Traffic and Training Symposium February 25, 2017 Peter Stohrer, K1PJS, Section Manager, ASEC Operations John Gotthardt, K1UAF NH STM

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies Note: Recent examples of Amateurs involved in Traffic Handling; 2005 Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area 2010 Super Storm Sandy in the NJ – Long Island area 1936 Northeast devastating flood – Governor Bridges Network reported by Clinton DeSoto

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist Note: Internet, Cell phone and power cannot be relied on in an emergency, natural or manmade disaster. In 2014,Time Warner lost Internet service to 11 million customers Boston Marathon Bombing disrupted cell communications for hours. A regional power outage can severely limited or the internet unavailable

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant Note: Since 1935 Amateurs have participated in the annual ARRL event called Field Day. An emergency preparedness exercise to simulate an actual incident. Although it is a time of radio camaraderie, the 24 hour event allows Amateurs to understand the events surrounding a real deployment. Often, Field Day provides obstacles that need to be overcome in order to operate. *

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant * Able to operate mobile or portable from shelters or on temporary locations *

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant * Able to operate mobile or portable from shelters or on temporary locations * Can utilize various modes using voice and digital techniques *

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant * Able to operate mobile or portable from shelters or on temporary locations * Can utilize various modes using voice and digital techniques *Messages are created using a standard format *

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant * Able to operate mobile or portable from shelters or on temporary locations * Can utilize various modes using voice and digital techniques *Messages are created using a standard format * During non emergencies, Amateurs keep the system well oiled with daily nets passing routine messages. *

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant * Able to operate mobile or portable from shelters or on temporary locations * Can utilize various modes using voice and digital techniques *Messages are created using a standard format * During non emergencies, Amateurs keep the system well oiled with daily nets passing routine messages. * NTS supports ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) with traffic handling during emergencies *

Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights * Amateurs provide message handling as a Public Service during times of emergencies * During emergencies normal communication means may not exist - examples * Amateurs are self reliant * Able to operate mobile or portable from shelters or on temporary locations * Can utilize various modes using voice and digital techniques *Messages are created using a standard format * During non emergencies, Amateurs keep the system well oiled with daily nets passing routine messages. * NTS supports ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) with traffic handling during emergencies * All Classes of licenses participate and are welcome *

NTS and ARES relationship

Local ARES Traffic nets from served agencies

Statewide ARES traffic net structure

Tactical vs Formal messaging Traffic Handling Bullets and Highlights Tactical vs Formal messaging *

Traffic Handling Tools and Documents Public Service Communication Manual Appendix B MPG (PSCM) ARES/NTS FSD – 3 FSD – 218 Radiogram form

The National Traffic System

National Traffic System (NTS) An Introduction Greg Szpunar, N2GS, NTS Official Relay Station, NTS Digital Relay Station Dave Struebel, WB2FTX, Section Traffic Manager ARRL Northern New Jersey Section Eastern Area Digital Coordinator, NTSD Updated June 2012

National Traffic System (NTS) Messaging Basics Outline What is the National Traffic System? Advantages of NTS Messaging NTS Hierarchy and modes The ARRL Radiogram Form ARL Abbreviated Texts How to Deliver an NTS Message

What is the National Traffic System (NTS)? The “RELAY” in American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Started in 1915 as the formal ARRL system to relay messages around the country Transmit & Receive Modes: Voice, CW, Digital NTS and Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Requirements to join: Any level Ham license & interest ARRL Field Organization Appointments: Official Relay Station (ORS), Digital Relay Station (DRS) & Section Traffic Manager (STM).

Advantages of NTS Messaging Wireless! Send them from anywhere. Use a little HT or a big base station Standard Format Accountability NTS Nets meet daily Speed (digipeater vs. email) When all else fails… Fun, good practice & helpful!

