NTS

As April showers bring May flowers, I have been enjoying watching the daffodils and other spring flowers bloom and the buds on the trees begin to open up.  I’m also anticipating the erection of a new tower and getting the antennas atop that tower in good working order.  I suspect some of you are also looking to upgrade your antennas.  This is an exciting time of year. Dayton Hamvention is coming up in May and I’ve heard of several folks heading to Ohio for one of the biggest ham events of the year.  Field Day in June will be here …

Greetings All,  Below you will find the January Traffic Report for the combined sections of East and West Mass, thanks to the efforts of both Greg KC1CIC and Peter KD2JKV. I am also including here a clip from an email received concerning a response from a radiogram recipient which was received by Henry WA1VAB of the MARI CW net.  I’m sure it was very rewarding to Henry and it is part of the reasons we deliver these radiograms. “Thank for the radio gram! Most unexpected and a real treat to seeing how the network works! I’ve just returned from a crash …

Winter is now upon us and showing not only it’s beauty but it’s challenging propagation where NTS nets are concerned. On HF, radiowave skip continues to be long many days and evenings making it difficult to hear local stations on section and region nets. We have been able to make good use of 160 meters on MARI CW net, but have to get creative where not all net participants have 160 meter capability (a 160 meter dipole is approximately 265 feet long). If you don’t find us on 3565 Khz, look on 1810 Khz. The MARIPN continues to operate on …

Time has flown by and Christmas is now only two weeks away. Apologies for not getting the October Traffic Report out until now. Your STM takes the full blame for that. Thanks to KC1CIC who has consistently provided the monthly report in a timely manner. Winter conditions on the HF nets have been creeping in requiring us to get creative. For those who have the capability we have found 160 meters to work when we’re too close to copy one another on 80 meters. The MARI CW net has as it’s alternate frequency 1810 Khz. We always begin on 3565 …

It seems at this writing that summer has abruptly come to an end and winter has begun. Not only has the temperature changed, but so has propagation affecting communication on the traffic nets. I suspect we will face challenges on the HF nets as we have the past few winters as we dip further into the solar minimum. However Massachusetts traffic handlers are up to the challenge and we will perservere. If anyone is capable of getting on 160 meters, we will surely appreciate your help there. Of particular note, at our NTS Forum at Boxboro in September, Bill Mann …

After serving as manager of the First Region Net Cycle 4 (1RN) since 2011 , Bill Mann W1KX of Monmouth ME is stepping down.  Bill took over following the passing of W1UD and has done a tremendous job of keeping the net active,  and we are very grateful to Bill for all he has done for NTS.  We expect to see him continue as a regular net participant, but Eric Wilhelm W1RVY of Southbridge MA has volunteered to assume net leadership and will take over as manager effective November 1, 2018.  Eric has been a regular participant on both Massachusetts Rhode …

Earlier in September we saw a nice NTS presence at the ARRL Convention at Boxboro MA. At an NTS Forum we had a good turnout and some good discussion with traffic handlers from all over New England, as well as some ARES folks. We also had an excellent presentation on digital messaging for both NTS and ARES by Greg KC1CIC. Anyone who missed that can contact Greg for more information. On Sunday there were two presentations by W1YSM of CT on how to be an effective net control as well as some of the “nuts and bolts” of formal message …

July and the first half of August have been busy ones.  As many of you know I was privileged to go on a cruise to Alaska late July into early August.  While Massachusetts had heat and rain, we had perfect weather in Alaska, at least perfect for us tourists but no so for those who live there.  Southeast Alaska is a rain forest and they hadn’t had rain in over a week!  The sun shone every day we were there and temperatures were in the 70s and 80s.  The scenery in Alaska is fabulous in itself, and to add to …

Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U writes: Hello to all Massachusetts traffic handlers, Those who were able to attend the annual traffic handlers picnic last Sunday, which included ASTMs, Net Managers and those who handle a large number of radiograms, were involved in a discussion regarding the disposition of what has come to be called “bulk” or “spam” traffic, arriving on Massachusetts traffic nets. As mentioned in the enclosed document, there has been an increasing proliferation of radiograms originated by traffic handlers throughout the US and addressed to other amateurs  whose call signs, names and addresses were acquired from an …

REMINDER – The annual traffic handlers picnic will take place this Sunday, August 12 from noon to 4 at 44 Raymond Road, Concord MA.  All traffic handlers and others interested in learning more about traffic handling are invited.  Hamburgers, hot dogs and Italian sausages will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice.  I have heard of some folks bringing chips and cake.  If you wish to bring something to share it would be most welcome and appreciated, but we do always seem to have a lot  left over.  I also have a limited number of chairs, so if you happen …