Month: July 2025

The traffic handling community has been equipped with an exceptional tool known as the Radiogram Portal, written by Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, which allows third parties to deposit a message for origination and delivery via the National Traffic System. The Portal is supported by a cadre of registered traffic handlers (“radiogrammers”) who check the site daily and pick up any messages for origination. Even though we’re beginning to promote the use of the Portal to the general public, activity is slow on some days. We need more messages to “keep the system lubricated.” There is no reason why regular traffic handlers can’t take advantage of the portal’s capabilities and boost radiogram traffic while also having fun at the same time.

All traffic handlers (and non-traffic handlers) are invited to take the Portal Challenge. Log into the Portal each day and leave a message destined for a ham or non-ham, friend or family member. Those who qualify by depositing one message each day from July 1 through July 28 will receive a special certificate and acknowledgement in the August 2025 issue of The NTS Letter. This is a great way to demonstrate how the public can be served by the National Traffic System and amateur radio! To qualify, you must introduce at least one message onto the Portal each day for pickup and origination by a qualified radiogrammer. Remember, in this particular situation, you are not the station of origin but rather are acting as a “third-party” and therefore your message will not count as an “origination” or “sent” point in your Station Activity Report (SAR).