My 80m / 20m dipole (I have been told that it is not a dipole but an inverted V) came down last week. OUCH! My XYL has said that I spend a lot of time on the radio, and I've always said... "No, babe, I don't spend much time on the radio. You just think I do." Well... she's right. With my HF antennas on the ground, I suddenly had a whole bunch of time available with nothin' to do.
I've had a 160m half sloper waiting for install, so it seemed like now was the right time. This is were things get interesting... I needed to get at least 40ft. in the air. One day a few weeks ago I was looking in the ARRL Antenna book and I saw a "wooden a-frame" mast/tower, and I thought: "I can build this, and attach it to the side of my garage/man-cave/radio shack."
Well... my "wires" are up and in the air, but... I don't want ANY of my Ham friends to see it - HI HI. If I were to ever do this project again, I will do several things differently. The first thing I will do is invite someone to take a video of 2 crazy guys wrestling with a 42ft piece of 2x2 lumber with 9 pieces of "long" wire attached to one end... in the dark... in the rain. Had we done this, I could have sold the video and used the proceeds to purchase and install a "proper" tower. But, as they say, hind sight is 20/20. Hey... stop laughing! It may not be pretty, but it works. Yesterday afternoon while I was standing on the roof... in the snow... trying to "finish"... I saw the local police slowly drive by!!! I'm sure he was "taking notes" about the crazy guy.
Looking forward to again talking to y'all on HF sometime soon. But know that if I hear you snickering, I'll know you are thinking about my 42ft wooden antenna "tower".
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Not If, Not When... but ALWAYS
When was the last time you heard the phrase, "It's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when"? Many people live in an "if" world. We all know people like that. "If it happens, then I will…." But, as Radio Amateurs we have crossed over from the, "If it happens" to the, "When it happens" perspective. Most of us have reached the conclusion that "it" is going to happen… the question is not "if" if will happen, but "when" it will happen. We have prepared for the inevitable "when".
However, I would suggest that we should take it one step further. It is not a matter of if… it is not even a matter of when… it is, or it should be, a matter of "always". Many times in the last two years, during routine NTS training, while I thought I was operating under a "when" mindset, I discovered that I was not living in the "always" reality. What I have discovered is that failure and chaos are an ever present reality. And… all it takes is a moment of laziness… of complacency… of ignorance… and I find myself humbled.
Electricity is a wild and ugly beast that we Amateurs have only barely
contained. And… in my case: poorly contained. (Some other time I will tell you about Field Day 2011; my mobile rig took a direct lighting strike!!!) Every time I sit down in my shack Sparky, the beast, and all of his band of rabid hyenas, which include Amplitude, Modulation, and their ugly cousin, Que R. Nancy are ready, and all too often willing, to pounce. I have had to adjust to the living reality that in my shack it is not a matter of when the beast will attack, but rather, the beast is always biting me in the backside.
Any night, as I shut down the radio, extinguish the kerosene heater, and turn off the lights… if I escape without bite marks, it is a victory. It is not because "when" didn't happen. It is not because the beast wasn't trying to ruin my evening. It is simply because for that one evening I played the game better than the beast. Make no mistake about it however, I am not living under any pretense or illusion that the very next night when I once again enter the arena (read: shack), that I will not have to face the beast again. He will be waiting for me. To bite me… to assault me. To test me.
Radio work is not a "certainty". Radio work is "chance"… and as for me, this is one of my fondest attractions to this hobby. I get a chance every time I press the PTT to defeat the beast. To fight back. To WIN!!!!
So… To the beast:
Sleep well for now, my worthy opponent. But know this: I will not go down without a fight. I am not waiting for "when" you will attack. I will assume you are "always" attacking, and guess what? I am "always" ready for you… or perhaps better said, I am learning to be "always" be ready for your ever present willingness and capability to ruin my night. I am learning… and I have help.
