How to do NTS
*** This Message originally posted by Andy, KD4MKI ***
This document was written to instruct the packet operator in properly
preparing, formatting, and inserting a packet message into the National
Traffic System (NTS). The NTS is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
sponsored public service staffed exclusively by Ham radio operators in
the interest of providing emergency and routine communications both in
and out of the amateur radio community.
The messages, referred to as 'traffic' are relayed by voice, data, and
morse code by telephone, radio, and computer.
With a message passed along through many points, a systematic format is
needed to ensure integrity in the receiver actually getting what was sent
verbatim. The ARRL publishes a message form to assist in recording and
forwarding the ARRL Radiogram as the piece of traffic is referred to.
Now, down to the business of actually sending traffic..... the ST command:
For this demonstration, we will assume you are the originator of the
message, a short note to a non-amateur acquaintance in Virginia. As in
all radiograms, the content should be short, (under 25 words recommended,
the official ARRL Radiogram form has 25 blank lines to complete). Also we
assume you are already versed in establishing a connect to the BBS where
you will input the traffic.
Assuming you have logged into your local BBS.
1. At the command line, type ST 24401@NTSVA (this says, Send Traffic,
zip code of Staunton, Virginia, at National Traffic System, Virginia)
2. You will next be prompted for a SUBJECT. Simply enter 'QTC 1'. QTC
stands for 'I have __ messages to send.' Then the destination city, state,
and telephone number including area code, or the telephone number by itself
is sufficient:
QTC 1 STAUNTON VA 540 555-5555 or just QTC 1 540 555-5555
3. You will now be prompted for the message. Enter the following header
information:
NR 2 R HXG KD4MKI 25 ROCK HILL SC JUL 17
NR (the abbreviation for number) 2 is the message number.... in this case
my second message for this year. The precedence 'R' is for routine
handling, presuming this is not emergency traffic. HXG is the handling
instuctions (When there are no instructions listed, HXG is assumed.). Your
CALL comes next, then the official WORD COUNT. Punctuation counts as a
word, wise to use only a period, noted as an X in the text or a ?, used as
such, each passed by voice as "period" or "quiry". Words containing a '/',
i.e. 7/42, like in a net report, is considered one word. Draft your
message in advance so you will know the word count! Place of ORIGIN is
next, Rock Hill, SC, or your ciy and state designator, then the date. The
year is excluded as we hope it will be at least delivered in the same year!
Use no punctuation in this heading for simplicity, and capital letters
throughout the message makes it easier to read.
4. Enter a carriage return, then the name and address of the recipient,
and once again the telephone number with area code. It is very important
to include a telephone number, particularly for non-hams.
5. Enter = or BT on a line by itself. This indicates break for text.
6. Type in the message (called text). A good practice is to use 5 words
per line only.
Remember the X and ? each count as a word! By entering 5 words per line,
the count is made easier.
7. After the message is completed, enter again on a line by itself = or
BT. Another break.
8. Enter your name. A call sign is helpful here to further identify
yourself.
9. Enter the characters AR, which mean "end of message".
Therefore the message body is entered thus into the BBS at the 'enter
message' prompt:
NR 2 R HXG KD4MKI 24 ROCK HILL SC JUL 17
AMELIA VIDALIA
8888 FULLER LANE
STAUNTON VA 24401
540 555-5555
=
HELLO X WANTED TO WISH
YOU WELL THROUGH PACKET RADIO
X WE COMMUNICATE WITH NONHAMS
TOO X YOU REALLY NEED
TO GET INTO THIS
=
ANDY KD4MKI
Okay, this will get you started. Other NTS files may be downloaded
from various BBS's in your local area.
For those of you with with internet acess go to the following URL
addresses:
hhtp://www.arrl.org/field/pscm/section2 (This is the NTS Policies and
Procedures Manual)
http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~fuat/cuarc/radiogram.html (This is access to
sending NTS traffic that will be input into the system by N2YGN, in New
York City.)
So............. there you go!! Piece-O-Cake!! That's pretty much it in a
nutshell. A few other niceties such as special handling, and messaging by
ARL numbers were not addressed in this short synopsis.See Part 2 of this
group for how to use ARL numbers which are sort of a shorthand for NTS
traffic.
Enjoy the packet realm!! 73 de Andy KD4MKI Rock Hill,SC
with additions by Jason N1IIC Allenstown,NH
==========================================================================
ARRL NUMBERED RADIOGRAMS
The letters ARL are inserted into the text before spelled out numbers,
which represent texts from this list.
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 exists 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 & 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 here at ______. Am having a wonderful time.
Will let you know when I return.
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 Greeting and best wishes to you for a pleasant
holiday season.
SIXTY THREE Victory or defeat, our best wishes are with you.
Hope that 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
The letters ARL are inserted in the text before spelled out numbers,
which represent texts from this list.
Note that some ARL texts require insertion of words or numerals and the
letters 'ARL' are added to the count to designate that it contains an ARRL
numbered radiogram.
Example: NR 1 R HXG KD4USA ARL 8 ROCK HILL SC JUN 23
DONALD R SMITH
164 EAST SIXTH AVE
NORTH RIVER CITY MO 55555
805 733 3968
=
ARL FIFTY X ARL SIXTY
ONE X 73
=
JOE HAM KF4USA
AR
===========================================================================
ARRL HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS (OPTIONAL)
HXA (Followed by number.) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee
within ____ miles. (If no number, authorization is umlimited.)
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
recieved, plus date and time, or if delivered report date, time, and
method of deivery.
HXE Delivering station get reply from addressee and originate message back.
HXF (Followed by number.) Hold delivery until ____ (date).
HXG Delivery by mail or landline toll call is not required. If toll or other
expense involved, cancel message and service originating station.
*** When there are no instructions listed, HXG is applied.
===========================================================================
PRECEDENCES
The precedences follow the messsage number in the header.
EMERGENCY Any message containing life and death urgency to any person or
group of persons which is transmitted by Amateur Radio in the
absence of regular commercial facilities. This includes official
messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting
supplies, materials or instructions vital to relief of stricken
populace in emergencies areas. During normal times, it will be
VERY RARE. On CW, RTTY, and other digital modes this designation
will always be spelled out. When in doubt, DO NOT USE IT!!!
PRIORITY Important messages with a specific time limit. Official messages
not covered by the emergency category. Press dispatches and other
emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notification
of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official. Use
the abbreviation 'P' on CW.
WELFARE A message that is either: A) an inquiry as to the welfare of an
individual in the disaster area B) an advisory or reply from the
disaster area that indicates all is well should carry this
precedence, which is abbreviated 'W' on CW. These messages are
handled AFTER Emergency or Priority traffic but before Routine.
ROUTINE Most traffic during normal times will bear this designation. In
disaster situations, traffic labeled Routone ('R' on CW) should
be handled LAST or not at all when circuits are busy with
Emergency, Prority, or Welfare Traffic.
Hope this helps you send an NTS message.
Copyright © 1997 by KA1BWH
- kd1kk@mint.net