ok so ive been checking into my local 2m net every tuesday for like a year now and i still feel like im guessing half the time when it comes to the right moment to say something or ask a question during the net. like the net control will say "any further traffic or comments" and sometimes i want to say something but i freeze up because i dont know if thats actually the right window or if im supposed to have already said something earlier when he asked for check-ins.

also whats the deal with breaking in between stations when theres an ongoing conversation on a simplex frequency? i know you say your callsign but how long do you wait before trying again if nobody responds? i feel like ive been way too timid about this stuff and its probably holding me back. my elmer passed away last spring and i dont really have anyone local to ask anymore so figured id just post here.

First off, sorry to hear about your elmer. That's a real loss and it sounds like he meant a lot to you.

On the net question — yeah that "any further traffic or comments" window is exactly the right time for general stuff. If you have something specific to the net topic or just want to make a comment, that's your moment. The earlier check-in window is really just for saying you're present and maybe passing formal traffic if you have any. Some nets are more relaxed than others about this though, so honestly just listen to how other folks handle it for a couple sessions and you'll get a feel for that particular net's vibe.

For breaking into a simplex QSO, the usual thing is to just say your callsign once during a pause between transmissions. If they dont acknowledge you after a couple tries spaced out a bit, they probably didnt hear you or they're in the middle of something urgent. Try again or just wait. Nobody's going to get mad at you for a polite break. The worst that usually happens is they finish their conversation and then come back to you.

honestly i was in the same boat when i first started and the thing that helped me most was just doing it wrong a couple times lol. like i jumped in at the wrong moment once and the net control just gently redirected me and that was it. no drama. most net controls are pretty patient especially with newer folks.

one thing i'll add is if you're ever unsure just listen to a few nets on something like a websdr before you check in, sometimes hearing other people mess up the timing and seeing how it gets handled is more useful than any explanation. also some nets have their procedures posted online if its an affiliated club net, worth looking up.