF frequency is MGH FM PACKET at 1200 baud.

There is now a digipeater operational in the Cleveland area for PACKET use. Chris/AAM4TTN was responsible for getting it up and running and did a GREAT job! The call of the digi is AAA4TN-1.

The ARMY MARS Winlink system is running well and sees a lot of traffic and new users daily. If anyone needs help setting up Airmail there are several members in the state willing to help. There will be a article in World Radio coming soon. It was written by Bill Sexton/AAA9PC. Bill wrote about the ARMY MARS Winlink system featuring the PMBO AAB4TN and AUX4EB’s involvement in its operation. I want to encourage every member in the state to become digital capable if at all possible.

The ARMY MARS repeater located in the Cleveland area is still running well, and thanks to Glen/AAV4RA for providing it for our use.

As we all know the mission and requirements of ARMY MARS are changing. One of the changes comes in the way of reporting. Starting this month, those stations previously exempted from sending a monthly report now have to send in a Participation Report even if reporting zero hours. You can send your report via the Winlink system to AM4ATN or AAV4SZ, email to aam4atn@tnmars.com, or pass as traffic on one of the nets.

Training
Chris Bindrim / AAM4TTN

To continue with some helpful hints in developing training on our nets, I like to point out the pitfalls, or the don’t do things. These are things we all need to avoid in order for training to be effective.

MARS Training Don'ts

1. Don't start late or run overtime - All nets must start on time and end on time. Our Tango nets do have the option to run another hour (the Bravo slot). Make sure you allow station that cannot continue to request to close station at the top of the Tango net hour. Holding up training on a net unduly long or waiting for straggling check-ins only punishes those there on time.

2. Don't waste time - Net digressions are fine. A funny story, something that happened to you, and so forth are all right but don't let digressions predominate. Mars members are on nets to learn and experience MARS.

3. Don't monopolize conversation - Let's face it, most of us are instructors because we have information to give. And that is the instructor's job -- to communicate that knowledge to the net. But, let members have their say, too. Questioning skills are particularly useful to get them involved.

4. Don't be pompous - It is a simple truth that people like modesty and dislike pomposity. Initially, a net, like most audiences is pulling for the NCS. Mars members want you to do well. Acting pompous will quickly lose this support: a great role model is AAT4HM.

5. Don't ridicule - Ridiculing members, at any experience level, is improper behavior. Poking fun at a member or at the member's answer has probably intimidated and turned off more MARS members than any other instructor or NCS behavior.

6. Don't be a dictator - Your approach to training and assignments should create an atmosphere of shared problem solving. No one wants to be dictated to; that is especially
true of experienced MARS members.

7. Don't speak too fast or slow - Speaking too rapidly will lose the slow members; speaking too slowly will lose the fast members. Also be aware of propagation difficulties. There is a happy medium. A clear, well-modulated voice helps tremendously in training. Tape portions of your net activities. Use this device to improve your delivery.

8. Don't read material - I don't mean never read material. A short article read to preserve the author's original words is fine. Conversely, to read a 45-minute lecture is ludicrous; the Mars Training Topics are to be used as aids to instruction.

9. Don't interrupt answers - Many NCS/instructors develop the bad habit of interrupting MARS members’ answers and finishing the question they started themselves. A technique I use to remind me to keep quiet is clasping my hands behind my back.

10. Don't lock horns - You are not going to love every MARS member you have on your net, and every one of your net members is not going to love you. Personality conflicts will arise. Don't. abuse your NCS authority. The best time to resolve personality conflicts is after the net on the phone.

11. Don't lose a MARS member’s respect - Losing respect can happen in many ways. Profanity or bad word or tone, doesn't belong on a MARS net. NCS should maintain a slight veil between themselves and their net members. The NCS must be the authority figure. This is not to contradict my early comments about being friendly. Too many net controls  try to be buddy-buddy to win favorable feedback at the expense of teaching. Discipline must always be maintained.

12. Don't bring your own problems to the net - Before entering the net, you may have pumped out your basement, fixed a flat tire, or had a spat with your spouse. Hard as it is, try to brush your emotions aside and come on cheerfully to your net. MARS members tend to pick up the emotion of the NCS.

13. Don't fake it - If you do fake it, make sure you don't get caught. As I mentioned before, an instructor/NCS must establish credibility. An honest "I don't know, but I'll find out the answer" works well, or you might try a relay question. This question is so named because you relay the question asked of you to a member of the net who may know the answer. This also gives you a chance to think!

14. Don't display distracting mannerisms - A distracting mannerism is anything you say or do that interferes with your net members’ learning. The most obvious of these are the overuse of "OK" or "all right" and “A”. These mannerisms tend to distract your net’s attention.