Copyright 1997
Permission is hereby granted for non-profit reproduction of this material provided this statement is included and the material is used in its' entirety, or properly credited by same, if used in part. [Condensed by N2NMH.]
The top part of the form, with all the little boxes, is called
the Preamble. The different parts of the preamble are highlighted below.
Look for the heading on the Radiogram form and read the description for
that area.
This is the number assigned by the first Amateur putting the
traffic into NTS. It never changes, no matter how many other operators
handle the message.
This tells the importance, or how urgent the traffic is.
This is just an Optional set of specific instructions dealing
with methods of delivery.
This is the Call-Sign of the Amateur who first put the traffic
into the NTS system
This is a count of the number of words in the text area of the
form, (the area with all the little horizontal lines).
This is the City and State of the party who initiated
the traffic, not the Station of Origin location.
Explained: If you are initiating a message for someone in Bozoville, Montana and you live in Ohio, then Bozoville, Montana would be the Place of origin.. Your callsign would be the Station of origin.
This is the UTC or ZULU time the traffic is placed into NTS system,
not
the time written.
This is the date the traffic is first placed into NTS system.
This is the address of the individual to whom the traffic is
supposed to be delivered. It goes under the word "TO" on the form.
This is important because most traffic is ultimately delivered
via local phone calls
This can be a single name, a name and callsign, or a name and
title. Just enough information to enable the receiver to identify the sender.
The Originating amateur should provide enough information that a reply
can be sent.
.
To get used to how it feels to actually put your voice to it, go to
Appendix "C" where you will find a message all written out. Just read it
out loud several times.
Sending Procedures
When and Where to send a "Radiogram"
IV. METHODS OF PASSING "TRAFFIC"
RADIOGRAMS may be passed via any means available to an Amateur Radio Operator . . .voice, phone. Repeaters, simplex, VHF, UHF, HF, as long as you have the privileges to operate on a frequency, you can pass messages there.You may use:
Packet BBSs provide a looser structure for getting messages from
the sender to the area of destination. This looseness has its advantages
and disadvantages. An advantage is that participants can have more flexible
schedules - one does not have to set aside a specific time for a regularly
scheduled net. A disadvantage is that the sender, does not know if there
is a human-receiver on the other end that will deliver the message. For
the system to work efficiently, each BBS should have someone (or some group)
responsible for delivering NTS messages.
Traffic NetsThere are specific times, days of the week and a variety of frequencies available for formal "Traffic Nets". Check with your local Net Manager, Emergency Coordinator or Net Liaison to find out when and where they meet. The ARRL Net Directory is a good source of information. We have also included several Appendices at the end of this manual which are lists of various nets at different levels.
During a Club Net, ARES Net, District Net, etc. is the perfect time to pass some traffic, even if just for practice. You can usually locate someone who will receive the traffic and will also work with you on your technique.
Don't worry about getting everything perfect. Practice makes us all better. If you listen to an NTS net for ten minutes, you will hear some of the old-timers make some blunders. It's no big deal! The most important part is to listen to how the traffic is handled and passed, then practice what you know is correct out of what you hear. People who are involved in the NTS nets welcome newcomers. Just tell them you are new to the system and they will coach you. Of course, there is always the net "Grump". Don't worry about him.
If you never learn any more than this about the Radiogram, you will do just fine passing traffic in the NTS with what you have learned so far. By the time you compose and send 10 or 12 messages, the Radiogram form, these simple procedures, and what to say, will be permanently imprinted on your brain.
We will now go into a little more depth and examine some of the finer
points.
IV. SOME MORE ADVANCED STUFF
THE NTS STRUCTURE - How it works
Reminder: The NTS is made up of several associated, yet totally separate Nets held on various levels.
To make sure that you understand this structure, we are going to explain it another way. The United States and Canada are divided into three Areas: Eastern Area, Central Area, and Western Area. Inside each of those three Areas there are a total of twelve smaller Regions. Inside each of those Regions is an unknown number of Locales.
Picture in your mind, two funnels ... with the big ends put together.These two funnels now represent the NTS System. The flow of traffic is always from one of the small ends to the other small end. The small ends are the Local Nets. Your message may rattle around in the funnel assembly for a while, but with enought movement it will eventually reach the other small end.
HOT TIP: If you are sending a message
out-of-state or country, when you list your traffic with a net, list it
as:"One... through ...for [ State of destination].If someone
is on the net who can skip one or more of the normal steps of progression,
they will pick up your message and get it through quicker. This just cuts
out a number of "middle men".
SPECIAL HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
This information applies regardless of any mode of message transmission or mix thereof.
