a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
The Massachusetts Rhode Island STM report for August 2023 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-aug-2023/. Note recent NTS news in QST and On the Air magazines plus podcast featuring KC1OIP. Also upcoming NTS Letter, patterned after ARES Letter, soon to be sent to ARRL field appointees. ARRL members can subscribe to this monthly newsletter featuring NTS. Also spotlight on Michael Ford, WZ0C.
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Net manager of the MARIDN Jon McCombie N1ILZ announces a slight move for this net in order to prevent interference to an ongoing CW net. The net will move down 500 Hz to 3582.5. It is a fun new net that is drawing more interest. It currently uses the NBEMS suite of software. A Zoom chat precedes this net for informational purposes and can be used to help new folks get started. See N1ILZ@arrl.net for details.
Beginning this month you will see the Massachusetts Rhode Island STM Report, as your STM has been appointed as interim STM for Rhode Island. Rhode Island amateurs have long been included in our section traffic nets. Find the July report at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-july-2023/. Note there information on “Event Happenings”, “Net News”, “NTS 2.0 Update” and “Traffic Handler of the Month”, along with a peek preview of an upcoming initiative.
The Massachusetts STM Report for June 2023 can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-june-2023/ . Especially Note: Traffic Handlers Picnic Sunday August 6 beginning at noon at 44 Raymond Rd Concord MA. Anyone interested in traffic handling throughout the region is welcome. Hamburgers, hot dogs and Italian sausages will be provided along with a big shade tree. Bring your beverage of choice and a lawn chair. Please RSVP to KW1U@comcast.net so we have enough food. Also note upcoming HamXposition and NTS events, new field appointments and reporting clarification.
The Section Traffic Manager’s report for May 2023 can be found at the following link https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-may-2023/ . Note upcoming Traffic Handlers’ Picnic in Concord MA Sunday, August 6 beginning at noon. Also note NTS Meet and Greet and NTS 2.0 presentation at HamXposition weekend of August 25-27, dates and times TBD. See also featured traffic handler of the month Ralph Devlin, N1LAH, and traffic tip of the month.
Per Net Manager Joe Weiss W1HAI, effective tonight Monday, June 5, the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net will meet 15 minutes earlier, at 9:45 PM local, on Sundays through Fridays. For now the Saturday session will continue to meet at 10:00 PM. HHTN can be accessed via the Minuteman Repeater network, Mt Greylock, Fitchburg and Gardner repeaters and Echolink New-Eng2 Conference Node 9127.
The April 2023 STM report can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-april-2023/. Note Field Day NTS traffic reminder, annual traffic handlers picnic August 6, welcoming a new traffic handler Jessie, KC1SLQ, and W1HAI in the spotlight, as well as notes on “booking” traffic.
The Massachusetts STM report for March has been posted and can be found at MASSACHUSETTS-STM-REPORT-FOR-MAR-2023.pdf. Note upcoming dates to mark on your calendars including annual traffic handlers picnic Sunday August 6 in Concord MA, forums of interest at NE HamXposition, and help request for possible NTS involvement at Big E. Also note special recognition of Bob Sparkes KC1KVY as well as the Cape and Islands Traffic Net,
A belated report for February 2023 has been posted at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-february-2023/.
Please note new appointment of Peter Doherty, KC1HHO, as Assistant Section Traffic Manager (ASTM) for Training. Peter has created a training program in message handling and I believe will be a great asset for the section.
Also note training is beginning in handling of the ICS 213 form as adapted for transport via the National Traffic System. A special session will be conducted Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 PM on the Boston 145.23 repeater. Note that this format has been in a testing phase before formal documentation is adopted. Traffic nets will be seeing more of this type of messaging in the weeks and months to follow. Come learn what it’s all about.
The First Region Net (FRN) Cycle 2 which meets on 3950 Khz daily has changed net times to accommodate the change in local time for Eastern Area Net. EAN meets daily at 1930 UTC throughout the year. However with the change to Daylight Savings Time this net meets at 3:30 EDT (with the exception of Monday, Wednesday and Friday when it meets at 3:15 EDT). Therefore FRN will now meet at 2:45 and 4:30 EDT daily per K1EIC, net manager.
The January 2023 STM Traffic report is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-january-2023/. Note information on training opportunities, update on NTS 2.0 and traffic tip of the month.
On February 1st, Peter, KC1HHO, Manager, Eastern Massachusetts 2 Meter Traffic Net was the guest of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club during their monthly meeting.
