Amateur Radio Traffic Handling

How To Get Started Handling Traffic

The first step to handling traffic is to find a net that handles NTS traffic. Some clubs might sponsor an ARRL traffic net, other times it might just be a group of people that meet at a certain time on a certain frequency or repeater, depending on the scale of the net.

To find a net, you can search the ARRL's Net Database. Select the type of net that you are looking for and enter your location, and the system will return a list of nets that apply to your area. If you're just getting started in Amateur Radio, you would want to search for Local Nets, as those usually take place on VHF and/or UHF repeaters, while the section and region level nets tend to happen on the lower HF frequencies, requiring a General or Extra class license.

If you tend to travel, and would like a portable Net Directory, the ARRL can accomodate you there as well. The ARRL Net Directory book is a wonderful resource, providing not only a paper listing of all the nets in the ARRL Net database, but also additional information on traffic handling, among other items.

Also, a really handy item for traffic handling is the ARRL Radiogram Form. This is a form that you can use to copy messages onto, either for your file or if you should have to mail or deliver a message to someone locally. The ARRL sells message form pads, but there is a modified PDF version as well, that will allow you to enter data right onto the form, which you can then print for delivery and save to keep for your files on your computer.

 

Additional Helpful Links

ARRL Numbered Radiograms - Used for common messages
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