National Traffic SystemTM1 Introduction (and Radio Relay InternationalTM2)
1Trademark of American Radio Relay League, Inc. 2Tradmark of Radio Relay International, Inc. Outline
• What is NTS ? • What is RRI ? • How does it work ? • How can ARES and NTS/RRI work together? • Handling NTS/RRI Messages • References
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 2 What is NTS ?
• The National Traffic System (NTS) is a formal Network of Amateur Radio operators who volunteer their time and equipment, to routinely and reliably pass third‐party messages (“traffic”) via radio relay networks. This can be “routine” or “emergency” traffic. Third‐parties may be non‐hams.
• Relaying traffic has been an inherent part of the amateur radio service since its inception, and that fact is reflected in the name of the national organization of Amateur operators, the American Radio Relay League.
• NTS was formalized under the current name and structure in the late 1940’s, as originally published in QST in September of 1949. Although it’s name suggests a National organization, it has spread worldwide.
• NTS and National Traffic System are registered trademarks of the ARRL.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 3 What is RRI ?
• Radio Relay International, IRR, is a newly formed non‐profit corporation, which completely and seamlessly overlaps the NTS system in function. It uses the same message formats, protocols, addressing and even uses the same radio “net” schedules as NTS.
• In practice, NTS infrastructure has largely been incorporated into RRI.
• RRI was formed in 2016 to fill voids due to an untenable relationship created between ARRL Headquarters and the NTS field organization.
• The field organization continues to operate, as strong as ever, under the independently trademarked and copyrighted “RRI” and Digital Traffic Network (DTN). • Every volunteer is dedicated to getting your message through to its destination.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 4 Why?
• In disaster, internet and commercial comms may be down locally or over wide area. • Public service – routine messages for the public are good practice. • It’s fun! • LA Section Traffic Manager, K6HTN, says it best in her three part “TFC School Videos”: – https://youtu.be/4xP6dRvT4rM?t=213
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 5 What kind of messages ?
• Personal messages are fine! – Originate and solicit messages to/from your friends and relatives. • Routine and Emergency messages. – Emergency messages are not the only purpose for NTS/RRI. – Consider using NTS service messages for ARES administrative communications, particularly between groups.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 6 How does it work ?
• There are essentially two components to the RRI and NTS systems. Both have a hierarchical structure. – The “Traditional” mode networks: CW and SSB – The Digital networks: (DTN/NTSD)
• Local Networks pick up new traffic and deliver traffic for that locality. If the traffic is for a distant location, it is relayed to the next layer in the network.
• Regional Networks pass traffic to/from the local networks to their respective Area Networks.
• Area Networks pass traffic to/from other areas (Transcontinental Corp).
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 7 RRI / NTS Hierarchy and Modes
US and Canada organized into Area, Region, and Local Nets • 3 Areas • 12 Regions
Traffic Flow: TCC
Area Nets Area Nets
HF Phone, CW, Digital Region Nets Region Nets
VHF/UHF Phone, HF Phone, CW, Digital Section/ Local Section / Local Nets Nets Graphic thanks to Dave Struebel, WB2FTX NTS Areas
PAN EAN CAN
Thanks to Dave Struebel, WB2FTX How Can ARES Leverage NTS/RRI?
• RRI / NTS – Provides a reliable, standing network infrastructure for passing local, regional, area, and worldwide traffic. – Current strength is in long‐haul message traffic – Infrastructure supports local traffic handling, but needs volunteers! • ARES: – Use local RRI/NTS services for routine local business – Establish routine information exchange with remote ARES and EC groups, via RRI/NTS. – Establish trained RRI/NTS liasons to promote and practice RRI‐ARES cooperation. – Organize and participate in ARES‐NTS‐RRI simulated tests.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 10 How Can “I” get involved?
