National Traffic System (NTS)
Messages that will ALWAYS get through!
NTS is an integral part of amateur radio’s public service effort, with origins in the earliest days of ham radio. Among the NTS functions are disaster messaging services, community outreach, and cost effective messaging to and from remote areas (including the high seas).
NTS operates with strict protocols that result in very effective and quick exchange of information via a format known as a radiogram. Operators find handling traffic an enoyable and rewarding experience, affording them the opportunity to use their skills for community serivce.
See the Traffic Nets page for is a schedule of nets in the Los Angeles Section. All the nets are looking for new members and are glad to offer help to any interested hams. Please contact the Los Angeles Section Traffic Manager for information on how to participate.
ARRL's Introduction to the NTS
Click here for the League's PowerPoint presentation.
Volunteers Needed Now!
ARRL’s Los Angeles Section is looking for operators interested in becoming National Traffic System (NTS) net control stations. No experience is required. You will learn efficient net operations and proper traffic handling techniques. This is an opportunity to increase your ham radio skills. You do not have to be an ARES member. However, many of the ARESLAX’s current and previous net control stations would make excellent NTS operators. The new NTS net will be a section-wide VHF/UHF phone net for the purpose of exchanging radiogram traffic.
For CW operators there already exists a local NTS CW net, Southern California Net (SCN). SCN is a training net and meets at 9:00 PM local time, Tuesdays and Thursdays, on 3.575 MHz. The net will slow down to the slowest operator's CW speed, but you are encouraged to ask for slower if you need it. There is absolutely, positively and without a shadow of a doubt nothing wrong with asking for a slower speed. Also, personal coaching is available via telephone. In the future the LAX's local NTS is anticipated to expand to HF phone, PACTOR and Winlink service.
There is an National Traffic System (NTS) relationship with ARES. NTS supports ARES’s disaster mission by providing “beyond the disaster area” communications.
If you are interested in volunteering to be an NTS net control station, please send me an e-mail expressing your interest.
73,
David Greenhut, N6HD
Section Manger
Los Angeles ARRL Section