Summer 2025 Radiogram Portal Challenge Results

In June, we announced a fun “contest” that challenged individuals to leave messages for origination on the Radiogram Portal. The rationale went something like this: Let’s promote the use of the Portal to both amateur and non-amateur audiences by boosting radiogram traffic, while having fun at the same time. Participants logged into the Portal each day and left at least one message destined for a friend or family member. Those who qualified every day would receive a special certificate and acknowledgement in The NTS Letter. (We needed to cut short the challenge by a few days to meet the August NTS Letter deadline.) I’m pleased to report that seven participants met the challenge! They left messages on the portal every day from July 1-28, and will receive a handsome certificate for their accomplishments:

  • Michelle Roeten, K2MJR, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Phil Temples, K9HI, Watertown, MA
  • Bill Novak, KA9IKK, Katy, TX
  • Shawn Dodds, N1CVO, Lowell, MA
  • Jay Fox, NK2Y, LaGrangeville, NY
  • Bill Smith, WX2DX, Port Matilda, PA
  • Rodney Youngblood, W5RFY, Splendora, TX

Honorable mention for depositing messages for five or more days goes to:

  • Clark Ross, KI5EYI, Kingwood, TX
  • Ed Messman, KT5EM, Katy, TX
  • Glenn Killam, VE1AQF, Saint Alphonse, NS, Canada

The Radiogram Portal, written by Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD, 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 via a non-public interface and pick up any messages for origination.

If you have questions about the Portal, contact Portal administrator Marcia Forde, KW1U, at kw1u@comcast.net.

NTS Operations Integrated in Eastern Massachusetts ARES “Summer Strike” Exercise

The following update was included in the August NTS Letter by Phil Temples, K9HI:

ARRL Eastern Massachusetts ARES® conducted a summer exercise on August 2, 2025, called “Summer Strike,” and NTS health and welfare operations were integrated into the plan. According to Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, the exercise, held the same day as a Section-wide exercise in Rhode Island, called for heavy wind and storm surge damage to portions of coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In addition, western Massachusetts suffered from catastrophic flooding, limiting roadway access to much of the state. The scenario called for simulated shelter openings. The fictional devastating weather conditions compromised much of the state’s telecommunications infrastructure.

The summer ARES® exercise utilized voice nets on 60 and 75 meters. NTS voice traffic nets were also active on VHF repeaters, along with an HF NBEMS net to handle health and welfare radiogram traffic.

Eastern MA Section Nets included:

EM2MTN (Eastern Mass 2 Meter Traffic Net) Voice FM

145.23- PL88.5 Boston

MARIDN (Mass – Rhode Island Digital Net)

Primary: 7042.5 kHz 40m USB THOR22 1500Hz center

Secondary: 3582.5kHz 80m USB THOR22 1500Hz center