However, I would suggest that we should take it one step further. It is not a matter of if… it is not even a matter of when… it is, or it should be, a matter of "always". Many times in the last two years, during routine NTS training, while I thought I was operating under a "when" mindset, I discovered that I was not living in the "always" reality. What I have discovered is that failure and chaos are an ever present reality. And… all it takes is a moment of laziness… of complacency… of ignorance… and I find myself humbled.
Electricity is a wild and ugly beast that we Amateurs have only barely
contained. And… in my case: poorly contained. (Some other time I will tell you about Field Day 2011; my mobile rig took a direct lighting strike!!!) Every time I sit down in my shack Sparky, the beast, and all of his band of rabid hyenas, which include Amplitude, Modulation, and their ugly cousin, Que R. Nancy are ready, and all too often willing, to pounce. I have had to adjust to the living reality that in my shack it is not a matter of when the beast will attack, but rather, the beast is always biting me in the backside.
Any night, as I shut down the radio, extinguish the kerosene heater, and turn off the lights… if I escape without bite marks, it is a victory. It is not because "when" didn't happen. It is not because the beast wasn't trying to ruin my evening. It is simply because for that one evening I played the game better than the beast. Make no mistake about it however, I am not living under any pretense or illusion that the very next night when I once again enter the arena (read: shack), that I will not have to face the beast again. He will be waiting for me. To bite me… to assault me. To test me.
Radio work is not a "certainty". Radio work is "chance"… and as for me, this is one of my fondest attractions to this hobby. I get a chance every time I press the PTT to defeat the beast. To fight back. To WIN!!!!
So… To the beast:
Sleep well for now, my worthy opponent. But know this: I will not go down without a fight. I am not waiting for "when" you will attack. I will assume you are "always" attacking, and guess what? I am "always" ready for you… or perhaps better said, I am learning to be "always" be ready for your ever present willingness and capability to ruin my night. I am learning… and I have help.
A VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC TRUST
I have recently come under some fire on another forum about the legitimacy of how some Amateur Radio ops choose to use the NTS. This AM I posted the following on that forum. As I read it back to myself, I thought perhaps it would be well suited to repost here on my Blog. ENJOY
A Radiogram is a "private" message that has been entrusted to licensed, disciplined, regulated, tested, volunteer public servants, to be transmitted over sanctioned, regulated "public" radio frequencies. We, as Amateur Radio Operators, violate the public trust when we judge, criticize, gossip about, and blab our opinions about the contents of the "private" messages we have received, relayed, or even heard on our radios.
We are not only given the privilege to talk on our radios, but we have likewise been given the privilege to listen. Oh, I know, anyone within the ranks of the general public with a multi-band radio may very well listen to what is being said on frequencies assigned to Amateur Radio, and they may certainly say whatever they like about what they hear. But… once we receive our Amateur Radio license we have given up the privilege to gossip about and judge what we hear as it pertains to Radiogram traffic. No matter how much we would at times like to, we have forfeited the privilege to reveal our personal judgments. We are licensed, disciplined Amateur Radio operators, and we should act like it… not like a bunch of gossipy ol' women (or men) whispering and prattling on about their neighbors.
If we listen to rag-chewing, we can say whatever we like (especially about the two guys I heard one night bragging about their recent trip to the local "gentleman's club"). If we listen to a DX Contest, we can blab away about the participants (especially that guy with a 5kw linear!). But… Radiogram traffic is different. Radiogram traffic is a "private public trust" and we dishonor the privileges of our license when we make ourselves Radiogram content judges. We demonstrate a lack of personal integrity when we blather on and on and on about our disapproval of a Radiogram message or its sender. I make it my goal, after I have determined that it is legal, to be "blind and deaf" to the content of any Radiogram that I handle, or even one that I hear. It is as if someone has allowed me to "read their private mail", and what kind of man do I become when I violate that person's trust.
What kind of person do I become if I decide that the "recipient" is unknown to the sender and probably doesn't want to get a particular Radiogram, so I don't bother sending it; allowing it to die within the system? I know of no other "message service" that allows that kind of egregious, unprofessional behavior. But, we have allowed it to happen within Amateur Radio service. Shame on us.
