FIELD DAY NTS MESSAGES Earn extra Field Day points by originating NTS messages. The folks in NTS and NTSD welcome these messages, but a few notes here will help move this traffic along more smoothly. Properly format messages with the following: Preamble including 1)message number, 2) precedence = Routine, 3) callsign of station of origin, 4) check count = number word groups in text, 5) place of origin including city and state code, and 6) date = month and date (year not required). Name and address as complete as possible including 1) first and last name; 2) street address or post office box; 3) city, state and zipcode; and 4) telephone number with area code. Remember the more information provided gives better chance of delivery. Text should preferably be 25 words or less. No punctuation unless necessary for clarity; then use “x” (read “xray” on voice) for period and “query” for question mark. Text is separated from the address and signature by “BT” or on voice read “break”. Signature: not counted in check count and does not include 73 etc, which belongs in text. Example: NR 1 R KW1U 11 CONCORD MA JUN 24 CAROL KIRBY 1234 MAIN ST PITTSBURG PA 15111 412 555 4321 BT GREETINGS ON FIELD DAY FROM BOSTON HAVING A GREAT TIME LOVE BT MARCIA Messages can be sent via voice, CW or digital. Nets include EM2MN at 8:00pm 145.230 Boston repeater; CITN at 7:30pm 147.375 Falmouth repeater; First Region Net 3948 Khz at 1:45 and 3:30pm; 1RN CW 3570 Khz at 6:30pm, 1RN CW 3598 Khz at 7:45 and 9:30pm Digital traffic can be placed on N1XTB-4 BBS (via W1JOE-7 as needed) 145.090 Mhz using the following format: ST zipcode @ NTSXX where XX = state code; Subject line = city of destination and three digit telephone area code. After message add /EX on separate line immediately following plus a carriage return. Traffic can also be entered on HF Pactor on KW1U MBO. I scan 3591.9, 3593.9, 7100.4 and 7102.4 all center frequencies. Use the above format for entering traffic. Winlink 2000 can also be used via VHF packet by connecting to a WL2K station such as N1XTB-10. Address traffic to KW1U@winlink.org and I will move it into the NTS or NTSD. Good luck in Field Day. Marcia KW1U, STM EM and WM