What is the NTS? What is a radiogram?

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM?

The National Traffic System of messaging began over 100 years ago with the formation of the American Radio Relay League in 1915, a proud tradition that continues today. Our intention is for this site to be a helpful resource to all ham radio operators interested in handling message traffic.  The map below shows how the NTS is organized into regions to pass traffic.  Local nets, like Saguaro, pass traffic to section nets, like ATEN (see below), which then connects to various regional nets and then area nets to move traffic, which is then delivered from region net to section net to local net.

WHAT IS A RADIOGRAM MESSAGE?

Radiogram messages are the heart of the National Traffic System, or NTS. Remember the telegraph messages of old? Radiogram messages are 25 words or less, and range from birthday and holiday greetings to simple messages to keep in touch. These messages can go to anyone, whether or not they are a ham (amateur radio operator). Radiogram messages are relayed on radio nets and sent digitally by hams all over the United States and can be sent to other countries wherever third party traffic is permitted. In times of an emergency, hams handle health and welfare message traffic to and from disaster areas.

ARIZONA TRAFFIC & EMERGENCY NET (ATEN):

The Saguaro NTS Net’s section net is the Arizona Traffic & Emergency Net (ATEN), an HF voice net which meets nightly on 3986 kHz (80 meters) at 5:30 p.m. MST (7:00 p.m. MST in the spring/summer).  Saguaro NTS members relay traffic to and from the ATEN, and also connect with other wide-area HF nets. Saguaro participants also utilize digital modes to relay traffic into and out of Arizona.