Greetings all,
I hope all are surviving the summer heat. We had a perfect day for the annual traffic handlers cookout on Sunday, August 3. The sun was shining but temperatures were only in the low 80s and my big maple tree gave us plenty of shade. Approximately 27 people from MA, RI, CT and NH. were present and I think a good time was had by all. Food, thanks to our grill chef, Dale K1WU, and conversations were abundant as folks got to meet in person the folks they have worked on the traffic nets. Steve Ewald, WV1X, our traffic “go-to” person with all the answers came from Newington CT and brought along a number of ARRL publications for “door prizes”. After an update from our New England Division Vice Director, Phil, K9HI, a drawing was held for the prizes. I think almost everyone took home a book including a couple written by our own K9HI. If you missed this cookout we hope to do this again next year. Included here are a couple pictures taken at the cookout by Phil, K9HI.
Next on the agenda is the New England Division HamXposition in Marlboro MA August 21-24. Check out https://hamxposition.org/ for more details. In particular check out the NTS Meet and Greet on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM. While you won’t find it in the printed program (somehow this got screwed up), it is in the online version of the forum programs at https://hamxposition.org/2025/08/13/nts-meet-and-greet-at-2025-northeast-hamxposition/. We will be in the Northborough Room W7. Come meet other traffic handlers and learn the latest of what is going on in New England traffic circles. I hope to be passing out certificates to new ORS appointees in Massachusetts who are present.
Help Needed: I also plan to have an NTS table where folks can stop by to say hello and check out what’s going on in NTS and particularly the Radiogram Portal you have heard talk about. See a live demo how to send a radiogram using this web-based application. I really would like some help to man this table. I can give a five minute tutorial on the Portal so you can assist anyone wanting to try it.
The traffic nets have been humming. Note the total message handlings in the traffic report for July of 722, and that during prime vacation time when many are away. The Cape Cod Traffic Jam continues to keep folks busy and the rest of us are learning interesting facts about the Cape and other parts of the state.
The Virtual NTS Training Net has been attracting new participants from various parts of the US. Some have also been checking into HHTN via Echolink to see how a traffic net is run. We want to especially welcome them and encourage them. Perhaps some will be able to start local nets in their home areas. Find information about this net at https://nts2.arrl.org/virtual-nts-training-net/.
The STM report is below. Thanks to all for your participation and support of the traffic nets.
73, Marcia KW1U, STM
Massachusetts - Rhode Island STM Report for July 2025 (1)