Formal Messaging

During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used to communicate information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or welfare of a disaster victim. In amateur radio, we call these formal messages and radiograms “traffic”.

The National Traffic System was developed in the early days of amateur radio, with a specific purpose of getting formal messages across town or across the country quickly and concisely.

The Western Massachusetts and Eastern Massachusetts sections have consolidated its NTS organizations.  View more on the consolidated NTS organization on the Eastern Massachusetts NTS website.

Appointees

Section Traffic Manager

The STM supervises National Traffic System at the section level–that is, to coordinate all traffic efforts within the section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System affiliation, so that routings within the section and connections with other networks and digital traffic nodes will result in orderly and efficient traffic flow.

Western Masschusetts STM is Marcia Forde KW1U.  She is assisted by Assistant STM Peter Mattice KD2JKV.

Official Relay Stations

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.

The potential value of the skilled operator with traffic know-how to his country and community is enhanced by his ability and the readiness of his station to function in the community interest in case of emergency. Traffic awareness and experience are often the signs by which mature amateurs may be distinguished.