Thanks for stopping by the homepage of the Ohio Slow Net! Established in 1958, this net invites ALL hams that are interested in CW traffic handling, whether they are just beginning or have been passing traffic for years. If you want to increase your code speed, make new friends, and add to your enjoyment of Amateur Radio please check in. OSN is an NTS affiliated net with a liaison to the Buckeye Net.

   Starting 01/09/2006, OSN will become a full-fledged training net for CW traffic handling! With the permission of the Maryland Slow Net, OSN is using their training package that comes in 5 different sections: Basic, Advanced, Liaison, Instructor and NCS. There are a total of 188 messages in radiogram form with the first 55 being the Basic Course. You may start the training program at any time and there is no time limit to complete the program. If you would like to start the program, upon checking in, let the NCS know that you wish to take the training course. He will then pair you up with an instructor then send you both off frequency to get some basic information. On subsequent check-ins, let the NCS know if you have traffic or not and the next training message that you need (i.e. DE K8IG GE HENRY QRU ES TNG MSG 21 PSE K). Your Instructor will give you more information when you start the course. 

It does not matter where you live in Ohio or even the U.S. It's easy to check in!! Just follow these easy steps!!!

1. You will hear an opening message from the Net Control Station. The NCS will call the net to order, sending such as "CQ CQ OSN CQ OHIO SLOW NET PART OF NTS AND ALL ARE WELCOME OSN QND QNZ PSE (the NCS may send a series of V's or a 5-6 second solid tone) QNN (call sign/name) OSN DE (call sign) QNI K

2. When you hear QNI, that is your signal to try to check in. You may check in by sending a letter or two from your call or just "dit dit". The NCS will send back the letter or letters that he heard. If it is the one you sent, then "come on down!"

3. Send DE (your call) QRU K. The QRU means that you have no new messages for the net.

4. You have now checked into the OSN. The NCS will send your call sign back to you and AS (didahdididit). That means wait or standby. The NCS will be back with you shortly.

5. Keep listening & copy as much as you can. Don't be frustrated if you don't get everything, keep going. After a while the NCS will call you again by using the suffix of your call (e.g. IG for K8IG). He will the ask for your name and QTH and welcome you to the net. The NCS will then check you out of the net by sending QRU QNX 73 K. You reply by sending DE (your call sign). DON'T try to send any faster than comfortable, the NCS will try to match your code speed.

6. Above all, HAVE FUN!!! We're waiting to hear you soon!

In CW, abbreviations are common & more so during net times to help keep things moving. Here are some of the more used ones in OSN.

NCS-The Net Control Station. This is the person that is running the net
QND-This means the net is being directed by the NCS
QNZ-This means to zero-beat the NCS' signal
QNN-This is the station that is the NCS for the session of the net
QNI-This means to go ahead & check in
QRU-This means that you have no message for the net
QTC, number & destination-This means that you have a message or messages for the net & where they are going
QNY Up (or Down) number-This means to move off frequency however many to pass your messages
QSP-This means is there any station that can handle a particular message
QNX-This means that you are excused from the net