Author: kw1u

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for October 2025 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-october-2025/.

Note:  NTS Challenge Coins are being  awarded by ARRL and with many thanks to AJ1DM (RI), KC1HHO, KC1KVY, KC1OIP, KB1SYL, KW1U, N1IQI, N1LAH, W1PLK, W1RVY (WMA), W1TCD for participating on NTS traffic nets and reporting station activity (SAR) to the Section Traffic Manager (STM)  for 48 months or more. These are colorful coins with the NTS logo on the front and ARRL logo on the back. 

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Effective Sunday, November 1, the First Region Net Cycle 2 will meet daily at 1400 and 1600 local time. Both sessions will meet on 3950 kHz with alternate 7243 kHz as conditions warrant. This is also reflected in the list of net schedules for the section at https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/net-schedule/.

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for September 2025 is now posted at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-september-2025/.  Note updated information on ARL numbered radiogram texts plus info on the Mass Rhode Island Digital Net (MARIDN).

The August Section Traffic Manager’s report is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-august-2025/. Note a reminder to all amateurs to support the current HOA legislation by simply adding your call sign to a letter to your senators and legislators. Also note info on CW traffic nets, a traffic tip of the month, and congrats to the regulars of HHTN.

The July STM report is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-july-2025/. Pictures of recent traffic handlers cookout courtesy of Phil Temples, K9HI. Note also NTS Traffic Handlers Meet and Greet get together at Northeast HamXposition, Saturday August 23 at 2:00 PM. Information available online at https://hamxposition.org/2025/08/13/nts-meet-and-greet-at-2025-northeast-hamxposition/ but not in the printed program. Check out the Virtual NTS Training Net (VNTN) which has been attracting folks from around the country.

The Section Traffic Manager’s report for the combined sections of Eastern and Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-june-2025/. Note the annual traffic handlers picnic, Sunday August 3 in Concord MA beginning at noon. Anyone interested in NTS traffic handling is welcome. Also note a new Memorandum of Understanding between ARRL and Radio Relay International (RRI) as we combine forces to improve NTS to become a valuable source of service to the public especially in times of emergencies. See also notes on message delivery by our own Shawn, N1CVO.

To all Field Day participants, best of luck for good weather, good propagation and good fun this weekend. And don’t forget those extra points for NTS radiograms sent from your FD site. 

The May STM report for Massachusetts and Rhode Island is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-may-2025/. Great to see new ARRL Official Relay Station (ORS) appointments for N1HAN, KC1SJK, KC1VXV, AC1TR and W1VEG. who have taken the training and are handling radiogram messages quite professionally on the traffic nets. Also remember the annual Traffic Handlers Picnic in Concord MA on Sunday August 3. Come see the folks you talk to on the traffic nets and join the camaraderie.

The April STM report for Eastern and Western Mass and Rhode Island can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-april-2025/. Note recognition of new Official Relay Stations and traffic handling trainees, with a special congratulations to  Bob Sparkes, KC1KVY for achievement of BPL (Brass Pounders League – for over 500 message points during April;  Also note the Radiogram Portal and Field Day NTS messages, NTS Treasure Hunt, annual traffic handlers picnic, and message delivery tips. 

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for March 2025 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-march-2025/. Note upcoming events including Field Day prep, Traffic handlers picnic and HamXposition tickets available. Also info on Book Traffic.

With the time change from Standard to Daylight Savings Time on March 9, 2025 the daytime sessions of the First Region Net will meet at 1445 and 1630 Eastern Daylight Time. This change accommodates the Eastern Area Net daytime session which will meet at 1530 EDT Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and at 1515 EDT on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  For now the First Region Net frequency will remain at 3950 kHz primary and 7243 kHz alternate for both sessions. EAN meets on 7243 kHz.

The January 2025 STM report is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-january-2025/. Note the new and fun “Boston Cape Cod Traffic Jam”, now operating on three local VHF traffic nets (EM2MN, CITN and HHTN) and the Mass Rhode Island Phone Net. This is a creative approach to generating and practicing radiogram message traffic developed by Peter Doherty, KC1HHO,  manager of EM2MN and in cooperation with Tim Doyle, W1TCD, manager of CITN, and has generated a lot of traffic while also providing a lot of fun. Note also NTS participation in the February 1 exercise, “Operation Clear Ice”.

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for December 2024 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-december-2024/. Note year-end report for 2024 and a special Callout from Phil Temples, K9HI regarding NTS 2, an initiative to improve and enhance the National Traffic System. Please note February 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time to learn more about this initiative.

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for November  2024 can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-november-2024/. Note reports from the net managers about new and returning traffic handlers and trainees, holiday greetings via radiogram, information about Station Activity Reports (SAR), and POTA – thoughts about emergency preparedness. Holiday greetings to all!

The October Section Traffic Manager Report can now be viewed at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-october-2024/. Note NTS Trivia and Treasure Hunt update; 850 radiograms relayed to ARRL field appointees,; NTS involvement in “November Gale” exercise; MA and RI Digital Traffic Net; and the APRS-DTN Gateway.

With the time change November 3, the Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone Net will return to 3978 Khz at 1700 EST daily. The alternate frequency will be 7243 Khz.

With the change from Daylight Savings to Standard Time, the afternoon sessions of the First Region Net (FRN) now meet daily at 1400 and 1600 local time on 3950 Khz . Alternate frequency is 7243 Khz. The Eastern Area Net (EAN) continues to meet on 7243 Khz daily but now at 1430 EST. Any traffic going beyond the New England region should be  brought to the earlier session of FRN whenever possible to allow for faster delivery via the Eastern Area Net at 1430.

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for September 2024 can now be found here. Note a link to the NTS2.arrl.org website with information on what’s happening with the NTS 2.0 project. Particularly find at this site a link to the NTS Letter archive and instructions on subscribing to receive this newsletter in your email mailbox monthly. Also note information on the Radiogram Portal, a web-based means to send messages via the National Traffic System without checking into a net or accessing the Digital Traffic Network. This is available to non-hams and hams alike. We also acknowledge the passing of two of our own over the past few months, Bernie KC1MSN and Doc KE1ML with links to their obituaries. We are also looking for CW operators to help out with MARI CW traffic net. 

The Massachusetts and Rhode Island STM Report for August 2024 is available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-august-2024/. Special notice about upcoming election for ARRL New England Division Director. Ballots go out in October. Please VOTE! Also special notice about upcoming NTS training in message handling and net participation available on Zoom, Monday, October 14 at 7 PM ET. All are welcome. Link provided. Questions to Ray Lajoie, AA1SE@arrl.net

The June STM Report can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-june-2024/. Note especially last call for the annual traffic handlers picnic August 4 in Concord MA from 12 Noon on. Also check out an update on new ARRL Numbered Radiograms and New Handling Instructions, now available in both PDF and DOCX format for download on the NTS2.arrl.org website.