NTS Hierarchy and Modes US and Canada organized into Area, Region, and Local Nets 3 Areas 12 Regions Traffic Flow: Section/ Local Nets Region Nets Area Nets TCC Section / Local Nets HF Phone, CW, Digital VHF/UHF Phone, HF Phone, CW, Digital

NTS Areas PAN EAN CAN

States/Provinces, Regions and Areas CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VE 1RN EAN NJ, NY 2RN DE, DC, MD, PA 3RN FL, GA, NC, PR, SC, VI, VA 4RN MI, OH, WV 8RN LB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, PQ AL, AR, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX 5RN CAN IL, IN, KY, WI 9RN IA, KS, MB, MN, MO, NE, ND, NWT, SK, SD 10RN CA, GU, HI, NV 6RN PAN AK, AB, BC, ID, MT, NWT, OR, WA 7RN AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY 12RN

1RN Sections and Divisions State Division Sections New Hampshire/Vermont New England NH/VT Massachusetts EMA/WMA Connecticut/ Rhode Island CT/RI Maine Me

Message Format The ARRL Radiogram

austin AK2US 7/2/03 2112 EDT 704 R C N2GS 14 CHESTER NJ 1830 JUL 2 GREG SZPUNAR N2GS JOE SMITH KC2XXY 1234 SECOND ST SUMMIT NJ 07901 650-123-4567 austin AK2US 7/2/03 2112 EDT THIS IS THE ARRL RADIOGRAM FORM XRAY DETAIL TO FOLLOW XRAY HAVE FUN 73

ARRL Radiogram Form Preamble: Message number, precedence, HX (optional handling code), station of origin, check (text word count), place of origin, time filed (optional), and date. Addressee: Name, call sign (if a ham), full street address, city, 2-letter state abbreviation, zip code (very important) & telephone (be sure to include area code). This Radio Message was received at: Station identification and location. Text: 25 words maximum, 5 per line; Use the word “xray” for a period (.) and “query” for a question mark (?). Last word in salutation (e.g., “73”, “Love”, etc.) Signature: (Write-in above REC’D block) Name & call sign of person who wrote the message – include full phone number if not a Ham or if new to NTS. REC’D & SENT: Record the names and call sign of the person you rec’d the message from and/or sent/forwarded the message to, along with the date & time (EST/EDT or Z).

Radiogram Form Detail (1 of 6) 704 R C N2GS 14 CHESTER NJ 1830 JUL 2 Number Assigned by the message originator No standard way of numbering messages Consecutive (1, 2, 3..., starting over at the new year or monthly) Order by month & number (507 = 7th you originated in May; 11244 = 244th message you originated in November Precedence (Emergency, P, W, or R) Emergency (life or death urgency in a declared emergency) always spelled out P = Priority (official traffic in a declared emergency) W = Health & Welfare (used only in a declared emergency) R = Routine (everything else – most frequently used)

Radiogram Form Detail (2 of 6) 704 R C N2GS 14 CHESTER NJ 1830 JUL 2 (Optional) HX or Handling Code – A, B, C, D, E, F or G Collect landline delivery authorized within ___ miles of addressee or unlimited if blank (A150 = collect call authorized w/in 150 miles; A = collect call authorized regardless of miles) Cancel message if not delivered within ___ hours of filing time & service originating station (B72 = cancel if not delivered within 72 hrs and send message to originator to notify them) Confirmation of delivery requested by originating station (“TOD YOUR 1014 JULY 4 1330 PST XRAY 73” or if issues “ARL SIXTY SEVEN 1014 PHONE 650 555 1212 INCORRECT NO REPLACEMENT FOUND SENT RADIOGRAM INSTEAD XRAY 73” Report your identity & time/date rec’d message plus time/date delivered or sent to another Delivering station to get reply from addressee and send to originator as a new message Hold delivery until ___ (numbered day of month) – great for birthday or anniversary messages (F14 = deliver on 14th of the month; F1 = deliver on the 1st of month after date filed) Delivery by mail or toll call not required, service originating station (often ignored).

