NTS

Your STM needs a vacation from vacations in order to catch up.  Sorry this is delayed getting on the website.  Greg was right on time, but I’m the guilty party.

Traffic and check-ins have been somewhat slow the past month, but many thanks to the regulars who have kept things going during my absense.  One more trip in July and that will be it for my travel for awhile.

We are looking forward to Field Day coming up this weekend (June 24-25).  We hope to see lots of NTS traffic coming out of the Field Day sites.  I will be visiting several sites and hope to see some of you.

Don’t forget the traffic handlers picnic currently planned for Sunday August 6 noon to 4 at my QTH in Concord MA.  All traffic handlers are invited.  Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring yourselves, any beverage you prefer and if you wish you can bring something to share.  More details will follow in July.

Happy summer to all.
Marcia KW1U

Greetings all Massachusetts traffic handlers.  Below you will find the April traffic report for the combined sections of East and West Mass.  Thanks to all for your support.

We welcome a new ORS. AB1UF of Framingham. Fred is a regular on the MARI CW net and has recently accepted a liaison position to 1RN.  As you can see from our list below we have a growing number of stations reporting station activity (SAR) and Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR).  Anyone can send in a report to Greg KC1CIC at the end of the month and be listed here.  Information on reporting can be found on this site under SAR and PSHR.  Active on traffic nets? Consider an ARRL ORS (Official Relay Station) field appointment, which incidently gets you 10 points in Category 3 of the PSHR.  See KW1U for details or check ARRL.org keyword ORS.

Upcoming activities include Field Day June 24-25, a traffic handlers picnic in Concord probably Sunday August 6 and the Boxboro convention September 8-10.  Field Day participants are reminded that points can be made by sending NTS messages. More information on this can be found under the menu to the left of this page entitled Field Day Traffic Tips. Encourage your group to take advantage of these points and gain experience in message handling. You can help them to do this.  More information on the picnic and Boxboro will be provided next month, but reserve the dates.

Happy Spring to all.   de Marcia KW1U

Spring is finally coming to New England. Life springs anew. The buds are opening up on the trees, flowers are starting to bloom and folks are perhaps thinking about checking on those antennas and how they survived the winter.  Some may be thinking about new equipment.  I know one who will be showing off a new HF radio.  (Hope you enjoy it Greg.)

As we head into spring, flea markets and hamfests are springing up as well.  May 5 and 6 is NearFest in Deerfield New Hampshire.  Pete K1PJS, NH SM has announced a traffic handlers’ meeting ‘over coffee’ on Saturday May 6 at 10 AM at the ARRL Booth. All traffic handlers are invited.  Meet fellow traffic handlers from NH and possibly around New England.  I plan to be there and hope to see some of you.

Below is the March traffic report thanks to the always fine efforts of Greg KC1CIC.  While I spent a week in Florida during March, you folks kept the nets running so smoothly.  Thanks to all for all your support.

73, Marcia KW1U, STM

Spring is almost here, although it is hard to tell some days.  My bulbs and shrubs are all confused.  The calendar does say however that it’s almost time for yard and antenna work so we can start making those plans.

The nets have been doing well, lots of check-ins, handling lots of traffic.  I was invited to give a presentation on NTS to the Framingham Club, which was most enjoyable. They were a very attentive group and asked lots of good questions.  If anyone else belongs to a club in the section and would like a presentation on NTS and traffic handling let me know.

Below is the February traffic report for East and West Mass, again thanks to the excellent work of Greg KC1CIC. See you all on the nets.

While winter has taken it’s toll on HF with poor to deploable band conditions, the hardy traffic handlers of Massachusetts have persisted and the nets have performed well in spite of propagation.  Thanks to all who have kept the nets flowing with traffic.  While VHF does not suffer the same vagaries of HF, the New England cold has probably helped to keep some indoors and on the radio, keeping these nets very active as well.

I am pleased to announce that the Cape and Island Traffic Net has expanded to include a fourth weekly session and now operates on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Welcome back to Mike N2JWW who is assuming NCS on Monday evenings.

Unfortunately Bob N1SYC, due to health reasons, has found it necessary to reduce his ham radio responsibilities and while continuing as manager of the Cape and Islands net, is resigning as manager of the Eastern Mass 2 Meter net.  Greg KC1CIC has agreed to take on that responsibility.  Many thanks to Greg and we wish Bob healthier days ahead.

