An Introduction to
NTS Traffic Nets
and
The National Traffic System
Prepared for Ham Radio University
January 9,2011
An Introduction to
NTS Traffic Nets
and
The National Traffic System
Presented by
Jim Kettyle, KC2LEB
Net Manager, Big Apple Traffic Net
And
Mike Patino, N2BMU
NLI Section Traffic Manager
National Traffic System (NTS)
Messaging Basics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is the National Traffic System?
Brief History of the NTS
Advantages of NTS Messaging
NTS Hierarchy and modes
NLI NTS Structure
The ARRL Radiogram Form
ARL Abbreviated Texts
How to Deliver an NTS Message
Local NTS Contacts & Nets
Additional Resources
Acknowledgements
What is the National Traffic System (NTS)?


The NTS is a field organization of the ARRL (American Radio Relay League)
which was formed to pass formal written messages (traffic) from any point in
the United States to any other point. The NTS has it origins in the earliest days
of radio as indicated by the name, "American Radio Relay League". These
messages, which are put in a standard format called a "radiogram", are relayed
from one ham to another, using a variety of modes, including voice, Morse
code, radio teletype, or packet. The message is ultimately delivered to the
addressee by an NTS operator who lives fairly close to the recipient, either by
telephone, mail, or hand delivery (uncommon).
During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used to communicate
information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or
welfare of a disaster victim. During these times, the NTS works in concert with
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) and other emergency and disaster
relief organizations, such as the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
But even when there is no emergency, the NTS operates every day and is used
by thousands of people -- hams and non-hams -- to send and receive brief
messages of a personal, non-commercial nature, such as birthday greetings,
congratulations on a special event, or wishes for a speedy recovery. Subject to
international treaties governing "third party" messages, many foreign countries
also allow their hams to exchange radiograms with US hams.
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

Operational Modes: CW, Voice, other Digital Modes: RTTY,
Packet, WinLink,

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).
History




Since the dawn of radio the handling of messages accurately and speedily
has been held in highest esteem. In the early days, The range of the average
spark gap station varied from 5 miles to 10 miles. As better antenna systems,
receivers, and higher power rotary spark gap transmitters evolved, distances of
400 miles and more could be achieved as early as 1914 by the better stations
operating on 200 meters and down. Obviously, longer distance communications
could not be achieved reliably without relays.
In the 1920’s and 30’s organized traffic was handled by individual stations
called “Trunk Lines”. They were operated on fixed frequencies supplied by the
ARRL. This was the only way of routing traffic on an individual sked basis.
There were fourteen trunk lines that criss-crossed the United States and
Canada. Numerous independent lines were organized but not affiliated with the
ARRL. During World War II radio silence was mandated. After World War II the
trunk line system was reinstated but due to many conflicts and other problems
the ARRL organized and started operating the National Traffic System in 1949. It
was authored by George Hart, W1NJM.
The early years of NTS were not without its problems as many of the old
timers tried to hold onto the old ways. Finally The NTS caught on and now over
sixty years later is still the official traffic system of the ARRL. The six hundred
plus NTS nets of today are a far cry from what existed back on October 1, 1949.
The NTS is known as the tightest operating organization in Amateur Radio, yet,
one of the friendliest.
History

The American Radio Relay League was founded
by Hiram P. Maxim primarily as a long distance
radio relay system. By the end of 1915, over 600
stations in almost every state and province had
been appointed as Official Relay Stations whose
operating standards were kept very high. The
technical capability had been present for a long
time before; but it is most definitely the
organizational structure created by the ARRL
that quickly increased the distance a message
could travel from 50 Miles in early 1914 to
reliable transcontinental messages by February
1917
History





The commercial communications systems at that time were fragile and often made
unusable during disasters. Amateurs even in their dawn proved their worth to those
communities which found themselves helpless without emergency communications
Operation then was strictly by Morse code and suffered under the worst combinations
of noise, poor receiver selectivity, frequency unstable transmitters and receivers, poor
receiver sensitivity, etc.
A message was handled with almost a feeling of sacred trust by dedicated and skilled
operators. A message from coast to coast often had to be painstakingly relayed 8
times or more. To "botch" or delay such a message was not looked at very kindly by
"the brethren". An operator was judged not so much for the amount of messages that
he could handle nor the "sweetness" of his fist as much as how accurate and reliable
of a relay he proved to be.
It was a high priority to have an efficient continental system established not only for
amateur radio communications but for public service and disaster communications.
Packet radio forwarding, although made possible only as recently as late 1984
appears as a natural choice to continue this fine tradition, as it is proving both
accurate, fast, and more and more reliable.
History




