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The Brass Pounders Quarterly
is an Electronic Newsletter of the ARRL National Traffic
System
Richard Webb, NF5B, editor
PUBLISHED BY TRAFFIC HANDLERS FOR TRAFFIC HANDLERS
NTS Region area and TCC stats:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/NTS-stats.xls
NTS resources web page:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/pubservice.html#ntsr
Volume III Issue 2
Copyright 2009 by The ARRL National Traffic System
Contents
Editor's corner
NTS news briefs
General articles: Possible solutions for the bulk book traffic problem
NTS Training: Better traffic: Traffic Routing 101
BPQ features: Storm Troopers
How to submit an article
Where to get BPQ
This electronic newsletter is free to all who may
wish to receive it. You may upload it to bulletin board systems; ftp sites etc.
so long as no fees are charged for access to it. Individual articles retain the
copyright of the author.
EDITOR'S CORNER
Duality, or Lack Thereof
The title of this editorial rant was chosen for a variety of reasons. A lot of
what we're about in NTS has two purposes. Let's start with the basics. NTS is
there to provide third party message routing for the public, along with provide
operator training. Indeed, a dual purpose. At this point we're doing
neither very well.
The theory behind the ARRL field organization when it comes to EmComm is that
NTS and ARES will work closely together. Again, it's not working.
My assertions above are interrelated. Because we're not doing well at the job
described in the first paragraph most ARES leaders are not inclined to hold NTS
members or nets in very high regard, if they know what it is at all. Other than
some text buried in information they've received or in emergency communications
study materials they don't know what NTS is, how it operates, or the history
behind it. They're not familiar at all with George Hart's work improving the old
trunk line system into the National Traffic system of today, and to be honest,
they could care less.
Again in this issue we have an article addressing the former, and once again
most of that article pertains to bulk book traffic originators. The article
quotes from the Public Service Communications manual on the subject in fact. It
is high time that NTS leadership takes a stand on the bulk book traffic issue,
educates the bulk traffic originators on what we will find excessive and what is
acceptable. Along with this, NTS leaders need to work harder at getting ARRL
officials to actually utilize the system in an effort to promote it. If we do
not take some positive steps soon we can rest assured that there will be no
reason to maintain a National Traffic System in the future, no real need to even
give lip service to training opportunities, and few surviving operators who
remember the lessons learned and taught by George Hart and others when the
current system was developed.
That last paragraph contains some very strong words I know, but the writing is
on the wall in bold letters. We can either get with the program or get out of
the way, because we'll be pushed out of the way. There are organizations
attempting to do said pushing right now because their former reason for
existence is no more.
Consider what happens when we're pushed out of the way. There will be no EmComm
available to anybody that doesn't have an affiliation with some alphabet soup
agency somewhere. Health and welfare outbound from the disaster area for your
neighbor? Forget it! Not possible, your neighbor isn't a bureaucrat;
has no agency affiliation. He just wants to let his sister Martha know that
although his house lost most of its roof he and the family are still just fine,
though a bit shaken up.
Instead of standard message forms that most hams know how to use those involved
in amateur radio EmComm will be using the flavor of the month inter-office speed
memo with a poor or nonexistent audit trail; no fields for address and other
contact info for the recipient, etc. This wheel will be reinvented every time
some bureaucrat has to justify his salary and do something other than play
basketball with the wads of scratch paper on his desk. A century of learning and
standardization will be lost.
Like it or not, we have competition out there. That competition has line items
on Federal budgets that require justification, and a mission which seems no
longer relevant because the troops abroad have satellite phones and internet
connections. Its long haul HF nets using SSB and digital modes are not
accessible to the neighborhood ham with that outbound health and welfare traffic
from the disaster area.
Before anybody gets the idea that I'm against the MARS program think again. I
have no real quarrel with it, but I do have a bit of a problem with the attitude
displayed by leaders in many parts of the country that MARS is the only long
haul game in town, and that all EmComm is agency oriented. I've had the second
quibble for years now, and it becomes more pronounced as I see the only emphasis
of leadership placed on this. That health and welfare message sent for your
neighbor out of the disaster area enables your neighbor to feel better, and then
give his attention to helping himself and others.
