Tactical calls are used to identify a location or individual operator or both during an event. The tactical call allows you to contact a location without knowing the FCC call of the operator there. It also eliminates confusion if at shift change or a person takes a break from operating.
Tactical calls should be used for all emergency nets once there are more than three participants and if there is more than minimal traffic.
Normally net control assigns tactical calls as each location is opened. It's normally some unique identifier that indicates the location or function.
During Sunday's Net activation we decided it was best to assign tactical call signs and the task was left up to Miles KF6KAU to assign them. The tactical call signs used were common tactile call signs used by the sheriff's department. In the future tactile call signs assigned will be different than those used by the sheriff's department to help eliminate confusion.
When tactical call signs are assigned by the Net Control, e.g., Division 1, Division 2, Branch 1, Branch 2, etc., the operator uses the tactical call sign. The operator's amateur call sign must still be used at least every 10 minutes during an exchange of transmissions (Charlie 26 - KF6EVA).
During next Sunday's weekly Disaster Preparedness net we will be discussing tactical call signs.
