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Subj: March 2025 NTS Letter
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=====================
March 2025 NTS Letter
=====================
Editor: Marcia Forde, KW1U - March 4, 2025
- NTS Callout Meeting, February 2025: Recap
- Radiogram Portal Update
- Treasure Hunt Update
- Clarification on Radiogram Portal Users and "Radiogrammers"
- New NTS Digital Working Group Facilitator: AB1PH
- From the Field: Boston Cape Cod Traffic Jam, HVN Book Traffic Night
- HVN Book Traffic Night
- Official Relay Station (ORS) - an ARRL Field Appointment
- Spotlight: Don Rolph, AB1PH
NTS Callout Meeting, February 2025: Recap
-----------------------------------------
The NTS subcommittee leadership held a callout meeting on February 4 for
people interested in joining the NTS program. Moderated by Phil Temples,
K9HI, the call was attended by 45-50 people, and included individuals from
the Eastern, Central, and Western areas. A volunteer from Hilo, Hawaii, also
joined the call.
Phil described some of the recent accomplishments of the NTS working groups,
and challenges that lie ahead. He hopes to hold these callouts on a regular
basis.
Approximately a half-dozen attendees expressed an interest in becoming
involved in the program.
Radiogram Portal Update
-----------------------
The Radiogram Portal, one of the NTS 2.0 early initiatives, has become a
very popular addition to the NTS "toolbox." There are currently
approximately 100 Radiogrammers from around the country who have been
authorized to retrieve radiograms from the Portal and enter them into the
National Traffic System. While designed primarily to inform the public about
amateur radio messaging capabilities, the Portal has also been used by
fellow amateurs who may not have been able to access a traffic net. One of
the results of this program has been the generation of third-party messages
into the network, giving amateur radio operators more opportunity to
practice and hone skills in message handling and net operation.
Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, author and maintainer of the Portal, has recently
made some updates to the software in response to requests from Portal users.
On the public-facing Portal, there's now a checkbox option, just before
submitting a new message, entitled "Please e-mail me when this message has
been delivered." When this option is in force, the Portal adds HXC to the
message preamble. There's also a new comment on the Radiogrammer Pick-up
page reminding any Radiogrammer originating a message that a service message
might come back indicating that the message had been delivered, and if so,
to please relay it to the original sender via e-mail. To help support this,
there's also a feature which makes it easy to send an e-mail back to the
original sender. While viewing a selected Radiogram from the list, a
Radiogrammer can click "Send e-mail to sender;" this opens a page that sets
up a custom e-mail message to be drafted, including some key information
from the original Radiogram.
A problem was recently reported concerning duplicate messages received on
consecutive days. Messages marked as sent appeared again later, marked as
available, and were then picked up by another Radiogrammer and sent with a
different message number and station of origin. An investigation showed an
apparent use of a back button caused the problem. Jonathan states this
problem has now been fixed.
We are eternally grateful to Jonathan for his continuing involvement with
this program to make it easy and fun to use.
Treasure Hunt Update
--------------------
Hello, Treasure Hunters! Sixteen stations participated in the January 2025
NTS Treasure Hunt. The following stations have successfully completed all
four rounds at this point:
W1LEM Lem
KN6HXP Warren
K2MJR Michelle
KE8HKA Matthew
N7DMB David
N1CVO Shawn
KC3WHU Walt
W4BZM Michael
KA9IKK Bill
About the January Hunt
THR1, WHAT ARE THE MESSAGE CATEGORIES OF ACTIVITY IN THE SAR QUERY
Answer: ORIG, RCVD, SENT, DLVD - MPG 7.2.1 Categories of Activity
THR2 WHAT DOES ARL/RRC EIGHTY-NINE 14115 CW MEAN QUERY
Answer: Priority and/or emergency traffic being originated on ______
(frequency/mode) x request assistance with NTS/RRI liaison - ARL/RRC
numbered texts
THR3 WHICH NTS2 NUMBERED RADIOGRAM IS BEST TO CONFIRM A DELIVERY OF A
RADIOGRAM QUERY
Answer: ARL/RRC FORTY SEVEN - ARL/RRC numbered texts
THR4 WHERE IS THE PROWORD PHONE FIGURES USED QUERY
Answer: Used to introduce the telephone numbers in an address or signature
when no zip code is present - MPG 2.1.5.2 Telephone Figures
March NTS Treasure Hunt - Remember to have your question number with your
answer THR1-THR4, which means Treasure Hunt Round 1 - Treasure Hunt Round 2.
