What is Traffic Handling?
Traffic handling is the origination, relay, and delivery of radiograms over the amateur radio bands by licensed amateurs, as a free public service. Radiograms are brief messages, usually no longer than 25 words in length, similar to telegrams. Radiograms can be messages from licensed amateurs, or from the general public handled by a licensed amateur, and can be addressed to a licensed amateur or to anyone in the general public. All radiograms have to be written in a special way called "standard format".
Why do messages have to be in "standard format"?
Traffic handling is multi-modal; that is, a message might first be entered into the system by an amateur using SSB phone on 75 meters, then be relayed by another amateur in CW on 80 meters, then be relayed to yet another amateur over 2 meter FM who finally delivers the message to a non-amateur by telephone. If the format of the message weren't standardized, every such relay would be another occasion for confusion and error. By standardizing the format, everyone knows exactly what to expect and can handle the relays more efficiently.
For example, one of the items that every radiogram must have is the "place of origin"; that is, the place where the person who "signed" the radiogram wrote or dictated it. When a relay is being performed, the sending station doesn't have to say "place of origin Chicago Illinois" to the receiving station, because the receiving station knows that the "place of origin" always occurs in that particular spot. The sender simply says "Chicago Illinois" at that spot in reading the radiogram. This saves time and makes the entire process of relay run more smoothly.
You might think, "Oh, but it only takes a second to say 'place of origin'. True, but remember often traffic handlers must perform relays through difficult conditions, such as the summer thunderstorm season on 75 meter phone. With a constant roar of static crashes, getting just a single word across may be hard to do, requiring many repetitions or phonetic spellings. When things really get tough, the fewer the words a traffic handler has to read, the better it is. We'll say more about standard format later.
You say a radiogram is relayed from one amateur to another on its way to its destination. How do these amateurs "find" each other?
Traffic handling is usually done through nets, gatherings of hams at specific times and radio frequencies. Many of these nets meet 365 days a year -- some continuously for decades. These nets are similar to other nets you may have heard on 2 meters, except they usually tend to be more formal and are organized to maximize efficiency. Traffic nets are most often held on the 2, 75 and 80 meter bands, although sometimes they meet on other bands too. Of course, the coverage of a net varies with the band on which it operates. Two meter nets tend to cover large metropolitan areas or similarly sized geographical regions, and are often used to relay messages for final delivery. HF nets, on the other hand, can include stations from many states and provinces, moving messages hundreds of miles in a single hop.
Okay, but how does a message get from one net to another, say from New Hampshire to Illinois?
Nets often appoint a liaison station to relay traffic between each other. Most nets are part of what is called the National Traffic System. NTS is a highly organized structure for moving radiograms around the North American continent, and potentially overseas. There are also independent nets, some of which carry traffic over a very wide area. Regardless of whether the net has a formal liaison station or not, traffic handlers tend to work closely with one another, doing whatever it takes to get the radiogram through. Traffic handlers consider it an honor and a privilege to relay a message and are usually eager to help each other. All traffic handlers view it as a serious responsibility.
Just why do traffic handlers get involved in this aspect of ham radio, and why are they often so loyal to it?
There are many reasons why hams get involved in traffic handling, but probably the most important one is the friendships that develop over time. Remember, you'll be meeting with the same people month after month, for years. Close friendships are bound to develop. The attraction of traffic handling goes back to the earliest days of ham radio. (It's where the ARRL got the word "relay" in its name from.) As a traffic handler, you'll have the opportunity to observe band conditions over an extended period of time, from season to season and throughout the solar cycle. We amateurs seem to be endlessly fascinated by these wonders of nature.
Traffic handling is also a generous passtime. One experiences a special satisfaction in delivering mesages to the public who are often delighted by the idea of receiving a "telegram" by radio from someone far away. Traffic handling generates a lot of great "PR" for ham radio, one person at a time.
Tell me more about this "standard format" you mentioned before.
Standard format messages consist of four parts: a preamble, an addressee, the text of the message, and a signature. The preamble is probably the most complicated part of a radiogram for a newcomer. The preamble consists of
- a message number,
- a priority,
- optional handling instructions,
- the station of origin,
- a check number,
- the place of origin and
- the date of origin.
The message number along with the station of origin uniquely identify each message. This is important since you may need to look up some message you've handled in the past, so you and others need a precise way to identify it. The priority of the radiogram makes it possible to distinguish an emergency or health and welfare message from a routine one. The check number is simply the number of words in the text of the message. This makes it possible for each relay station to tell if any words have been accidentally dropped. By the way, there are specific rules for counting words which we won't go into right now.
