Author: kw1u

The August Section Traffic Manager Report for Eastern Mass and Rhode Island is available at https://ema.arrl.org/eastern-mass-rhode-island-stm-report-for-august-2026/. (Note Western Mass has a new Section Traffic Manager, Eric Wilhelm, W1RVY. His report can be found at wma.arrl.org.) Take note of a new digital voice traffic net covering all New England. This net (NEDVTN), while an independent net, will operate using standard NTS protocol, will liaise with NTS traffic nets throughout New England, and is “another tool in the toolbox.”

The July STM report for the combined sections of EMA, WMA and RI is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-july-2026/. Note new appointment for Section Traffic Manager for Western Mass, Eric Wilhelm, W1RVY of Southbridge MA effective August 1, 2026. Also please note Call for Help with radiogram traffic to  W1AW/1 contacts from Massachusetts. 

With apologies for the late posting of the May STM report, here is the link to the combined May and June report for 2026 at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-may-june-2026/. Note especially the Annual Traffic Handlers Picnic in Concord MA on Sunday, August 2. All traffic handlers and anyone else interested in traffic handling are welcome. Note also the Northeast HamXposition August 13-16 which will include a Traffic Handlers Meet and Greet, followed by an NTS presentation on relevance today.

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for April 2026 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-april-2026/. Please take note of traffic-related events coming up in the next few months. Also thoughts about CW and Winlink traffic.

The Section Traffic Manager’s report for March 2026 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-march-2026/. Important dates to be added to your calendars for annual Traffic Handlers Picnic and the New England HamXposition and the annual Traffic Handlers Meet and Greet. Also a new web-based app for logging and radiogram management now available for testing. And a refresher on prowords, introductory words and phrases and why they are important.

The February 2026 Section Traffic Manager’s report is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-february-2026/. Note a new radiogram postcard service has been made available by the ARRL NTS committee, and it has been well-received by fellow traffic handlers. This is especially useful when phone numbers are incorrect or phones disconnected, or for sending a hard copy after leaving a voicemail or text message. The cost is around $1 per card including postage. Check it out at https://nts2.arrl.org/postcard-entry/.

With the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, March 8, the First Region Net Cycle 2 now meets on 3950 kHz at 1445 and 1615 local time. This is to accommodate the Eastern Area Net which now meets at 1530 local time on  Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at 1515 local time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The EAN time  change allows for more favorable propagation on 40 meters. EAN meets on 7243 kHz.

The January 2026 STM report is available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-january-2026/. Despite an abundance of snow and ice, traffic handlers diligently got the job done, moving the messages to their destinations. See a report from HHTN manager, KC1KVY. Also a note to Technician class  licensees: opportunities for additional practice and experience. And a dedicated  and beloved traffic handler on the mend with help from his ham radio club.

The December STM traffic report is available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-december-2025/. The report includes impressive year-end totals for all reporting nets. Special note: Two new Official Relay Station (ORS) appointees: Dan Rabinowitz, KC1RMD and Dave Marcucci, KC1TLF and  a new Digital Traffic System (DTN) relay station covering the four westernmost counties of Massachusetts, Alan Dove, AB1XW.

The November Section Traffic Manager’s Report for November 2025 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-november-2025/. Note information on new and updated handling instructions (found in the radiogram preamble as HX). An article about these can also be found  in the December issue of The NTS Letter. Also find information about a holiday radiogram form, created by Radio Relay International,  which can be found at https://nts2.arrl.org/arrl-rri-form-christmas-radiogram-2025/. as well as on the RRI website. This form can be filled out, downloaded and saved as a PDF file and attached to an email, or it can be printed and mailed. It is a nice way to bring amateur radio to the attention of the non-amateur world. Holiday greetings to all.

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.