We should not be placed in an adversarial role with MARS folks! The training we
potentially offer is excellent for the ham who's interested in participating in
MARS as well. but, we've allowed ourselves to become complacent over the
previous decade, and we've allowed certain individuals to use our service in a
way that compromises its effectiveness and diminishes its value. These same
individuals would tell you they've been trying to promote the system. Now we're
in a position such as that expressed by a military official during the Vietnam
war. You've all heard this one. The official says: "We had to destroy the
village to save it."
We can no longer afford to have the only traffic coming through the system be
from a small handful of bulk book traffic originators. We can no longer allow
these individuals to run roughshod over the diligent operators who spend hours
manning circuits at the region area and TCC levels as well as those operating
automated digital systems to forward NTS traffic. We can no longer afford to sit
back at club meetings while others demonstrate the latest toys and not attempt
to get on the program to educate folks about what NTS is, and what we offer in
terms of training and service to the public.
We are faced with a choice at this point. We can either redouble our efforts to
rebuild the faltering system, or, we can allow the status quo to remain. Doing
the former is going to take some work. We're going to have to cajole
people into using it, encourage them to actually originate a message or two now
and then. We're going to need to promise those who used to be active that we
will not burden them with this bulk book traffic if they should choose to once
again volunteer for liaison assignments and net control duties at the region
area and TCC levels. We're going to need to get on programs at our local ham
clubs; write letters to editors of amateur radio publications; be active on
local repeaters and do quite a bit of elmering. We're going to need to roll up
our sleeves and get to work.
It would be a lot easier to let the status quo remain and just show up for the
NCS and liaison assignments we agreed to take, move a few bulk book messages
when we see them, say nothing, take no further active role. That's easy enough
to do. While doing this, we can occasionally complain about the lack of
participation and wonder why it is that two or three people take all the liaison
assignments and others who show up shine brightly at first and burn out quickly.
We can sit back, just keep on plugging away with what we're doing and have no
legitimate complaint when we're told that we're irrelevant to anything happening
at ARRL HQ. There are already ARRL leaders who firmly believe we are superfluous
and irrelevant. Want to prove them right? That's the easy part! All we have to
do to prove them right is continue as we are.
Finally don't flame or shoot me, I'm just the messenger. By all means, send in
your ideas how we can turn the situation around. They'll be published here
for others to read and implement.
Recent articles your editor has been reading on usenet suggest that lead free
solder, as mandated by the EU. might pose a serious problem for electronic
equipment which is stored in the cold and/or damp. Audio signal processing
equipment which is operated by sound reinforcement providers which is often
stored in facilities which are not climate controlled seems to show a higher
failure rate than average for those devices which were manufactured using lead
free solder.
So, what's so relevant about that? We hams use a lot of gear such as mobile
rigs, etc. which might end up stored in a cold vehicle or unheated building. So,
be careful about the storage of mission critical electronic equipment.
Keep in mind that the above is from the usenet rumor mill also, but it could be
relevant to how we use our equipment.
-----
Put ICE in your cell phone!
While helping my lady love program her new cell phone I remembered a concept
which is gaining widespread acceptance among paramedics and other emergency
responder types. It can help speed the right medical attention to you.
Especially if you have conditions such as diabetes or certain medication
allergies this might just save your life.
In your phone's dialing directory place an entry labeled ICE for your
significant other, husband, mom dad etc. who is authorized to speak for you if
you cannot for your self.
What you do is this: Enter this person's phone number in your dialing directory
under "ICE" so that they can easily
dial this person. You can of course enter more than one "ICE" entry, such as
"ICE-Mom" etc.
-----
News from Central Area
Jim Least, KB5W, our Central Area Chair is hospitalized with
cancer and the prognosis isn't good at this point. While Jim
is out Dave Knight, W4ZJY, is temporarily assuming the Chair
position.
Jim is also manager of Region 5 Cycle 4 net as well as Central area Cycle Four. Temporarily
Region 5 nighttime is
being managed by K4VIZ.
Region Five daytime, and the daytime Central Area net are
also desperately seeking some good net control operators,
and representatives from 9th and 10th Regions. Contact me if you
can help with either.
Finally, we could sure use some folks in Region ten who have
a bit of interest in reviving Tenth Region daytime.
