SECURITY In the interest of security, transmission by R/T should be as short and concise as possible. All operators must be cautioned that transmission by R/T is subject to enemy interception, and care must be taken when passing information. The following basic rules are essential to transmission security and are to be strictly enforced: 1. No transmission will be made unless it has been authorized by proper authority. 2. The following practices are forbidden: Violation of radio silence Unofficial conversation between operators Transmitting on a direct net without permission Excessive tuning and testing Transmitting the operator's personal sign Unauthorized use of plain language Use of other than authorized prowords Linkage or compromise of classified call signs and address groups by plain language disclosures or association with unclassified call signs Profane, indecent, or obscene language 3. The following practices are to be avoided: Use of excessive transmitting power Excessive time consumed in tuning, changing frequency, or adjusting equipment Transmitting at a speed beyond the capabilities of receiving operators RADIO NET A radio net is the organization of two or more stations in direct communication on a common channel. Usually the senior station in the circuit is net control, and it directs the operation and flow of traffic on the net. The type of net and method of operation is determined from consideration of operational factors involved. In a free net, the net control station (NCS) authorizes stations to transmit traffic to other stations without first obtaining permission from NCS. However, the NCS is not relieved of responsibility for maintaining circuit discipline. In a direct net, stations must obtain permission from NCS before communicating with other stations. When two or more stations have traffic to send, NCS grants permission in order of message precedence. An exception is that flash messages may be sent direct. A net is deemed to be a free net unless otherwise ordered. To change the type of net in effect, the NCS will transmit, “This is a free net” or "This is a directed net," as appropriate. Free and direct nets are generally associated with, but are not restricted to, administrative circuits in port. They are a means of net operation and should not be confused with specifically named circuits; for example, task group reporting net, naval gunfire control net, task group tactical/ warning net. CIRCUIT LOGS Circuit logs are maintained, when possible, on all R/T nets or circuits. The log should show a complete record of all transmitted and received traffic and of operating conditions. The log should also include the following: Time of entering and leaving the circuit Causes of delays on the circuit Frequency adjustments and changes Unusual occurrences, such as procedures and security violation Messages addressed to, or relayed by, the receiving station are written in full on a message blank. Only sufficient data needs to be entered in the log to identify the message (originator, time of receipt, and the date-time group). Other messages should be logged with as much detail as possible. A watch-to-watch record of circuit operators is kept, with each operator signing the log on being relieved. No entries will be erased. Necessary changes are made by drawing a single line through the original entry and then entering the change adjacent to the lined-out entry. The operator making the change initials the correction. All entries must he legible. Abbreviations may be used, but they must be readily understood. 4-14