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CX2SA > NTS 04.09.24 14:21l 410 Lines 21223 Bytes #191 (0) @ ARRL
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Subj: August 2024 NTS Letter
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To : NTS@ARRL
======================
August 2024 NTS Letter
======================
-Treasure Hunt Update
-Update: Handling Instructions and ARRL Numbered Texts
-Recognition Certificates
-New England HamXposition: August 22 - 25, 2024
-Traffic Handling in Alaska AL7N
-Recruiting New Traffic Handlers
-On Confirming POTA Contacts
-Who Calls First?
-Spotlight: K9GLU
Treasure Hunt Update - No Hunt this Month
-----------------------------------------
Dan Rinaman, AC8NP, coordinator for the popular NTS Treasure Hunt, announces
there will be no Treasure Hunt in August. The next hunt will be in September
and a question/clue will be published in the September 3 issue of the NTS
Letter.
Twenty stations participated in the July Treasure Hunt. The following
stations successfully completed all three rounds as of July 25th, although
judges are responding to TH messages until the August issue of the NTS
Letter is published:
Rcvd Date Rcvd Time Sender Name
07/05/24 1424Z K1IG George
07/06/24 2025Z VE1IJ Glenn
07/07/24 1444Z W1ELM Lem
07/11/24 2231Z KC3WHU Walt
07/13/24 2059Z AE5MI Yvette
07/14/24 2029Z N1CVO Shawn
07/14/24 2331Z W4BZM Mike
07/17/24 1439Z N7DMB David
07/18/24 2025Z N3KRX Jerry
07/22/24 2300Z N7YD Mark
07/23/24 2028Z W7FSC Jerry
Congratulations to George Allison, K1IG, for achieving first place in the
July hunt. More information about the Treasure Hunt can be found at
nts2.arrl.org/treasure-hunt.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please use the survey form or email
Dan Rinaman, AC8NP, at ac8np@xxxxx.xxx.
UPDATE: Handling Instructions and ARRL Numbered Texts
-----------------------------------------------------
The NTS 2.0 Advanced Access and Delivery Working Group was tasked, in part,
to undertake a review of the current list of handling instructions (HX) and
ARRL numbered texts (ARL). Both components had existed unchanged for many
decades. We're pleased to announce that the working group completed its
task. Both handling instructions and numbered texts have been updated
effective July 24, 2024. The updated lists are posted under "Standards &
Procedures" on the NTS 2.0 website at https://nts2.arrl.org and can now be
downloaded in PDF or DOCX format. Look for the tabs for "Numbered Texts" and
"HX Handling Instructions."
The list of handling instructions is relatively unchanged; however, it does
contain three new instructions:
HXI - Please handle as ICS-213
HXR - Please confirm actual receipt by addressee, and notify originator
HXT - Special traffic test message, ID ___.
ICS-213 and radiogram compatibility using HXI have been discussed in earlier
articles; please refer to "Using Radiograms to Pass Agency Forms" under
"Standards & Procedures" on the NTS 2.0 website for a detailed discussion.
HXR is an especially relevant instruction for amateurs who are involved with
communications on behalf of served agencies. It is discussed in "Update on
NTS 2.0 Modernization Project," June 11, 2023, on the NTS 2.0 website:
"HXR [.] requires the delivering station to notify the originator of the
message confirming that the recipient has personally received the message.
This is a frequent requirement from served agencies. This is different from
the HXC instruction, which is sent by the delivering station instead to the
station of origin, whose call sign is in the header. Where HXC notifies the
station of origin of delivery (such as the message being deposited in a
mailbox) of their radiogram, HXR confirms to the sender that the recipient
has the message in-hand."
HXT will be discussed in greater detail under "NTS Traffic Tests" in
documentation to be released in the near future.
The list of numbered texts is a superset of the older list of ARL numbered
texts. In order to facilitate compatibility and minimize differences in the
traffic system between ARRL and Radio Relay International, the ARRL
recognizes additional RRC numbered radiograms that RRI developed in late
2022 and has adopted those verbatim into the ARL numbered radiogram list.
