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CX2SA > NTS 05.11.23 11:51z 324 Lines 15669 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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Subj: The NTS E-Letter - 11/2023
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : NTS@ARRL
================
The NTS E-Letter
================
National Traffic Systemİ
November 1, 2023
- From the Editor
- NTS 2.0 Update
- ICS-213 Compatibility: Using Radiograms to Pass Served Agency Forms
- Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net
- Liven Up Your Routine Traffic
- ME Traffic Handler Generates Radiograms from Local Library
- GTE: An APRS-NTS Gateway
- NTS Update from Atlantic Provinces of Canada
- Spotlight: Aaron Hulett, K8AMH
- NTS Resources
- Sign up to receive The NTS Letter
From the Editor
---------------
We hope you enjoyed the premier issue of The NTS Letter. We heard from many
of you and thank you for your kind words of support. We hope you will spread
the word to others. Feel free to share this newsletter with those who may or
may not be ARRL members but who have shown an interest in message handling.
(Of course, you could encourage non-members to join.) Also remember to send
news or suggestions from your Sections. We want to hear from you.
NTS 2.0 Update
--------------
We have begun to produce PowerPoint presentations and training videos,
which will be available on the NTS2 website. The first training video is now
available at https://nts2.arrl.org/ntsgte-an-aprs-nts-gateway/. This video
is about the APRS-NTS Gateway, and information on this topic can be found
later in this newsletter. The teams are currently producing a video about
the encapsulation of ICS-213 and other agency forms for use particularly on
voice and CW networks.
Because we believe recognition is so important not only for showing
appreciation, but also for motivating and encouraging traffic handlers, we
have been working on a recognition program for both new and experienced
traffic handlers. More on that in an upcoming issue.
Because emergency service agencies expect delivery of messages within 30
minutes, as reported last month Don Rolph, AB1PH, has conducted
transcontinental tests on 20 meters using digital modes to explore how
propagation issues affect point-to-point communication across the country.
Don reports these were mostly successful but says more tests will be
conducted on 30 meters. He welcomes more operators to participate in these
tests.
There are no updates on the new net directory, but we continue to press
forward.
ICS-213 Compatibility: Using Radiograms to Pass Served Agency Forms
-------------------------------------------------------------------
From the NTS2.arrl.org website:
In emergencies, practice exercises, and other scenarios, radio amateurs will
likely pass messages for the various served agencies, such as FEMA, Red
Cross, and others. It is important that we are able to relay these messages
in a way that is compatible with the agencies' existing methods. While NTS
stations are used to using the standard radiogram format, agencies will use
their own forms, such as the ICS-213 form pictured here.
As part of NTS 2.0, numerous NTS stations and EmComm operators have worked
together to define methods and procedures for passing these various agency
forms encapsulated within radiograms. This allows the NTS relay stations to
handle radiograms as they are used to, while served agencies can continue to
utilize their forms.
The NTS 2.0 website discusses how to encode these complex forms for
transmission through the National Traffic System as radiograms, and their
final delivery to the served agency in the native form format.
We realize that radiograms with encapsulated agency forms are much longer
than traditional radiograms and take more time and effort when passed on CW
or voice modes.
We expect these forms to be passed primarily via digital modes for most
emergencies, but there can indeed be circumstances when they need to be sent
via voice or CW. This could be due to the scale and type of emergency, or
because of delivering station capabilities. To be prepared for these
circumstances, we hope voice and CW participants and their nets will take
pains to become familiar with the forms and develop proficiency through the
practice of handling the encoded forms on those modes.
The NTS 2.0 Digital and EmComm working groups have developed encoding for:
ICS-213 form
Texas EMA STAR form
HICS-213 form
ARC-213 form
It is anticipated that encoding for more forms will be established as we
move forward.
We will be updating this material as it is developed.
Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net
--------------------------------------
A New England NTS net played an integral role in a recent ARES Simulated
Emergency Test on Cape Cod. The Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net
(MARIDN) meets weekly for the purpose of passing formal, written NTS
messages within, into, and out of the Sections of Eastern and Western
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. MARIDN is supplemental to the Massachusetts
Rhode Island Phone Net (MARIPN) and Massachusetts Rhode Island CW Net
(MARICW). MARIDN uses digital modes rather than phone or CW, particularly
the fldigi suite of software.