On a voice net this would be voiced as "Mixed Group Tango Hotel Romeo 1".
Question THR1
Is it mandatory to phonetically spell the last name of the addressee query.
Please send a radiogram to:
Ray Webb KB8GUN
Laurelville OH 43135
The judges will respond with a radiogram back to you within 24 hours of the
receipt of your message most of the time. Our judges are on traffic nets
almost daily. The in-transit time will vary. So, if it has been 4 or 5 days
and you have not received a reply radiogram, try sending a new one with a
new message number.
If you need help with how to move traffic in and out of your section,
contact your Section Traffic Manager (STM).
If you missed the official Treasure Hunt announcement in the December 2023
issue of The NTS Letter, here is a recap: This is a fun, on-air, multi-step
competition in which you will respond to a "judge" with your answer to an
initial clue or question via radiogram. The judge will reply via radiogram
with the identity of the next judge, along with the next question or clue in
the hunt. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email Dan Rinaman,
AC8NP, at ac8np@xxxxx.xxx.
Clarification on Radiogram Portal Users and "Radiogrammers"
-----------------------------------------------------------
We have seen applications to become "radiogrammers" from people who are just
learning about NTS and message handling, and we would like to clarify the
distinction between users and "radiogrammers." Anyone is invited to use the
Radiogram Portal to send messages. You don't have to know how to format a
message as the software will do that for you. Once you've submitted your
message, you don't need to know how to get it into the network. You needn't
be an authorized "radiogrammer" to do so. A "radiogrammer'" is one who has
had training and experience in both handling radiograms and participating in
traffic nets or the digital traffic network and knows how to move those
radiograms through the network. You can receive that training by contacting
your Section Manager or Section Traffic Manager and participating in your
local nets. Once you have some experience, you may apply to become a
"radiogrammer."
New NTS Digital Working Group Facilitator: AB1PH
------------------------------------------------
The NTS Digital Working Group has a new facilitator, Don Rolph, AB1PH. Don
has been involved with the digital group since its formation. An active ARES
and RACES member in his local community, Don also played a key role in the
development of the new ICS-213 encapsulation standards.
"The Digital Working Group will look primarily at backbone communication,
not last mile issues," said Don. "Last mile will initially be considered a
normal local/regional net or NTS issue."
Don adds that digital signals have different propagation and fading behavior
than communications dependent on the human ear. "These will need to be
understood as part of the development and deployment process."
Recently, Don organized transcontinental tests to analyze propagation using
NBEMS, or Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software. (See Dec. 2024 NTS
Letter: "A Transcontinental NBEMS Net - Preparing for Emergencies"). He will
begin to assemble a team with experience in the technical issues of the
digital modes, digital networking, and procedural issues with digital
amateur radio nets.
"Proposals will be evaluated experimentally before considering their use in
deployment," said Don. "This will of necessity be a cooperative effort among
a number of different amateur radio teams ranging potentially from RRI,
FLDIGI, Winlink, VARA, and Transcontinental NBEMS teams. There will be
others which will develop during the effort."
"In the future, it is my hope that we will have the ability to send
structured, forms-based messages to and from any point in the continental US
in under thirty minutes."
From the Field: Boston Cape Cod Traffic Jam, HVN Book Traffic Night
-------------------------------------------------------------------
For those not familiar with New Englanders' annual trek to Cape Cod during
the summer months, you must understand access to Cape Cod, other than by
air, is limited to two bridges across the Cape Cod Canal. At the same time,
the Cape is known for its beautiful beaches, quaint shops and scenery, and
is a highly desirable summer vacation spot. Residents relish the quietness
and scenic beauty of the "off-season" but must often somewhat curtail
activities during the summer due to the significant increase in traffic,
otherwise known as the Cape Cod Traffic Jam. Peter Doherty, KC1HHO, manager
of one of Eastern Mass section's 2-meter traffic nets, the Eastern Mass 2
Meter Traffic Net, in conjunction with Cape and Islands Traffic Net manager
Tim Doyle, W1TCD, capitalized on this theme and created and developed a plan
to generate radiogram traffic while having a lot of fun. Here is Peter's
story.