It also includes the new ARL FORTY-ONE to be used in conjunction with the
HXD ("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, time and method of
delivery.")
Phil Temples, K9HI
Recognition Certificates
------------------------
The ARRL supports the recognition of those amateur radio operators who
regularly contribute their time and efforts to further the mission of the
National Traffic System and traffic handling in general. The NTS 2.0
Performance team, in conjunction with the ARRL Emergency Communications
Manager, has created a list of new certificates soon to be awarded. These
will generally be awarded by section leadership, including the Section
Manager, Section Traffic Manager and Net Managers. Personalized certificates
will be made available online to download, save and print if desired. More
information on these awards, including documentation and training, will soon
be provided. These awards will include:
First Radiogram Certificate - Celebrating successfully sending the first
properly formatted Radiogram via a National Traffic System-affiliated
traffic net.
ARES Response Certificate - For handling message traffic in association with
official Amateur Radio Emergency Service activity during or in preparation
for emergency events.
Net Manager Participation - For submission of 24 or more net manager reports
to the Section Traffic Manager or appropriate Field Service representative
in the Section.
Net Control Participation - For service as net control or alternative net
control station for 24 total months.
Section Traffic Manager Participation - For submission of 24 months of
Section Traffic Manager reports to ARRL Headquarters.
Official Relay Station of the Year - Who as an Official Relay Station has
gone above and beyond with respect to traffic handling in a way that
furthers the National Traffic System mission, objectives, and participation.
Radiogram All States - Who as an ARRL member has received radiogram traffic
from all states.
In addition to the current BPL and ORS awards, a new specially designed
challenge coin will be awarded. Stay tuned for more information on the
rollout for these awards.
New England Division HamXposition
---------------------------------
The New England Division HamXposition will be held in Marlboro,
Massachusetts on August 22-25. If any amateurs are in the New England area,
perhaps on vacation, consider stopping by. Information can be found at
hamxposition.org. Among the many forums, there will be an NTS presentation
including what's new in NTS, as well as a Traffic Handlers Meet-and-Greet.
We look forward to seeing anyone who can attend.
Traffic Handling in Alaska: AL7N
--------------------------------
Ed Trump AL7N, Section Traffic Manager in Alaska, writes the following
regarding traffic handling in Alaska. Being some distance from the
continental US, this presents certain challenges.
I don't suppose you hear much "formal traffic related" news from the Alaska
Section. Formal traffic operations up here are not a "normal" activity. We
do not have any Section traffic nets, mainly because real formal traffic is
so scarce these days. And I suppose it will remain that way until
"something" happens that is so bad that there won't be any other way for the
general public to communicate. In that case, we would place "W" precedence
traffic as a priority activity, both outbound and inbound.
We cannot hear or work the NTS or RRI CW traffic nets up here in the Alaskan
interior because they all operate down in the 80- and 40-meter bands.
Propagation on those bands between here and the lower 48, even the West
Coast, is nil at this latitude, 65 degrees North. To that end, there are
only a few who actually practice the formal traffic art up here.
We have a Radio Relay International digital gateway station, VE7GN, in
British Columbia that we can access via KL7EDK's station here in Fairbanks.
KL7EDK is our main digital "sysop" around here and provides the connection
where I can maintain a 24/7 connection to EDK via a VHF RMS and poll for
inbound traffic every hour on the hour. ARRL NTS and Radio Relay
International digital networks route radiogram traffic to Alaska via VE7GN
and I take it all off via the VHF RMS and then distribute it to wherever it
goes within Alaska.
We use combinations of methods. We have reliable Winlink connections with
traffic stations in southeast (Juneau KL7IWC) and south central (Anchorage
KL7JFT) Alaska, as well as the Delta Junction -Tok-Alcan Highway area via
KC7FWK in Delta Junction. These stations assist us with "last mile"
deliveries very well in their respective areas. For other intrastate points,
we try direct contact via daily HF SSB or VHF nets, or use USPS if we must,
and deliver via US Mail. Maybe even dog team in winter?
