National Traffic System

Exciting Things Happening in Traffic Handling

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Marcia Forde, KW1U, writes on the New England Traffic Handlers Facebook page:
 
Hey New England Traffic Handlers:
 
I’ve not been much of a poster on FB but there are exciting things happening in the traffic handling world and at ARRL.
 
Did you notice in July QST the comments from ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA? He acknowledged the ARRL had not taken the lead it should in emergency communications in the last decade. However, now with the creation of a new standing committee, Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (EC&FSC), there is, I believe, a renewed interest in turning this around. A subgroup of that committee has been working for the past few months on identifying what in NTS needs updating and how NTS can, in the future, be a real asset to public service agencies in their emergency communications. This group has been spearheaded by our New England Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, in conjunction with W2RU, KW1U KC1OIP and KE5MHV (Emergency Communications Manager at ARRL).
 
We believe we have some great ideas and a vision for NTS 2.0 which has received positive response from the EC&FSC members, and we want to start sharing this with the traffic handlers community. We will be looking for input but perhaps more importantly for help on one or more of several implementation teams. Contact any one of us if you are interested in learning more and potentially helping out and we will arrange for Zoom meetings to share and explain the work that has been done so far.
 
I think this is a great opportunity to help make a difference in promoting the value of Amateur Radio to the public and to those agencies that serve the public in times of emergencies.
 
73, Marcia KW1U

NH Field Organization Changes

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NH Section Manager Pete Stohrer, K1PJS, writes:

 
I wanted to mention a few changes in the NH Field Organization staff. John, K1UAF, is the new Section Traffic Manager in NH replacing Bill Noyce, AB1AV. 
 
All monthly PSHR and SAR reports should be sent to John, K1UAF, via the GSTN FM phone (146.94), NH Section Traffic and Training (3976 kHz) or VTNH CW (3539 kHz) nets. 
 
Joe Burke, W1INC has been appointed as Assistant Section Traffic Manager.
 
Many thanks to Bill, John and Joe for their continued support in NH Traffic handling and NTS.
 
73
 
Pete

Vermont New Hampshire (VTNH) CW Traffic Nets

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Fred,WA1MXT, writes on Facebook’s The New England Traffic Handlers group:

VERMONT NEW HAPMSHIRE (VTNH) CW Traffic Nets meets every night at 7pm local time on 80 meters 3.539. We normally operate at approximately 15 words per minute but will slow down to what ever speed you check in at. Don’t be bashful, we have all been there at one time or another. 

New England Traffic Handlers Facebook Group Created

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blank NTS formA new joint NTS/RRI New England Traffic Handlers Facebook group has been established called “The New England Traffic Handlers.”

According to MA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, and RRI Board member James Geschwinder, N1PZP, the group will promote traffic handling activities and training across New England.  All are welcome to join.

Visit the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/307326484575346.

Eastern Area Net Changes effective August 1, 2021

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NTS logoMA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, writes on ema.arrl.org:

The Eastern Area Net or EAN has been part of the ARRL’s National Traffic System since its inception 70+ years ago. However in 2015 as many are aware there was a split with the creation of Radio Relay International or RRI. Much of what was considered NTS above the section level, including all of the Central and Pacific or Western areas affiliated with RRI while Eastern Area was split, operating two area level nets both meeting nightly. Effective August 1, 2021, NTS’s EAN will merge with RRI’s RRIE nets, consolidating resources. This net will be called EAN, will be reporting to both ARRL and RRI, and will continue to meet at 2030 Local time but will change frequency to 3552 kHz with backup at NCS discretion of 7052 kHz. Net manager will be Phil “Pip” Sager WB4FDT.

Volunteer Wanted to Represent VTNH Occasionally to 1RN

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Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, writes on the ARRL Members Only List:
 
Dear New Hampshire and Vermont Members:
 
I’ve just read the First Region Net (1RN) Traffic Report for May 2021. Interestingly, out of the 62 sessions in May (one early, one late), “VTNH” (the two are counted together) was represented only in only 44 of the 62 sessions (combining the early and late sessions, a rate of 71%). The comparable number for Maine was 98%. As W1RVY, the manager of the net, says: “It is a great way to develop and hone CW skills. We are willing to train, too!” Furthermore, it is not too much of a time-sink, as the average minutes per session are 9.5 (early) and 7.9 (late). Under 10 minutes!
 
If this interests you, please contact Eric Wilhelm, ecwilcom@msn.com,
 
W1RVY.
 
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ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Hopengarten, K1VR
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First Region Net “Going Strong”

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NTS logoEric Wilhelm, W1RVY, writes: 

“I have been First Region Net (1RN) Manager for a couple years now. I’d like more hams to realize that NTS is active above the local level.  I’m proud to say that 1RN has been going continuously (as far as I know!), twice daily, since 1949.  Checking in and handling traffic is a great way to develop and hone CW skills.  We are willing to train, too!“

[June 2021 1RN Net Report]

 

For more information, contact Eric at ecwilcom@msn.com.