Traffic Jam!! - Peter Doherty, KC1HHO
Who said NTS Traffic Nets were boring? Stations from the Eastern
Massachusetts 2 Meter Traffic Net (EM2MTN), Heavy-Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN)
and Cape and Islands Traffic Net (CITN) have created the Boston Cape Cod
Traffic Jam. Over the past two weeks almost 30 pieces of traffic
(radiograms) have been moved between Boston and Falmouth repeaters as well
as the MMRA repeater network. The Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone Net
(MARIPN), an HF section net, has been the main relay for this traffic.
What happened? The idea of exchanging various fun questions about the places
we live and shared interests was discussed among a few stations, and it took
off from there. We all agreed it had to work, and it did. The internet is
great for finding all kinds of information. Messages about travel
adventures, Cape Cod bus routes, and restaurant recommendations, to name a
few, have certainly changed the content of the traffic.
What are the benefits? Increased traffic equals increased enjoyment of our
hobby. "Welcome to Ham Radio" radiograms will always be there, but having
some variety keeps things fun. Asking a station on Cape Cod a question about
sharks is fun stuff. Furthermore, all this traffic does what is most
important: it helps relay stations and nets perfect their methods and
procedures that are vital to an effective and accurate message communication
function. It also is great for recruitment. All that with a lot of fun.
To those already involved, thank you so much for finding value in the
program and getting it started with a real bang. Any new or well-established
stations that are interested please check in to your local 2-meter traffic
net and ask the net manager how you can get started.
It is my hope that this concept grows to other nets and sections. If you are
a net manager and want to find out how this program works, the leg work
involved to get it started etc., please send me an email at KC1HHO@xxxxx.xxx.
Peter, KC1HHO
NTS Official Relay Station
EM2MTN Manager
EMA Asst Section Traffic Manager (training)
HVN Book Traffic Night
----------------------
The last Tuesday of the month is Book Traffic Night on Hudson Valley Net
(HVN), a local NTS traffic net in New York State. Several years ago, we
figured we would try training our people who routinely check into the net
how to pick up or copy traffic without the need to pass it on or reply to
it. It started with a weekly post-net explanation of each box on the
radiogram. Once all the boxes had been covered, we transitioned to a monthly
"book traffic night" at the end of the regular net. As folks check into the
net, they indicate whether or not they would like to be a recipient of the
book traffic by saying "yes" or "no" after giving their call sign. When it
is time for the book to be passed, Lynn KV2J dictates the common parts of a
fun and/or informative message. She then asks whether anyone needs to hear
any parts of the message again. Afterwards she proceeds to call each
participant to give them their individual message number, with the recipient
replying to roger the message. It is a fun and risk-free way to help
participants learn how to record a radiogram on-air and become familiar with
book traffic. The book traffic night continued for quite a while until an
illness interrupted. We started it back up again in July and have between 7
and 10 people taking the practice traffic and practicing confirming receipt
of the traffic. -- Lynn, KV2J, and Michelle, K2MJR
Official Relay Station (ORS) - an ARRL Field Appointment
--------------------------------------------------------
Many of our readers are already Official Relay Stations, yet others may not
have heard about this ARRL field appointment. What is an ORS and why would
one be interested in such an appointment? ARRL, on its website, describes it
this way.
"This is a traffic-handling appointment that is open to all classes of
license. This appointment applies equally to all modes and all parts of the
spectrum. It is for traffic-handlers, regardless of mode employed or part of
the spectrum used.
The potential value of the skilled operator with traffic know-how to his
country and community is enhanced by his ability and the readiness of his
station to function in the community interest in case of emergency. Traffic
awareness and experience are often the signs by which mature amateurs may be
distinguished.
The requirements and qualifications for the position include:
Full ARRL membership and Novice Class license or higher
Code and/or voice transmission capability
Transmissions, by whatever mode, must be of the highest quality, both
technically and operationally. For example, cw signals must be pure,
chirpless, clickless, code sending must be well spaced and properly formed.
Voice transmission must be of proper modulation percentage or deviation,
precisely enunciated with minimum distortion
Must follow standard ARRL operating practices (message form, ending signals,
abbreviations or prowords, etc.)
Regular participation in traffic activities, either independent or
ARRL-sponsored.
Being able to handle all record communications speedily and reliably and set
the example in efficient operating procedures
Reporting monthly to the STM (Section Traffic Manager), including a
breakdown of traffic handled during the past calendar month (More on this in
a future issue.
