National Traffic System

1
National Traffic System

• History
• Operation
• Jim Shultz W5OMG
• Former Manager
• DFW Early Metroplex Traffic Net

2
Introduction

• 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

3
Message Firsts

• First telegraph message
• What hath God wrought.
• First telephone message
• Watson, come here. I want you.
• First radio message
• Look, ma, no wires!

4
Public Service Communications

• Always done it
• Spontaneous
• Individual basis

5
Need for organization

• Results were chaotic
• Organized trunk lines and net systems
• Later came ARES and NTS

6
Part 97 Basis and Purpose

• 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.

7
History

• 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

8
What is Traffic Handling?

• 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.

9
Principles of NTS Operation

• 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
• Dont broadcast

10
NTS Net Levels

• Local Nets
• Section Nets
• Region Nets
• Area Nets
• Trans-Continental Corps

11
EAN
PAN
CAN
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DFW Nets

• 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)

13
HF Nets

• Daytime Texas Traffic Net 7285
• 7290 Traffic Net Morning (M-Sa)
• 7290 Traffic Net Afternoon (M-F)

14
HF Nets

• 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

15
Digital Stations

• HF Digital NTS Operations
• APLink system
• NTS Digital Stations
• VHF Packet Radio Bulletin Boards
• Major PBBS can be a net

16
Message Form

• Preamble
• Body
• Signature
• Status Line

17
Preamble

• Number
• Precedence
• Handling Instructions (optional)
• Station of Origin
• Check
• Place of Origin
• Time (optional)
• Date

18
Addressee

• Name
• Call (if any)
• Address
• City, State Zip
• Phone Number (necessary, if at all possible)

19
Message Body

• 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

20
Signature

• Name of person sending the message (not
  necessarily the operator)
• Any other description of the sender
• Callsign, FISTS, OOTC, EOC Mgr., Hospital
  Administrator

21
Status Line

• Who did you get it from and when?
• Who did you give it to and when?

22
Delivering the traffic

• Attitude-You are representing all HAM radio
  operators
• Make the call
• Identifying yourself
• Non-HAMs
• HAMs
• The Message
• Radiogram vs. Telegram
• Hardly ever bad news

23
Other formats

• Whatever your boss specifies
• City/county/state/federal
• Support
• Medical format for personnel and supplies

24
Training

• Whats coming to the DFW VHF nets
• Radio to radio
• This is normally what we do in an emergency
  unless you are a liaison
• EOCs
• Hospitals Hospital Council

25
Net Operations

• Local Nets
• Usually more informal, because theyre normally
  not under time constraints due to volume of
  traffic
• HF Nets
• Usually more formal and structured, do have
  higher volumes of traffic

26
Public Service Honor Roll

• 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

27
Public Service Honor Roll, 2

• 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

28
Remember

• Speed (with efficiency)
• Accuracy
• The real fun is in delivering traffic to the
  public!

29
Additional Information

• ARRL
• Public Service Communications Manual
• Net Directory
• Operating Manual
• www.arrl.org
• Listen and/or check in to a net

30
Questions?
31
Thank you!