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ARRL National Traffic System ARRL Volume 39, Issue 11 November 2008 Inside this issue: ARRL National Traffic System NTS 1 The National Traffic System plan is a means for systematizing amateur traffic handling facilities by making a structure available for an integrated traffic facil- What is NTS? 2-3 ity designed to achieve the utmost in two principal objectives: rapid movement Members 4 of traffic from origin to destination, and training amateur operators to handle written traffic and participate in directed nets. These two objectives, which sometimes conflict with each other, are the underlying foundations of the Na- tional Traffic System. NTS operates daily, even continuously with the advent of the advanced digital links of today. IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2008 The personnel consists of operators who participate for one or two periods a • 1 Nov—Club Breakfast week, and some who are active daily. The National Traffic System is an organ- • 16 Nov—JARSFEST ized effort to handle traffic in accordance with a plan which is easily under- stood, is basically sound, and which employs modern methods of network traf- • 6 Dec—Club Breakfast fic handling in general acceptance today. • 6 Dec—Skywarn Recognition Day NTS is not intended as a deterrent or competition for the many independently- organized traffic networks. When necessitated by overload or lack of outlet for traffic, the facilities of such networks can function as alternate traffic routings where this is indicated in the best interest of efficient message relay and/or delivery. One of the most important features of NTS is the "system concept." No NTS net is an independent entity which can conduct its activities without concern for or consideration of other NTS nets. Each net performs its function and only its function in the overall organization. To whatever extent nets fail to perform their functions or perform functions intended for other nets, to this extent is the overall system adversely affected. Nets may sometimes find it necessary to adopt temporary expedients to ensure the movement of traffic, and this is considered improper operation only when no attempt is made to return to the normal schedule. Nevertheless, improper operation of any NTS net is the concern of all NTS nets, and every effort should be made to assist in returning any non-functioning or improperly functioning net to its normal operation. For more on the NTS visit the following URL; http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ pscm/sec2-ch1.html What is the NTS? The NTS is a field organization of the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) which was formed to pass formal written messages (traffic) from any point in the United States to any other point. The NTS has it origins in the earliest days of radio as indicated by the name, "American Radio Relay League". These messages, which are put in a standard format called a "radiogram", are relayed from one ham to another, using a variety of modes, including voice, Morse code, radio teletype, or packet. The message is ultimately delivered to the addressee by an NTS operator who lives fairly close to the recipient, either by telephone, mail, or hand delivery (uncommon). During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used to communicate information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or welfare of a disaster victim. During these times, the NTS works in concert with the ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and other emergency and disaster relief organizations, such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. But even when there is no emergency, the NTS operates every day and is used by thousands of people -- hams and non-hams -- to send and receive brief messages of a personal, non-commercial nature, such as birthday greetings, congratulations on a special event, or wishes for a speedy recovery. Subject to international treaties governing "third party" messages, many foreign countries also allow their hams to exchange radiograms with US hams. How are NTS Messages Handled? Messages can originate from either hams or non-hams. Non-hams who would like to send a radiogram should contact a ham friend or neighbor. There is no charge for a radiogram. Radiograms are one way hams serve the public, and they are welcomed as a way to train new traffic handlers and keep the experienced handlers in practice. Messages are usually relayed using a system of "nets". Nets are on-the-air meetings of message handlers at an appointed time and a designated frequency. There are four levels of nets, each covering broader territory -- local, section, regional, and area. Local nets relay messages to and from the Section nets; Section nets to the Region nets; Region nets to the Area nets. These nets are held throughout the day in