Recruitment of new hams and ARRL members is an integral part of the job of
every ARRL appointee. Appointees should take advantage of every opportunity
to recruit a new ham or member to foster growth of Field Organization
programs, and our abilities to serve the public."
To become an Official Relay Station one must, of course, have received
training in message protocols and net procedures. Seek out your Section
Traffic Manager for more information about training opportunities in your
section. The NTS 2.0 committee is also planning training opportunities via
Zoom for those areas where training may not be available. More on this later.
Having such a field appointment is an honor and a testament to one's ability
to serve the public in times of need. Appointments are made through your
Section Manager in consultation with the Section Traffic Manager or may be
obtained by contacting ARRL.
Approximately two years ago, 160 radiograms were sent to all Official Relay
Stations listed in the ARRL Field Appointment database. Results of this
exercise revealed not only where delivery problems exist, but also that the
database was very much in need of an update. Section Managers, who have
access to their section's database, with the assistance of their Section
Traffic Managers are being asked to review the list for their respective
sections, removing call signs of those amateurs who have become Silent Keys
as well as any others who are no longer active in traffic handling. Thanks
to all for helping in this endeavor.
Spotlight: Don Rolph, AB1PH
---------------------------
A mountaineer at heart from the age of 14, this photo of Don was taken on Mt
Kilimanjaro at about 19,500 feet.
Don may not be well-known to the NTS community, but he has been very active
especially in emergency communications. He has also been a regular
participant and net control on the Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net, a
section net where radiogram and ICS-213 messages are passed using NBEMS
(Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software), an open-source software suite
that allows amateur radio operators to reliably send and receive data. With
ARRL's increasing interest in emergency communications, Don's efforts help
to bring a focus to better coordination and cooperation between the NTS and
ARES programs. As noted earlier in this newsletter, Don was recently
appointed as facilitator for the NTS Digital Working Group. Here is an
introduction to Don.
Don Rolph got his start in radio with a two-tube portable radio kit intended
to keep him occupied when he had severe bronchitis at the age of 8. He then
found a military education manual on "Essentials of Radio" in his father's
bookcase, which he read cover to cover. At that point he began first
building crystal sets and then small transistor radios and other electronic
projects. This led him to get his novice license (WH6EHQ) when he was 11.
His license expired and other interests took up his time. In the middle 70s,
he again got an amateur license (WA2CNM) only to have it lapse again due to
conflicting priorities. Finally in 2011 he again passed his license exam as
AB1PH and has not looked back. Amateur radio was foundational to Don's
interest in technology, and he received first his bachelor's in engineering
in 1973 and then his doctorate in engineering in 1983.
Don has been very active in emergency management, being a member of the
Civilian Emergency Response Team in Walpole MA. His focus has been on
emergency communications and in particular digital communications over RF.
Don is active in the Norfolk County Emergency Preparedness net, the Norfolk
County Radio Association net, the Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net
affiliated with NTS, and the New Hampshire Digital training net. Don also
helps coordinate the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency monthly
amateur radio nets (80-meter voice, 80-meter NBEMS, VHF, and Winlink nets).
Don helped establish, and is very active in, the Transcontinental NBEMS net
which meets weekly to practice sending messages across the continental US.
Don has also been active in APRS participating in the Appalachian Trail
Golden Packet activity and developing the APRS Appliance, an open-source
design for an APRS controller.
We look forward to the efforts of Don and the team he is building to update
ARRL emergency communications capabilities in line with service agencies'
needs. If anyone is interested in working on Don's team, you are encouraged
to contact Don at ab1ph@xxxx.xxx.
NTSİ Resources
The National Traffic Systemİ (NTSİ) is a network of amateur radio operators
who move information during disasters and other emergencies. General
messages offering well wishes also move through the NTSİ to help test the
system and to help amateur radio operators build traffic handling skills.
While the NTSİ is primarily set up to serve the United States and Canada, it
is possible to move traffic internationally through the NTSİ through various
local, regional, area, and international network connections.
NTS 2.0
NTS Manual
NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines
Handling Instructions
Numbered Texts
Form Encoding Rules for Form
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Editor: Marcia Forde, KW1U, Section Traffic Manager -- Eastern
Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
ARRL Director of Emergency Management: Josh Johnston, KE5MHV
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