NET MANAGEMENT

TM 11-5820-890-10-8

NET MANAGEMENT

4.12.

4.12a.

Net Discipline

IMPORTANCE

Net discipline is important for all combat net radios, but it is especially

so for SINCGARS. For the members of the net to communicate, each

radio must have the same COMSEC key, FH data, and sync time. While

the NCS radio, set to the FH - M position, automatically maintains sync

time in all net radios within the required +/-- 4 second window, use of

the FH-M position by other than the NCS can cause the net to lose

common sync time and divide into two or more nets unable to

communicate among them.

UPDATES

COMSEC keys, TSKs, and SOI information must be replaced at

prescribed intervals. Changeover from one set of data to another

demands net discipline. Changeover must take place at the time

prescribed, and the new data being introduced must be the correct

data for that time.

SYNC TIME

Net discipline is especially critical to the maintenance of exact sync

time.

Nets are opened using precise GPS time, and NCS

transmissions pull the operating sync time of net member radios to that

of the NCS radio. Also, the SINCGARS radio offers the operator the

means for reading the sync time in the radio. The ANCD and PLGR

offer the means for reloading sync time into the radio. But when

SINCGARS operators misuse their TIME control, they can be effectively

taken out of the FH net. An important aspect of operator net discipline

is to leave the TIME control alone unless there is a specific need to

make a change.

LOADING CUE FREQ

Most net operators require a CUE frequency only when they need to

perform a CUE and ERF method of late net entry. If a CUE frequency is

loaded routinely, that operator will see a "CUE" message in the radio

display every time any station sends a CUE signal. Only the NCS and

alternate NCSs should routinely load a CUE frequency. Net operators

can obtain the required CUE frequency from their ANCD when one is

needed.

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