This section is to explain what can go in the little box marked "HTX" in the Radiogram Preamble. Again, there is no mystery to this if it is presented simply.
Sometimes there are some special things that need to happen to a message. Have you ever gotten a letter from the Post Office that you had to sign for? Someone wanted to make sure that their message was delivered. Have you ever sent a letter or package "Second-Day Air" so that the Post Office would rush it through? You can do exactly the same type things with an NTS message by plugging in some standard coding in the HTX box of the Radiogram. The codes are pretty self-explanitory and can be found in Attachment "B" at the end of this manual.
PRE-FORMATTED MESSAGES (The "ARL" Stuff we promised to explain.)
If you listen very long to NTS nets, you will soon discover that many messages that you hear are very common and identical. To cover this fact, the NTS uses sixty-nine different pre-fomatted messages. The first 26 are emergency related messages. Numbers 46 through 69 are common greetings.
Using the ARL messages saves everyone time. The next time you want to send Grandma a "Merry Christmas" greeting, instead of putting "Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in the text area of a Radiogram, you would simply put "ARL Sixty One". The person who eventually takes the message for delivery to Grandma has to dig out his little chart of ARL numbered messages, call Grandma, and read the words of the message to her over the telephone. Simple. (Except that most Grandmothers will send a return message ARL 12).
Multiples of the ARL messages can be strung together in sequence on a single Radiogram to form a pretty impressive message that would be much longer than the recognized maximum of 25 words.
OK, that's neat. But how do I put it on the Radiogram . . . What do I say?
PRECEDENCES
Let's again go back to the Radiogram form. This time we will look at the "Precedence" box in the Preamble.We stated that over 90% of NTS messages passed carry a "Routine" precedence. This is true. There are some other designations that can go in this box.
Welfare Messages::These messages are either an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in a disaster area or an advisory from the disaster area that indicates the condition of an individual, family, or group. From a Disaster scene,Outgoing welfare messages usually are handled first, with Incoming welfare inquiries being handled second. Welfare traffic is handled only after all emergency and priority traffic is cleared.
Priority Messages:This is a second level priority used for important messages having a specific time limit, official messages not covered in the emergency category, press dispatches and emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. This is where the "Time Filed" box on the Radiogram form becomes important to use.
Routine: Most traffic during normal times. In disaster situations, traffic
should be handled last, or not at all when circuits re busy with higher-precedence
traffic.
V. APPENDICES
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL
ATTACHMENT "A"
HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
HXA (Followed by number) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee within _____ miles. (If no number, authorization is unlimited.)
HXB (Followed by number) cancel message if not delivered within _____ hours of filing time; service originating station
HXC Report date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating station
HXD Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered report date, time and method of delivery
HXE Delivering station get reply from addressee, originate message back
HXF(Followed by number) Hold delivery until______ (date).
HXG Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll or
other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL
ATTACHMENT "B"
ARRL NUMBERED RADIOGRAMS
Numbered messages have been established for some of the more common texts sent during emergencies and holiday seasons. When this common text can be used, an ARL NUMBER is substituted for the text and sent. The delivering station reads the actual text to the address, not the ARL NUMBER
The letters ARL are inserted in the preamble in the check and in the text before spelled out numbers, which represent texts from this list. Note that some ARL texts include and in the text before spelled out numbers, which represent texts from this list. Note that some ARL texts include insertion of numerals or words.
Group One -- For Possible "Relief Emergency " Use
ONE Everyone safe here. Please don't worry.
TWO Coming home as soon as possible.
THREE Am in _______ hospital. Receiving excellent care and recovering fine.
FOUR Only slight property damage here. Do not be concerned about disaster reports.
FIVE Am moving to new location. Send no further mail or communication. Will inform you of new address when relocated.
SIX Will contact you as soon as possible.
SEVEN Please reply by Amateur Radio through the amateur delivering this message. This is a free public service
EIGHT Need additional ______ mobile or portable equipment for immediate emergency use.
NINE Additional ______ radio operators needed to assist with emergency at this location.
TEN Please contact _______. Advise to standby and provide further emergency information, instructions or assistance
ELEVEN Establish Amateur Radio emergency communications with ______ on _______ MHz.
TWELVE Anxious to hear from you. No word in some time. Please contact me as soon as possible.
THIRTEEN Medical emergency situation exits here.
FOURTEEN Situation here becoming critical. Losses and damage from _______ increasing.
FIFTEEN Please advise your condition and what help is needed.
SIXTEEN Property damage very severe in this area.
SEVENTEEN REACT communications services also available. Establish REACT communication with _______on channel _______.
EIGHTEEN Please contact me as soon as possible at _______.
