National Traffic System
History
&
Operation
Jim Shultz W5OMG
Former Manager
DFW Early Metroplex Traffic Net
Introduction
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We will be discussing history,
logistics and how message traffic is
handled
Thanks to KB5YAM, Former N Texas
Section Manager & K5NHJ, Former
DFW Metroplex Late Traffic Net
Manager for the basis of this
presentation
Message Firsts
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First telegraph message:
“What hath God wrought.”
First telephone message:
“Watson, come here. I want you.”
First radio message:
“Look, ma, no wires!”
Public Service Communications
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Always done it
Spontaneous
Individual basis
Need for organization
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Results were chaotic
Organized trunk lines and net
systems
Later came ARES and NTS
Part 97 –
“Basis and Purpose”
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“Recognition and enhancement of the
value of the amateur service to the
public as a voluntary non-commercial
communications service, particularly
with respect to providing emergency
communications.”
History
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Between 1914 & 1917 Range
increased dramatically
By the end of 1917 over 600
Amateurs had been designated ORS
Prestige amongst The Brethren came
not from the number of messages
handled, but from the accuracy &
reliability
What is Traffic Handling?
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The means of getting a message
from sender to recipient in the
shortest amount of time as sent
Most needed in times of disaster or
other emergency
We may all be needed at one time or
another to “get the message
through”.
Principles of NTS Operation
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Keep the QRM level down
Monitor established disaster frequencies
Avoid spreading rumors
Authenticate all messages
Strive for efficiency
Select the band and mode to suit the need
Use all communications channels wisely
Don’t “broadcast”
NTS Net Levels
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Local Nets
Section Nets
Region Nets
Area Nets
Trans-Continental Corps
EAN
PAN
DFW Nets
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Metroplex Early Net - 1830 local time
- 146.88 MHz repeater (DARC)
Metroplex Late Net - 2230 local time
- 145.19 MHz repeater - 110.9 PL
tone (Billy McDonald)
HF Nets
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Daytime Texas Traffic Net 7285
7290 Traffic Net – Morning (M-Sa)
7290 Traffic Net – Afternoon (M-F)
HF Nets
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Texas CW Net 3643
Texas Traffic Net 3873
Panhandle Emergency and Traffic Handling
Net 3933
Region Five Cycle Four 3650,7052
Texas Slow CW Net 3719
Central Gulf Coast Hurricane Net 3935
Southwest Traffic Net 3935
Digital Stations
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HF Digital NTS Operations
APLink system
NTS Digital Stations
VHF Packet Radio Bulletin Boards
Major PBBS can be a “net”
Message Form
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Preamble
Body
Signature
Status Line
Preamble
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Number
Precedence
Handling Instructions (optional)
Station of Origin
Check
Place of Origin
Time (optional)
Date
Addressee
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Name
Call (if any)
Address
City, State & Zip
Phone Number (necessary, if at all
possible)
Message Body
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ARL Numbered Radiograms
Number spelled out
Phone number counts as three words
“Love” and “Yours truly” are part of
message body
Web site (url) counts as one word
Signature
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Name of person sending the
message (not necessarily the
operator)
Any other description of the sender
Callsign, FISTS, OOTC, EOC Mgr.,
Hospital Administrator
Status Line
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Who did you get it from and when?
Who did you give it to and when?
Delivering the traffic
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Attitude-You are representing all
HAM radio operators
Make the call
Identifying yourself
• Non-HAMs
• HAMs
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The Message
• Radiogram vs. Telegram
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Hardly ever bad news
Other formats
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Whatever your boss specifies
• City/county/state/federal
• Support
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Medical format for personnel and supplies
Training
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What’s coming to the DFW VHF nets
• Radio to radio
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This is normally what we do in an
emergency unless you are a liaison
• EOC’s
• Hospitals & Hospital Council
Net Operations
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Local Nets
• Usually more informal, because they’re
normally not under time constraints due
to volume of traffic
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HF Nets
• Usually more formal and structured, do
have higher volumes of traffic
Public Service Honor Roll
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Checking into a traffic net (with or
without traffic)
Acting as a Net Control or Alternate
Net Control Station
Acting as a Liaison to another Public
Service Net
Delivering Messages to a third party
Originating Messages from a third
party
Public Service Honor Roll, 2
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Serving as a Field Appointee from
ARRL
Providing communications during a
public service event, such as a
bicycle ride, walk-a-thon, marathon,
etc.
Providing a digital station for
purposes of traffic handling via
packet
Remember
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Speed (with efficiency)
Accuracy
The real fun is in delivering traffic to
the public!
Additional Information
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ARRL
Public Service Communications
Manual
Net Directory
Operating Manual
www.arrl.org
Listen and/or check in to a net
Questions?
Thank you!