a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
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
Per net manager K1EIC, effective Sunday, November 6 the daytime First Region Net will meet at 1400 EST (1900Z) and at 1530 EST (2030Z). The frequency remains the same, 3950 Khz +/- allowing for interference.
Eastern Area Net afternoon session remains at 1930 UTC throughout the year with an exception three days per week during daylight savings time in order to liaise with the Central Area Net. Effective Sunday November 6 this session of EAN will meet daily at 2:30 EST. The frequency remains at 7222 Khz +/- .
The much belated Massachusetts STM report for September can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-sep-2022/. Sorry for the delay. Note update on Revitalization of NTS project, new ORS and ASTM.
The corrected Massachusetts combined sections STM report for August 2022 is now available at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-stm-report-for-august-2022/, including current events and traffic tips.
The July STM Report for combined sections of Eastern and Western MA can be found at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-july-2022/. Note upcoming Meet and Greet at HamXposition in Marlboro MA August 27 at 2:00 PM. Also link to August 2022 edition of QNI Newsletter plus a traffic tip of the month.
The Massachusetts STM Report for June 2022 has been posted at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-jun-2022/
Note information on the Traffic Handlers Picnic August 7 in Concord MA beginning at noon. Note also a link on how to get set up for operating VARA sound card mode especially for help with digital message traffic on the KW1U MBO. Information is also being shared regarding recent work on an update of NTS for the 21st century, we call NTS 2.0, to be shared with those interested via Zoom July 23 and 30.
The Massachusetts Section Traffic Manager’s report for May 2022 can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-may-2022/ . Note traffic handlers picnic to be held in Concord MA Sunday August 7 beginning at 12 Noon. Also note traffic handlers Meet and Greet at HamXposition in Marlboro MA Saturday August 27, time TBD. and to include update on NTS 2.0.
The Massachusetts STM Report for April 2022 can be found here: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-april-2022/
Note information on upcoming events, including the annual traffic handlers picnic in Concord MA on Sunday August 7 from noon on. More details to follow, but for now mark your calendars. All traffic handlers and any interested in traffic handling from anywhere in New England are welcome.
Also more information on use of the ICS 213 type messages. This information is still emerging, so stay tuned.
Per Net Manager Tim Doyle W1TCD, effective May 1 the Cape and Islands Traffic Net (CITN) will no longer meet on Mondays, but will meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM on the Falmouth repeater 147.375 Mhz PL 110.9. The new Saturday time will then allow for off-Cape hams visiting over the weekend when warmer weather arrives to participate on the net.
The March 2022 STM report can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-march-2022/. Note a link to a presentation by Craig Fugate, former Administrator for FEMA on the importance of amateur radio in emergency communications. This is an hour long presentation on YouTube. At approximately minute 37 he speaks specifically of the importance of the National Traffic System and its national networking capability in emergency communications. Also note important information on messaging as contained in the message header of radiograms including the ICS 213.
The Massachusetts STM Traffic Report for February is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-february-2022/. Note time change for daytime First Region Net during Daylight Savings Time; also, news of net and traffic handling activities–particularly traffic originations.