NINETEEN Request health and welfare report on _______. (State name, address and telephone number.)
TWENTY Temporarily stranded. Will need some assistance. Please contact me at _______.
TWENTY ONE Search and Rescue assistance is needed by local authorities here. Advise availability.
TWENTY TWO Need accurate information on the extent and type of conditions now existing at your location. Please furnish this information and reply without delay
TWENTY THREE Report at once the accessibility and best way to reach your location.
TWENTY FOUR Evacuation of residents from this area urgently needed. Advise plans for help.
TWENTY FIVE Furnish as soon as possible the weather conditions at your location.
TWENTY SIX Help and care for evacuation of sick and injured from this location needed at once.
Emergency/priority messages originating from official sources must carry the signature of the originating official.
Group Two -- Routine messages
FORTY SIX Greetings on your birthday and best wishes for many more to come.
FIFTY Greetings by Amateur Radio.
FIFTY ONE Greetings by Amateur Radio. This message is sent as a free public service by ham radio operators at _______. Am having a wonderful time.
FIFTY TWO Really enjoyed being with you. Looking forward to getting together again.
FIFTY THREE Received your _______. It's appreciated; many thanks.
FIFTY FOUR Many thanks for your good wishes.
FIFTY FIVE Good news is always welcome. Very delighted to hear about yours.
FIFTY SIX Congratulations on your _______, a most worthy and deserved achievement.
FIFTY SEVEN Wish we could be together
FIFTY EIGHT Have a wonderful time. Let us know when you return.
FIFTY NINE Congratulations on the new arrival. Hope mother and child are well.
*SIXTY Wishing you the best of everything on _______.
SIXTY ONE Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
*SIXTY TWO Greetings and best wishes to you for a pleasant _______ holiday season.
SIXTY THREE Victory or defeat, our best wishes are with you. Hope you win.
SIXTY FOUR Arrived safely at _______.
SIXTY FIVE Arriving _______ on _______. Please arrange to meet me there.
SIXTY SIX DX QSLs are on hand for you at the _______ QSL Bureau. Send _______ self addressed envelopes.
SIXTY SEVEN Your message number _______ undeliverable because of _______. Please advise.
SIXTY EIGHT Sorry to hear you are ill. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
SIXTY NINE Welcome to the _______. We are glad to have you with us and hope you will enjoy the fun and fellowship of the organization.
ARL NUMBERS SHOULD BE SPELLED OUT AT ALL TIMES
*Can be used for all holidays.
From: FORM FSD-3 (Revised 2/94) ARRL updated: 10-06-94
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL
ATTACHMENT "C"
SAMPLE SENDING FORMAT
PREAMBLE: "THIS IS _______(YOUR CALL). FOLLOWS MESSAGE NUMBER ZERO ZERO ONE ROUTINE, HOTEL X-RAY ECHO, KILO CHARLIE EIGHT ZULU VICTOR YANKEE, FIFTEEN, PETTAWAY, MICHIGAN, ONE THREE FOUR FIVE ZULU, MARCH 7 BREAK." (PAUSE) It is bad form to say the Headings (Check 15, Station Of Origin KC8ZVY, etc.) Use the word for the month, not a numerical date.
Remember, the message must have a number, precedence, Station of Origin, Check, Place of Origin and date or it is not a formal message.
Remember to pause and let up off of the mike for 2 - 3 seconds after giving the preamble to give the receiving station a chance to ask for "Fills" if necessary.
ADDRESS: "GERALD BOTTOMS, I SPELL B,O,T,T,O,M,S (PAUSE) FIGURES THREE THREE FOUR THREE DOWNS STREET (PAUSE) TALAHASSEE, FLORIDA, ZIP FIGURES ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE (PAUSE) PHONE FIGURES EIGHT ZERO EIGHT SEVEN SEVEN FOUR SIX FIVE EIGHT FOUR BREAK". (PAUSE)
Remember to unkey the mike at the pause , giving the receiving station a chance to request for "Fills"
TEXT: "THANKS FOR LETTING ME STAY LAST WEEK XRAY HOPE TO RETURN THE FAVOR SOON XRAY BREAK"(PAUSE)
Remember to unkey the mike at the pause, giving the receiving station a chance to request for "Fills"
Try to keep the radiogram at 25 words or less. Keep them noncommercial in nature. No elements of the preamble, address or signature, no punctuation, and no big words. Letter-like greetings or closings are bad form. Remember to send a "Break" immediately before and after the text, before sending the signature.
SIGNATURE: "PAT"
"END OF MESSAGE, NO MORE" (If you have no more messages to the same receiving station)
'END OF MESSAGE, ( ) MORE" (If you have more messages for the same receiving station, insert the number of messages remaining at the ( )).