Currently Region Ten daytime sessions are not being held
anywhere. Region Ten formerly met on 7277.5 kHz at 1:45 and
3:45 P.M. Central Time daily. If you're interested in the
position, and an ARRL member make your interest known to me,
nf5b@arrl.net, or contact Steve Ewald at ARRL HQ.
-----
Coming next issue
Remote links phone patches and autopatches. They're everywhere these days. Many
dual band mobile rigs offer
"cross band repeat" capability. EchoLink, IRLP, several methods of linking are
used, including the venerable phone
patch.
Have a look at some strategies for effectively deploying them for emergency
operations, gleaned from the author's
personal experience with many or all of them.
Oldtimers, share your stories! Be sure to tell about the time you sat up all
night pounding brass to move that load
of health and welfare messages from the disaster zone, or the time you lugged
all that old tube type equipment and
banks of batteries to a remote location to assist your fellow man with essential
comms. There are a lot of
newcomers out there, and your stories just might inspire them to get more
involved and think outside the box a bit.
********
Possible Solutions for the Bulk Book Traffic Problem
By Richard Webb, NF5B
It would seem that some folks are thinking about ways to solve this
problem. I've seen a couple of creative ideas brought forward lately,
and am impressed. I've had my own solutions I endeavor to use, but
these days it seems I'm not doing enough of that style of operating to
really make any significant contribution.
To refresh your memory, I send a radiogram to a station I worked while
pursuing awards, and then follow up with a QSL card. I also send
newcomers to the bands a message when I encounter them on nets
occasionally. But, it's been quite awhile since I did any significant
awards pursuit operating, and quite awhile since I've encountered any
newcomers to HF who weren't local to me.
I recently received the following in my email in box from Carl Thomas, WB9YBI.
In view of the following excerpt from the ARRL PSCM, could you find a
few Central Area ORSs to provide us with daily traffic to use instead
of NKD/IQI stuff? Then you could easily monitor the "health of the
system" and YOU control the training we get... in other words... keep
the training messages controlled "local" to the Central Area... kinda
like YOU are giving us the training instead of somebody we might turn
our nose up to on the East Coast...
One good possibility is brought forward by the Delta Division Director, Mickey Cox,
K5MC. At times he intends to send radiograms to Division members who helped organize conventions, hamfests and did
other tasks which enhance division activities. This is a good thing.
Of course, those messages will never leave region Five. However,
because the Delta Division is all within the bounds of Region Five. I
wish other Division Directors would express such an interest as well
however. Although most Divisions are within a single NTS Region this
would still be helpful on the Region level to get some good traffic
moving through the system.
Although some operators, including some NTS leaders seem to take an attitude that nothing is really broken, it's quite obvious to many that
the opposite is true. We hear a lot about the dearth of cross
pollination between NTS and ARES, and the root cause of this is
recognized and acknowledged in the ARRL Public Service Communications Manual. Note the following section, reproduced below.
3.16 Volume Routine Traffic
Originating routine traffic in volume has the potential to lower delivery
percentages thereby diminishing the viability of the system as a back-up for
emergency use, simply because "operating enjoyment" becomes "work" and amateur
radio operators with limited time are generally willing and able to cope with
only finite quantities of routine messages. While in emergencies these amateur
operators would be willing to move volumes of traffic at a sacrifice of time in
the interest of public service, the origination and transmission through NTS of
large volumes of routine messages over an infinite period of time, especially
those with common texts to addressees unknown to the originator and absent of
time value, can be counter-productive to the system's purpose and structure.
While such routine messages are welcome and indeed necessary for the continued
training and practice of operators and for maintenance of the system, it may be
necessary for NTS Area Staff Chairs, in consultation with their respective
Staffs, to establish guidelines for volume traffic in order to maintain the
over-all health of the system."
Note in that section of the PSCM the text regarding consultation among NTS area
staffs on this issue. The first thing NTS leadership can do is promulgate and
then publicize some guidelines on bulk book traffic. Those of us who hold
staff positions should push this effort, as the troops are getting restless, and
in many cases the troops are just refusing to participate.
Next, we can encourage ARRL directors and other leaders to make more use of NTS.
The usual book bulk traffic from W1GMF, N1IQI, and WB5NKD is not going to do
anything for us, but drag us further down. We have to take a very active part in
promoting the system.