• Familiarize yourself with the system and standard procedures – Watch Kate’s videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xP6dRvT4rM – Read the manuals • DTN ‐ http://ag6qo.com/RRIIntroductoryTrainingApprovedV1.pdf • NTS ‐ http://www.arrl.org/nts‐manual, http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%2520Service/MPG604A.pdf – Read the traffic handler’s newsletter, QNI – Join the forums, ask questions: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/radiograms/info – Originate and inject traffic (see AG6QO Radio Mail tutorial) – Invite people to send traffic to your station – Encourage your group to establish regular, routine practice traffic with like‐groups • Levels of involvement – Individual – originate/receive/deliver RRI/NTS traffic via • Check in to local or regional nets or digital relay stations – Become a Digital Network Station (DNS) / Digital Relay Station (DRS) – Become a CW/SSB net control station
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 11 Suggested Yolo Exercise
• Suggest a Monthly “Mutual Aid Exercise” • Voice net “Practice Message” generated by volunteer and passed to volunteer DTN liason for entry into DTN. • Addressed to remote ARES / EmComm requesting reply. • LA and NV groups have expressed interest in exchange.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 12 RRI NTS Operations
• Remember! RRI/NTS is a multi‐mode network! – Your message may be originated on a SSB or FM net and passed through a digital network to a local CW net before it’s finally delivered! – A standard form is used across all these modes and methods to make operations seamless. – Radiogram form is that Standard – ICS 213 messages can be “wrapped” inside a Radiogram form. – Radiogram supports all‐mode nature of the RRI / NTS system.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 13 Standard Radiogram
Body should contain 5-word lines to speed manual word checks.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 14 Message Preamble
• NR 45 – Unique message number assigned by originating station • R – Message Precedence –“R”= Routine, “P”= Priority, “W”=Welfare, “EMERGENCY” • HXG – Handling Instructions (see http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/MPG104A.pdf) • AG6QO – Originating station • 16 –word count – message body only, counting “X” breaks • WINTERS – Originating location • 0449Z NOV 5 –Time originated
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 15 Handling Instructions
• HXA__ – (Followed by number.) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee within [....] – miles, (If no number, authorization is unlimited.). • HXB__ – (Followed by number.) Cancel message if not delivered within [....] hours of filing – time; service originating station. Use HXC , HXE • HXC frequently in – Report date and time of delivery of the message back to the originating station. practice • HXD exercises !!! – Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and – time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered, – report date and time and method of delivery (by service message). • HXE – Delivering station get reply from addressee, originate message back. • HXF__ – (Followed by a number.) Hold delivery until [date]. • HXG – Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll call or other expense – involved, cancel message and send service message back to originating station.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 16 Using the Digital Network
• Log in to AG6QO DTN using packet on 2m, PACTOR on HF, or via internet, or pass traffic to DTN‐liason on voice net or other means. • See “Radio Mail” presentation for instructions on various email‐like clients for interfacing with the digital system. • If enough interest, Joe will set up a hands‐on workshop to configure your system and show how to use it.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 17 Why Digital DTN/NTSD for EC ?
• Fast: – Much faster than voice • Accurate: – Digital is far more accurate than voice, especially for data and difficult items like drug names. • Deployable: – Packet is way more deployable than wifi or cellular data • Meets served agency needs: – Agencies need data/forms.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 18 Use a DTS to Send DTN/NTSD Traffic • First compose and format your message:
Required: Required: Required: Means Locality of Area code and “I have radio‐gram” Addressee Phone exchange of addressee if given. If not given: “No PHONE” Subject Line
Message No; Priority; Instructions; Originator; Count; Orig Location; Date Addressee
Message Body
See http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/MPG604A.pdf for details and standards.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 19 To Send NTS Traffic
• Next enter it into the BBS using the ST command of the form ST zipcode@NTSxx:
End your message with a line that starts with: /EX That’s IT! Your message will be sent via packet to the area specified in the address zip !
See http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/MPG604A.pdf for details and standards.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 20 To Receive NTS Traffic
• Use the LT command to “List Traffic”
• Must follow strict protocol to avoid loss or dead‐ending of messages – Do not “kill” a message unless you are committed to delivering it to the addressee ! – “Killing a message tells everyone YOU are going to deliver it. – If you read but DON’T kill a message, do NOT deliver it ! Some folks get annoyed at multiple calls for the same message. It’s unprofessional !