The days should be over, in which honorable Amateur Radio men and women, violate the public trust which they have been granted. When someone brings up the "spam" debate, we should say, "Spam??? What are you talking about? I don't know what you mean? I don't talk about the content of Radiograms… do you?"
A Radiogram is a "private" message that has been entrusted to licensed, disciplined, regulated, tested, volunteer public servants, to be transmitted over sanctioned, regulated "public" radio frequencies. We, as Amateur Radio Operators, violate the public trust when we judge, criticize, gossip about, and blab our opinions about the contents of the "private" messages we have received, relayed, or even heard on our radios.
We are not only given the privilege to talk on our radios, but we have likewise been given the privilege to listen. Oh, I know, anyone within the ranks of the general public with a multi-band radio may very well listen to what is being said on frequencies assigned to Amateur Radio, and they may certainly say whatever they like about what they hear. But… once we receive our Amateur Radio license we have given up the privilege to gossip about and judge what we hear as it pertains to Radiogram traffic. No matter how much we would at times like to, we have forfeited the privilege to reveal our personal judgments. We are licensed, disciplined Amateur Radio operators, and we should act like it… not like a bunch of gossipy ol' women (or men) whispering and prattling on about their neighbors.
If we listen to rag-chewing, we can say whatever we like (especially about the two guys I heard one night bragging about their recent trip to the local "gentleman's club"). If we listen to a DX Contest, we can blab away about the participants (especially that guy with a 5kw linear!). But… Radiogram traffic is different. Radiogram traffic is a "private public trust" and we dishonor the privileges of our license when we make ourselves Radiogram content judges. We demonstrate a lack of personal integrity when we blather on and on and on about our disapproval of a Radiogram message or its sender. I make it my goal, after I have determined that it is legal, to be "blind and deaf" to the content of any Radiogram that I handle, or even one that I hear. It is as if someone has allowed me to "read their private mail", and what kind of man do I become when I violate that person's trust.
What kind of person do I become if I decide that the "recipient" is unknown to the sender and probably doesn't want to get a particular Radiogram, so I don't bother sending it; allowing it to die within the system? I know of no other "message service" that allows that kind of egregious, unprofessional behavior. But, we have allowed it to happen within Amateur Radio service. Shame on us.
The days should be over, in which honorable Amateur Radio men and women, violate the public trust which they have been granted. When someone brings up the "spam" debate, we should say, "Spam??? What are you talking about? I don't know what you mean? I don't talk about the content of Radiograms… do you?"
Friday, November 11, 2011
AN IRON BUTT TRAFFIC HANDLER
I ride a motorcycle. And I know; you wonder what that has to do with Amateur Radio. Right? I’ll get to that in a moment. However, before I do, you should know that not only do a ride a motorcycle, I am an Iron Butt rider. A few years ago, I rode my first official Saddle Sore ride; 1000 miles in 24 hours. It was a skinny J shaped course that started near Detroit and ended south of St. Louis at a Shell station in Imperial, MO. Given just a few hours to research and prepare, and I would be more than ready do it again. Only this time, I would end up on a beach on the Gulf of Mexico with my boots off and my toes in the surf. Not only would I not hesitate to do another 1000 in 24, I hope to ride a “Coast to Coast in 50” before I’m done riding. That’s right. You read it correctly. 2365.6 miles - Jacksonville to San Diego - in 50 hours! Crazy; right?
On a recent Saturday morning, as I sat drinking a cup of Kona Coffee, reading my copy of Iron Butt magazine, a thought occurred to me. If a stranger came into my home and began to nose around, they would quickly begin to wonder what kind of bizarre person lives in this house. I know my wife wonders the same thing. One look at the basket filled with magazines at the end of the couch and they would be left scratching their heads trying to figure out what kind of weirdo subscribes to both Iron Butt and QST magazines. However, I would suggest that this odd combination of reading material might not be as unlikely or unnatural as one might think.
