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Traffic Handlers Picnic
Calling all traffic handlers and would be traffic handlers. The annual traffic handlers picnic is almost here. Sunday August 3 is the date and 44 Raymond Road in Concord MA is the place. This is a tradition going back many years and we have enjoyed seeing the folks we’ve handled traffic with on the nets, discussing things radio, all while enjoying good food and fellowship. I’ve placed my request for good weather Bring a beverage of choice and a lawn chair if you have one. Hamburgers, hot dogs and Italian sausages will be provided along with other goodies brought by any of our own who wish. The grill will be fired up by noon thanks to the grill chefs, the two Dales, K1WU and NR1V. I’ve heard our division director K1KI will be there as will our section manager, N1ILZ and our favorite liaison at ARRL, WV1X, as well as other notables. Come enjoy the conversation.
New England HamXposition
Also don’t forget the New England HamXposition August 21-24 in Marlboro MA. I hear its going to be one of the best ever. We will have a meet and greet for traffic handlers and I look forward to seeing you there.
ARRL – RRI Memorandum of Understanding
This report is a bit later than I had hoped, but it has allowed me to report on the new Memorandum of Understanding between ARRL and RRI (Radio Relay International). Both organizations have supported the NTS and now we will all be working together to make NTS a true provider of public service. Read more on the ARRL website and in the upcoming NTS Letter on this MOU which was signed during the ARRL Board of Directors meeting this past weekend.
Message Delivery Nowadays: You never know what’s going to happen
Our own Shawn, N1CVO has written an article on his experiences in delivering message traffic. This will be appearing in the August issue of the NTS Letter. Here is an excerpt:
“I got back into traffic handling in 2023 after a 30-year hiatus from ham radio.
Much of the traffic nowadays seems to be bulk ‘welcome’ messages and it is
great practice. I’ve read in some forums that some hams won’t take them
for delivery since phone numbers are sometimes incorrect. I look at it a bit
like fishing: I might throw my line in the water a few times and get nothing,
but when I get a bite, it’s rewarding and sometimes entertaining. I would like
to thank VE1AQF, NX9K, N9VC, N0JAR, DL4FN, N1IQI and others for providing
me a ‘fishing hole’.”
Read more of Shawn’s article in the NTS Letter, due out on August 3.
That’s it for now. The June traffic report is below. Thanks to all for your participation and support of the traffic nets. And hope to see you on August 3.
Massachusetts - Rhode Island STM Report for June 2025 (1)