CT Region 3 ARES

The following information comes from Larry, K1HEJ, our Section Traffic Manager.

A quick introduction to NTS Net Operations.

1. All our Nets are FORMAL NETS.
2. You check into the net when the Net Control calls for Stations with traffic and separately for without traffic.. When checking in, use your call, Liaison from or to (ARES REGION NET) and stating With traffic or Without Traffic
3. “LIAISONS FROM” WILL BE BRINGING TRAFFIC FROM THE Region Net to the NTS Net. “Liaisons to” will be picking up traffic to take back to the Region Net.
4. NTS works on a cycle of Nets once each day normally. For Emergencies that cycle gets stepped up. Instead of once a day our NTS Net Liaisons will have to pinwheel every hour. That is, they will move the traffic they have picked up from you to the proper net for delivery in that hour.
5. VERY IMPORTANT! If you are a “Liaison FROM” from your ARES Net you must check in between the top of the hour and 10 after the hour. If you are an “Liaison TO” for your Region ARES Net you must check in between 30 minutes after the hour and 40 minutes after the hour. This allows two things to happen.
6. A) When running in a No commercial power situation, NCS AND Checking in Stations can shut down if no traffic comes on frequency conserving their emergency power source.

B) This also insures liaisons are on frequency when the inbound traffic from other Regions of the state comes on frequency.

1. Our Net Controls will call for “Stations without traffic” so folks who wish to test their ability to get into a net but who have no traffic can check in. Folks without traffic please be patient, We have to keep the traffic moving to meet the next nets sessions so there may be only a few places to check in if there is a lot of traffic.
2. DIGITAL (Classic Packet) NTS runs 24/7/365. If you have classic packet I encourage you to send at least one NTS Message using this system. You can put your message onto either of the following Classic Packet linked BBS’s: W1EDH-4 145.09 Glastonbury, W1HAD-4 145.05 Shelton, or K1YON-4 145.07 in East Hartland.. Please include the Region number in the subject line to allow our classic packet liaisons to bring your message to the correct voice net in case it must be relayed by voice. Remember to send an NTS Message at the BBS prompt type ST zipcode@ NTSCT and then hit the enter key. You will need to know the zipcode for the BBS to accept the message. FYI my zip code is 06052. On the next line put QTC Region followed by the Region number your message is going to if it is going in CT. This allows other packet ops in other Regions to quickly see messages for their Region by doing the BBS Command “LT” and a return.

Have Fun and if you have any questions before SET check into your Section NTS traffic Net or your Local NTS traffic net and someone should be able to get you an answer.

Larry K1HEJ CT STM

11/10/09