If they were to nose around the property just a bit further, they would find boxes filled with 100’s of Radiograms beneath my radio desk above which they would see my Amateur Radio license. They would see a kerosene heater in my garage shack and try to visualize what kind of a nut-case sits in that wicker chair. They would see, less than 10 feet away from my radios, is parked my motorcycle… and they would wonder.
You see, not only am I a licensed Ham… I am an Iron Butt Ham; otherwise known as a Traffic Handler. Not just a Traffic Net Checker-in-er, but I bona fide, real life, Traffic Handler. I ride my radio where but only a few Hams ride… down the long lonely highway of Traffic Handling. It is a ride which requires careful attention. It is a ride which requires adherence to a list of very specific guidelines. It is a ride which is at times lonely. It is a ride that can become difficult, tiring and burdensome. It is a ride which will test your abilities. It is a ride which you will ride when other Hams have already parked their radios. It is a ride which will cause family and friends, and even other Hams to ask, “Why?” “Why do you do it?”
I wish more people understood the joy of long distance motorcycle riding. I wish more people understood the satisfaction of sending, relaying, and delivering Radiograms. But alas, I should not expect that to happen anytime soon. While sipping my coffee, I realized that one of the reasons that I am drawn to do much of what I do in life is because not many do it. As much as I try to promote Radiogram traffic handling to others… as much as I am frustrated by the lack of response to my efforts to promote the NTS… I fear success. It may sound strange, but in a twisted logic sort of way, I fear that if all my promotion were to be successful, I might sadly set down my microphone and go find something else to do. If I were to succeed, it would, I’m afraid, be a bittersweet success.
As Iron Butt riders will attest, it is very, very difficult to complete a sanctioned Iron Butt ride in a group. As members of the Brass Pounders League, and those like myself who are not, will attest, it ain’t easy to get 500 points a month. Though there are many riders all over the world that complete qualifying rides every year, most do so alone. It is, I believe, this fact that they are doing something that is difficult, disciplined and solitary that drives them to do it. It is the long lonely stretch of abandoned highway that seduces them to ride on. No one paid me to ride a Saddle Sore ride. And, no one pays me to pass Radiograms. I am beginning to understand that I am a NTS guy for many of the same reasons I am an Iron Butt guy.
Here is your invitation to check in to a Traffic Net and join us Hams that live on Crazy Lane in Amateur Radio Heights. But please, though everything I’ve experienced to date tells me I don’t have to worry… Please… not too many of you. Just a few. I don’t want to one night sit down in front of my radio, check in to my favorite Traffic Net and think, where did all these people come from? I don’t want to have to lay down my pen, push my stack of blank Radiograms aside, turn around, get on my bike and ride out of the Shack, and go find something else to satisfy that itch down inside of myself that can only be quelled on lonely, forgotten highways.
Traffic Handlers are an odd group… of which I am happy to be a part. Iron Butt Traffic Handlers may be even stranger still. If you decide to ride with me, whether on your bike or your radio, just remember that I warned you. A lot of people will look at you as though you are crazy. But you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something that others do not understand and therefore do not enjoy… and, that knowledge… obtained in the solitude of your ham radio shack while traveling the sometimes lonely NTS highway may in and of itself be your greatest and only reward.
‘Till we one day meet, tired and worn out at the counter of some lonely deserted road side diner or on a traffic net… 73, my Iron Butt Traffic Handler friend. 73.
On a recent Saturday morning, as I sat drinking a cup of Kona Coffee, reading my copy of Iron Butt magazine, a thought occurred to me. If a stranger came into my home and began to nose around, they would quickly begin to wonder what kind of bizarre person lives in this house. I know my wife wonders the same thing. One look at the basket filled with magazines at the end of the couch and they would be left scratching their heads trying to figure out what kind of weirdo subscribes to both Iron Butt and QST magazines. However, I would suggest that this odd combination of reading material might not be as unlikely or unnatural as one might think.
