As I write this on the official beginning of summer, we have been experiencing 90+ degree weather in Massachusetts, some of the warmest in the country. Field Day begins tomorrow and summertime thunderstorms are often on the horizon. I hope our traffic handlers are taking part in Field Day activities while staying safe. If any have experiences you would like to share in my next report please send them to me, kw1u@comcast.net. I would be interested in reporting on them next month.
Be sure to remember our annual Traffic Handlers Picnic coming up on Sunday, August 4 beginning at 12:00 Noon. Come to 44 Raymond Road, Concord MA and enjoy an afternoon of food and friendly conversation with fellow traffic handlers. Hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausages and baked beans will be provided. Bring your own beverage of choice and a lawn chair if you have one. I do have a few for those who do not. Any additional food delights are always welcome. An RSVP to help me plan how much food to provide would be most helpful. Radiogram or email works for me. Hope to see you there.
Have you been following the NTS Treasure Hunt in the NTS Letter? Information is also now available on the NTS 2.0 website at https://nts2.arrl.org/treasure-hunt/. We have so far had two first place winners from Massachusetts, Shawn, N1CVO and Lem, W1LEM. Congrats both of you. Join the fun and generate some message traffic. Specially designed coffee mugs have been awarded to first place winners each month with certificates going to all who complete all three rounds. There was no Hunt in June but I’ve been told there will be one in July, so check out the NTS Letter or the NTS2 website for details.
I hope you have set aside the dates August 23-25 for the New England HamXposition in Marlboro. Check out the website https://hamxposition.org/ for details. We will have a forum on NTS, what it is and how are we transitioning into this 21st century. We will also have a NTS Meet and Greet, an opportunity to meet other traffic handlers from all around New England and share experiences. Of course there will be many interesting forums going on, but we hope we will see you at one of our NTS sessions.
Jack KB1SYL, a regular on the Eastern Mass 2 Meter Net, took to heart my previous comments about the importance of using delivery of welcome to amateur radio radiograms as a means helping these contacts to become involved with NTS. Jack reports that he is keeping a log and as a result of his delivery contacts, KC1URV, KC1PFS, KC1OOH, KC1PWO and KC1TKS have all been participating in EM2MN. Great work Jack and a good suggestion for others to take note.
Bob KC1KVY, manager of HHTN reports that two regular check-ins to his net are now not only taking traffic for delivery but have been volunteering to pick up “thru” traffic from HHTN for movement beyond the local area. Thanks to Shawn N1CVO and Dave KC1TLF for their help in keeping traffic moving toward destination.
Last month I wrote about the new list of numbered radiograms available on the NTS2.arrl.org website. I have now added these to our section website at https://ema.arrl.org/arrl-numbered-texts-20230606/.
The link to the May report is below. Thanks to all for your participation and support.
73, Marcia KW1U
STM EMA / WMA / RI