1. Focus

2. Waukesha County ARES/RACES
WELCOME
Waukesha County ARES/RACES
As they say on the BWN – “A day without sunshine is like night.”
Some people still think the BWN is an AM net since it starts so early in the morning.

3. Hey! It’s a review!

4. What’s the NTS and where does ARES/RACES fit?

5. Why do we do this? It’s the service we provide
It’s a skill that transfers
It meets an FCC requirement
It’s satisfying to do a job well

6. The National Traffic System supports ARES/RACES activities and provides a public service by providing an established routing for formal messages. It works.

7. What’s it all about? The National Traffic System
NTS & ICS213 msg format
Traffic handling tips
Net controls
A major part of what Ham radio is and does deals with accurate communications as a public service.

8. background

9. The NTS provides routing for traffic in times of need – and it provides daily training.

10. You can be part of that training.

11. In the National Traffic System. . .

12. traffic flows . . . from local to section to region [9RN]
to area [CAN]
to local.
Traffic in the NTS flows from the local net to the section (e.g. BEN) to the Ninth Region, to, in our case, the Central Area Net. From there, it is sent to another area net (Eastern or Pacific) or it is redistributed within the Central Area. Traffic comes in the same way – area to region to section to local; Central Area, 9th Region, Late WIN, etc.

13. WISCONSIN SECTION PHONE NETS BADGER WEATHER NET BADGER EMERGENCY NET / WIS. SIDE BAND NET (SUN) WISCONSIN ARES/RACES HF NET 3967 kHz
The section phone nets meet every day at 5:00, Noon, and 5:00.
The ARES/RACES HF Net meets on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. on

14. WISCONSIN SECTION PHONE NETS WISCONSIN ARES/RACES VHF NET WECOMM SYSTEM last Thursday of the month
The section phone nets meet every day at 5:00, Noon, and 5:00.
The ARES/RACES HF Net meets on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. on

15. Try 145.47 (127.3) in Waukesha for the WARES/RACES VHF Net WECOMM SYSTEM

16. WISCONSIN SECTION CW NETS 1800 WIS NOVICE NET WIS SLOW SPEED NET WIS INTRASTATE NET/E WIS INTRASTATE NET/L (CW frequency: 3555 KHz)
CW nets are alive and often pass messages even when conditions are poor. These nets will all meet on 3555 KHz – at different times , of course.

17. And the WARES/RACES Digital Net WINLink –Tuesdays all day

18. Send a digital message to KB9MMC @winlink.org subject: check in

19. Quick Review

20. Why a formal message?
It creates a record of what happened – perhaps for review or evaluation.
It’s concise. It often takes less time than informal messages.
It’s easier to copy. Receiving operators know the sequence of the information resulting in fewer errors and repeats.

21. Served agencies don’t just want an op with a radio
Served agencies don’t just want an op with a radio. They want a trained operator.

22. An NTS message looks like this:
This format has been around a long time. It’s been tweaked a bit, but it’s basically the same because it works.

23. ARRL Format NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE ADDRESSEE ADDRESS PHONE
TEXT
SIGNATURE
Preamble: Number- Precedence – Handling Instructions – Station of Origin – Check – Place of Origin – Time – Date
Addressee, Address, Phone Number
Text
Signature

24. The NTS format is predictable.
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

25. It’s unique so we can trace a message.
Here are the parts.
NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE
The NUMBER of the message can start with the year, an activation or an event.
It’s unique so we can trace a message.
Some like to start renumbering each month. Some like to use a decimal in the number – and that can get a little confusing on CW – since a decimal in CW is an “R.” It’s not a good idea to use a really big number or to start with a zero – but the important part is to number each message.

26. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE
A NUMBER makes it easier to reply without quoting. Operators and networks change. A message number doesn’t.
Some like to start renumbering each month. Some like to use a decimal in the number – and that can get a little confusing on CW – since a decimal in CW is an “R.” It’s not a good idea to use a really big number or to start with a zero – but the important part is to number each message.

27. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE 1 of 4 Precedences emergency priority “P” welfare “W” routine “R”
Notice “Emergency” is always spelled out. The other precedences are abbreviated.

28. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE In ICS-213 format 1 of 3 Precedences Urgent Immediate Routine
Notice “Emergency” is always spelled out. The other precedences are abbreviated.

29. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Handling Instructions
This optional part of a preamble may ask for a reply (HXE) or for time of delivery (HXC).
See FSD-218 for the full list.
Pink cards available.

30. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Station of Origin
Call of the station where the message is first written and introduced into the system
If it starts on a local net, the first station to send it is the station of origin.

31. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Check
The number of words or number groups in the text - This is a good way to see if you’ve received the text accurately.
If you write the text in lines of five words each, it makes it very easy to count. Don’t count the signature.

32. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Place of Origin
Where the message started – regardless of where the originating station is located.
If I send a welfare message from Fort Atkinson to New Orleans from a lady in Brodhead, the place of origin is Brodhead.

33. NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE Time and Date
Use current date or
Use Zulu time/date (labeled) but
Don’t skip the date because it helps to tell how long the message has been in the system.
Use local time in 24-hour format
Use Zulu time (GMT) if necessary
Skip the time if it’s not important
NIMS calls for local time in military 24-hour format. This calls for a judgment. If it’s time sensitive, include the time.

34. Addressee and Address Accurate spelling is a must
Addressee and Address Accurate spelling is a must. Say all figures individually. (“1 – 2 – 3” not “one hundred twenty-three”)
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

35. Phone Number (three groups)
When sending, pause between groups.
920 (pause) 898 (pause) 5335 -

36. “Break”
Say the word “break” just before you start the text and when the text ends – before the signature.
CW folks use a “BT” before and after the text. It’s there to indicate when the actual text starts and ends. Everything between the “breaks” is counted for the check. And those are the “breaks.” The signature is the name. The closing, e.g. “73,” is part of the text.

37. And when you “break”. . .

39. Your text?

40. In any NTS message it’s any legal text.

41. GREETINGS BY AMATEUR RADIO X REALLY ENJOYED BEING WITH YOU X LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN X
BEST REGARDS
That’s a check of 20.

42. That’s a check of 20.

43. ARRL numbered texts are handy.
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

44. ARL FIFTY ARL FIFTY TWO 73 Now the check is. . .
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

45. ARL 6 (It has an ARRL numbered radiogram in the text, and the total count is 6.)
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

46. GREETINGS BY AMATEUR RADIO X REALLY ENJOYED BEING WITH YOU X LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN X
BEST REGARDS
That’s a check of 20.

47. Notice the ARL radiogram numbers are spelled out in the text and they aren’t followed by an x-ray.

48. There’s no x-ray at the end of the text.

49. Instead there’s another “Break” and
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

50. And then the signature (not counted in the check)
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

51. The signature (and position) is essential.
This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

52. So what if you don’t understand the message?

53. Ask. Clarify.

54. Keep the pink card handy! ARRL op aid FSD-218 can be very helpful.
Available.

55. So what about the ICS-213 format?
It’s just another form
for a formal message.

56. TO: POSITION: FROM: POSITION: SUBJECT: NR + PREC______ IN ______ GROUPS TITLE DATE / TIME: MESSAGE: SIGNATURE: POSITION:

57. Tell the receiver which form’s coming.
Subject line for a ICS-213 reply
REPLY MSG NR ___ TITLE

58. “Say Again” “Figures” “Break”
Use the same prowords.
“Say Again”
“Figures”
“Break”

59. How to Be the Net Control Station
Stay in charge.
Listen carefully.
I use the term NCS since that’s what the Public Service Communications Manual calls the person in charge of the net. Perhaps more than one operator could serve from the same station. Anyway, use of NCS rather than NCO avoids confusion with the non-commissioned officers or a numerically controlled oscillator.

60. 3. Acknowledge each station by call (and name) before asking for more check-ins or continuing.
Knowing a callsign is like knowing a name. It makes operation accurate and legal as well as a lot easier to document. If someone cares enough to participate, the NCS should care enough to get his or her call right.

61. Find outlets and take more check-ins.
4. Have a plan.
Preamble, announcements and check-ins
List traffic often.
Find outlets and take more check-ins. -

62. 5. Designate liaison (pick up) stations. 6. Keep track.-

63. 7. Don’t complain about interference. Move, filter, or ignore.
8. Know when to close. Send a report. -

64. - that callsigns are important - to keep a sense of humor
Good net controls know
- that callsigns are important
to listen a lot
- to keep a sense of humor
Knowing a callsign is like knowing a name. It makes operation accurate and legal as well as a lot easier to document. If someone cares enough to participate, the NCS should care enough to get his or her call right.