order to move messages around the country. (Only designated operators participate in the Region and Area nets. These nets are not open for general participation.) Digital Modes NTS messages can also be initiated or relayed using digital modes. For long distance relays, there is a digital HF (High Frequency) version of NTS, called NTSD (Digital). NTSD operators use Pactor digital modes on the 80, 40, 30, and 20 meter HF frequencies. Designated NTSD operators in each region and area relay messages, either between regions or to and from the area stations. The hierarchy and stations in the NTSD are illustrated at http://home.earthlink.net/~bscottmd/n_t_s_d.htm At the local level, packet is often used. NTS packet messages can be initiated and sent by any packet-capable operator. Messages for delivery are posted on cooperating NTS PBBSs (Packet Bulletin Board Systems). Messages come into these BBSs from the NTSD HF network or from local packet networks in nearby sections or regions. In addition, any voice NTS messages that might not have been picked up on a voice net (see above) can be posted to an NTS PBBS. One of the big advantages of a PBBS is that it will hold messages for later pickup, perhaps by an NTS operator who wasn't able to listen to the voice net. How to become an NTS Message Handler Any Amateur Radio license holder can become an NTS operator. To get started, you first might want to read about general NTS system operations, standard net procedures, and the radiogram format. Here are some information sites on the internet: • ARRL Radiograms Overview • Explanation of ARRL Numbered Radiogram Messages and Precedences • Explanation of how to fill out an NTS form - also definitions of Q signals and an extensive prosign-proword glossary • Counting Message Text for Net Traffic Handling • Chapter 2: National Traffic System (NTS) - from the ARRL"Public Service Communication Manual"; also available as a .PDF file or print copy o Get the Adobe Acrobat PDF file viewer - free download Then, tune in to a NTS local net (check the ARRL net directory at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/nets/) and listen at least once to the entire net. This will give you a sense of how the NTS nets are conducted and how the operators communicate. A next step might be to practice copying the messages you hear being relayed. (You would do this without checking in to the net.) The copying process will help you become familiar with the radiogram form. Then, when you're ready, simply check in to any local net when the net control asks for check-ins. Be sure to mention that this is your first check-in to an NTS Net. (You'll find the other operators eager to help and very patient.) Remember that your participation is always voluntary. Even if you check in, you don't need to handle any traffic if you don't want to. And remember, NTS message handling skills are valuable in other volunteer services, including ARES and RACES. Additional information on NTS is available at http://www.arrl.org The Onslow Amateur Radio Club, Inc. Onslow Amateur Radio Club P.O. Box 841 Jacksonville, NC 28541-0841 Club Officers: President Timothy R. (Tim) Mahlow N3NVZ Jacksonville, NC Newsletter Editor: Jerry O. Jones Vice President Jerry O. Jones KF4ASE Jacksonville, NC Phone: 910-265-3724 E-mail: [email protected] Secretary /Treasurer Scott Bradley KI4SKQ Hubert, NC Board of Directors: Club Repeaters: Douglas D. (Doug) Baber KC4FYW Stella, NC WD4FVO 145.190— T88.5 Robert D. (Bob) Fox KB2XI Swansboro, NC NC4OC 147.000—(off air) Thomas T. (Tom) Hill KJ4IV Hubert, NC William (Bill) Wilson KA5GHI Richlands, NC Club Nets: Members Listing: ARES Net Thursday’s at 8:00 PM Kenneth E. Allinson K6CIL Maysville, NC On 145.190— T88.5 Loy Bean KN4SA Jacksonville, NC Myron Beaver KE4EDS Jacksonville, NC Preston A. (Bert) Carter WA4TLI Cary, NC James R. (Jim) Cook WB4HTP Hampstead, NC Ned R. Chilcote AE4TU Hubert, NC Visit us on the web at www.Onslowarc.org Ned T. (Tom) Chilcote KU4SA Hubert, NC Stephen (Steve) Clift KJ4BPP Swansboro, NC Kenneth Creamer K8JYL Jacksonville, NC For Sale Elbert N. Ervin WA4GSM Richlands, NC Items listed below are for sale by Betty E. Fox N2FPY Swansboro, NC Bob Hewitt, WD4OGS (910) 389- Ray Frasure KI4QCW Camp Lejeune, NC 6273, [email protected] Robert E. Hall KC4YZK Jacksonville, NC -80 Ft. of Ron 25 tower with ca- Gregory W. Heath KJ4BKF Jacksonville, NC bles . No mooring or tie down an- Robert L. Hewitt WD4OGS Richlands, NC chors. A tilt base and some mount- Charles H. Jarman KI4JDR Jacksonville, NC ing hardware. $500.00 Ronald E. (Ron) Kruk K4SRK Jacksonville, NC Patrick Maloney KD1XX Jacksonville, NC -A six meter Azden radio 50 watts $150.00 Mary Maloney N1TLM Jacksonville, NC Hans J. Miller KB4BI Jacksonville, NC Ronald Litwicki KB9RYR Maysville, NC Brian O’Hara KJ4GPW Swansboro, NC James G.
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