Remember to send slowly and pronounce the words carefully, but do not
drag it out. Listen to the experienced operators send traffic to find the
pace.
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL
ATTACHMENT "D"
VHF NETS IN MICHIGAN
NET NAME FREQUENCY DAY & TIME COVERAGE
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL
ATTACHMENT "E"
HF NETS IN MICHIGAN
NET NAME FREQUENCY MODE DAY & TIME COVERAGE
NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL
ATTACHMENT "F"
REGION AND AREA NETS
NET NAME CYCLE FREQUENCY MODE DAY & TIME COVERAGE
New England States First Region Net 2.3948 LSB Daily-1:45PM
New 2.3948 LSB Daily-3:30PM New 3.3602 CW Daily-6:30PM
Net 4.3602 CW Daily-7:45PM Net 4.3602 CW Daily-9:30PM
NJ,NY,APO/FPO AE Second Region Net 2.3930 LSB Daily-1:45PM
New 2.3930 LSB Daily-3:30PM Net 3.3930\1930 LSB Daily-6:30PM
Net 4.3690 CW Daily-7:45PM Net 4.3690 CW Daily-9:30PM
DC,DE,MD,PA Third Region Net 2.3913 LSB Daily-4:00PM
Net 4.3590 CW Daily-7:45PM Net 4.3590 CW Daily-9:30PM
FL,GA,NC,SC,VA,VI,PR Fourth Region Net 2.7243 LSB Daily-1:45PM
Net 2.7243 LSB Daily-3:30PM APO/FPO AA Net 4.3567 CW Daily-7:45PM
Net 4.3567 CW Daily-9:30PM
MI,OH,WV Eigth Region Net 2.3940/7240 LSB Daily-12:30PM
Net 2.3940/7240 LSB Daily-4:30PM Net 4.3530/7040 CW Daily-7:45PM
Net 4.3530/7040 CW Daily-9:30PM
Atlantic Region Net 14303 USB Daily-6:30AM Worldwide
AL,AR,LA,MS,OK,TN,TX Fifth Region Net 2.7280 LSB M-S-10:30AM
Net 2.7280 LSB Sunday-1:45P Net 2.7280 LSB Daily-3:30PM
Net 4.3650\7052 CW Daily-7:30PM Net 4.3650/7052 CW Daily-9:30PM
IL,IN,KY,WI Ninth Region Net 2.7282 LSB Daily-12:30PM
Net 2.7282 LSB Daily-4:00PM Net 4.3640 CW Daily-7:45PM
Net 4.3640 CW Daily-9:30PM
IA,KS,MB,MN,MO,NE,ND Tenth Region Net 2.7277.5 LSB Daily-1:45PM
Net 2.7277.5 LSB Daily-3:45PM SD,SK Net 4.3590 CW Daily-7:45PM
Net 4.3590 CW Daily-9:30PM
CA,GU,HI,NV Sixth Region Net 2.7275/3916 LSB Daily-3:30PM
Net 4.3655 CW Daily-7:45PM APO/FPO AP Net 4.3655 CW Daily-9:30PM
AB,AK,BC,ID,MT,OR,WA Seventh Region Net 2.7238 LSB Daily-9:45AM
Net 2.7238 LSB Daily-3:15PM Net 4.3560/7048 CW Daily-7:30PM
Net 4.3560/7048 CW Daily-9:30PM
AZ,CO,NM,UT,WY Twelfth Region Net 2.3923 LSB Daily-7:00AM
Net 2.7233 LSB Daily-4:15PM Net 4.3570/7063 CW Daily-7:30PM
Net 4.3570 CW Daily-10:30PM
Eastern Area Net 2.7243 LSB M-F 2:30PM Eastern & Atlantic TZ
Net 2.7050 CW S&S 2:30PM Net 3.3670/7050 CW Daily-5:30PM Region Nets 1,2,3,4,8
Net 4.3670/1810 CW Daily-8:30PM ECN & ARN
Central Area Net 2.14345 USB Dailly-2:30PM Region Nets 5,9,10
Net 4.3670/7052 CW Daily-8:30PM
Pacific Area Net 1.14345 USB Daily-10:30A Regions 6,7,12
Net 2 14345 USB Daily-2:30PM Net 4 3651 CW Daily-8:30PM Regions 6,7,12 (Winter)
Net 4.7052 CW Daily-8:30PM Regions 6,7,12 (Summer)
Eastern Canada Net 4.3655 CW Daily-7:45PM Eastern Canada
Net 4.3655 CW Daily-9:30PM Eastern Canada