If they were to nose around the property just a bit further, they would find boxes filled with 100’s of Radiograms beneath my radio desk above which they would see my Amateur Radio license. They would see a kerosene heater in my garage shack and try to visualize what kind of a nut-case sits in that wicker chair. They would see, less than 10 feet away from my radios, is parked my motorcycle… and they would wonder.
You see, not only am I a licensed Ham… I am an Iron Butt Ham; otherwise known as a Traffic Handler. Not just a Traffic Net Checker-in-er, but I bona fide, real life, Traffic Handler. I ride my radio where but only a few Hams ride… down the long lonely highway of Traffic Handling. It is a ride which requires careful attention. It is a ride which requires adherence to a list of very specific guidelines. It is a ride which is at times lonely. It is a ride that can become difficult, tiring and burdensome. It is a ride which will test your abilities. It is a ride which you will ride when other Hams have already parked their radios. It is a ride which will cause family and friends, and even other Hams to ask, “Why?” “Why do you do it?”
I wish more people understood the joy of long distance motorcycle riding. I wish more people understood the satisfaction of sending, relaying, and delivering Radiograms. But alas, I should not expect that to happen anytime soon. While sipping my coffee, I realized that one of the reasons that I am drawn to do much of what I do in life is because not many do it. As much as I try to promote Radiogram traffic handling to others… as much as I am frustrated by the lack of response to my efforts to promote the NTS… I fear success. It may sound strange, but in a twisted logic sort of way, I fear that if all my promotion were to be successful, I might sadly set down my microphone and go find something else to do. If I were to succeed, it would, I’m afraid, be a bittersweet success.
As Iron Butt riders will attest, it is very, very difficult to complete a sanctioned Iron Butt ride in a group. As members of the Brass Pounders League, and those like myself who are not, will attest, it ain’t easy to get 500 points a month. Though there are many riders all over the world that complete qualifying rides every year, most do so alone. It is, I believe, this fact that they are doing something that is difficult, disciplined and solitary that drives them to do it. It is the long lonely stretch of abandoned highway that seduces them to ride on. No one paid me to ride a Saddle Sore ride. And, no one pays me to pass Radiograms. I am beginning to understand that I am a NTS guy for many of the same reasons I am an Iron Butt guy.
Here is your invitation to check in to a Traffic Net and join us Hams that live on Crazy Lane in Amateur Radio Heights. But please, though everything I’ve experienced to date tells me I don’t have to worry… Please… not too many of you. Just a few. I don’t want to one night sit down in front of my radio, check in to my favorite Traffic Net and think, where did all these people come from? I don’t want to have to lay down my pen, push my stack of blank Radiograms aside, turn around, get on my bike and ride out of the Shack, and go find something else to satisfy that itch down inside of myself that can only be quelled on lonely, forgotten highways.
Traffic Handlers are an odd group… of which I am happy to be a part. Iron Butt Traffic Handlers may be even stranger still. If you decide to ride with me, whether on your bike or your radio, just remember that I warned you. A lot of people will look at you as though you are crazy. But you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something that others do not understand and therefore do not enjoy… and, that knowledge… obtained in the solitude of your ham radio shack while traveling the sometimes lonely NTS highway may in and of itself be your greatest and only reward.
‘Till we one day meet, tired and worn out at the counter of some lonely deserted road side diner or on a traffic net… 73, my Iron Butt Traffic Handler friend. 73.
Friday, October 21, 2011
HF EARS
Those who would suggest that they can "bone up" on traffic handling apparently have never handled traffic on an HF Net when conditions are BAD. When you are in the middle of a triple or quadriple relay of a Radiogram, trying to accurately pick a station up out of the QRMary or QRNancy... or when it band conditions make it sound like the station is on Jupiter... it is then that the only people passing traffic are those who have spent the hours it takes to develop HF EARS! And I can testify from experience... HF EARS are a developed skill!!! Those who think they can wait for the schummer to hit the fan and then just sit down and pass a couple pieces of traffic better hope that they are on a local 2 meter Repeater Net and all stations are located within 10 miles of the Repeater.