The January section traffic report for the combined sections of East and West Mass is shown below.  Thanks again to Greg KC1CIC for his help in putting these reports together.  See you all on the nets.
73, Marcia KW1U

2016 has come to a close and it has been a busy and eventful year.  We had a traffic handlers picnic on a picture perfect day, and a traffic handlers table at the New England ARRL convention in Boxboro.  The Cape and Islands 2 Meter Net was re-activated with N1SYC as Net Manager, and Heavy Hitters Traffic Net increased from three to four sessions a week, adding Sunday evening thanks to Net Manager W1HAI.  The Mass Rhode Island Phone Net celebrated it’s one year anniversary under the leadership of N1LAH.  The East Mass 2 Meter Net moved to Quincy and Sharon repeaters until finally landing back home on the Boston repeater.  We lost several traffic handlers including Clyde N1BHH and Jack N1OTC who became Silent Keys, and Mike NA1XX who due to a physical condition had to discontinue his radio activities. Greg KC1CIC was officially appointed to the ARRL position of Assistant Section Traffic Manager.  K1BML was appointed a new Official Relay Station. KC1EGK and KC1ENA became new Net Control Stations.  KO4W became a new traffic handler. KC1EGK, KC1ETB and KO4W joined KC1CIC and N1IQI as digital traffic handlers
Included below is not only the December Section Traffic Report but a year end summary of all our traffic activity in 2016.  Thanks to Greg KC1CIC for compiling all the stats and thanks to all you great traffic handlers for a really good year.  73, Marcia KW1U

Winter has come, the first snow has fallen and the temperatures are plunging. Christmas music is everywhere, shops are filled with people, and the airwaves are humming with radiograms full of holiday cheer.  Have you tried this unique way of connecting with family and friends?  I’m sure they would be surprised and delighted to hear.

I’m happy to say the Boston Amateur Radio Club has been working on their repeater, and the East Mass Two Meter Traffic Net is finally back home on the 145.230 repeater where it has resided for many years.  Our many thanks to the members of BARC for all their efforts.

The November traffic stats are listed below.  If you are an ORS remember to send your SAR and PSHR reports to Greg KC1CIC.  If you are not yet an ORS (Official Relay Station) and have been handling traffic, ask Marcia KW1U about getting this ARRL field appointment.

Best wishes to all for the holiday season.
73, Marcia KW1U

November is here, the leaves are falling like raindrops, and the holidays are fast approaching.  Have you tried sending holiday greetings via NTS?  There was a time when the nets were filled with holiday messages.  We all kept busy, had fun in the process, and the messages were well received.  Today we have the internet, but we can still keep busy, have fun and enjoy delivering that holiday good cheer sent via amateur radio.  Who has tried this?  Who will try it?
Below you will see in the October report the results of your efforts on the traffic nets.  We have a great and enthusiastic group of folks in Massachusetts.  Thank you so much for your support.  Have a happy Thanksgiving and don’t forget our Vererans on Veterans Day.
73, Marcia KW1U

Greetings all,
The month of September saw some notable changes.  On the down side, we lost one of our best traffic handlers when Jack N1OTC became a silent key.  He will definitely be missed.
On the up side, the Cape and Islands Traffic Net was reactivated thanks to Bob N1SYC.  This net meets Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM on the Falmouth 147.375 repeater.  Bob hopes to expand this net as more volunteers are found to assume Net Control.
The Heavy Hitters Traffic Net has added a night and now meets on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Thanks to manager Joe W1HAI for encouraging new stations to step up.
The Mass Rhode Island Phone Net now has a regular check-in from West Mass, Mark WY1G, giving us a much needed outlet into the western counties of the state.
Thanks to all traffic handlers for your support.
73, Marcia KW1U STM East and West Mass

I hope all are having a good summer, keeping cool and hydrated.  A lot has been going on within NTS over the summer.  Here in Massachusetts traffic handlers have been busy keeping the traffic flowing.  We’ve had some newbies to message handling which is always a welcome sight.  New folks are starting to learn and actually handle messages on the nets and through the packet system as well.  Training is available and we welcome and encourage more to get involved.  See Marcia KW1U or Greg KC1CIC for more information.

I’ve been informed the Western Mass Cycle 2 net which meets on the Mt Greylock repeater has increased it’s activity from five to seven days a week.  Great work Bruce N1YCW.  The Cycle 1 net has been operational daily for some time now thanks to Obie N1QOV.  Both nets are found on 146.91 Mt Greylock repeater, Cycle 1 at 10 AM and Cycle 2 at 1 PM.  Both have also seen an increase in traffic handled and are seeing new traffic handlers as well.  Hopefully some can be encouraged to also check into the Mass Rhode Island Phone Net which serves the whole state and meets on 3978 Khz at 6 PM Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  Anyone interested in CW is also welcome on the MARI CW net 3565 Khz daily at 7 PM.

As mentioned elsewhere on this page, the Cape and Islands 2 Meter Net should soon see a revival thanks to Bob N1SYC.  This net has met on the Falmouth 147.375 repeater at 7:30 PM.  Look for more information in the near future.

Below are the stats for July.  Thanks to all for your support.