We do ask that originators of all Alaska-bound formal radiogram messages
include a full US snail mail address including Zip code. This will enhance
the probability of timely delivery to the recipient. Experience has shown
that phone numbers are too often incorrect. Email addresses are okay if they
are known to be correct, but messages with only a name and phone number will
be serviced back, as it is too much trouble to track down a recipient with
only this info available.
Higher precedence traffic delivery will normally be via direct telephone
call if we have a good number to use on the message. Routine traffic
deliveries are not generally phoned. We have found that people do not
generally care to get phone calls from complete strangers calling from
unfamiliar numbers, about " a radiogram" (What is THAT?). So, we feel that
some delivery other than a phone call is much less stressful all around.
Plus, the recipient ends up with a "hard copy" with which they can do
whatever they want.
Outbound traffic is handled via the same network connections in the reverse
direction. I take all or nearly all formal outbound radiogram traffic into
my station here at AL7N and then apply the proper digital routing headers to
them and send them to VE7GN who passes them on into the RRI and ARRL NTS
digital networks. We follow the protocol in RRI Operating Aid RRI1702r3 for
outbound radiogram message traffic. This has been proven to work well with
the present traffic load.
I do maintain a CW "Traffic Watch" daily on the RRI IATN frequency 14115 and
can work the CW Morse circuit down into the PacNW pretty well, with stations
such as K6YR, W7GB and some others. I do like to use that for traffic
whenever possible because if something happens to take out the digital
systems, we would need something that still works. I will gladly take
inbound Alaska traffic via CW on 20 or 17 meters anytime on request,
propagation conditions permitting.
Anyway, that is the current status of the formal traffic operations in the
Alaska Section at this time.
Recruiting New Traffic Handlers
-------------------------------
Dave Sheppard, W2PAX, STM SFL reports the following:
My personal experience has been that gaining new traffic handlers must
happen on a local level. We've had relative success here in southwest
Florida giving an intensive (about four hours on a Saturday) NTS program
once or twice a year to our local club. Each class has generated at least a
couple of new participants. But it's that in-person connection that I think
makes all the difference. Someone stumbling into a net and trying to coax
them to do something over the air from a couple hundred miles away doesn't
make it happen in most cases.
On Confirming POTA Contacts
---------------------------
Parks on the Air (POTA) has become a very popular operating activity. Its
interest lies partly in being able to get outside as well as being able to
set up a station independent of commercial infrastructure. Information about
POTA operations can be found at parksontheair.com. Some traffic handlers
have taken advantage of these contacts to originate radiograms with contact
confirmation to hams across the country. One such amateur is Bob Sparkes,
KC1KVY. Many have likely handled his radiograms. Bob just recently sent out
NR 1000 for the year 2024. Congratulations to Bob and thanks for all the
traffic.
Who Calls First?
----------------
Denny Rybicke K9LGU, STM WI provides this information from his section's
list of Frequently Asked Questions.
The question is, when a station is sent off net frequency by the NCS, who
should call?
"That answer is the station that is going to RECEIVE the traffic picks the
frequency, asks if the frequency is busy and calls first. That's who needs
to know if the frequency will work for traffic. At times, the suggested
frequency may be busy, so the receiving station will find a clear spot by
going in the same direction farther from the net frequency and call there.
Only after several unsuccessful attempts will the stations return to the net
and report the problem.
If the NCS wants a two-way exchange to be done on net frequency, the station
named first by the NCS (the receiver) calls first. The NCS might tell the
receiving station, "Call (sender) and receive one here." Again, the receiver
calls first. Then the traffic is passed right on net frequency.
When the NCS tells a receiving station to "call and arrange," the receiving
station picks the potential spot off net frequency. The receiver doesn't ask
where the sender wants to go or give the sender choices to be discussed and
decided on the net. The receiver just picks a spot, tells the sender, goes
there, and calls. At times, the receiver may request, "Please send it to me
via RMS." The sender confirms. Then it's done on the appropriate digital
frequency.
These procedures all save net time, keep order, and demonstrate efficiency.
