For my December report I would like to offer the year 2022 in review, beginning with the year-end stats which are quite impressive and show the dedication of traffic handlers in Massachusetts:
NET SESSIONS = 1901
TOTAL TRAFFIC = 6,220
TOTAL CHECK-INS = 12,396
TOTAL TIME IN SESSION = 32,363 MINUTES OR 539+ HOURS
TOTAL TRAFFIC = 6,220
TOTAL CHECK-INS = 12,396
TOTAL TIME IN SESSION = 32,363 MINUTES OR 539+ HOURS
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
January: New England Division Director Fred AB1OC establishes a committee to work on the new ARRL supported revitalization of NTS with its additional focus on emergency communications. This committee continues to meet weekly via Zoom.
February: 185 Radiograms sent out to attendees of the first Director’s Town Hall
meeting.
March: Radiograms from MA Task Force (MATF) sent out to 180 of their members – made a big impression on FEMA officials.
July: Radiograms sent out by MATF to 80 of their leaders regarding actual deployment availability to major Kentucky flood area.
August: Annual traffic handlers picnic in Concord.
Traffic handlers get-together at HamXposition where AB1OC explained work of the NTS 2.0 revitalization committee.
Multiple radiograms sent by K9HI to all presenters at HamXposition as well as all responders to his survey.
Traffic handlers get-together at HamXposition where AB1OC explained work of the NTS 2.0 revitalization committee.
Multiple radiograms sent by K9HI to all presenters at HamXposition as well as all responders to his survey.
September: Michael WZ0C appointed as ASTM (Assistant Section Traffic Manager)
October: 165 radiograms sent out from ARRL HQ to all SMs, STMs, Directors, Vice Directors and ARRL officers to show support by ARRL and inform recipients of NTS 2.0 activities.
November Section SET added a special emergency net session of EM2MN called by Peter KC1HHO NM.
New digital net (MARIDN) established, meeting once a week using NBEMS with N1ILZ as Manager.
HHTN extends to daily net sessions
New digital net (MARIDN) established, meeting once a week using NBEMS with N1ILZ as Manager.
HHTN extends to daily net sessions
Jan thru Dec: Bob KC1KVY continues his daily radiograms confirming POTA activations.
Regional hubs began using VARA with sound card modem for DTN messaging, giving better access to DTN.
Regional hubs began using VARA with sound card modem for DTN messaging, giving better access to DTN.
TRAFFIC TOPICS:
Introduction to NTS of use of ICS 213 forms in emergency type communications.
Clarification on date and time in radiogram header where Zulu or local time must be identified and match date.
Clarification on “place of origin” – matches location of signer of message (signature), not necessarily “station of origin” in the header
Clarification on where to send a service message regarding a third party message – goes to “station of origin” in the header and not to the signer’s name and location (which is the “place of origin”).
What actually constitutes a “delivery”, did the recipient acknowledge receipt?
What constitutes an origination for the Station Activity Report (SAR) = a message received from a third party via an off-the-air function which you format into a radiogram and put on the air. Your own messages such as net reports or service messages are not originations.
Because radiograms may at some point be transmitted via CW or voice, punctuation in radiograms must be spelled out except for x for period, examples @ = atsign or “dot” in email address, “R” for decimal point in a number
If possible, when delivering a “welcome to new licensee” message, take time to offer helpful information for finding clubs, nets, other ham activity as well as help getting on the air.
That’s all folks! The report is below. Wishing all a joyful healthy and prosperous new year with lots of hamming activity.
73, Marcia