Peter delivered a presentation about the National Traffic System (NTS). Information about how the system works, NTS training, and how amateur stations, group or clubs can get more involved was presented. Many great questions were asked from the club members.
Telling the story of NTS and how it can benefit all amateur radio operators has of course been stifled by recent events. The opportunity to get out and speak to the members was much appreciated.
Peter was able to present, on behalf of himself and Section Traffic Manager Marcia KW1U a Certificate of Recognition to club member Loren N1IQI for his “30 years of amateur radio service and exemplary performance and dedication to the National Traffic System”.
If your group is interested in having a NTS presentation at an upcoming meeting please contact Peter KC1HHO.
The combined Massachusetts sections traffic report for December 2022 is available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-december-2022/. This contains a recap of stats, events and traffic notes for the past year. 1901 net sessions were conducted, with 6,220 messages passed by 12,396 net participants during a total of 539 hours of net operation. These folks love what they do as they also practice for emergencies, and they welcome all newcomers. Training is always available. Just ask!
The Massachusetts Traffic Report for November 2022 can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-november-2022/. Note information on November SET activity, new training opportunity for message handling on HHTN, a new MARI digital traffic net, holiday radiograms and messages to Santa. Greetings to all for a joyous holiday season.
Want to learn more of what formalized message handling is about? What goes into an NTS message and why? What are all those protocols about and why are they necessary? Peter Doherty KC1HHO created a program for training in message handling which he conducts on the Eastern Mass 2 Meter Traffic Net on the Boston 145.23 repeater at 8:00 PM. This program has been quite successful, and now will be extended through the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net which meets nightly at 10 PM on the Minuteman repeater network. HHTN manager Joe Weisse W1HAI reports the training itself will be conducted on HHTN’s alternate repeater Waltham 146.64 PL 136.5. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays around 10:15. Folks can check-in as usual on HHTN at 10 PM and will go through a round of traffic before being released to shift to the Waltham repeater and receive training from Bob Sparkes KC1KVY. Joe explains this shift is to keep from going too late after the end of the net itself.
Thanks to the folks of the Waltham Repeater Association for their unanimous support of this training program!
Joe Weisse, W1HAI, reports that the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN) is now meeting 7 evenings per week. Effective December 3, 2022, HHTN will be adding Saturday evening sessions.
HHTN meets at 2200 Local on the Minuteman Repeater linked network and also links to the Mt. Greylock repeater for nearly statewide coverage for NTS message traffic. HHTN is also accessible via Echolink New-Eng2 conference, IRLP node 9127. Alternate repeater: Waltham 146.640 PL 136.5
The October STM report can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-october-2022/ . Updates on traffic and net activity including recent SET. Also update on NTS Revitalization Project. Happy Thanksgiving to all and don’t forget those holiday radiograms!
Greetings All,
Whereas the section Simulated Emergency Test (SET) in Eastern Mass will be taking place this Saturday November 12 from 10 AM to 12 PM;
Whereas the ARRL has taken a renewed interest in emergency communications capabilities including preparedness of the National Traffic System in nationwide emergency communications during infrastructure failures; and
Whereas the FCC has given Amateur Radio a multitude of frequencies available for use based in part for it’s availability for public service;
I am therefore encouraging all traffic handlers and participants in NTS nets to show support for the SET this weekend. The exercise plan can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/EasternMA-ARES-SET-11-12-22-V1.8.pdf and special note can be found regarding NTS participation on page 8. In addition to what is noted there, the Eastern Mass 2 Meter Traffic Net will hold a special session on the Boston 145.23 repeater tomorrow, Saturday Nov 12 from 10 AM to 12 Noon with Net Manager Peter KC1HHO as Net Control. Anyone regardless of NTS or ARES affiliation is welcome to check in, pass traffic or listen to see how an NTS net is conducted and traffic is passed. Traffic handlers are encouraged to list a radiogram addressed to Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde KW1U in Maynard MA, stating your participation in the net and information about the equipment you are using. Others are encouraged to ask questions and participate at whatever level they chose. While we will be using standard radiogram format for messages for this exercise, it is important to note that NTS leadership has begun training in use of ICS formats, generally used by emergency service groups.
For those unable to make the Boston repeater, feel free to check into the net running on the Minuteman repeater network with Joe W1HAI as NCS as mentioned in the link noted above.
I apologize for short notice. We hope to see as many there as can make it. Thanks for your participation.
73, Marcia KW1U
Section Traffic Manager