65. Section nets provide good NCS training.

66. What is the net frequency?
It’s where the Net Control Station is or says it is. If he or she moves, everyone moves.

67. What problems does an NCS face?
Input?

68. STATIC INTERFERENCE LOCAL NOISE UNCOOPERATIVES TIME LACK OF OUTLETS
Here are just a few.

69. . . .and the answers? -

70. FILTERS & RELAYS HEADPHONES TACT - MOBILITY EFFICIENCY
LIAISONS / ROUTING
Filters and relay stations can overcome a lot of noise and bad conditions.
Headphones help eliminate local interference.
Being tactful can help with interfering stations – and so can changing frequency.
Using proper protocol and sending stations off frequency saves time. This is especially important when subsequent nets are meeting soon.
Knowing who is where and having good liaison stations can really help is getting traffic through.

71. And that’s why we need. . .

72. THE DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT
Not everything functions smoothly. A back-up net control is essential. Equipment fails. Skip changes. (Make that atmospheric conditions change. W9REL is quite constant.) Traffic loads get too big for one liaison to another net. We need depth on our nets.

73. At any time, the NCS may need to be replaced. Be ready.
Not everything functions smoothly. A back-up net control is essential. Equipment fails. Skip changes. (Make that atmospheric conditions change. W9REL is quite constant.) Traffic loads get too big for one liaison to another net. We need depth on our nets.

74. The NTS needs your Precision Protocol Persistence in bad conditions
These same skills are needed on every NTS net, and you practice them daily on the BWN.

75. HINTS FOR TRAFFIC HANDLING
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK.
RESPECT THE NCS.
DON’T USE “Q” SIGNALS ON VOICE.
IF YOU MOVE OFF NET FREQ., THE RECEIVING STATION CALLS FIRST.
Seasoned traffic handlers will be happy to answer questions about what they do.
The NCS is boss. If she says move up 5 and pass your 3 messages to KC9AMX, do it.
Q signals are for CW.
The receiving station will know where the frequency sounds clear to him, where there’s no TV birdie, etc. He gets to choose the exact spot and calls first.

76. ADVANTAGES OF QSK, VOX, OR PAUSES
Clarifies quickly
Saves explanations
Full break-in CW, VOX, or frequent pauses during the sending of a message allows the receiving op to get a repeat or correction immediately.
Phonetics are helpful under bad conditions, but it’s not necessary to spell out each word in the text phonetically unless it could be miscopied.

77. little things Speak only as fast as you can write
Don’t identify the parts of the preamble – or the message
Don’t forget the “breaks” ~
[address / text] & [text / signature]
There’s no “X-ray” after an ARL Number
Don’t forget to “translate” on delivery
Pace yourself as you send the message.
It’s much more efficient NOT to label the parts of the preamble beyond the number.
Number 6 Routine K9LGU ARL6 Fort Atkinson, WI October 5
Not Number 6 precedence routine, station of origin K9LGU, check of ARL 6, place of origin, filed on October5.
And don’t forget to put the numbered radiogram back into plain text for delivery.

78. Hint: PAUSE BEFORE YOU RETURN TO NET FREQUENCY.-
ON RETURN, LET THE NCS KNOW.

79. Under poor conditions, you might – 1. Check first and often 2
Under poor conditions, you might – 1. Check first and often 2. Use phonetic spelling 3. Get fill requests 4. Say each group twice -

80. Necessary for proper names
When to use “I Spell”
DO NOT automatically spell familiar words or
acronyms like “EOC” or “RACES” unless operating
conditions are so poor that it is needed
Necessary for proper names
(There is no “common spelling” on emergency nets):
“Jones, I spell JULIET OSCAR NOVEMBER ECHO SIERRA”
To clarify homonyms
words which sound alike, but have different meanings,
such as :“To, I spell TANGO OSCAR”

81. ROGER MEANS ROGER. QSL MEANS QSL.
NEVER CHANGE THE TEXT.
No froggin’ around with the text!

82. The section nets offer DAILY TRAINING, DAILY TESTING.-

83. They’re an important part of the NTS …-

84. and an important part of how we serve the public.-

85. You would be especially welcome on any section net.
The daily nets are the perfect practice field, and we need traffic outlets all over the state.

86. One ham can’t do it all – even Heather.

87. Our service works because we do it together.

88. It’s a network.

89. Feel free to use these slides.

90. Thanks for all you do.
It matters.