KNOWING WHEN TO STOP
Last night was going a very "normal" 4 Nets Tuesday night in my shack. To get my night started, I checked into our Michigan Section Net at 7pm on 3.952 Mh. Conditions were not good, but I did manage to send 2, receive 2.
During the following 90 minute break from the radio I enjoyed one of my favorite
comfort foods before I then got back to the shack for my second Net duty of being NCS for the 75 Meter Interstate Traffic Net.
At the beginning of the Net band conditions still had not improved much; fortunately they would improve, but not quick enough to matter. However, as stations began to report it was rapidly becoming obvious it was going to be a very busy traffic night. As I continued to take check-ins, I was trying to get listed traffic organized. A plan was NOT easily coming together.
I quickly got a couple of pieces of traffic moving between 2 stations, which gave me an opportunity to slip off frequency for a few seconds to look for an open spot to perhaps move stations off Net frequency. My hopes of being able to get double use of our time were in vain... 9pm on 75 meters is jammed! We were going to have to do it the slow way.
Band conditions were slowly improving, but traffic between Maryland and Missouri required full relays with an Illinois station in the middle. Nothing was going to be easy.
The particulars of listed traffic combined with the unavailability of open frequencies were not being "kind" to me. Band conditions weren't helping me. And I had liaison stations that were short time.
About 40 minutes into the Net, while traffic was being passed, I checked into my 3rd Net of the evening, a local 2 meter Motor City Radio Club Net, but my brain was still plugged into the Traffic Net, so I screwed up the Club call substituting one of the Traffic Net Manager's call instead. This was the point where I realized I was
getting weary.
It was about at this point that I discovered I had excused on of my liaison stations too soon. I had a piece of traffic still on the list for which I now had no receiving station... ARRRRGHHHH.
Brain weariness was getting worse...
Because NTS stations are typically such a patient and great group of people with
which to work, I was able to finish the Net at 63 minutes with only 1 piece of traffic remaining. I was glad to be done with the Net. I glanced up at the clock and saw that I had 10 minutes 'till the start of the 4th and final Net of my normal Tuesday night... and I was tired.
It had been a long day at work and a long evening at the radio... and I was tired. It was at this point that I realized I had probably done the good that I was going to do. And then... I made the decision. I would not be checking into my 4th and final Net of the evening. I turned off the radios and the kerosene heater. I told my dog Pepper to "come on", and I turned off the lights and called it finished.
My point in sharing my evening with you is that I think it is important to know when to step away from the radio desk. In an emergency situation, it will be important to know when you become too tired and brain weary to do the job accurately and well. Others very likely would have been able to keep on going, but I had to recognize my own mental limitations. Knowing when to stop, or at the least when to take a break, may be as important as knowing when to begin.
During the following 90 minute break from the radio I enjoyed one of my favorite
comfort foods before I then got back to the shack for my second Net duty of being NCS for the 75 Meter Interstate Traffic Net.
At the beginning of the Net band conditions still had not improved much; fortunately they would improve, but not quick enough to matter. However, as stations began to report it was rapidly becoming obvious it was going to be a very busy traffic night. As I continued to take check-ins, I was trying to get listed traffic organized. A plan was NOT easily coming together.
I quickly got a couple of pieces of traffic moving between 2 stations, which gave me an opportunity to slip off frequency for a few seconds to look for an open spot to perhaps move stations off Net frequency. My hopes of being able to get double use of our time were in vain... 9pm on 75 meters is jammed! We were going to have to do it the slow way.
Band conditions were slowly improving, but traffic between Maryland and Missouri required full relays with an Illinois station in the middle. Nothing was going to be easy.