Radiogram Form Detail (3 of 6) 704 R C N2GS 14 CHESTER NJ 1830 JUL 2 Station of Origin: Call sign of station who put the message into NTS format; If N2GS prepares message 1207 for a fellow ham, then puts it onto an NTS packet BBS for relay to Vermont, the originator is... N2GS. If WB2W prepares message 23 for his non-ham neighbor then gives it to N2GS to relay to any NTS net, the originator is... WB2W. Check: The word count in body text only (do not count the address or signature); precede with “ARL” if any of the ARL numbered texts are used (e.g., ARL 7). Place of Origin: The city & state where the message was written. (Optional) Time Filed: This is not used much... 24-hr format & time zone Date: Month (non-numeric – abbreviated) & day number message was created e.g., Sep 21).

Radiogram Form Detail (4 of 6) JOE SMITH KC2XXY 1234 SECOND ST SUMMIT NJ 07901 650-123-4567 To: Name, call sign (if going to a ham), street address or P.O. Box, city, state (abbreviated) & zip code. Note: Digital and packet NTS messages are routed via zip code. Telephone Number: Be sure to include the area code and double-check the number!!! This Radio Message was received at: Your station identification, date received, and your location. More received-from detail will go in the “REC’D” block after body text and signature.

Radiogram Form Detail (5 of 6) THIS IS THE ARRL RADIOGRAM FORM XRAY DETAIL TO FOLLOW XRAY HAVE FUN 73 GREG SZPUNAR N2GS Text: 25 words maximum, 5 per line; Use “xray” for a period (.) and “query” for a question mark (?). Signature: There is no “Signature” field, just write-in below text; Name & call sign of author – include phone number if not a ham or if not known on an NTS net.

Radiogram Form Detail (6 of 6) Austin AK2US 7/2/03 2112 EDT REC’D: Call sign from whom you received the message and date & time of receipt. Time may be either your local time (EST/EDT) or Zulu time. Make sure date agrees with time (Zulu is 5 hours ahead of EST – can cause date to roll forward). SENT: Call sign you sent or passed the message to, or to whom you delivered it, with date & time. Also good to note delivery method for your own reference (i.e., via phone or left on Tom’s voicemail). Always leave your call back number if message was left on voicemail!

Pro-words It is very important when sending traffic to standardize expressions. Pro Words are simple words or phrases that are used head of a specific word or number to bring clarity to the group. Amateur Call More to follow Between I spell Roger Word before Mixed Group Wait or standby No more Break Figures or initials Over Say again Zip figures Confirm All before Phone figures Correction Word after I say again End of message All after

PHONETICS Likewise using phonetics to spell difficult words is very important. Here are the standard phonetics. ALPHA LIMA WHISKEY BRAVO MIKE XRAY CHARLIE NOVEMBER YANKEE DELTA OSCAR ZULU ECHO PAPA FOXTROT QUEBEC GOLF ROMEO HOTEL SIERRA INDIA TANGO JULIET UNIFORM KILO VICTOR

PRO – SIGNS or Q signals FSD-218 (Also known as the Pink Card) Used only on CW traffic nets QN signals used by the CW NCS Abbreviations; AA all after AB all before AS standby WA word after WB word before

ARL Numbered Texts Purpose & How Counted Refer to FSD -3 Handout ARL Numbered Texts replace common phrases in message body text (i.e., Happy Birthday, Greetings by amateur radio, etc.) Use of ARL texts reduce total message word count – faster and more consistent transmission of text Translated before delivery of message to addressee ARL text numbers are always spelled-out in words (i.e., ARL SEVEN or ARL FORTY SIX) Message word count (check) is written as “ARL #” (e.g., ARL 4 or ARL 15) to alert operators that message includes at least one ARL numbered text.

