Author: kw1u

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!

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.

Betsey K1EIC, net manager of FRN (First Region Net daytime) has announced that with the time change to Daylight Savings Time, the net will meet daily on 3950 kHz at 1445 and 1630 local time.  The reason for this change is to accommodate the Eastern Area Net which will be meeting at 1515 local on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and at 1530 on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  The time change for EAN is allow for better propagation on 40 meters when more participants can hear one another to pass traffic.

The Massachusetts STM traffic report for January is now available at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-jan-2022/

Note this month a couple upcoming Zoom meetings New England NTS folks may want to take note.  Also a report from CITN manager W1TCD regarding new trainees on that net.  My traffic topic for this month is concerning the potential use of the ICS-213 form by NTS traffic handlers.  With future emphasis on Emergency Communications is this a viable option?  

With increased interest in digital message relay via NTS and RRI’s Digital Traffic Network, the Eastern Area Hub stations of DTN are now accessible via VARA HF sound card modem,  eliminating the need for expensive modems while not sacrificing speed. 

Jim Kutsch KY2D, Assistant Digital Coordinator for Eastern Area, who has spearheaded this project, has written a “how-to” article on setting up.  For more information, visit https://ema.arrl.org/how-to-set-up-vara-to-access-dtn-hub-stations/. The information may also be accessed via the Quick Link “NTS Resources” on the National Traffic System tab.

Look forward to seeing you in the log.

The Massachusetts Traffic Report for December 2021 can now be found at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-december-2021/. 

Note info on the new New England Assistant Director for Emergency Communications and Public Service and his new forum for discussion.  Also a new digital station in East Mass and a new net time for the Western Mass 2 meter net, plus some Traffic Tips.

Thanks to all for your participation and support.  73 de KW1U