For accuracy and efficiency, a specific format was eventually
determined to be the most effective.
The standard NTS format in its present form is almost identical with
that which also evolved in a parallel manner in the military and the
commercial message services which, by the way, were for the most
part staffed by hams as well.
The present day National Traffic System (NTS) evolved out of this
eighty old public service and disaster communication tradition.
The NTS is still sponsored by the American Radio Relay League
and features an orderly method of reliably and responsibly moving
messages across the continent on a daily basis as a public service
through a system of voice and CW nets and now also packet radio
forwarding systems.
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 (Not in terms of today’s technology)
When all else fails…
Fun, good practice & helpful!
How are NTS Messages Handled?


Messages can originate from either hams or non-hams. Non-hams
who would like to send a radiogram should contact a ham friend or
neighbor can put them in touch with a local NTS operator. There is no
charge for a Radiogram. Radiograms are one way hams serve the
public, and they are welcomed as a way to train new traffic handlers
and keep the experienced handlers in practice.
Messages are usually relayed using a system of “Nets". Nets are onthe-air meetings of message handlers at an appointed time and a
designated frequency. There are four levels of nets, each covering
broader territory -- local, section, regional, and area. Local nets relay
messages to and from the Section nets; Section nets to the Region
nets; Region nets to the Area nets. These nets are held throughout the
day in order to move messages around the country. (Only designated
operators participate in the Region and Area nets. These nets are not
open for general participation.)
NTS Hierarchy and Modes

US and Canada organized into Area, Region,
and Local Nets
•
•

3 Areas
12 Regions
Traffic Flow:
TCC
Area Nets
Area Nets
HF Phone, CW, Digital
Region Nets
Region Nets
VHF/UHF Phone, HF Phone, CW, Digital
Section/ Local
Section / Local
Nets
Nets
3 NTS Areas
PAN
EAN
CAN
States/Provinces, Regions and Areas
State
Region
Area
CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VE
1RN
EAN
NJ, NY
2RN
EAN
DE, DC, MD, PA
3RN
EAN
FL, GA, NC, PR, SC, VI, VA
4RN
EAN
MI, OH, WV
8RN
EAN
LB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, PQ
11RN
EAN
AL, AR, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX
5RN
CAN
IL, IN, KY, WI
9RN
CAN
IA, KS, MB, MN, MO, NE, ND, NWT, SK,
SD
10RN
CAN
CA, GU, HI, NV
6RN
PAN
AK, AB, BC, ID, MT, NWT, OR, WA
7RN
PAN
AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY
12RN
PAN
EASTERN AREA NETS
State
Region
Area
CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VE
1RN
EAN
NJ, NY
2RN
EAN
DE, DC, MD, PA
3RN
EAN
FL, GA, NC, PR, SC, VI, VA
4RN
EAN
MI, OH, WV
8RN
EAN
LB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, PQ
11RN
EAN
2ND Region NTS Nets





NY Nets
NLI
ENY
WNY
Hudson Valley



NJ Nets
NNJ
SNJ
NTS Hierarchy and Modes


TCC (Transcontinental Communications Corps)
EAN (Eastern Area Nets)
(National)
(Area)

Hudson Valley Net (HVN)
(Regional)

Second District Net (SDN)
(Regional)

Big Apple Traffic Net

Nassau County Traffic Net
(Local)
(Local)
TCC
Area Nets
Area Nets
HF Phone, CW, Digital
Region Nets
Region Nets
VHF/UHF Phone, HF Phone, CW, Digital
Section/ Local
Section / Local
Nets
Nets
2RN Sections and Divisions
State
Division
Sections
New Jersey
Hudson
NNJ
New Jersey
Atlantic
SNJ
New York
Hudson
ENY, NLI (NYC & LI)
New York
Atlantic
NNY, WNY
2nd Region NTS Nets
NTS NET
FREQUENCY
TIME
EAN
7.243 LSB
2:30 PM M-F
2RN
3.930 LSB
1:45 PM, 4:45 PM, 6:30 PM
NY PHONE (NYP)
7.237 / 3.925 LSB
1:00 PM
NY PUBLIC OPS (NYPON)
3.913 / 3.925 LSB
5:00 PM
BIG APPLE Traffic Net (BATN)
146.430 / 136.5 (+1 MHZ)
440.550 / 141.3 Alternate Freq
8:00 PM
NASSAU
146.805/136.5
7:30 PM
SUFFOLK
not currently active
SOUTHERN DISTRICT
147.060/114.8
9:30 PM
HUDSON VALLEY
146.970/100.0
7:30 PM
CENTRAL NJ
147.120/162.2
8:00 PM
CENTRAL NJ HF
3.950 LSB
6:00 PM
NJ EARLY (MORRIS CO)
146.895/151.4
7:30 PM
NJ LATE (BERGEN CO)
146.700/141.3
10:30 PM
NLI Section NTS Structure









