Lesson 2 Recap

 

The purpose of this page is to review some of the most important concepts of this long but most important Lesson.

• Introduction

  • At it's most basic level, the "Short Wave Internet Replacement" is connected by two transceivers operating on the same frequency, mode, and able to hear one another. The "set of rules" which the operators of these transceivers follow is based upon an existing system called "The National Traffic System."

    • Understanding this "set of rules" is absolutely essential to the ability of a radio operator to utilize, and participate in, the GCCS.

  • This Lesson uses a "Textbook". It is Section II of the ARRL "Public Service Communications Manual."

  • Throughout this Lesson you saw reference to "ARRL Membership." However, such membeship is NOT a requirement to participate in NTS Nets.

  • The ARRL and thus the NTS functions within the U. S., however, there are similar organizations in many countries. They may or may not follow the model of the NTS.

  • The Global Cataclysm Communications Service (GCCS), or tt-radio, intends to follow the NTS as a model for our Formal Nets.

  • As you advance through this Lesson, you are highly encouraged to participate in the NTS within the U. S. or the appropriate other Service in your own country; provided you hold the required Ham Radio Liscense. Other wise, you are encouraged to listen to these nets via a short wave receiver.

  • There are 12 Concepts or Chapters in this Lesson.

• Concept 1, The National Traffic System (overview)

  • The National Traffic System plan is a means for systematizing amateur traffic handling facilities by making a structure available for an integrated traffic facility designed to achieve the utmost in two principal objectives: rapid movement of traffic from origin to destination, and training amateur operators to handle written traffic and participate in directed nets.

  • 

• Concept 2. Principles of NTS Operation

  • The National Traffic System includes four different net levels which operate in an orderly time sequence to effect a definite flow pattern for traffic from origin to destination.

  • 

• Concept 3, NTS Policies

  • The order in which the various nets meet is essential to the proper operation of the system. The effectiveness of the National Traffic System depends on a delicate balance of voluntary cooperation and adherence to established procedures.

  • 

• Concept 4, Operation During Disasters

  • The National Traffic System is dedicated to communications during disasters on behalf of ARES, as well as the daily handling of third-party traffic. When a disaster situation arises, NTS is capable of expanding its cyclic operation into complete or partial disaster operation depending entirely on the extent of the disaster situation and the extent of its effect.

  • 

• Concept 5, NTS Standard Net Procedures

  • The procedures described in this Concept are recommended as NTS standards. Deviations from these procedures are made at the discretion of the net manager in cognizance of either necessity or desirability arising out of extraordinary circumstances, but always as a temporary expedient until standard procedure can be resumed. The following procedures apply to all NTS nets:

  • 

• Concept 6, ARRL Precedences and Handling Instructions

  • All messages handled by Amateur Radio should contain precedences--that is, an evaluation of each message's importance, made by the originating station. A precedence is an "order of handling." There are four precedences in the ARRL message form: Emergency, Priority (P), Welfare (W) and Routine (R), in that order of handling. When and as they appear on a net or any other kind of circuit, messages will be handled in this order.

  • 

• Concept 7, Operation of the Transcontinental Corps

  • The purpose of the Transcontinental Corps (TCC) is to relay traffic from one NTS area to another, conducting liaison with NTS nets to do so. Each NTS cycle has specific functionaries under the supervision of a TCC director.

  • 

• Concept 8, Operation of the Digital System

  • Radiogram-formatted NTS traffic on HF is being handled by digital means on the so-called "APlink system." This system is a group of mailbox, store-and-forward (MBO) station operators spanning the country. Many of these stations have the capability of receiving and sending traffic via several digital modes including packet, by HF and VHF, all interchangeably.

  • 

• Concept 9, NTS Traffic Routing

  • This concept shows how traffic is or can be routed through the National Traffic System. In each case, perfect (ideal) operating conditions and 100% adherence to system as previously outlined are assumed.

  • 

• Concept 10, Counting Net Traffic

  • The basic count for traffic handled in nets is one point for each time a message in standard ARRL form is transmitted and received during a net session, at the direction of the net control station. This has nothing to do with the individual station traffic count. In a net count there is no breakdown of originated, received, sent and delivered traffic as there is for individual stations. The count is the number of message handlings accomplished during the net's directed sessions.

  • 

• Concept 11, On Getting More Traffic

  • A concern has been expressed that the addition of digital stations will "rob" traditional NTS nets of their lifeblood, traffic. A look at the current net statistics in QST will show that many region nets are handling only a few messages per session. There is no question that without traffic, NTS nets will starve and die. Each and every one of us, therefore, must do our part to support the origination of more traffic:

  • 

• Concept 12, Appendix A: National Traffic System Terms of Reference

  • This Concept provides the specific Articles which provide the formal foundation of the NTS.

  •