The Arkansas Section Traffic Emergency Net (ASTEN) operates each Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM on the AR-LINK SYSTEM. The "AR-link System net" and "The Arkansas Section Traffic Emergency Net" have combined for the purposes of this net, and the common reference used for this net is ASTEN AR-LINK SYSTEM NET.

We meet for training, information and exercise in the public service communication arts.  We focus on preparation and readiness for public service, be it scheduled events like bike races or drills, or emergencies such as storm damage or terrorist attacks. Someone has to be ready.  This net is dedicated to addressing that challenge.  

What is ASTEN?

We try to provide an environment where people with the passion can do real things, learn and hone skills, and put their equipment through the paces.  We don't recruit people to any organization or mission.  Well, that's not entirely true. We are Club Neutral, but we do promote the Arkansas ARRL Section, ARES, RACES and the National Traffic System.

We also promote useful, interesting things to do, so that you have the opportunity to acquire hands-on, boots-on-the-ground experience.  But that experience can be applied anywhere you want, be it in one of the organized groups like Skywarn, Red Cross, an EOC, or just for your own competency and self confidence. 

Instead of re-inventing the wheel by organizing yet another top-down hierarchy, we focus on bottom-up training and preparation of the individual to qualify him/her to serve in Emergency Communications and becoming a better operator.  We don't care where people serve; we just want them to be competent and capable when they do.

NET PHILOSOPHIES: 

•Names on a list mean little; it's those who show up who serve and thereby receive the benefit. 

•A servant spirit is the most important quality.  Everything else can be taught.

•It's not about the radio.  It's about people helping people in ways that can't be accomplished without communications.

•A well-run net is smarter than the sum of its participants' I.Q's. 

•Participation and mistakes are the currency of learning. 

•To strengthen the public-service community, strengthen the individual.  Help them be capable and resourceful where ever they serve.

•Volunteers can be permitted or prevented, but they cannot be forced.  Like herding cats, they can only be attracted.

•The best disaster-response plans are simple, such as, "When trouble strikes in Arkansas, tune here."

•Hams can activate the net on a whim, but we cannot deploy unless invited by an authority.

•Life, love, and people come first, and then everything else.

FORMAT:  On-air exercises, practice drills, and equipment tests while honing operator skills.  Expect to do and learn real stuff.  This is not a quickie "check-in" net or social roundtable net.  Several good nets serve those purposes already. 

TOPICS:  The focus topic changes each week. 

•Operational topics -- such as using tactical call-signs, working with non-hams, and public service job descriptions

•Equipment topics -- such as portable antennas, caring for batteries, and how to recover from equipment failures

•Organizational topics -- such as the Incident Command System, activation and callout procedures, and the role of Emergency Operations Centers

AFFILIATION:  The net is an activity, not a separate organization.  Net participants may choose to get "real-world" experience through public service events organized by Local Groups or respond to drills and emergency activations with ARES/RACES and their Served Agencies.

Membership in the ARRL and ARES is encouraged, but definitely is not required for net participation.  Net members may represent other respected groups such as SATERN, Red Cross, Skywarn, CERT, MARS and others.  The different missions of these groups are equally served by the net training activities.

PARTICIPANTS:  All Amateur Radio Operators are welcome to participate regardless of skills or experience levels.  Hams in other States are invited, too. 

EXPECTATIONS:  We have fun, but that's not our primary objective.  Equipment will be exercised.  Mistakes will be made and corrected.  Skills will be learned and improved. 

"Anything worth doing is worth doing well."

"Anything worth doing well is worth messing up while you're learning."

Come learn with us.

Contact us:

Net Manager – John Godfrey,

Thanks to Tom Harris K5WTH for his work on this article, and a special thanks to www.AEN-MAR.org for the original work, and great ideas.

This document is continually revised to reflect changes in frequency, times and standard practices.