Section Manager (SM) Mike / N2YBB
Section Traffic Manager (STM) Mike / N2BMU
NM ( Net Manager) Jim / KC2LEB (Big Apple Traffic Net)
Official Relay Station (ORS) Bob / K2TV
ORS are the folks that can work across different modes and are regulars on several nets.
ORS check the NTS BBS regularly.
ORS are required to file SAR/PSHR (/Public Service Honor Roll) every month and the only
active ones at the moment are Phil and Bob. I always wanted to tap Barry KA2YDW and Adam
Fine (forgot his new call) as they did both VHF FM and HF, and were both FB ops. Others would
be Kevin AB2ZI, Gregg KE2SX and Bill W2ANQ.
Official Bulletin Station (OBS) OPEN
OBS were more important prior to the internet, and were the folks who could copy info from the
League and/or Statewide/Regional/Section cadre, and then relay this to the masses on VHF. I
don't recall if I had anyone fill this during my tenure, but I would go for someone who had battery
power, and were home during incidents. An example would be N2GA and K2DO who did an
excellent job at this during the blackout in Nassau, disseminating info on LIMARC about open
ARES/EMCOMM nets in the area, open gas stations, where to get ice, etc. That was impromptu,
but that is what I'd look for in a candidate.
NLI Section NTS Structure

Digital Relay Station (DRS). Phil KC2UVQ

Unofficially, it would be John N2NSA and Lou N2RQ for providing Northeast Flexnet nodes. There are some in
Suffolk, but the main backbone for NLI is basically kept alive by John N2NSA.

John N2NSA has been involved in building the Packet Network in the Bronx, New York City and Queens areas. He
maintains and is still running the KB2VLX BBS in the Bronx and the KC2COJ BBS in far Rockaway Queens,
N2NSA node in Manhattan and supplies equipment and technical expertise to the rest of the NLI section on packet
operations.

Each BBS is supported by an 8 link com port running at terminal speed of 19200 and radio speed of 9600.
Backbone link user ports are at 1200 baud. Each system is a full blown BBS handling numerous amounts of mail
daily 24 hours 7 days a week.

Charlie WA2GUG has dedicated VHF and UHF RMS Nodes on Winlink.
Gabe N2PQT and John N2NSA maintain VHF RMS Nodes on Winlink.
Other VHF /UHF RMS Nodes are K2MO in Suffolk, N1EZT in CT, N2GW in NJ, K2GE in NJ



RMS HF Nodes
VA Beach VA Harrisburg PA Lowell MA Buffalo NY
Many folks have APRS which is capable of sending and receiving messages.
Do not use APRS for NTS, but it's great for informal traffic!

PacLink



Local Nets for NLI Section

Big Apple VHF Traffic Net: Daily @ 8pm on 146.430/+1MHz/136.5 tone

Nassau County Traffic Net: Daily @ 7:30pm on 146.805/-600 kHz/136.5 tone

New Jersey VHF Net (Early): Daily @ 7:30pm on 146.895/-600 kHz/151.4 tone

New Jersey VHF Net (Late): Daily @ 10:30pm 146.700/-600 kHz/141.3 tone
NLI Section NTS Structure






