SUBJECT: CONTROL AND OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTATION NETS

PURPOSE: To establish procedures for use of the ER\'s Operational
Communications Nets.

REFERENCES: RCEI 24-86

ATTACHMENTS: 1. Communication Nets and Control Stations

2\. Prowords

3\. Phonetic Alphabet

4\. ER Function Static Call Signs and Mission Identifiers

5\. Launch Range Control

ANNEXES: None

[1.0 GENERAL]{.underline}

A. The proper use of operational communications nets on the ER is as
important as the proper operation of tracking and data gathering
equipment. A message that is misunderstood or incomplete can cause a
hold or loss of data just as surely as can an equipment malfunction.

B. The procedures outlined below are designed to make the nets as
effective as possible. Although these procedures are written primarily
for use on the instrumentation nets, they apply to all operational nets.

[2.0 PROCEDURE]{.underline}

A. Each net must have a net control station (NCS) with responsibility
for all traffic and procedures on the net. A list of operational nets
and net controllers is included in Attachment 1.

B. Proper identification of the calling station and the called station
should preface each transmission. Radio call signs detailed in the RCEI
will be used (Attachment 4).

C. To minimize the possibility of a misunderstanding, each message
should be acknowledged by the receiving station. Acknowledgment should
be made only after the receiving station completely understands the
message. A list of words commonly used for brevity, and their meaning,
is included in Attachment 2. The phonetic alphabet is shown in
Attachment 3.

D. Good judgment should be used when deciding which items are important
enough to be passed on the nets, especially low in the count when nets
are busiest. However, if there is any doubt as to the importance of an
item, it should be passed to the net controller for evaluation.

E. Valuable net time can be saved if a few simple rules are followed:

1\. Have all the facts available when a trouble is reported. Normally,
time is saved if you get facts, evaluate the impact on support, and
obtain an estimate on repairs before the trouble is reported. An
exception should be made low in the count, when troubles should be
reported immediately and details should follow as soon as possible.

2\. Discussion of details can be more lengthy early in the count. Only
the more important troubles and readouts should be passed lower in the
count. Communications should be brief and factual.

3\. Short messages should be passed immediately following the preface
without waiting for acknowledgment. The preface of a longer message
should include a brief statement of the message, such as \"Operations -
Tel-4, I have readouts.\" This will aid the net controller in
establishing message priority.

4\. Items and readouts of less importance which would not materially
affect the progress of the operation should be held until requested or
the net is not busy.

5\. It should be emphasized that for a busy net to be error free, each
person passing a message on the net must be sure that the message is
understood and acknowledged.

F. Traffic should be crisp but not to the point where a repeat would be
necessary. Take care when passing information to be copied that the
receiver has been given a moment to prepare for reception. Remember, it
is not possible to copy as fast as it is to read.

G. From the time a net has been manned, no participant should leave the
net unless released by net control.

H. DO NOT - Conduct small talk on operational nets

\- Talk too fast

\- Interrupt transmission of higher priority

\- Use personal names

\- Use profane, indecent, or obscene language

\- Use unnecessary words (for example, ROGER [that, that is]{.underline}
AFFIRMATIVE, WAIT

ONE, [I\'ll have to check]{.underline}

\- Use \"CB\" or \"Ham\" language

\- Request hold or scrub status gathered from unofficial sources

DO - Form what you want to say before you say it and have as much
information

available as possible.

\- Be brief and accurate

\- Speak clearly and distinctly

\- Be patient and courteous

ATTACHMENT 1

COMMUNICATION NETS AND CONTROL STATIONS

[Communication Net]{.underline} [Net Control Station]{.underline}

ATTACHMENT 2

PROWORDS

[Proword]{.underline} [Explanation]{.underline}

Affirmative Yes

Break Separates the text from other portions of the message

Break Break Interruption of traffic in progress for traffic of higher
priority

Correction There is a mistake in this transmission

FMC Equipment is operational (Fully Mission Capable)

I read back I am repeating your message as I copied it

I say again I am repeating transmission or portion indicated

Negative No

NMC Equipment is not operational; cannot support the **operation**

as required (Not Mission Capable)

PMC Equipment can support with a quick or partial repair (Partial

Mission Capable)

Roger I have received your last transmission satisfactorily. Do not

use in place of affirmative

Say again Repeat all of the following part of your last transmission

Standby or Wait Please wait a short time

That is correct You are correct, or all that was transmitted is correct

Wilco I have received your transmission, understand your instruc-

tions, and I will comply.

ATTACHMENT 3

PHONETIC ALPHABET

A - Alpha N - November

B - Bravo O - Oscar

C - Charlie P - Papa

D - Delta Q - Quebec

E - Echo R - Romeo

F - Foxtrot S - Sierra

G - Golf T - Tango

H - Hotel U - Uniform

I - India V - Victor

J - Juliet W - Whiskey

K - Kilo X - X-ray

L - Lima Y - Yankee

M - Mike Z - Zulu

ATTACHMENT 4

ER FUNCTION STATIC CALL SIGNS AND MISSION IDENTIFIERS

[Instrumentation]{.underline} [Static Call Sign\*\*]{.underline}
[Mission Identifier]{.underline}

ATTACHMENT 4

[Instrumentation]{.underline} [Static Call Sign\*\*]{.underline}
[Mission Identifier]{.underline}

ATTACHMENT 4

[Instrumentation]{.underline} [Static Call Sign\*\*]{.underline}
[Mission Identifier]{.underline}

Sub-units of particular stations/systems may use alphabetic designators
\"A\" through \"Z\"

\* - Station/Site Number

ATTACHMENT 5

LAUNCH RANGE CONTROL