ARL Numbered Texts (Examples) Refer to FSD -3 Handout ARL FORTY SIX = Greetings on your birthday and best wishes for many more to come. ARL FORTY SEVEN = Your message ______ to ______ delivered _______ _______UTC ARL FIFTY = Greetings by amateur radio. ARL FIFTY ONE = Greetings by amateur radio. This message is sent as a free public service by ham radio operators at _______. Am having a wonderful time. ARL SIXTY SEVEN = Your message number _____ undeliverable because of ______. Please advise.

A few suggestions to originate Traffic by Henry WA9HYM 1. For those who do a little rag-chewing, how about sending a radiogram to the one you talked to and thanking him or her. This works very well and traffic handlers like this type of message. 2. How about after reading an article in QST or CQ you send a radiogram to the author and thank them. 3. Thanking some one for a QSL Card, and letting them know one is on the way. This is another good one. try it, it will make some one very happy. 4. Thanking some one for any help they may have given you. No matter what the help is this will definitely cheer them up. 5. Invite some one to our Section Net or any other Net. Just make them feel at home. 6. Ask some one a Question about anything, (logging software, nets, radios, antennas, ect.) 7. Congratulate someone for upgrading, and the various awards that you may read about. 8. Don't forget Happy Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, any other occasion, and there are many, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, ect. 9. Invite other ARRL officials to reply with a radiogram. They are listed in QST and on the ARRL website. 10. Making a sked with someone you want to talk to, maybe for a WAS, County, QSO Party, Grid, ect. 11. Invite them to your club meeting and or a Ham breakfast. 12. Invite back a former Net member or visitors. You may know of some past members that you can contact.

How to Deliver an NTS Message Preferred delivery is via telephone. Okay to leave on voicemail or answering machine IF you are comfortable you reached the right person. Radiogram postcard if cannot reach by phone. Service originating station to inform if cannot deliver or if they requested confirmation.

Record Keeping & Reporting (PSHR) Use a log sheet to keep track of your messages Use a PSHR log sheet to tally monthly points for Public Service Honor Roll Report Station Activity Report (originated, sent, received & delivered) to STM monthly Report PSHR totals to STM Joe Burke, W1INC PSHR and SAR should be sent via Radiogram PSHR reports appear near page 100 of QST

Public Service Honor Roll Station Activity Reports

PSHR This listing is to recognize radio amateurs whose public service performance during the month indicted qualifies for 70 or more total points in the following 6 categories (as reported to their Section Managers). Please note the maximum points for each category:

1. ) Participating in a public service net, using any mode 1.) Participating in a public service net, using any mode. --1 point per net session; maximum 40. 2.) Handling formal messages (radiograms) via any mode. --1 point for each message handled; maximum 40.

3.) Serving in an ARRL-sponsored volunteer position: ARRL Field Organization appointee or Section Manager, NTS Net Manager, TCC Director, TCC member, NTS official or appointee above the Section level. -- 10 points for each position; maximum 30.

4.) Participation in scheduled, short-term public service events such as walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, parades, simulated emergency tests and related practice events. This includes off-the-air meetings and coordination efforts with related emergency groups and served agencies. - 5 points per hour (or any portion thereof) of time spent in either coordinating and/or operating in the public service event; no limit.

5.) Participation in an unplanned emergency response when the Amateur Radio operator is on the scene. This also includes unplanned incident requests by public or served agencies for Amateur Radio participation. - 5 points per hour (or any portion thereof) of time spent directly involved in the emergency operation; no limit. 6.) Providing and maintaining a) an automated digital system that handles ARRL radiogram-formatted messages; b) a Web page or e-mail list server oriented toward Amateur Radio public service -- 10 points per item.

SAR Reporting ORIGINATED: (An off-the-air function) Any ARRL standard format message traffic prepared by you (the first party) for someone other than yourself (a third party), and filed at your amateur radio station for initial transmission over the air. Count one point. In other words, this is a radiogram which you created for another person using your station's message number and call sign. Note: A message that you create for yourself does not qualify as an Origination, but will be covered later under the SENT category.

