Beginning August 1 at 0100 UTC.   
   Frequency:  3810 khz or first clear spot between 3810 and the general class   
   sub-band limit.   
   Essentially 3810 khz or next clear spot below 3810 but above 3803 khz.   
      
   Duration:  We'll try to remain actively guarding that frequency until 0500   
   UTC.    
      
   The net will handle all legal traffic.  Any traffic which would be other than   
   an informal "words with" etc. should be formal written traffic.    
   Net members such as NTS liaisons with other nets may wish to assist those not   
   conversant with formulating formal messages.    
      
                               Rationale   
      
   The central area night watch is not intended to draw usual   
   functions such as tcc schedules from the usual scheduled cyclic activity of   
   region and area nets within central area.  Its sole purpose is providing   
   manual access to the NTS structure for   
   stations who may for whatever reason be unable to access normal Morse circuits   
   during those hours.   A second purpose is to provide support for ARRL sections   
   experiencing communication difficulties and outages due to disasters or large   
   scale emergencies.   
      
   Many sections do not operate late sessions of their cycle 4 nets. Although   
   parts of regions 5 and 7 may be covered by the presence of independent phone   
   nets the remainder of central area is under served after about 0115 UTC.        
   This will give stations who would otherwise be able to provide access to NTSD   
   circuits who are not cw operators a method to pick up traffic.    
      
   With some daytime nets within central area unable to provide every day service   
   methods of access to the system in addition to those during limited times is   
   desirable to help educate and recruit new traffic handlers.  By encouraging   
   mobiles and others to maintain a listening watch during nighttime hours with a   
   controlled net helping facilitate communications could provide great benefits   
   as I discussed in the white paper I submitted to multiple ARRL bodies, and for   
   public comment.    
      
   This is a pilot project which will begin running August first at 0100Z.    
      
   Another important reason for the net to exist would be the standing up of an   
   emergency resource almost immediately when needed.  This would provide all   
   comers with outlets for traffic, including health and welfare advisories from   
   the disaster area and tactical   
   messages, both formal and informal.    
      
   Short term goal is to maintain a directed net until 0300 UTC daily with   
   stations standing a watch over that frequency until 0500. When a pattern of   
   activity is established for the net eventual goals would be to stand up   
   controlled net operations first quarter of every hour or until business   
   handled, with a listening watch the other 45 minutes of each hour.    
      
   All stations with appropriate amateur privileges are encouraged to utilize the   
   facilities of Central Area Nightwatch.    
      
   Central Area NIghtwatch is part of the ARRl National Traffic system.  All   
   stations are welcome.   
      
   Richard Webb, NF5B   
      
   Chair, ARRl NTS Central Area   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:116/901)