Author: kw1u

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

The Section Traffic Manager’s report for the combined sections of Eastern and Western Mass has been posted at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-november-2021/  Note some comparison with a year ago and some special recognition.  We all want to wish everyone the best of the holiday season.  73, Marcia KW1U  STM EMA and WMA

The STM’s traffic report can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-october-2021/ 

 Note:  Congrats to AB1OC on being elected as new ARRL New England Division Director.  Also a reminder to send holiday greetings via radiogram.  Good practice, good PR and have some fun with a unique experience.  And tips on the very basics of checking into a CW net, learning just four (4) “Q” signals and having pen and paper to copy it all down (good practice in increasing your CW skills), and no you won’t be asked to take traffic until you are ready.

With the time change to Standard Time, effective Sunday November 7, the daytime First Region Net (FRN) of the National Traffic System will meet at 1400 and 1530 Local time on 3950 Khz.  This coincides with the change for Eastern Area Net (EAN) to 1430 Local on 7222 Khz.  These changes will be in effect until the return to Daylight Savings Time in the spring.  FRN is open primarily to liaison stations from the sections of New England and other stations with traffic, for the exchange of traffic within New England and through liaison to the Eastern Area Net.  Message traffic brought to the earlier region net at 1400 can be relayed through EAN to all parts of the US and Canada.

The September Massachusetts traffic report is now available at the following link:  https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-september-2021/

Special note: reminder to vote for New England ARRL Director plus new sound card mode (VARA HF) available for connects to KW1U MBO for relay via the national Digital Traffic Network (DTN).  Also one new net manager and one new ORS.

Mark Pereira, AC7RB, has served as CITN manager for several years but has decided to step down effective September 30, 2021.  We thank Mark very much for his years of faithful service to the net,  Effective October 1, 2021 the new manager will be Tim Doyle, W1TCD.  A big thank you to Tim for stepping up.   I know the net will be in good hands.  There will be a slight change in the schedule.  The net will now convene on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  A big thank you also to Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, for his help in assisting as NCS.  For more information about the net see https://ema.arrl.org/cape-and-islands-traffic-net/

The EM2MTN is a premier amateur radio activity in the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section.  With numerous Official Relay Stations processing hundreds of Radiograms every month.

The Net will now be offering our messaging services to stations capable of sending APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) text messages. 

Some of the Official Relay Stations involved with the Net have received training and are ready to process your Radiograms sent to them by the APRS network.  Please follow the example explained in the APRS Protocol Reference, Chapter 14 NTS Radiograms (pg.75) http://www.aprs.org/doc/APRS101.PDF. APRS Radiograms can be forwarded to the APRS stations of Bob KC1KVY-5, Loren N1IQI or Peter KC1HHO-9.  

You will receive a confirmation of receipt message via APRS and an APRS message letting you know that your radiogram was processed.  You can check your APRS callsign for messages by going online to https://aprs.fi/?c=message&call=&limit=25 and searching your APRS callsign.  

Radiograms can be sent for confirming QSOs, special occasions, holiday or birthday greetings and announcements related to the amateur radio hobby.  These types of messages are common place and sending them by APRS is an innovative and unique way to utilize your APRS asset more often. 

The Radiograms processed by the EM2MTN relay stations keep them prepared for potential Emergency and Welfare messages. Please consider incorporating your APRS activities into the important function of NTS. 

For more information you can check into the net on the Boston repeater 145.230 MHz PL 88.5 – 2000 hrs daily or email Peter KC1HHO@arrl.net

The August NTS report for Massachusetts is now available and can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-august-2021/  Thanks to all for your support of the traffic nets.  Come join us.  Our goal is to be prepared for public service as needed and we have fun in the process.

MARISN, the Massachusetts Rhode Island Slow Speed CW Net is now de-activated until further notice.  Net Manager Rob Zarges K2MZ has relocated and now has a job which keeps him out many evenings making it impossible for him to continue as net manager.  This and lack of net control stations as well as low participation has led to this decision.  If in the future an interest is expressed we will consider activating this net again.  We thank Rob for his efforts in organizing this net for the purpose of practicing CW while at the same time learning CW traffic net procedures.  Meanwhile all are welcome to join us on MARI CW net nightly at 7 PM on 3565 Khz.  Training will be provided as needed.  Check in at the speed you can copy and net control will match your speed.

73, Marcia KW1U, STM EMA / WMA