One of the Many Tools in Our Toolbox
The Cape & Islands ARES team has long embraced NTS as one of many tools in
our toolbox for passing messages in emergencies. During exercises, the team
routinely uses NTS procedures to pass formal traffic between field stations.
For the recent exercise "Cyclone," held August 5, 2023, the Cape & Islands
ARES team ran a tactical voice FM simplex net. Then participants passed
formal, written NTS traffic via voice from field sites to exercise Net
Control, then to exercise NCS liaison N1ILZ. Later in the exercise, N1ILZ
was NCS for a session of MARIDN, during which NTS exercise traffic was
passed to the greater NTS system for delivery.
Conclusions:
Tactical voice nets are essential for ARES emergency operations. But there
will always be a need for a way to pass formal, written traffic. This is
where NTS shines.
NTS nets can employ voice, CW, and digital modes. MARIDN is exploring how to
use the fldigi suite / NBEMS to operate an NTS net on HF (80 meters).
Advantages include faster message transmission and error correction.
The Cape & Islands ARES group fully embraces NTS as one of many "tools in
the toolbox," including the relatively new MARIDN.
-- Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager and MARIDN Net
Manager
Liven Up Your Routine Traffic
-----------------------------
As active traffic handlers, many of us have relayed or delivered a "Welcome
to amateur radio" radiogram to a newly licensed amateur. Some folks do not
like accepting these types of messages, claiming that it is next to
impossible to deliver radiograms when they contain incorrect phone numbers
or no phone numbers at all.
Perhaps it is time to inject some variety into our routine traffic!
Some folks have started creating fun "quiz" sessions where answers are
submitted via radiogram. Others confirm their POTA (Parks On The Air)
contacts via radiogram. One innovative amateur even offers free certificates
for special event contacts, providing the other party "QSLs" via radiogram.
(Otherwise, a self- addressed, stamped envelope is required.)
The possibilities are endless; the only limit is your imagination.
I would like to suggest another idea for originating meaningful routine
traffic: Many ARES groups and clubs conduct communications for walkathons,
parades, and other public service activities. Why not thank the participants
via radiogram?
The ham coordinator of the public service event keeps an accurate roster of
the volunteers, complete with phone numbers and email addresses. They will
no doubt welcome the efforts of a local traffic handler sending a radiogram
message on their behalf expressing a "job well done." It's a perfect match!
The public service radiogram can be a nice acknowledgement and, at the same
time, inject some variety into our daily traffic routine. - New England
Division Vice Director Phil Temples K9HI
ME Traffic Handler Generates Radiograms from Local Library
----------------------------------------------------------
From the e-mailbag: Al Sirois, N1MHC, of East Boothbay, Maine reports that
he, with K1CYJ and KC1TKR, collected 28 NTS messages at the local library
during an event called "Booktoberfest" and transmitted these over the Maine
NTS System that day. Al says Heather, KC1TKR, a new licensee, came
approximately 50 miles from Oakland, ME to take part in this activity.
According to the website at https://bbhlibrary.org/booktoberfest/, Booktober
festivities included "Boothbay Region Amateur Radio Station - Join members
of the N1MHC Ham radio team to learn about the fascinating world of amateur
radio and send a message to a friend anywhere in the world!"
Another good idea for traffic originations.
GTE: An APRS-NTS Gateway
------------------------
APRS, an Automatic Packet Reporting System, is used by many amateur radio
operators as a digital communications information channel, conveying
announcements, bulletins, messages, alerts, and weather information. Eastern
Massachusetts Assistant Section Traffic Manager, Michael Ford, WZ0C, has
developed an APRS information service to allow APRS users to send a
radiogram through his NTS Gateway (NTSGTE) to the Digital Traffic Network
(DTN) where it is relayed as usual. This service would be useful if you
wanted to send a radiogram and for whatever reason, such as perhaps you are
traveling, are unable to check into a traditional NTS net. You can use this
on any APRS client, such as the APRSdroid app or APRSIS32 on Windows. For
information on how to send a radiogram via APRS, check the website at
https://nts2.arrl.org, Training and Documentation, Special Topics, NTSGTE:
an APRS-NTS Gateway, or send an email to WZ0C@arrl.net.