 The Section Manager (SM)
The Section Manager is accountable for carrying out the duties of the office in accordance with
ARRL policies established by the Board of Directors and shall act in the best interests of Amateur
Radio. In discharging these responsibilities, the Section Manager:
Recruits, appoints, and supervises section-level staff to administer the Field Organization's
principal areas of responsibility in the section. These areas are emergency communications,
message traffic relay, technical activity / problem solving, volunteer monitoring, government
relations, public relations in the general community, information services for amateurs, and
cooperation with affiliated clubs.
Appoints qualified ARRL members in the section to other volunteer positions in support of Field
Organization objectives, and may authorize section-level staff to make such appointments.
Keeps well informed concerning matters of ARRL policy so as to administer the Field Organization
in accordance with current policy and to provide correct information in response to members'
inquiries.
Supervises the activities of the section-level staff, monitors the performance of the Field
Organization volunteers, and provides guidance as necessary to ensure that appointees act in the
best interests of Amateur Radio and in accordance with ARRL policies.
Maintains liaison with the Division Director; makes periodic reports to the Director regarding the
status of Section activities; receives information and guidance pertaining to matters of mutual
concern and interest from the Director; serves on the Division Cabinet and renders advice as
requested by the Director.
Message Format
The ARRL Radiogram
The RADIOGRAM Form
704
R
C
N2GS
14
CHESTER NJ
1830
JUL 2
JOE SMITH KC2XXY
1234 SECOND ST
SUMMIT NJ 07901
650-123-4567
THIS
IS
THE
FORM
XRAY
DETAIL
XRAY
HAVE
FUN
ARRL
TO
RADIOGRAM
FOLLOW
73
GREG SZPUNAR N2GS
austin
AK2US
7/2/03
2112 EDT
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.
704
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).
R
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 (i.e., “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.
N2GS
14
CHESTER NJ
1830
JUL 2
JOE SMITH KC2XXY
1234 SECOND ST
SUMMIT, NJ 07901
650-123-4567
THIS

C
IS
FORM
XRAY
XRAY
HAVE
THE
ARRL
DETAIL
RADIOGRAM
TO
FUN
FOLLOW
73
GREG SZPUNAR N2GS
austin

AK2US
7/2/03
2112 EDT
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
Number




C
N2GS
14
CHESTER NJ
1830
JUL 2
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 (E, P, W, or R)
 E = Emergency (life or death urgency in a declared emergency)
 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
1. (Optional) HX or Handling Code – A, B, C, D, E, F or G
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
1830
JUL 2
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
1.
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.
2.
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 (i.e., ARL7).
3.
Place of Origin: The city & state where the message was written.
4.
(Optional) Time Filed: This is not used much... 24-hr format & time zone
5.
Date: Month (non-numeric – abbreviated) & day number message was created (i.e., 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
FORM
XRAY
DETAIL
XRAY
HAVE
FUN
ARRL
TO
RADIOGRAM
FOLLOW
73
GREG SZPUNAR N2GS
Text: 25 words maximum, 5 per line; Use “xray” for a period (.) and “query” for a
question mark (?).
NOTE: The “Check” number in the Preamble should match the number of words in the
message.
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!
ARL Numbered Texts
Purpose & How Counted


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#” (i.e., ARL4
or ARL15) to alert operators that message includes at least
one ARL numbered text.
ARL Numbered Texts (Examples)

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.
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 message count (originated, sent, received
& delivered) to STM monthly

Report PSHR totals to Section Traffic Manager
ICS-213 Form

Header

Message

Message Signature

Message Reply

Reply Signature
ICS-213 Form

About ICS-213 Form

•The ICS 213 General Message Form is available in:
–Printed form as a single page
–Printed as a two part “carbonless” form
•Information entered on top page is “carbon” copied to the second page
•Second page is used to forward message with reply to sender, top page is retained as file copy
–Electronic “form”
•Word template (.dot)
•Word document (.doc)
•Adobe PDF file (.pdf)
–May either allow electronic entry on form or form must be printed and completed by hand
•Other variants (WordPerfect, etc.) are also found
–Training is available from your agency in using software appropriate to all electronic ICS forms in
use. That training should be obtained separately from this course.
–We won’t focus on penmanship, but if you’re filling out the forms manually always keep in mind
the reader.