A lot of the traffic such as that which the Delta Division Director plans to
originate would not be moved above the region level. This would be true of a lot
of the traffic that ARRL officials and leaders might originate. Still an active
healthy participation at the region level means that Area nets would not be
starved for representatives.
The lifeblood of NTS is the folks from their Section and Region nets who take an
active interest in the continued viability of the system. Even if there is
not a high volume of traffic at the Area and TCC level, the increase of high
quality traffic at the Region level can only do good things for NTS. Then,
to provide the Area nets and TCC
some business we can allow the bulk book originators to do their thing, with
clear guidelines from each Area staff presented to them. If the bulk book
originators do not give attention to these guidelines then we can take further
steps, but only as a last resort. We do not, and should not explicitly deny
anyone access to the system, but we
should do everything possible to encourage the utilization of NTS by league
officials and leaders. Regular hams can do their part too. send that NTS QSL
before you drop a card in the mail. Thank that operator in the rare county or
grid square you needed for being on the air and being patient with you. Look up
that ham in a rare county or grid and send him/her a radiogram asking if he'd be
willing to make a sked with you on your band of interest.
There have been many sources of good routine third party traffic over the years,
and some of these should be encouraged to once again utilize the system.
A few years ago W6DOB in Pinole, California would send
messages to men whom he served with in the army, reminding
them of reunions, and sending them holiday greetings. I used
to get at least two or three messages a year for delivery to
an old fellow who served with him, as well as others for
routing through the system. Delivering these messages was
always a pleasure. After the first call or two the old
fellow knew who I was and was always glad to talk with me.
Sometimes he'd even get to reminiscing about his service
days. Often he'd originate a short message back. I'm sure other old hands
remember the messages from the Tidewater Chapter of the "Beer Can Collectors of
America." Those
always brought a grin to one, just thinking about who
actually had such a hobby. I found that I saw few of the
dreaded ARL sixty seven returns from those, which indicates
to me that they provided valid addresses and telephone
numbers for recipients. when I did see the dreaded sixty
seven message it was because there truly was no outlet for
them.
A little effort on our part can reap big results. So, put on
your thinking cap, and help the system to grow and thrive.
It can be done!
********
Traffic Routing 101
By Richard Webb, NF5B
We're going to depart a bit from training on the very basics
of formulating and handling a formal message, because that's
available from a variety of places. But, your editor finds
that there are some who don't understand why the organized
NTS system is configured the way it is.
In past issues of BPQ we've touched upon the trunk line
system and what came before the current system of Section Region Area and TCC which comprises the present day routing
structure of NTS. The theory is that traffic can move from
coast to coast, border to border easily within one day or
possibly less.
To review, there are three areas essentially, Eastern, Central and Pacific. Central encompasses the
Central Time Zone in North America. Eastern and Pacific each encompass
multiple time zones because of offshore possessions of the
U.S. and Canada. Pacific Area covers the Pacific and Mountain time zones in North America however. Otherwise,
each Area only covers one time zone within continental
bounds.
These Areas are further broken down into Regions, and then Sections. Many states, such as New York, Florida, California
and Texas comprise more than one ARRL Section. ARRL Sections
are Sections within the NTS routing and organizational
structure. Otherwise, most states are a Section within
themselves. Usually traffic would flow from the Section
where it was originated to a Region representative, and if
going outside the Region on to an Area net station and
thence to a TransContinental Corps station for movement
between Areas.
Newer digital modes and methods have offered another route,
sometimes more direct, in fact often so where the address of
a Winlink station which can speed it to destination is
already known. These stations should still endeavor to route
traffic intelligently however, and be aware of Area Region
and Section coverage areas
To illustrate, let me tell you about a situation I came
across while working with the SATERN net in September of
2004. I don't recall the name of the hurricane, I'm thinking
Charley but might be wrong. Suffice it to say that there was
a lot of health and welfare as well as tactical traffic
related to the cleanup.
I'd been working as net control for SATERN net on 14265 kHz
and after finishing up remained on frequency. I get a call
asking me if I can help with some traffic. Some operator in
9th call district had picked this up, and didn't have a clue
one how to get it into NTS or route it properly. Having
discovered he wasn't up to the task he relisted it on SATERN.
I volunteer to get the traffic onto regular NTS circuits.
