It is said Punxsutawney Phil is a predictor of continued winter weather and it appears he may be correct again this year. With this prospect we should have more time to plan for all those outdoor projects, whether POTA activations or antenna and related updates. Meanwhile those antennas will hopefully stay in the air during these winter storms, allowing the nets to continue daily operation as usual. Be on the alert, however, for Skywarn activity during upcoming storms and give the spotters plenty of opportunity for their reports.
The traffic nets have been quite active during the past few weeks. EM2MN manager Peter, KC1HHO has developed a very interesting and exciting plan for generating traffic for our traffic nets. See Peter’s story below.
Boston Cape Cod Traffic Jam (BCCTJ) – Generating excitement on Eastern Mass 2 Meter Traffic Nets
NTS Relay stations from 4 Eastern Mass NTS nets have been having fun with a new program dubbed the “Boston Cape Cod Traffic Jam”. Local nets, Eastern Massachusetts 2 Meter Traffic Net, Heavy Hitters Traffic Net and Cape & Islands Traffic Net as well as the Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone Net, one of our two section HF traffic nets are involved with sending traffic back and forth between the Boston area and Cape Cod. What makes this unique is all the traffic involves queries regarding our respective locations, travel adventures and other local subjects. All traffic is delivered on air during the nets. About 30 radiograms have been passed in less than 3 weeks and the future of the program looks bright.
If you have considered getting involved with NTS but have found it to be rather dry perhaps it’s time to give it another shot. Things like this are what we make it and the intent here is fun while preserving the important function of the methods and procedures that make NTS an effective communication tool. Practice makes perfect. This traffic jam is one that we are all enjoying on the nets. Please stop in to the local 2-meter traffic nets and check it out.
73, Peter KC1HHO
Exercise Operation Clear Ice – February 1, 2025
An Eastern Mass section-wide exercise called ‘Operation Clear Ice’ was called on Saturday February 1 to test capabilities of amateur radio operators in emergency situations. As in other recent exercises, NTS was called upon to operate both the Eastern Mass 2 Meter Net and the Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net to handle message traffic relating to the exercise. EM2MN was called by net manager Peter, KC1HHO who reported 16 checkins handled 13 NTS radiograms during the 2 hour exercise. They also handled 15 NOAA radio reports which were sent to WX1BOX via Winlink. MARIDN manager Jon, N1ILZ reported a total of 7 stations who, using FlDigi and FlMsg checked in and, after poor conditions on 80 meters required a move to 40 meters where conditions were slightly better, were able to pass two NTS messages during the same 2 hour period. NTS has a definite role during emergencies and the two managers plan to meet together to discuss how NTS can better serve the community during such times.
News from the Net Managers
In addition to reporting on the BCCTJ, Peter, KC1HHO reports that Matt, KC1VXV from Brighton has nearly finished training in message handling and net procedures and Jack, KC1SJK from Arlington has also been doing a great job handling traffic. Jack has also been heard recently on the Mass Rhode Island Phone Net on HF. Thanks to both you guys for your help and support.
Bob, KC1KVY, manager of Heavy Hitters Traffic Net reports that several of their net participants have been active in the BCCTJ including Shawn, N1CVO, Neil, N1HAN and Jim, KM1TWL and Bob expects more to follow. He reports Tim, W1TCD from Cotuit on Cape Cod has been instrumental in relaying traffic to and from HHTN and the Cape and Islands Traffic Net (CITN) where Tim is net manager. Thanks to all those folks for their help and participation. All have found this a fun and exciting way to practice handling radiogram traffic on a traffic net.
Have you been following The NTS Letter, published monthly by ARRL? Get the latest on NTS 2 activity along with NTS news from around the country. Go to nts2.arrl.org/ntsletter to find out how to subscribe if you are an ARRL member. Member or not, you can read any issues from the archive printed there. Recent article in the February issue points to a new entry on the nts2 website written by John Marcus, W1JWM from Melrose which includes scripts both for for delivering radiograms via phone and for leaving voicemails. For any who experience anxiety over making calls to strangers, John has some good tips. You can also find this article on our East Mass website at ema.arrl.org/radiogram-call-script-guide/.
I recently learned that Bob Holland, N1SYC, formerly from Plymouth, became a Silent Key in December. While not heard much in recent times, Bob had been quite active on both EM2MN and CITN, having been an ORS and net manager. Rest in peace Bob.
Below is the January STM report. Thanks to all for your participation and support of NTS. CU on the nets.
73, Marcia KW1U
STM EMA/WMA/RI