National Traffic System
"Tous ensemble pour la radioamateur!"
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National Traffic System |
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| Canada's National Amateur Radio Society | ||
| "We're ALL about Amateur Radio!" "Tous ensemble pour la radioamateur!" |
 
National Traffic System
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In some areas the National Traffic System has slowly declined in activity. Section Managers and Section Traffic Managers are encouraged to promote and oversee the NTS in each Section. Not all of the nets listed on this page are part of the NTS although they may pass formal traffic from time to time. National Traffic System -- A Multi-tiered Communications NetworkThe National Traffic System (NTS) is the principal facility for medium to long range traffic. It is organized on the basis of daily operation, in consonance with the operating habits of the average radio amateur. In emergencies, NTS is geared to go into continuous operation in accordance with the needs and the extent of the particular emergency. The National Traffic System consists of four levels of traffic nets which operate in an orderly time sequence to effect a definite traffic flow pattern from point of origin to point of destination. A message flows through the National Traffic System in a manner similar to an air line passenger who starts out in a small town with a destination across the continent in another small town. He has to change carriers several times in the process, starting with a small feeder air line, changing to a regional carrier, to a transcontinental carrier, back to a regional, and then to the feeder which lands at the destination town. In a similar manner, the trans-continental message starts with the originating station, often right at the disaster site, is picked up on a local net, which transfers it to the regional and then trans-continental net and then back down to the destination for delivery by a local net. Throughout the process, the message is handled only by radio amateurs who are trained and practiced to professional standards in traffic-handling. The routing from end to end is a controlled process so that the message accuracy and integrity is maintained. This is in distinct contrast to the potentially haphazard handling a message may receive if it is sent through uncontrolled amateur radio net routing, where it may be handled by well-meaning but untrained operators. The average radio amateur is simply not familiar enough with proper traffic net and traffic handling procedures to ensure accurate and consistent transmission. Local nets are those which cover small areas such as a community, city, county or metropolitan area, smaller than a RAC Section. Many operate by VHF FM at times or on days most convenient to their members. Often these are designated as ARES nets, but they do not specialize in traffic handling. Local nets are intended mainly for local delivery of traffic when delivery can ordinarily be effected by non-toll telephone. Some NTS local nets operate on a daily basis, just as do other nets in the NTS system. These put the traffic as close as possible to its actual destination before delivery. This provides regular practices for a procedure which might be essential in a real emergency, where other forms of telephone and cellular communication may not be available, due to damage or overload. Listeners and check-ins are welcome on the Local traffic nets. You should listen sufficiently so that you know the net procedures before checking in. There are also Learning Nets in some locations. National Traffic System activities in each RAC Section are under the direction of the Section Traffic Manager (STM), who is appointed by the Section Manager (SM). Each NTS net operates under a Net Manager (NM) who is appointed by the STM. Being officers of RAC, these appointments must be RAC members. For more detailed information, visit our ARES/NTS Frequently Asked Questions page. Please contact your Section Manager or the Section Traffic Manager (listed below) if you want to know more about how you can participate. (STMs may order Official Field Organization ID Badges using this order form.) The RAC Field Organization now has a National Traffic System Coordinator (NTSC) in the person of Hew Lines, VA7HU. Hew is a traffic handler of long and extensive experience. As an Assistant to the VPFS, his function is to offer advice and support for existing NTS nets or to assist in creating new ones, as well as to advise the VPFS in NTS matters. He will also assist in an advisory capacity with non-NTS nets.
Below are the names and addresses of some of the volunteers across the country who contribute their time and effort to making the RAC National Traffic System organization a success. You, too, can be part of this useful and fun resource. Complete listings of NTS digital nets may be seen at NTS Digital. For further information about the NTS please see Section II of the Public Service Communications Manual. The PSCM is used by both the ARRL and RAC. Wherever "ARRL" or "the league" appear in the text, please read "RAC". If you have questions concerning a specific net that is listed below, please contact that net's Net Manager. Those nets which are not formal traffic nets interoperating with the NTS, such as ARES nets, are local service or specialty nets and many are located across Canada. RAC has no input as to how those nets operate or who the Net Manager will be. Other nets listed may not be formal traffic nets, but may have the ability to pass such traffic. They are listed here as a courtesy. For information on other non-NTS Canadian nets of which RAC is aware, please see Canadian Nets. National Traffic System CoordinatorHew Lines, VA7HU AlbertaSection Traffic ManagerJack Humphries, VE6JRH Net Manager - Alberta Public Service NetGus Bakker, VE6AKY Net Manager - Alberta Traffic NetRobert Young, VE6JAZ British ColumbiaSection Traffic ManagerAllan Ross, VE7CYY Net Manager - British Columbia Emergency NetLen C. Hooper, VE7XLH Net Manager - British Columbia Public Service NetDREW WATSON, VA7DR Net Manager - BC-Yukon Traffic NetAllan Ross, VE7CYY ManitobaTemporarily Vacant Net Manager - MMWXGary Barbour, VE4KGB Net Manager - MEPNCharles Allen Bailey, MaritimesTemporarily Vacant Net Manager - Atlantic Provinces NetTemporarily Vacant Newfoundland and LabradorSection Traffic ManagerJoe Earles, VO1BQ OntarioSection Traffic ManagerGlenn Killam, VE3GNA Net Manager - Ontario Provincial NetBob Sharp, VA3QV Net Manager - Open Line NetEdward Grocott, VE3SHM Net Manager - Section ARES NetAllan Boyd, VE3AJB Net Manager - NTS DigitalLarry Thivierge, VE3GT Net Manager - NTS DigitalPierre Mainville, VA3PM QuebecTemporarily Vacant SaskatchewanTemporarily Vacant |
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