Nets — regularly scheduled on-the-air meetings of hams who have common interests — are among the oldest ham radio activities. The first net was probably formed as soon as two hams went on the air. Sometimes, the nets are strictly for pleasure, to discuss topics such as collecting things, playing radio chess, or pursuing awards. Other nets are more utilitarian, such as those for traffic handling, emergency services, and weather reporting.

Listen the net live. It started out just as a group of people meeting to chat each evening. It has a long history of handling traffic for mariners who are out of touch with friends and family. Several stations have phone patches enabling them to put you right on the line to talk to your loved ones. It is also a useful place for CW emergency communications as there is almost always someone monitoring the frequencies.

An amateur radio net , or simply ham net , is an " on-the-air " gathering of amateur radio operators. Most nets convene on a regular schedule and specific frequency , and are organized for a particular purpose, such as relaying messages, discussing a common topic of interest, in severe weather for example, during a Skywarn activation , emergencies, or simply as a regular gathering of friends for conversation. Nets operate more or less formally depending on their purpose and organization. Groups of nets may organize and operate in collaboration for a common purpose, such as to pass along emergency messages in time of disaster.

It passes routine traffic and emergency communications between Radio Amateurs located in any country where passing third-party traffic is permitted. It also provides a forum for "rag-chewing" when there is no traffic to pass. Its primary function is to pass traffic from maritime mobiles and service personnel deployed overseas, but it also assists by passing traffic for missionaries and persons working abroad.