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getting | sending | receiving | delivering
You can send messages to non-hams or hams-not-on-packet using the National Traffic System (NTS). NTS is a relay system made up of many ham operators. Although the core system is highly organized, anyone can participate at any time for almost any reason (no business allowed and other standard ham radio rules apply). The core system is a set of organized nets that meet at specific times, allowing messages to be sent across the country in a timely manner.
Packet BBSs provide a looser structure for getting messages from the sender to the area of destination. This looseness has it advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is that participants can have more flexible schedules - one does not have to set aside a specific time for a regularly scheduled net. A disadvantage is that the sender, does not know if there is a human-receiver on the other end that will deliver the message. For the system to work efficiently, each BBS should have someone (or some group) responsible for delivering NTS messages.
Messages can be from you to your friends and relatives; or, they can be from anyone to anyone (world-wide, where allowed by third-party agreements). NTS is often used during disasters to send welfare messages out of the stricken area. Some radio clubs set up booths at shopping malls on Mother's Day and get messages to send as Mother's Day greetings. This can be a good promotion for your club and ham radio.
It is wise to keep a message short - no more than about 25 words. This system was organized for short messages, not for letters. The relaying of messages (by voice, cw, or packet) takes time. Although the time is not as critical on packet, there is no guarantee that the message will stay on packet for all relays.
Special Radiogram Numbers can be used as a form of shorthand for often sent messages. Do not send radiogram numbers outside the United States. Other governments may see them as illegally coded messages.
To distinguish NTS messages from other packet BBS messages, you send the message using the ST (send traffic) command. The BBS then asks for a subject, the message, and a /ex to end the message. The message portion should be entered in the standard NTS format.
NR 12R HXG W8DUV 10 TAMPA FL FEB 25
MARY POPPINS
1616 MONUMENT AVE
HUNTINGTON WV 25701
304 555 0000
BT
MISS YOU AND WISH YOU
COULD COME VISIT FLORIDA LOVE
BT
SIS
AR
BBSs have an LT (list traffic) command that you can use to list NTS messages. Here is a sample response to an LT command:
Msg# Stat Size To From Where Date/Time Subject
==== ==== ==== ===== ====== ====== ====/==== =======
8294 T 763 66044 KA4ABC 0305/1529 Lawrence KS 913 842
8156 T 628 66006 N0DEF 0305/1017 Baldwin KS 913 594
8089 T 705 68504 WA0A NTSNE 0304/0020 Lincoln NE 402 466
You can look at the subject to decide if the message is one you might want to deliver. You may want to deliver it to the recipient, or if you know that an area does not have a packet BBS, you may want to deliver it to a voice or cw net that has an outlet to that area.
To receive a message, you use the R ### (read message number) command. For example, to receive the first message in the example, you send the BBS: R 8294
Once you receive the message, you can decide if you want to deliver it. If you decide that you will deliver it, you should kill the message, so that someone else will not also attempt to deliver it. NTS messages should be killed with the KT (kill traffic) command. For example, KT 8294.
When you deliver a message, you are not just delivering a message. You are performing a public relations function for ham radio. The message you deliver may be to a person who has had no contact with ham radio. Or, it may be to a person who can influence antenna height restrictions, or to someone who has had problems with rf interference. You don't know; so, be on your best behavior. Think about your presentation.
Most messages are delivered by phone. Phone calls from strangers are often sales pitches, so you need an approach that puts the person at ease. You might start the conversation by telling the person your name, who you have a message from, and that the message came through a free message-delivery system that is run by ham radio operators. Then read the message without interpretation (except for substituting words for Radiogram Numbers. You may wish to end by asking if the person would like to send a message in response.
If you are unable to deliver the message, you should create a service message to the station that originated the message. This message informs the sender that the message was not delivered and why it was not delivered. The service message should include the message number, so the originator can check his records and decide if further action is necessary.