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Ohio Amateur Radio Traffic System Information for Amateur Radio Traffic Handling John Tipka W8UL Ohio Section Traffic Manager |
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MAY 2008 Ohio Section Traffic Report
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Traffic System Management |
The traffic management goal in the Ohio Section is to establish and maintain a seamless interface for traffic handling between the NTS and ARES. The Section Traffic Manager (STM) is appointed by the Section Manager to supervise traffic handling organization at the section level, --that is, to coordinate all traffic efforts within the section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System (NTS) affiliation, so that routings within the section and connections with other networks and digital traffic nodes will result in orderly and efficient traffic flow. Mutual cooperation and coordination with the Section Emergency Coordinator is a constant so that traffic nets and emergency nets in the section present a unified public service front.
ARRL Radiogram Form - This form is in PDF format. Original version Printer friendly version
The Amateur Message Form - FSD-218 - AMATEUR MESSAGE FORM includes both relief emergency and routine message radiograms, in addition to the precedences to use in emergency, priority, welfare and routine situations. It details the components of a formal radiogram message. It includes precedences and handling instructions, plus ARRL QN signals for CW net use, and the most common international Q signals. Abbreviations, prosigns, and prowords used in both CW and phone are also listed. This form is in PDF format.
ARL Numbered Radiograms - FSD-3 - This form is the complete list of numbered texts for relief emergency and routine use. It describes recommended precedences for formal written message traffic. This form is in PDF format..
Handy Operating Guide - FSD-220 - This handy operating aid contains five useful references including the UTC time conversion chart, the ITU phonetic alphabet, guidelines to using the RST System, communication procedures and good phone operating guidelines.
Amateur Radio Call Sign Lookup - ARRL (US calls only) QRZ Buckmaster
Common Text Messages- There are a number of stations that originate large volumes of NTS messages. Most of the messages go to amateur radio operators whose names are harvested from FCC transaction files or lists. In most cases, the addressee does not know the sender. The practice is frowned upon by some traffic handlers and applauded by others. It is considered SPAM in the first case, and in the second case, as a tonic for a nationwide message delivery system. However, these messages have been used as training materials for a long time and will continue to flow and serve as training media in the National Traffic System.
The text of these messages is normally constant and can be identified by the call-sign of the originating station and the check count of the message. A set of these common texts is listed here for you to use in your message handling on a daily basis. Print a copy and keep it handy, Messages included are those from: N1IQI W1GMF, NM1K, N1UAN, WB5NKD, N5RLQ, W6DOB, K8LJG, KA8WNO, VE3SCY
Ohio Traffic Nets - A list of traffic nets frequented by traffic handlers in the Ohio Section
NTS Traffic Routing Guide - A guide for routing NTS traffic via state, NT
S region or area net.Net Directory - The ARRL Online Net Directory shows Amateur Radio nets that have been registered with ARRL Headquarters net directory database. The directory is focused toward public-service oriented nets that support the ARRL National Traffic System (NTS) and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
ZIP Code Search Engine - US Postal Service ZIP Code finder Search by address or by city or find all cities in a zip code.
Zip Code Listings for Ohio By City | By ZIP Code Cities and codes in other states are also available
Telephone number search engines - Switchboard.com Zabasearch
Monthly STM Reports - This section contains the Ohio Section traffic report sent to ARRL HQ monthly. The report lists the traffic totals for each of the Section and Local Nets, Station Activity Reports and Public Service Honor Roll reports for individual traffic handlers. Archived reports
Net Manager Activity Reports - The Net Managers of each of the four Ohio section-level and the local VHF traffic nets report their net's activity at the end of each month to Section Traffic Manager. The reports should include the following: name of net, total number of stations checked in (QNI), total number of messages (QTC), total number of minutes in session (QTR), and total number of sessions held in the format listed below. Reports must be received by no later than 8 PM on the 8th day of the following month. Report via NTS message to W8UL or via email: w8ul@arrl.net
Report format: Month Year Net Name QNI QTC QTR Sessions
Example: Jun 2007 My Net QNI 205 QTC 262 QTR 860 Sessions 30
Phone net:
Example: Jun 2007 My Net checkins 205 traffic 262 minutes 860 sessions 30
Station Activity Reports - (SAR) - All traffic handlers are is encouraged to submit a SAR monthly to the STM. The individual SARs are used for statistical purposes. If applicable, Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR) and Brass Pounder League (BPL) reports should be submitted in addition to the SAR. (See PSHR, BPL below). All individual (SAR, PSHR, BPL) station activity reports to the STM must be received no later than 8 PM on the 8th day of the following month. SAR, PSHR, and BPL report examples
Public Service Honor Roll - (PSHR) The PSHR recognizes the efforts of Amateur Radio operators who are active in many aspects of public service. This includes net operations, traffic handling, emergency operations and public service communication support. All traffic handlers should report their PSHR activity to the STM along with their SAR report. The PSHR criteria is described here.
Brass Pounders League - (BPL) The BPL is open to all amateurs who report to their STMs a total of 500 points or a sum of 100 or more origination and delivery points for any calendar month. All messages must be handled on amateur frequencies within 48 hours of receipt in standard ARRL radiogram format. Report format must include messages: Originated, Received, Sent, Delivered. See BPL report example shown here.
Traffic Handling Unique Appointment - The appointment requires full ARRL membership.
Official Relay Station - This is a traffic-handling appointment that is open to all classes of license. This appointment applies equally to all modes and all parts of the spectrum. It is for traffic-handlers, regardless of mode employed or part of the spectrum used. Requirements include: Regular participation in traffic activities, either independent or ARRL-sponsored whereby all traffic is relayed or delivered promptly after receipt and standard ARRL operating practices (message form, ending signals, abbreviations or prowords, etc.) are followed. Monthly activity reports to the STM, must be made including a breakdown of traffic handled during the past calendar month. Official Relay Station Description
NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines - NTS Methods and Practices Guidelines (NTS MPG), is attached to the ARRL Public Service Communications Manual (PSCM) as Appendix B, and is the working reference manual on Traffic Net and Message Handling Procedures in the NTS. It shall be the uniform reference standard for STMs, Section/Local NMs and Area Staff members.
Public Service Communications Manual - The Public Service Communications Manual constitutes an overall source of basic information on the ARRL's public service communications program.
NTS Manual in PDF format
NTS Traffic Routing Guide - A guide for routing NTS traffic via state, NTS region or area net.
Traffic handling information and training materials, and other links on the Internet.
Ohio Traffic Net Websites:
Ohio Single Sideband Net Central Ohio Traffic Net Tri-County Traffic Net Tri-State Amateur Traffic Net
ARRL Ohio Section Related Sites:
ARRL Ohio Section ARRL Great Lakes Division American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Other Links:
Ohio Area Repeater Council Repeater Directory