Radio Gram vs. ICS-213












What About National Traffic System ARL Numbered Radiograms ?
ICS & RACES don’t use ARL numbered radiograms!
– But, you should still know what they are… in case you RECEIVE one.
They may be used in response to Red Cross DWI (Disaster Welfare
Inquiry).
IF sent an ARL numbered radiogram the “number” is SPELLED OUT!
NO Health & Welfare traffic on OPNETS – take to LOGNET.
– W is an ARES task with Red Cross.
NTS / ICS Training Notes:
In ARRL-NTS practice, its considered unnecessary to say the line
headers
NTS operators use “Initial X-Ray” to indicate the end of sentence
In ICS the headers the headers are used because the receiving station
may be unfamiliar with the ICS message form
RACES / ICS stations use “PERIOD” to end a sentence for simplicity
and clarity with the served agencies
Net Directory

A short unfinished list of Nets that may be
heard in the NLI Section
Net Name
Abbr.
Eastern
Frequencies
Manager
3.577CW
New York State CW Net Morning Cycle 1
NYS/M
10:00AM
7.042CW Alt.
KA2GJV
3.925LSB
NY Phone
NYP
1:00PM S,Sn
2RN/2
7.235LSB Alt.
AK2Z
3.925LSB
Second Region Net Cycle 2
2RN/145
1:45PM
7.237LSB Alt.
W2MTA
Eastern Area Net Cycle 2
EAN/2
2:30PM M-F
7.243LSB
KW1U
Eastern Area Net Cycle 2
EAN/2
2:30PM S,Sn
7.050CW
KW1U
3.925LSB
NY Public Operations Net
NYPON
5:00PM
2RN/3
Second Region Net Cycle 3
2RN/630
3.913LSB Alt.
WB3CUF
3.925LSB
6:30PM
1.925LSB Alt.
W2MTA
3.576CW
New York State CW Net Early Cycle 4
NYS/E
7:00PM
1.807CW Alt.
KT2D
146.970FM-0.600 PL100
147.045FM+0.600 PL100 Alt.
Hudson Valley Net
HVN
7:30PM
2RN/4
Second Region Net Cycle 4
2RN/745
146.895FM-0.600 PL100 Alt. (link)
N2JBA
3.576CW
7:45PM
1.812CW Alt.
3.577CW
Eastern Area Net Cycle 4
EAN/4
8:30PM
1.807CW Alt.
W2RU
147.060FM+0.600 PL114.8
145.130FM-0.600 PL136.5 Alt.
Southern District Net
SDN
9:30PM
2RN/4
Second Region Net Cycle 4
2RN/930
147.015FM+0.600 PL114.8 Alt.
KC2BUV
3.576CW
9:30PM
1.812CW Alt.
3.576CW
New York State CW Net Late Cycle 4
NYS/L
10:00PM
1.825CW Alt.
KT2D
2RN HF Nets



Open to all Hams'
Liaisons to/from NJ and NY
Liaisons to EAN
Frequency (MHz)
Time
Mode
3.925
1:45 PM
SSB
3.925
4:35 PM
SSB
3.925
6:30 PM
SSB
3.576
7:45 PM
CW
3.576
9:30 PM
CW
NNJ/SNJ Section HF Nets

Open to all Hams'
Frequency (MHz)
Time
Name
Mode
3.544
10:00 AM
NJ Morning (WE)
CW
3.950
6:00 PM, 9AM (SU)
NJPN
SSB
3.547
6:30 PM
NJ Slow Net
CW
3.544
7:00 PM
NJ Net/Early
CW
3.544
10:00 PM
NJ Net/Late
CW
Additional Resources






ARRL Net Directory – Excellent NTS reference with net
listings by state ($5 from ARRL). Online version is
accessible free at the ARRL web site (www.arrl.org).
Public Service Communication Manual – Detailed reference
on NTS message handling ($1 from ARRL), also available
on ARRL web site.
Morris County NJ Amateur Radio Volunteers website – see
NTS section:
http://www.qsl.net/mcarv/nts.htm
K2UL website – Dan was the Section Traffic Manager for
SNJ and has a great website.
http://www.qsl.net/k2ul/resource.htm
Acknowledgements
Pinkney Foster, KG6ILA
Section Traffic Manager ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section kg6ila@arrl.net whose presentation
“National Traffic System (NTS) Messaging Basics” inspired the message handling components of
this presentation.
Jim Oberhofer, KN6PE
Author of Outpost Packet Message Manager, and the resulting description included in this
presentation.
Mark W. Rappaport, W2EAG
An Instructors guide to training Traffic Handlers.
Charles Alfano, WA2GUG
and
Russ Logar, KC2LSB
Digital Communications, Protocols, Implementation and Usage. Thanks for the Slides.
National Traffic System
(NTS)
An Introduction
With Special Thanks to :
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
For providing the original material and content
Originally Presented @
NJ ARRL Convention
April 25, 2010
Questions?
Check in to an NTS Traffic Net
Today !!