The particulars of listed traffic combined with the unavailability of open frequencies were not being "kind" to me. Band conditions weren't helping me. And I had liaison stations that were short time.
About 40 minutes into the Net, while traffic was being passed, I checked into my 3rd Net of the evening, a local 2 meter Motor City Radio Club Net, but my brain was still plugged into the Traffic Net, so I screwed up the Club call substituting one of the Traffic Net Manager's call instead. This was the point where I realized I was
getting weary.
It was about at this point that I discovered I had excused on of my liaison stations too soon. I had a piece of traffic still on the list for which I now had no receiving station... ARRRRGHHHH.
Brain weariness was getting worse...
Because NTS stations are typically such a patient and great group of people with
which to work, I was able to finish the Net at 63 minutes with only 1 piece of traffic remaining. I was glad to be done with the Net. I glanced up at the clock and saw that I had 10 minutes 'till the start of the 4th and final Net of my normal Tuesday night... and I was tired.
It had been a long day at work and a long evening at the radio... and I was tired. It was at this point that I realized I had probably done the good that I was going to do. And then... I made the decision. I would not be checking into my 4th and final Net of the evening. I turned off the radios and the kerosene heater. I told my dog Pepper to "come on", and I turned off the lights and called it finished.
My point in sharing my evening with you is that I think it is important to know when to step away from the radio desk. In an emergency situation, it will be important to know when you become too tired and brain weary to do the job accurately and well. Others very likely would have been able to keep on going, but I had to recognize my own mental limitations. Knowing when to stop, or at the least when to take a break, may be as important as knowing when to begin.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR NTS TRAFFIC OPS
This is intended for your entertainment. Hope you enjoy. KC
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR NTS TRAFFIC OPS
1) THOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER DUTIES BEFORE YOU THAN TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER AS A LISCENCED AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM. (I know that this may seem extreme; after all, we have jobs and families. Right? But, we're having fun here, so… What are jobs for, except to buy more radios and build bigger and taller antennas with which we serve the public good?)
2) ONCE YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE A PIECE OF RADIOGRAM TRAFFIC, YOU BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ACCURATE AND SAFE HANDLING UNTIL IT IS EITHER RELAYED OR DELIVERED. THOU SHALT KEEP A RECORD OF ALL TRAFFIC THAT HAS BEEN INTRUSTED TO YOUR CARE. THOU SHALT NOT KILL A RADIOGRAM.
3) THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE (UNTRUE TO THE ORIGINAL) RADIOGRAMS. THOU SHALL DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE CONTENT OF THE ORIGINAL RADIOGRAM. YOU MUST SEE TO IT THAT THE RADIOGRAM TEXT IS DELIVERED EXACTLY AS IT WAS ORIGINATED TO ITS INTENDED RECIPIENT AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE.
4) THOU SHALT NOT CONCERN THYSELF WITH ANYTHING BUT THE LEGALITY OF THE CONTENT OF A RADIOGRAM. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE MESSAGE IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED. THOU SHALL NOT COVET "REAL" RADIOGRAMS.
5) THOU SHALT NOT MISUSE THE NAME OF THE NTS. THOU SHALL ALWAYS BE AS POSITIVE AND OPTIMISTIC AS POSSIBLE IN ALL YOUR COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING THE NTS.
6) THOU SHALT BE COURTEOUS AND COMPASSIONATELY OFFICIAL IN ALL YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH THE RECEPIENTS OF RADIOGRAMS.
7) THOU SHALL DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO UTILIZE YOUR RADIO SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EQUIPMENT TO GET A RADIOGRAM FROM ITS PLACE OF ORIGIN TO AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO ITS FINAL DESTINATION. ONCE THE RADIOGRAM HAS ARRIVED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE, THEN USE WHATEVER MEANS SEEMS BEST TO MAKE A FINAL DELIVERY. THOU SHALL BE CAREFUL NOT TO COMMIT ADULTERY WITH OTHER MODES OF COMMUNICATION.
