As summer races forward, we now look back on Field Day and look forward to the traffic handlers picnic, the August Emcomm exercise and HamXposition.
As we reflect back on Field Day, some of our folks operated with their clubs, some operated at home and some traveled to different clubs. Our nets were geared up for handling FD messages and the KW1U MBO was quite active with FD radiograms. Thanks to all who helped in this activity. We might be considering what we could do next year to add to this activity, promoting and teaching others in our clubs how they can get some experience in message handling and get those extra points.
This is the last call for the annual traffic handlers picnic, to be held in less than two weeks on August 4 in Concord MA. As mentioned before, hamburgers, hot dogs and Italian sausages will be provided along with baked beans. Bring your beverage of choice and something to share if you so choose. Also bring a lawn chair if you have one. I have a few for those who do not. The address is 44 Raymond Rd, Concord MA and the time is 12 Noon onward. We may have a talk in on Waltham repeater or call 508 314 6836 for directions if needed. I’ve put in the request for nice weather and I do have a nice shade tree to sit under. Enjoy seeing your fellow traffic handlers and joining in discussions of NTS and traffic topics. All interested in traffic handling are welcome. Please RSVP so I know how much food to have on hand.
There will be an Emcomm exercise in Eastern Mass on Saturday August 3, organized by Cape DEC Frank WQ1O. There will be an NTS component for this exercise and Frank has asked that the Mass Rhode Island Phone Net, East Mass 2 Meter Net and Mass Rhode Island Digital Net be activated during the exercise period of 10 AM to 12 Noon. Net Managers are looking for help manning these nets, and participants to be available to assist with message traffic. Check with your net manager for details.
The New England HamXposition is coming up in just one month, August 22 – 25 in Marlboro MA. Lots of activities are planned and include an NTS presentation as well as a traffic handlers Meet and Greet. HamXposition 2024 is reported to be even bigger and better than ever, so come check out the activity and visit us at the NTS programs. Check https://hamxposition.org/ for details.
From the Field:
Peter KC1HHO, manager of EM2MN and Assistant Section Traffic Manager for Training reports the following:
- Visited 3 radio clubs during ARRL Field Day. Definitely created awareness to NTS.
- Will be working with Jack N1QE of Whitman Club to send NTS from the clubs Marshfield Fair event in August. More details to follow.
- I am working on getting traffic from K1USN for their CW Slow Speed Training Certificates. I am working with PI K1RV on this project.
Thanks to Peter for all his great efforts.
Traffic Tips:
Last month I mentioned the new ARRL Numbered Radiograms which can be found at https://nts2.arrl.org/numbered-texts/. These have also been updated on the ema.arrl.org site. I am now pleased to announce that thanks to Phil K9HI we now have downloadable versions in both PDF and DOCX so that you are no longer required to have internet availability in order to access this information. Download and store on your computer or print out a copy for quick access.
Note also a PDF and DOCX version of the Handling Instructions available at https://nts2.arrl.org/hx-handling-instructions/. There you will notice new handling instructions HXI and HXR which have been in use for handling Emcomm agency forms. There is now an additional handling instruction HXT which will be used in future traffic tests. More information about these tests will be made available in the near future. Stay tuned.
Thanks to all for your continued participation and support.
73, Marcia KW1U
STM EMA / WMA / RI
STM EMA / WMA / RI