Volunteer with the Pacific Seafarers' Net

The Pacific Seafarers' Net operates entirely through dedicated volunteers who contribute their time, expertise, and equipment to serve the cruising community. If you're a licensed amateur radio operator interested in maritime communications and helping offshore voyagers, we welcome your participation in this rewarding volunteer effort.

Why Volunteer with PacSeaNet?

Volunteering with the Pacific Seafarers' Net offers unique rewards:

Make a Real Difference: Your volunteer work directly supports sailors crossing oceans, provides peace of mind to families ashore, and contributes to maritime safety. The services you help provide are genuinely valuable to the cruising community.

Improve Your Operating Skills: Net control operations, traffic handling, and maritime communications require and develop sophisticated amateur radio skills. Many volunteers report significant improvement in their operating proficiency.

Connect with the Cruising Community: Even if you're land-based, volunteering with PacSeaNet connects you to the worldwide community of ocean voyagers. You'll hear stories of adventures, share in the excitement of successful passages, and build friendships across oceans.

Flexible Commitment: We accommodate volunteers' schedules and availability. Whether you can help weekly or occasionally, your contribution is valuable.

Be Part of a Team: Join experienced operators who share your interest in amateur radio and maritime communications. The PacSeaNet volunteer team is supportive, collaborative, and committed to excellent service.

Volunteer Roles

The Pacific Seafarers' Net has several volunteer positions, each requiring different skills and commitments:

Net Control Operator

Net control operators manage daily net operations, conducting roll calls, recording check-ins, handling traffic, and ensuring smooth, efficient net sessions.

Requirements:

• General or Extra class amateur radio license
• Excellent voice procedure and operating skills
• HF station capable of reliable operation on 14300 kHz
• Good quality audio (clear microphone and properly adjusted equipment)
• Ability to manage multiple stations and handle traffic efficiently
• Patience, professionalism, and welcoming attitude toward new participants
• Commitment to scheduled net sessions

Time Commitment: Net control operators typically commit to managing one or more net sessions per week. Each session lasts 45-90 minutes depending on participation levels.

According to the ARRL Net Directory and resources, experienced net control operations require practice and dedication, but the skills developed are valuable throughout amateur radio.

Scribe

Scribes listen to net operations and meticulously record all position reports, weather data, traffic, and other information shared during the net. They compile this data into YOTREPS and other reports.

Requirements:

• Any class amateur radio license
• Excellent attention to detail and accurate transcription skills
• Ability to receive 14300 kHz clearly (antenna and receiver)
• Computer skills for compiling reports
• Reliable schedule to commit to specific net sessions

Time Commitment: Scribes commit to logging specific net sessions (typically one or more per week) plus time after the net to compile and distribute reports (approximately 30-60 minutes post-net).

Relay Station

Relay stations assist with difficult propagation situations, relaying transmissions between net control and vessels that are having communication difficulties.

Requirements:

• General or Extra class license
• Good HF station on 20 meters
• Ability to receive both net control and distant maritime mobiles
• Quick thinking and efficient relay skills
• Available during net times to stand by for relay requests

Time Commitment: Relay stations typically monitor nets when available, standing by to assist when propagation difficulties arise. The commitment is flexible—help when you can.

Administrative Support

Behind-the-scenes support roles include scheduling coordination, volunteer recruitment, documentation maintenance, website updates, and general organizational tasks.

Requirements:

• Organizational and communication skills
• Computer proficiency
• Amateur radio license (not required for all admin roles)
• Commitment to specific projects or ongoing support

Equipment Recommendations

To volunteer effectively with the PacSeaNet, you'll need appropriate equipment. While requirements vary by role, general recommendations include:

For Net Control and Relay Operators:

• HF transceiver with 100 watts output (or amplifier)
• Effective antenna for 20 meters (dipole, vertical, or beam)
• High-quality microphone with proper audio characteristics
• Quiet operating location (RF noise can impair weak signal reception)
• Computer for logging and accessing net documentation

For Scribes:

• HF receiver or transceiver
• Antenna adequate for receiving 14300 kHz
• Computer for compiling reports
• Quiet environment for listening to transmissions

Training and Mentorship

New volunteers receive comprehensive training and mentorship from experienced team members. We don't expect you to be perfect from day one—we'll help you develop the necessary skills and confidence.

Net Control Training: New net control operators typically shadow experienced operators, co-control nets with mentors, and gradually take on full responsibility as confidence builds.

Scribe Training: New scribes receive detailed guidance on logging procedures, report formats, and information management systems.

Ongoing Support: All volunteers have access to experienced team members for questions, advice, and support. We're a team, and we help each other succeed.

Time Zones and Availability

The PacSeaNet operates at 0300 UTC, which translates to different local times depending on your location:

• U.S. West Coast: 7:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM PDT (evening)
• U.S. East Coast: 10:00 PM EST / 11:00 PM EDT (late evening)
• Hawaii: 5:00 PM HST (late afternoon)
• New Zealand: 4:00 PM NZDT (afternoon)
• Australia East Coast: 2:00 PM AEDT (afternoon)

Volunteers from different time zones can accommodate different schedules. We particularly welcome volunteers in the Pacific, Asia, and Oceania regions where our net time falls during convenient afternoon or evening hours.

Getting Started as a Volunteer

If you're interested in volunteering with the Pacific Seafarers' Net:

1. Listen to the Net: Tune in to several net sessions to familiarize yourself with our operations
2. Check Your Equipment: Ensure your station can effectively operate on 14300 kHz
3. Contact Us: Reach out during net operations or through our contact channels
4. Discuss Opportunities: We'll talk about which role might be the best fit for your skills and availability
5. Begin Training: Start the mentorship process with experienced team members
6. Start Volunteering: Begin contributing to the PacSeaNet mission

Volunteer Recognition

While we're all volunteers who give our time freely, we do recognize and appreciate the contributions of our team members. Long-serving volunteers are acknowledged within the amateur radio community, and the satisfaction of providing valuable service to the cruising community is the greatest reward.

Many former cruisers who were once served by the PacSeaNet return to volunteer after completing their voyages, giving back to the network that supported them during their own ocean crossings. This cycle of service strengthens our community and ensures the PacSeaNet continues serving future generations of ocean voyagers.

Join Our Team

The Pacific Seafarers' Net welcomes qualified amateur radio operators who want to contribute to maritime safety and support the cruising community. Your skills and dedication can make a real difference in the lives of sailors crossing oceans and families monitoring their progress from ashore.

If you're ready to join our volunteer team, we'd love to hear from you. Together, we'll continue the PacSeaNet tradition of excellent service to offshore cruisers worldwide.