NTS Update from Atlantic Provinces of Canada
--------------------------------------------
The Canadian provinces have long been a part of NTS. In the Eastern Area
Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces were all part of what was called
the 11th region, or ECN (Eastern Canada Net). ECN met nightly and sent a
liaison station to the Eastern Area Net. Eventually, however, lack of
participation caused that net to deactivate, and Eastern Canadian traffic
was then routed via the 2nd region.
Recently however, Glenn Killam, VE1IJ, who recently relocated from Ontario
to Nova Scotia, has been collaborating with Joe Earles, VO1BQ, of
Newfoundland to revive an Atlantic Provinces Net. Glenn's article, "Atlantic
Area Amateurs Needed for Traffic Net," is being posted to TCA Magazine in
Canada with hopes of recruiting new traffic handlers. Someday, ECN could
operate again, but meanwhile Glenn uses the NTS to send radiograms welcoming
new amateurs and congratulating hams on their upgrades throughout the US.
Spotlight: Aaron Hulett, K8AMH
------------------------------
Many of you are familiar with the NTS Trivia radiograms from Little Elm,
Texas, or have been a part of the ARRLNTS group on groups.io.
The traffic handler behind both activities is Aaron Hulett, K8AMH. As you
might tell from his call sign, Aaron grew up in Michigan where he was
fascinated with weather, wondering how he could help during major storm
systems. This led him to become involved with SKYWARN, which led him to
amateur Radio. He received his license in 2005 and has been a big
contributor ever since. His professional background has included program
manager, paralegal, and software engineer. He currently works as a project
manager for a managed service provider.
As a ham radio operator, Aaron has been active in both NTS and emergency
communications. He currently serves as Section Traffic Manager for the North
Texas Section and is a regular net control on the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth)
Metroplex Traffic Net, which is an affiliate of the ARRL National Traffic
System. He has also been assisting with the NTS 2.0 initiative to help
expand participation and lay the groundwork for how the NTS can assist in
today's incident response environment. He became involved in traffic
handling after hearing the DFW traffic net shortly after moving to the area
in 2017, and quickly became interested after seeing the potential the
traffic system offered.
As a STM, he feels one of his primary responsibilities is to push the system
to move out of its comfort zone and embrace growth and change. He has
conducted a traffic system exercise simulating an infrastructure failure in
the Dallas-Fort Worth area and coordinated with the Oklahoma and South Texas
Sections to execute an exercise simulating widespread hurricane destruction
affecting Houston. These have provided valuable insight into how the system
can respond, and what areas to look at for refining operations and
developing new best practices for traffic handlers, net control stations,
and Section Traffic Managers overseeing operations.
Outside of amateur radio, you might find Aaron at a local amusement park,
where he enjoys riding roller coasters, especially those with airtime. If
you find yourself at Cedar Point, you may catch him riding Magnum XL-200
repeatedly during opening and closing weekends.
NTS Resources
-------------
The National Traffic Systemİ (NTS) is a network of amateur radio operators
who move information during disasters and other emergencies. General
messages offering well wishes also move through the NTS to help test the
system and to help amateur radio operators build traffic handling skills.
While the NTS is primarily set up to serve the United States and Canada, it
is possible to move traffic internationally through the NTS through various
local, regional, area, and international network connections.
NTS 2.0
NTS Manual
NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines Table of Contents
Handling Instructions
Numbered Texts
Form Encoding Rules for Forms
Sign up to receive The NTS Letter
---------------------------------
The NTS Letter is published monthly and is free of charge to ARRL members.
Subscribe: arrl.org/opt-in-out
Editor: Marcia Forde, KW1U, Section Traffic Manager -- Eastern
Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
ARRL Director of Emergency Management: Josh Johnston, KE5MHV
ARRL Emergency Management Planner: Jeremy Dunkley, KC1SIV
Support NTS: Join ARRL
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distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
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require written permission.
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* CX2SA 1978-2023 - Salto Uruguay *
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