NTS – Handling written messages via radio

ARRL WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER – Dave Rockwell W4PXE

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THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM –  Its purpose

The National Traffic System (NTS), which a part of the ARRL Field Organization, is a structure that allows for rapid movement of traffic from origin to destination and training amateur operators to handle written traffic and participate in directed nets.  Traffic are written messages sent my by amateur radio operator to another operator or even a third party (someone who is not a licensed radio amateur), with some restrictions.

Traffic activities in a section are coordinated and overseen by the Section Traffic Manager who is appointed by the Section Manager.  Our Section Traffic Manager is Dave Rockwell W4PXE and you may reach Dave by email at w4pxe@arrl.net.   And of course, you send traffic to him through the NTS.

Amateur operators from the three Florida ARRL Sections participate in several unified State wide traffic nets on 40, 75, and 80 meters on a daily basis.  This has been by mutual agreement for over 50 years., going all the way back to when Florida was only one ARRL Section.


FOR THOSE NEW TO THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM

ARRL NTS PURPOSE AND BASIC EXPLANATION

This page, which is Chapter One of the ARRL NTS Manual, has an excellent explanation of the National Traffic System, its basic purposes, and basic principles of operation.:  http://www.arrl.org/chapter-one-national-traffic-system.

ARRL NTS MANUAL

For the full ARRL NTS Manual – HTML Format:  http://www.arrl.org/nts-manual.

For the full ARRL NTS Manual – PDF Format:  http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/NTS_Manual2015.pdf.

NET OPERATIONS PRESENTATION

http://arrlwcf.org/download/wcfgeneral/W4PXE_Net_Operations_Forum_2023.pptx

This is the slides from a presentation given by Dave Rockwell W4PXE, Section Traffic Manager, on being a good net control and the techniques to be a good net control.

ARRL NTS FORMS

For all the ARRL NTS Forms:  http://www.arrl.org/public-service-field-services-forms.

ARRL POWERPOINT TUTORIAL

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/NTS%20Presentation%206-2012.ppt.

ARRL NTS WEBSITE

http://www.arrl.org/nts.


EAGLE NET – ARRL WCF SECTION TRAFFIC NET

The West Central Florida Section daily traffic net is the Eagle Net held daily at 8:30 PM (2030) Eastern Time on the NI4CE repeater system.  Click on the link just given for a list of repeaters and a coverage map.

If you wish to be a Net Control Station, little experience is required and it is a great way to learn more about traffic as well as sharpening your operating skills.   Contact Dave W4PXE at w4pxe@arrl.net for more information and qualifications to be a Net Control Station.


OFFICIAL RELAY STATIONS

Stations who handle traffic are encouraged to apply for the Official Relay Station (ORS) Appointment.  Contact the Section Traffic Manager or Section Manager for more information on becoming an ORS. You can apply for an ORS online using the Online Station Appointment Application Form.


RESOURCES FOR TRAFFIC HANDLERS

THIRD PARTY TRAFFIC AGREEMENT LIST

The current Third Party Traffic Operating Agreements.  NTS Traffic can only be sent to third parties (not a licensed amateur radio operator) in countries which we have these operating agreements.  The countries on this list do change from time to time so be sure to have the most current list available  You may download this list at:

http://www.arrl.org/third-party-operating-agreements

ARRL NTS WEBSITE

http://www.arrl.org/nts


SECTION NTS NET LIST

Net TImeNet NameLocationFrequency and Mode
1830 EasternSPARC NetSt PetersburgWA4AKH/R - 147.060 MHz - No PL Tone.
2030 EasternEagle NetSection WideNI4CE/R System - For repeater frequencies -
https://www.ni4ce.org.

 


FLORIDA NTS NET LIST

Net TimeNet NameFrequency / Mode
0700 Eastern TimeFlorida Phone Traffic Net3940 KHz LSB Phone
1800 Eastern TimeTropical FAST Net.3940 KHz LSB Phone
7230 KHz LSB Phone
1830 EST
1930 EDT
Northern Florida Phone Net3950 KHz LSB Phone
1900 EasternQFN - All Florida CW Traffic Net3651 KHz CW
7051 KHZ CW
2200 Eastern QFN - All Florida CW Traffic Net3547 KHz CW