Author: kw1u

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.

The STM report for May is now posted at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusets-rhode-island-stm-report-for-may-2024/ . Take particular note of the Traffic Handlers picnic on Sunday, August 4 from 12:00 Noon on. Hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage and baked beans provided. Bring your beverage of choice and a lawn chair if you have one. A request has been made for good weather, so come join with fellow traffic handlers and would-be traffic handlers for some food and friendly conversation. An RSVP would be most appreciated so I can plan on how much food to have on hand. Also note information about the NTS Treasure Hunt and NE HamXposition forums on NTS. 

In 2023 the NTS 2.0 team updated the ARRL numbered radiogram texts. While the former text numbers were not changed a number of new texts were added. These have been coordinated with the RRI numbered texts to avoid confusion.  The new list can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/arrl-numbered-texts-20230606/ .

The Massachusetts and Rhode Island STM Report for April 2024 is now, somewhat belatedly, available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-april-2024/. Included are announcements about upcoming events and information about ARRL Numbered Radiograms and PSHR reports.

The February traffic report for the combined sections of East and West Mass and Rhode Island can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-february-2024/.  Highlighted are two section nets including  special commendation to MARIPN for highest number of check-ins and traffic, as well as MARI CW, then and now. Come join both friendly groups. We would love to hear from you.

According to Net Manager Ralph Devlin, N1LAH, effective Sunday January 7, 2024 the Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone Net will be adding  Sunday sessions to its regular weekly schedule. Look for the net daily at 1700 local time on 3978, +/- due to interference.  This net serves the three sections of East Mass, West Mass and Rhode Island with outlets to anywhere message traffic is legally permitted. All amateurs are welcome.

The MA/RI STM report for November 2023 can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-november-2023/ . Note: scroll to bottom of the page to find page 2. 

Holiday greetings to all the great traffic handlers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Thank you for all your participation and support. 

73, Marcia KW1U  STM