There were two outbound health and welfare messages on his
hook, as well as a priority message. It's the priority
message that had me scratching my head.
The priority message was from Vero Beach, going to the state
EOC in Tallahassee. There was an opnote on it to deliver it
via some net that evening on 3950 kHz. Why then was it
routed to 9-land on SATURN?
In this message the folks at Vero Beach had the following message text:
humane society Vero Beach, Florida needs 400 linear feet of
portable corral fencing
It had a lady's name as the signature, no title or anything
else. That's not a surprise, but it sure told me something.
Whoever sent it from Vero Beach didn't know anything about
where to find daytime nets, how the system operates or what
he should do with this message.
I sent it to a station on daytime Region 5 who said he'd
take it to Cycle 4 that evening, as there were plenty of
good CW ops from Florida available to Region 5 evening
cycle.
I still wonder if the poor folks in Vero Beach ever received
their portable fencing with which to hold displaced animals.
I'd be willing to bet serious money they didn't.
It's important that folks learn about NTS routing topology
and be mindful of it. Routing a message around the country
because a relay station is ignorant of correct routing
topologies and procedures is inefficient at best, negligent
in cases such as the example above.
It makes no sense, for example, to originate a message in Region Five, which is
Central Area, and then move that
message to a station in Eastern Area to handle if it is
destined for another Region within Central Area. That is,
unless the Eastern Area station will be immediately relaying
it on the same net to a station within the destination Region on the same network. Especially when that message is
normal run of the mill bulk book traffic.
Likewise it is counterproductive to move Intra-Region
traffic outside the Region, except for the same reasons
cited above.
Operators who intend to be digital traffic movers should
familiarize themselves with the way the system operates and
endeavor to route their traffic so as not to completely
bypass the opportunity for appropriate nets to move it,
providing training for net participants. Bulk book traffic
is poor training at best, but when all it does is overburden
certain high volume digital traffic movers then it provides
little real benefit to the system. If routed via long haul
routes just to increase traffic counts then it also provides
little real benefit, especially if this routing bypasses
upper level nets.
It has come to light recently that some operators who
primarily interface between packet and Winlink are
misdirecting traffic, either through a lack of understanding
of how the system operates, or an willingness to seek
outlets via their NTS section.
If one has no outlets via the Section net due to lack of
operating privileges then he should endeavor to find a
station which will inject such traffic into the system at
the lowest possible level. Example: A station in Missouri
without privileges to operate on 80 meters could inject
traffic destined for another section in the Tenth Region via
a relay who does have such privileges. Of course, if one
cannot be found then he should use the best route available.
With these expanded routing topologies it's important for
those of us who are active in traffic handling and public
service to continue to support and maintain the regular Section Region Area TCC topology using SSB and Morse.
Although the email via radio methods are quite handy they
are still essentially point to point systems, similar in
many respects to the trunk line system of yesteryear.
Once traffic is sent to another station utilizing these
systems it must be picked up and either sent on or delivered
by the recipient of the email. Contrast this with listing
traffic on a net where if the usual liaison station is
missing another can volunteer to fill the hole and take on
the liaison assignment for the missing operator. When the
system is providing disaster communications, even health and
welfare messages from the affected area this may be
preferable to sending traffic in the blind via the
internet. NTS operators who can be certain of timely
movement of traffic can then pick up such traffic from
regular NTS nets for routing via Winlink etc.
By supporting the current NTS structure of scheduled nets
and TCC schedules we insure the continued viability of the
system and provide newcomers and experienced traffic
handlers alike an opportunity to train and maintain their
level of readiness.
Working as described above assures the nets within the
system of traffic to move, providing both training for
newcomers and motivation to net participants, which is often
in short supply.
********
STORM TROOPERS!
As this issue goes to bed we're in the midst of hurricane and
tornado season. Storms and floods are a regular part of summertime
radio activity, and this season will probably be no exception.
Of course, we all know about having our jump kits ready, those
emergency power sources tuned up, etc. But, we often don't think
about some things that we could be doing to offer assistance even
if we aren't personally impacted by that hurricane tornado or
flood.
Region and Area net managers can develop an emergency operations
plan, and disseminate the plan they've developed far and wide.
Phone nets especially should do this. After all, more operators
are going to fire up those SSB stations to get out those health and
welfare messages.