8) THOU SHALL BE KNOWEDGABLE OF THE ARRL NTS MPG (METHODS, PROCEDURES, AND GUIDELINES). THOU SHALL FREQUENTLY REVIEW THE MPG.
9) THOU SHALL BE A "NET REGULAR"; ROUTINELY CHECKING-IN TO TRAFFIC NETS IN ORDER RELAY RADIOGRAMS OR TO RECEIVE RADIOGRAMS FOR LOCAL DELIVERY.
10) THOU SHALL NOT ONLY BE A TRAFFIC HANDLER, BUT THOU SHALL ROUTINELY ORIGINATE RADIOGRAMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE NTS. ALSO, YOU SHALL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO "STEP-UP" AND TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS SERVING AS A NET CONTROL STATION OR NET LIAISON.
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR NTS TRAFFIC OPS
1) THOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER DUTIES BEFORE YOU THAN TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER AS A LISCENCED AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM. (I know that this may seem extreme; after all, we have jobs and families. Right? But, we're having fun here, so… What are jobs for, except to buy more radios and build bigger and taller antennas with which we serve the public good?)
2) ONCE YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE A PIECE OF RADIOGRAM TRAFFIC, YOU BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ACCURATE AND SAFE HANDLING UNTIL IT IS EITHER RELAYED OR DELIVERED. THOU SHALT KEEP A RECORD OF ALL TRAFFIC THAT HAS BEEN INTRUSTED TO YOUR CARE. THOU SHALT NOT KILL A RADIOGRAM.
3) THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE (UNTRUE TO THE ORIGINAL) RADIOGRAMS. THOU SHALL DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE CONTENT OF THE ORIGINAL RADIOGRAM. YOU MUST SEE TO IT THAT THE RADIOGRAM TEXT IS DELIVERED EXACTLY AS IT WAS ORIGINATED TO ITS INTENDED RECIPIENT AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE.
4) THOU SHALT NOT CONCERN THYSELF WITH ANYTHING BUT THE LEGALITY OF THE CONTENT OF A RADIOGRAM. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE MESSAGE IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED. THOU SHALL NOT COVET "REAL" RADIOGRAMS.
5) THOU SHALT NOT MISUSE THE NAME OF THE NTS. THOU SHALL ALWAYS BE AS POSITIVE AND OPTIMISTIC AS POSSIBLE IN ALL YOUR COMMUNICATIONS CONCERNING THE NTS.
6) THOU SHALT BE COURTEOUS AND COMPASSIONATELY OFFICIAL IN ALL YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH THE RECEPIENTS OF RADIOGRAMS.
7) THOU SHALL DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO UTILIZE YOUR RADIO SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EQUIPMENT TO GET A RADIOGRAM FROM ITS PLACE OF ORIGIN TO AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO ITS FINAL DESTINATION. ONCE THE RADIOGRAM HAS ARRIVED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE, THEN USE WHATEVER MEANS SEEMS BEST TO MAKE A FINAL DELIVERY. THOU SHALL BE CAREFUL NOT TO COMMIT ADULTERY WITH OTHER MODES OF COMMUNICATION.
8) THOU SHALL BE KNOWEDGABLE OF THE ARRL NTS MPG (METHODS, PROCEDURES, AND GUIDELINES). THOU SHALL FREQUENTLY REVIEW THE MPG.
9) THOU SHALL BE A "NET REGULAR"; ROUTINELY CHECKING-IN TO TRAFFIC NETS IN ORDER RELAY RADIOGRAMS OR TO RECEIVE RADIOGRAMS FOR LOCAL DELIVERY.
10) THOU SHALL NOT ONLY BE A TRAFFIC HANDLER, BUT THOU SHALL ROUTINELY ORIGINATE RADIOGRAMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE NTS. ALSO, YOU SHALL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO "STEP-UP" AND TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS SERVING AS A NET CONTROL STATION OR NET LIAISON.
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