Spotlight: K9GLU
----------------
Denny Rybicke, K9LGU, Section Traffic Manager for the ARRL Wisconsin section
Denny Rybicke, K9LGU, Section Traffic Manager for the ARRL Wisconsin
section, is a ham with a most varied background. I had asked Denny to tell
me about his work experience, particularly what may have contributed to his
interest in amateur radio. His list, alphabetically, included adjunct
college professor, audio system supervisor, bean picker, city mayor (12
years), clothing store clerk, drama director, electrician, exterior /
interior painter, floral shop driver/dispatcher, grant writer, grave digger,
high school teacher (34 years full-time; 20 years part-time), innkeeper (15
years), janitor/custodian, microprocessor salesman, novels and documents
editor, potato warehouse worker, public speaking coach, roofer, stage
lighting director, and tree trimmer. He adds, "Those varied experiences have
given me a true appreciation for the myriad of backgrounds of ham operators."
He continues, "When I taught English and communications full-time to high
school seniors for 34 years - specializing in written and spoken
communications - my extra-curricular duties included sound and lighting
supervision, senior class adviser, forensics coach, and adviser to the
National Honor Society chapter. I was simultaneously an adjunct professor
with the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh from 1986 to 1999. While
teaching, I was elected mayor of the City of New Holstein and served six
consecutive terms beginning in1982. As mayor, I recognized that at times a
bad city council meeting is not unlike a bad study hall or a raucous DX
pile-up. On the other hand, working with other public servants brought a
satisfaction not unlike being part of the NTS and relaying traffic even
under poor conditions."
Denny received his amateur radio license as KN9LGU in 1958 and has held his
current Extra class call K9LGU since the 1970s. He says, "As a Boy Scout
message runner for a RACES exercise in 1957, I sat next to the radio
operator (W9CFO) for the full midnight shift. I was fascinated. He
generously offered to tutor me." Denny has now been serving as Wisconsin
Section Traffic Manager for 25 years. He says "My STM management style is to
enlist good net managers and let them do their work."
Wisconsin has been a good example of cooperation between the ARES (Amateur
Radio Emergency Service) and NTS programs. When I asked Denny about this, he
wrote, "In Wisconsin, ARES/RACES has combined membership and our NTS nets
serve as an equal and supportive partner in their exercises such as SIMCOM,
the SET, severe weather nets, tabletop and functional exercises, and regular
testing of several communication media. N9VC has also established an
infrastructure-independent BBS for our section's ARES/RACES leadership at
the request of the state Office of Emergency Management. We try to have our
regular NTS nets provide the models and training needed for deployment. As
an example, during one inter-agency exercise (SIMCOM), hams were asked to
handle a large mixture of NTS- and ICS213-formatted messages. Our traffic
handlers switched forms smoothly and still maintained the accuracy and
efficiency needed. Under some poor conditions, visitors from the National
Guard were especially impressed with how we continued our operation even
using CW when needed."
"Our section is certainly indebted to NX9K and N9VC for their continual
efforts to exercise the NTS and welcome new hams to the hobby. Our section's
operators are proud to be part of that operation, which reflects the spirit
of the hobby for new operators. New hams are grateful for the welcome they
get from Jim, Kris, Glenn (VE1IJ), and others that reflect the broad base of
the hobby and offer training and a chance for personal connection to a local
operator.
I'm very pleased that our section operators accept all legal traffic and
make extra efforts to deliver each message. Leadership? It's not me. It's
them."
Many thanks to Denny for his years of service to amateur radio. With ARRL's
current emphasis on emergency communications, we might all learn a thing or
two from the efforts of those folks in Wisconsin.
NTS Resources
The National Traffic Systemİ (NTS) is a network of amateur radio operators
who move information during disasters and other emergencies. General
messages offering well wishes also move through the NTS to help test the
system and to help amateur radio operators build traffic handling skills.
While the NTS is primarily set up to serve the United States and Canada, it
is possible to move traffic internationally through the NTS 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
Sign Up to Receive The NTS Letter
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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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