NTS

A Massachusetts-Rhode Island CW traffic net will begin operations soon at 7 PM ET for five evenings per week, according to MA STM Marcia Forde, KW1U. [Details]

The Massachusetts Rhode Island CW Net (MARI) will convene Monday January 7 at 7:00 PM on or about 3565 Khz.  We will operate a slow speed net and training messages will be provided.  New and experienced ops are welcome.  Currently we will operate Monday through Friday and expand to seven evenings a week if there is enough interest. We will attempt to hold a Q&A session following the EM2MN on the 145.23 Boston repeater for questions and/or discussion.  Hope to see you there.

73, Marcia KW1U

The annual Eastern Massachusetts Section Traffic Handlers Picnic will be held August 5, 2012 at the Raynham Senior Center picnic area in Raynham MA. The picnic will run from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. [Full story]

To those who are new to message handling, delivering messages is one of the more important aspects of traffic handling since it is an interface between amateur radio and the general public, educating people on the public service ham radio provides.  Messages to other hams also provide an opportunity to introduce message handling and traffic nets to those who may not be familiar with this aspect of our hobby.  It is also fun, meeting new people, sharing messages to them from family, friends and other hams around the country, and in the case of other hams, perhaps talking with them about their interests in the hobby as well as yours.  This is a skill however, one that improves and becomes more comfortable with practice. 

Begin by making sure you copied the message accurately, requesting fills as needed and making sure the  check in the preamble matches the number of words in the text.

When calling introduce yourself as a ham radio operator with a radiogram for (addee) from (name in signature) in (place of origin).  This helps them to know you are not a telemarketer.  You might explain that the message is sent as a free public service so they know you’re not going to ask for money.  If you have ascertained that you are speaking with the addee, go on to read the message.  If the addee is not home ask the person answering if they wish to copy the message or when would be a good time to call back.  If you get an answer machine leave your name and phone number and a brief explanation why you are calling and that you will call back.  Some will call you back.  If you don’t hear back try again another time.  If after three tries you still get no response, send a service message to the originator.  This will be covered later.

When delivering a message you will only read the text and signature.  Remember most people will not know about arl numbered radiograms, so make sure you are prepared to read the corresponding text for the specific arl number.  (See nts.ema.arrl.org for list of these texts)  Any use of the initial “x” corresponds to a period and the word “query” represents a question mark, so these are generally not read in the text.  Most folks are very appreciative of the messages we deliver.  However you may get someone on a bad day who will react accordingly.  Remember we are ambassadors for amateur radio and conduct yourself accordingly.

Notice any handling instructions (HX’s in the preamble).  If there is an HXC send originator a radiogram with date and time of delivery.  If there is an HXE, attempt to get a reply to send back to the sender.  An HXF followed by a number means hold message for delivery until  that date.  If a message is undeliverable send a service message back to originator explaining reason for non delivery.  If phone number is incorrect, disconnected or not in service, include number you called in the text of your service message since sometimes phone numbers you received may have been garbled along the way.

Sound complicated?  It really is not.  The important thing is to relax and have fun, and know that you are getting practice in performing a public service

Greetings Eastern Mass traffic handlers, 

It is with great sadness that we have lost a fellow traffic handler and friend in Gil Follett W1GMF.  He will definitely be missed.  Gil’s passing has not only left us without that booming voice on the nets and a lot of traffic, but he was also sysop for the N1XTB BBS, our local digital outlet for traffic and helped maintain the NTS page on the ema.arrl.org website.  Phil N1XTB has agreed to keep the BBS operational for our use, and Loren N1IQI, who has helped keep us busy with his traffic, has also, along with K1YCQ and N1LUM, been monitoring the BBS for traffic to make sure it gets cleared.  Thanks to all you folks and others who take traffic from the BBS for delivery.  It is much appreciated.

Your STM is about to learn how to post information on the website, so you can look for the monthly report and any other traffic notes which I hope to put up there.  If anyone has any traffic related articles they would like to see posted there please let me know.

It is great to see all the new folks checking into both the two meter nets, taking traffic and taking on net control.  Just a reminder that not only does the 8:00 net meet daily on the Boston repeater, but Heavy Hitters meets regularly at 10 on the Minuteman linked repeaters Monday, Wednesday and Friday as well as Tuesday and Thursday when  NCS is available.  Dave N1LUM has been running most nets along with Scott N1SGB on Wednesdays.  This net has been growing, but I’m sure Dave would appreciate help with NCS duties. 

We have an Eastern Mass section net which currently meets Monday through Friday at 5:30 on 3918 Khz.  Participation on this net has not been very good.  Currently this is our only section net, and liaises with the region nets to get traffic beyond the section.  Is anyone on HF who could help out with this net?  Please see Jim N1LKJ or KW1U for more information.  If we had more participation we would like to return to seven days a week. 

Anyone interested in CW traffic handling?  We have had no CW section net for awhile now due to lack of participation.  There is an excellent CW training net and I would be happy to provide more information about that to anyone interested.  Not feeling good about your CW skills?  I would be glad to get on the air for some code practice.  I haven’t tried CW on two meters, but can set up some practice time on HF if anyone is interested.

Enough for now, but see you on the nets.  Thanks again to all for your participation.

73, Marcia KW1U, STM EMA Section