In some parts of the country Region nets can swing into action
providing the affected Section with a pool of qualified net
controls and outlets for health and welfare messages from the
affected area. In other parts of the country such as the Central
U.S. and Canada the participation is light enough at the Region
level that the Area net will have to fill this role. As the Area
phone net manager I have developed an emergency plan which goes
into operation whenever a disaster strikes somewhere within the
Central Time Zone. IF you haven't seen it then you can
request it from me. I'd like to see it made available to Section Emergency Coordinator or
Section Traffic Manager within the Central Area.
So what is the CAN Plan? Since our primary frequency as listed in
the net directory is a 20 meter frequency this isn't going to be
very effective for stations working from the disaster area. The
twenty meter frequency is only effective for Central area net if we
have a full complement of TCC representatives to help with relay
work.
Because of this limiting factor we will come up on the frequency of
the Region net covering the disaster area. Since two of the Regions in Central Area utilize 7280 kHz, and a third
Region is
inactive chances are good that if you're within the Central Time Zone and want to assist with handling emergency traffic you'll find
Central Area net daytime on 7280 kHz. If not, look for us a few
kHz either side of that frequency.
What happens if you arrange for these net controls and other
stations and nobody shows up needing your services? Nothing,
except you were there. You should still be there, because sooner
or later if you've laid the groundwork properly and publicized your
emergency ops plan that ham with a half dozen health and welfare
messages from neighbors who is operating from battery power on a temporary wire
antenna will come to the net with his traffic. In
fact, he'll feel better about taking these health and welfare
messages from his neighbors if he can be sure that there will be an
outlet for them.
How to submit an article
Send a file attach of a straight ASCII file to the editor at
elspider@bellsouth.net for
inclusion.
Brief items for our news section should be sent as a regular email.
Again, attach plain ASCII files only. If using MS Word choose the save-as option
to save as plain text, possibly called dos text. Check your favorite word
processor's documentation on creating ASCII files.
No graphics files, PDF etcetera please!
This electronic newsletter is
intended to be machine readable. This newsletter may be distributed on packet
and other radio systems where system operators and relay stations wish to
closely monitor content of transmissions. It is intended to be platform
independent which is not possible with graphical file formats. Even the operator
with the old commodore or Apple II should be able to read this newsletter, or
the fellow using the old dumb terminal. Text to speech systems etcetera should
have no problems reading this newsletter.
If possible use a file extension of .art for your article. If it fits one of
these categories use the category name as the file name. Regular categories for
which we seek articles are as follows:
General : articles of general interest to traffic handlers. Use a file name of
general.art
Training : Articles regarding training hints and tips. As above, use
training.art if possible.
Outreach : articles on ways to reach out to the public and promote NTS and
amateur radio message handling capabilities. As with the above examples,
outreach.art.
Using these naming conventions allows your editor to automatically process your
article.
Type the title twice, the first time at left margin preceded by a * character.
The second time centered as you'd like it to appear. The line with the * will be
used to automatically build a table of contents and the asterisk removed. Your
article will then appear with title centered.
Immediately below the centered title please place your name and call sign so
that folks will know who authored the article. If you have an email address
please provide it as well. Though often these can be looked up the information
provided in call sign databases is often incorrect. If you are a net manager or
hold an ARRL field organization position please provide this information as
well.
If possible keep line lengths to 70 characters or fewer. Again remember that we
are attempting to be platform independent. Many of our readers will wish to view
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If you cannot save your article as plain text paste the text into an email and
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Although you retain the copyright on your work, submission of any articles
implies permission to publish them in BPQ and distribute said work
electronically without remuneration to you or BPQ. No fee may be charged to
receive BPQ.
================================
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The headquarters of the ham-fdn can be accessed as follows:
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telnet://bbs.wpusa.dynip.com
http://www.wpusa.dynip.com/
ftp://ftp.wpusa.dynip.com
RADIO RESCUE NET OPERATIONS BBS
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If you are the system operator of a BBS (either landline or radio) and cannot
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Provide your email address in the text and tell us how you'd like to receive
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Thanks for reading and 73
Richard Webb, NF5B
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BRASS POUNDERS' QUARTERLY
Published by traffic handlers for traffic handlers
Copyright ARRL National Traffic System, electronic distribution encouraged.
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