Traffic Handling Original by Bruce Webber N8SLN Updated by Thom Rigsby, K5JTR

Overview n Traffic handling n Composing messages n Sending and receiving messages n Delivering messages to the final recipient n National Traffic System (NTS) n Local Traffic Nets n Resources

What is Traffic Handling? n short messages (often less than 25 words) called radiograms n often relayed (handled) by several operators n sent by amateur radio operators via the National Traffic System (NTS) n sent accurately and efficiently

Benefits of Traffic Handling n important during disasters n develops good operating skills n public service n community outreach n it’s fun!

The ARRL Radiogram

Parts of a Message n preamble n address (includes phone number) n text n signature

The ARRL Radiogram Number Every Radiogram should have a number. Stations should keep their own log of numbers, starting at 1.

The ARRL Radiogram Precedence Normally Routing (“R”). Other precedences are: Priority (“P”) Emergency (never abbrv.) Welfare (“W”)

The ARRL Radiogram Handling Instructions Special instructions on how to handle the message Optional Can be combined

The ARRL Radiogram Station of Origin The call sign of the station from which the Radiogram was first sent via Amateur Radio

The ARRL Radiogram Check The number of words and numerals in the text of the radiogram.

The ARRL Radiogram Place of Origin Name of the town from which the radiogram started, not necessarily the location of the radio station of origin.

The ARRL Radiogram Time Filed Optional The time the radiogram is received at the station that sent it. Standard practice is to use UTC or “Zulu” time.

The ARRL Radiogram Date The month and day that the radiogram was filed at the originating station.

The ARRL Radiogram - Address Address More is better!

The ARRL Radiogram - Text use “X” instead of a period, “Query” instead of a question mark each “X” counts as one word a phone number in the text would count as three words example: closing (such as “Love” or “73”) is part of the text, not the signature don’t make the last word an “X”

Sending a Message (Phone) n don’t say labels such as “priority” and “station of origin” n read at about half of normal reading speed n say “Break” and unkey immediately before and after the text n if the text is long, unkey during the text to allow recipient to ask for fills

Sending a Message (Phone) n Use prowords: — “I spell” — “figures” — “initial” — “direction” — “operator’s note” (usually after the message)

Sending a Message (Phone) n Other prowords: — “over” — “out” — “clear” — “roger” — “affirmative” — “negative” — “say again”

Sending a Message (Phone) n when spelling, use ITU phonetics n say “niner” for the number nine n at the end of the message: — say “End, no more”, or “End, one more”, etc. — say your call sign

Receiving a Message (Phone) n to ask for “fills”, say: — “please say again, word after …” — “please say again, word before …” — “please say again, all between …” — “please confirm …” n compare the check to the number of words you copied n once you have copied the message successfully, say “I roger number …”

Numbered Radiograms condensed way of sending text include “ARL” in check in text, include “ARL” and the radiogram number, spelled out example: “ARL Forty Six”, which counts as 3 words

Delivering a Message n by telephone, , US mail n if delivering by phone, identify yourself and say that you have a “greeting message” or “friendly message” n don’t say “X-ray” or “Query” n expand ARL radiograms n if you can’t deliver the message, service it back

Servicing Back n unable to forward or deliver in 48 hours n handling instructions request service back — HXB — HXC — HXD — HXE — HXG n Use ARL 67 with at least 2 fills

National Traffic System (NTS) Transcontinental Corps (TCC) Area Nets Region Nets Section Nets Local Nets

DFW Metroplex Early (Late) Traffic Nets n Local affiliates of the NTS n Is a directed net n Net control first calls for stations with traffic only, then stations with or without traffic n Net Control directs stations receiving the traffic to call the station sending it n The early net is for message handling and training, late is for message handling only

n when checking in — give your call sign phonetically — wait to be acknowledged by Net Control — list your traffic (or say “no traffic”) — say if you can handle any of the traffic listed n remain on-frequency unless excused by net control DFW Metroplex Early (Late) Traffic Nets

Resources n Traffic Nets — DFW/Early, 6:30 PM daily, — DFW/Late, 10:30 PM daily, n Web Sites — QMNhttp:// — ARRLhttp:// — DFW