RECEIVED: (An on-the-air function) Any ARRL standard format radiogram received over amateur radio by your station. This will include message traffic received, whether for yourself, for relay to another amateur station (the second party), or received for delivery to the message addressee (a third party). Count one point. Note: Messages received by other means, such as telephone, postal, E-mail, MARS, in-person, etc., are not counted as Received, however they may cause you to Originate a message for later transmission.

SENT: (An on-the-air function) Any message traffic to be sent by your station to another amateur station (a second party), whether such a message is initially transmitted from your station as your Originated message for a third party, a message for yourself, or one that was received from another amateur station. Count one point. Note: Messages sent by means of telephone, postal, E-mail, etc. do not count as Sent, however they may qualify for counting as Delivered.

DELIVERED: (An off-the-air function) Any message traffic that is delivered by you to the message addressee (a third party), provided that the message was received at your station by amateur radio and that the addressee is someone other than yourself. This delivery is done by telephone, postal, E-mail, in-person, etc. Count one point. Note: A message sent by amateur radio to the final addressee at another amateur station is counted as a sent message, not as a delivered message.

Typical PSHR Radiogram report 100 Routine K1PJS 13 CONCORD NH AUG 30 JOE BURKE W1INC STM PENACOOK NH 03303 BREAK AUGUST PSHR REPORT 1/40 2/40 3/30 4/0 5/0 6/30 TOTAL 140 X 73 PETE K1PJS

Typical Station Activity Report (SAR) 101 Routine K1PJS 14 CONCORD NH AUG 30 JOE BURKE W1INC STM PENACOOK NH 03303 BREAK AUGUST SAR ORIGINATE 3 RECEIVED 35 SENT 15 DELIVERED 4 TOTAL 57 X 73 PETE K1PJS

Official Relay Station (ORS) appointments http://www.arrl.org/official-relay-station The requirements and qualifications for the position include: •Full ARRL membership and Novice Class license or higher •Code and/or voice transmission capability •Transmissions, by whatever mode, must be of the highest quality, both technically and operationally. For example, cw signals must be pure, chirpless, clickless, code sending must be well spaced and properly formed. Voice transmission must be of proper modulation percentage or deviation, precisely enunciated with minimum distortion

Official Relay Station (ORS) appointments Must follow standard ARRL operating practices (message form, ending signals, abbreviations or prowords, etc.) •Regular participation in traffic activities, either independent or ARRL- sponsored. •Being able to handle all record communications speedily and reliably and set the example in efficient operating procedures •Reporting monthly to the STM, including a breakdown of traffic handled during the past calendar month •Recruitment of new hams and ARRL members is an integral part of the job of every ARRL appointee. Appointees should take advantage of every opportunity to recruit a new ham or member to foster growth of Field Organization programs, and our abilities to serve the public.

Section CW and Voice Traffic Nets Vermont / New Hampshire Traffic Net 3539khz daily 7p Granite State Traffic Net 149.94 in Concord daily 9p NH ARES Digital Net 3582khz Saturday 7:30a NH ARES Training Net 3945 khz Saturday 8:30a Granite State Phone Net 75 m frequency and time to be announced NH Slow Net 3539 khz Mon – wed – fri beginning in October 1RN CW TRAFFIC NET 3598khz daily early 7:45p late 9:30P

Third Party Traffic and countries with agreement 97.3.(a)(46) “ A message from the control operator (first party) of an Amateur Radio station to another amateur station control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party) Third Party messages – written messages generally sent via traffic nets or Amateur Radio message handling services (packet or radio email) Telephone Interconnect - Phone auto patch Direct participation – where the third part paricipates in sending the message http://www.arrl.org/third-party-operating-agreements

Special Thanks to Dave Struebel WB2FTX Greg Szpunar, N2GS Henry, WA9HYM All of today’s Participants Section Manager Web site www.nharrl.org Peter Stohrer K1PJS 9 Gladstone St. Concord, NH 03301 603 345-1470 peter@k1pjs.com k1pjs@arrl.net