• AG6QO Digital Traffic Station (DTS) is available 24/7/365 on backup power. • Multiple ways to use the system. See Radio Mail presentation.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 21 CW NTS / RRI
• Oldest form of NTS traffic – http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/MPG304A.pdf • Low throughput –reason we keep NTS/RRI messages short (< 25 words if possible) • CW speeds can be very fast; 20‐25 words per minute typical • Slow CW nets are available for practice (as slow as necessary): – http://www.arrl.org/resources/nets/client/netdetail.html?mfind=3399 • Special methods developed to keep transmit times low and to reduce errors: – ARL Numbered Messages – Q‐signals
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 22 ARL Numbered Messages
• ARL “standard” messages save time and reduce errors • Must be “translated” to plain English prior to delivery (remember recipient may be non‐ham!) • See http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%2520Service/MPG104A.pdf – Example: ARL FORTY SEVEN –used in response to handling HXC messages • Reference your message number _____ to _____ delivered on _____ at _____ UTC.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 23 Q‐signals
• Used in the transfer of messages • Not part of the message itself • Think of it as a “protocol vocabulary” • http://www.arrl.org/files/fil e/Public%20Service/fsd218. pdf
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 24 Phone NTS / RRI
• Voice message transfer can actually be slower than CW (compared to fast CW nets). • UHF/VHF and SSB transfers are used • SSB nets on HF are the primary transfer outside local areas but are also used at the section level. • Use of FM repeaters for local nets is encouraged! • http://www.arrl.org/resources/nets/client/netdetail.html?mfi nd=2800 • http://www.arrl.org/resources/nets/client/netdetail.html?mfi nd=1746
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 25 Recommended
• K6HTN TFC School Videos – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xP6dRvT4r M&list=PLEBQ5G555YlLwj5FBnU‐ EwCyzdOvj1GEI&index=3
• Example NTS Voice Net – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcUYE1FGXSU
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 26 Reference Material
• Check out these website links: • Radio Relay International Introductory Training – http://ag6qo.com/RRIIntroductoryTrainingApprovedV1.pdf • Radio Relay International web site – http://radio‐relay.org/ • Digital Traffic Network Wiki page – http://nts‐digital.net/mw/index.php?title=Main_Page • Wikipedia page for National Traffic System – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Traffic_System • ARRL NTS‐Digital (NTSD) Manual – http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%2520Service/MPG604A.pdf • QNI –The Traffic Handler’s Newsletter – https://qni‐newsletter.net/ • AG6QO Radio Mail Tutorial – http://ag6qo.com/RadioMail.pdf • ARRL National Traffic System – http://www.arrl.org/nts • YouTube Video of CW NTS Net – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N96UP0Tz6g • This presentation: – http://ag6qo.com/YoloARESrri.pdf
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 27 Backup Radio Mail Reference
• The following slides are from a Radio Mail presentation • This explains in some detail how to use various methods to connect to AG6QO‐1 (or any other BPQ) Digital Network Station: – http://ag6qo.com/RadioMail.pdf
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 28 Standard BBS Interface
Requires “connect” command and login.
Requires individual commands to list, Read, and delete (kill) messages.
See the online user‐manual for a list of commands and their use: http://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/BBSUserCommands.html
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 29 Outpost BBS Interface
Ideal for EMCOMM. “Focus on the message, not the medium.” • Does all the connections and login for you.
• Automatically gets a message listing.
• Automatically downloads, and stores messages locally.
• Automatically “deletes” the messages from the BBS.
• Automatically logs out. http://www.outpostpm.org/ See “How To” to configure Outpost • Contains standard message forms. Also, see this video on using Outpost for NTS messages. 1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 30 AirMail BBS Interface
Ideal for EMCOMM. AirMail – message client also provides NTS and WinLink connections.
• Does all the connections and login for you.
• Automatically gets a message listing.
• Automatically downloads, and stores messages locally.
• Automatically “deletes” the messages from the BBS.
• Automatically logs out.
• Requires special BBS permission for Forwarding
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 31 Email Client Interface
Any POP mail Client such as Thunderbird, Outlook, or iPhone mail.
• Does all the connections and login for you.
• Automatically gets a message listing.
• Automatically downloads, and stores messages locally.
• Automatically “deletes” the messages from the BBS (optionally).
• Automatically logs out.
• Requires special BBS permission.
1/17/2017 Joe DeAngelo 32