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National Traffic System. History & Operation Jim Shultz W5OMG Former Manager DFW Early Metroplex Traffic Net. Introduction. We will be discussing history, logistics and how message traffic is handled
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National Traffic System History & Operation Jim Shultz W5OMG Former Manager DFW Early Metroplex Traffic Net
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
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!”
Public Service Communications • Always done it • Spontaneous • Individual basis
Need for organization • Results were chaotic • Organized trunk lines and net systems • Later came ARES and NTS
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.”
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
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”.
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 • Don’t “broadcast”
NTS Net Levels • Local Nets • Section Nets • Region Nets • Area Nets • Trans-Continental Corps
EAN PAN CAN
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)
HF Nets • Daytime Texas Traffic Net 7285 • 7290 Traffic Net – Morning (M-Sa) • 7290 Traffic Net – Afternoon (M-F)
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
Digital Stations • HF Digital NTS Operations • APLink system • NTS Digital Stations • VHF Packet Radio Bulletin Boards • Major PBBS can be a “net”
Message Form • Preamble • Body • Signature • Status Line
Preamble • Number • Precedence • Handling Instructions (optional) • Station of Origin • Check • Place of Origin • Time (optional) • Date
Addressee • Name • Call (if any) • Address • City, State & Zip • Phone Number (necessary, if at all possible)
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
Signature • 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 • Who did you get it from and when? • Who did you give it to and when?
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
Other formats • Whatever your boss specifies • City/county/state/federal • Support • Medical format for personnel and supplies
Training • What’s coming to the DFW VHF nets • Radio to radio • This is normally what we do in an emergency unless you are a liaison • EOC’s • Hospitals & Hospital Council
Net Operations • Local Nets • Usually more informal, because they’re normally not under time constraints due to volume of traffic • HF Nets • Usually more formal and structured, do have higher volumes of traffic
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
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
Remember • Speed (with efficiency) • Accuracy • The real fun is in delivering traffic to the public!
Additional Information • ARRL • Public Service Communications Manual • Net Directory • Operating Manual • www.arrl.org • Listen and/or check in to a net