Not all radiograms can be delivered, so just as in the case of sending a letter through the mails, every radiogram needs to have a return address. The station of origin and place of origin from the preamble neatly fulfill the requirements of a "return address" for undeliverable messages.
We don't have time here to go into all the details of standard format, but you can get more information from a variety of sources, including the ARRL Operating Manual, as well as a "pink card" the ARRL publishes which is often given out free at hamfests. If you still have questions (and who doesn't), the traffic-handling reflector is a great place to ask them.
It's obvious I need more information and training to become a competent traffic handler. Where can I get it?
The most intensive form of training that I am aware of is available through the traffic training nets conducted in CW. As a student in a traffic training net, you'll be assigned an instructor each time you check into the net. The net control station will also assign you and your instructor your own frequency for that lesson, so you can work without disturbing the rest of the net (or their disturbing you). The instructor sends you a series of numbered radiograms which contain the actual content of the course. As the student, you copy each radiogram and compile them into a notebook. Of course, your instructor is always available to answer questions. The traffic training nets are designed to operate as much like a "real" traffic net as possible (because in reality they are functional traffic nets), although they usually run at a much more leisurely pace, within your copying abilities. To locate a traffic training net, check the ARRL Net Directory, or ask for information on the traffic-handling e-mail reflector.
Training in the voice modes tends to be less formal. It's best to monitor the traffic nets for a while before you begin handling traffic yourself. You'll soon be able to recognize the most skillful operators and to observe their habits. Don't be afraid to ask questions during the comment or discussion period of the net. Chances are, there are other people on the net who need the same information you do, "but were afraid to ask." If you're sending a radiogram for the first time, let the net know and ask for help. You'll almost always find others on the net eager to provide information and encouragement. Remember that traffic handling is a disciplined activity. You'll find many who do it well, and some who do it very well. Everyone's contribution is important and everyone is in some state of learning. Always strive for improvement.
What other requirements are there for being a traffic handler?
One of the first things you'll notice besides the warmth and friendship that characterize the traffic nets, is that nearly all traffic handlers take this activity seriously. Whenever you accept a radiogram as a traffic handler, you are responsible for achieving one of three outcomes:
- Deliver the radiogram to its addressee.
- Relay the radiogram to another responsible traffic handler who accepts the message and responsibility for it by sending you "roger" or "qsl".
- Service the message back to the originating station as "undeliverable." Servicing a message back simply means sending a message to the originating station explaining why the message couldn't be delivered to the addressee.
It's obvious that if everyone followed this principle, no message would ever "get lost in the system." If it isn't possible to guarantee these outcomes, it's better not to accept the radiogram in the first place. By the way, you're under no obligation to accept the sender's message if for any reason you're not absolutely sure you got every single letter and digit absolutely correctly. Just say, "Unable to copy." or in CW send "QNP". Experienced handlers will respect you for your honesty. Even though traffic handlers are about the friendliest hams you'll find anywhere, there is one practice which earns their staunch disapproval--the "vanishing" message. This is understandable considering how much personal effort goes into making the traffic system work. In order to be a traffic handler you must make a total commitment to fulfilling your responsibility every single time.
How are most radiograms delivered?
Mostly by telephone, usually a "local call." Sometimes a message will be delivered through the mail if there is no traffic handler close by (a reality in many rural or even suburban areas). In practice, it doesn't matter how you deliver the message as long as you're sure the addressee got it. As a traffic handler, you're not expected to spend money out of your own pocket for postage or tolls. Incidentally, under FCC rules it's never permissible to accept compensation for handling a radiogram.
What else do I need to know about traffic handling?
Every amateur station is responsible for complying with radio regulations, including "good amateur practice". In particular, traffic handlers need to be especially aware of third-party traffic regulations. It's a good idea to review that list of countries with which we have "third-party treaties" as well as the identification requirements that apply whenever third-party traffic crosses an international border.
Why do so few people know about traffic handling? I know of people who've been hams for decades and they've never received or sent a radiogram.
Sure beats me! Traffic handling is probably the "best kept secret" in ham radio. I guess we have our work cut out for us!
Is traffic handling an international activity?
Yes, but outside of my own observations of traffic moving between the U.S.A. and Canada, I know virtually nothing of traffic handling activities in other countries. This being the Internet, I hope we'll be able to learn about traffic handling worldwide!
Okay, what can I do next?
If you haven't done so already, subscribe to the traffic-handling reflector and participate. Whether you're just getting into this, or you've been doing it for the past seven decades, there is a place for you. Next, turn on your radio...