Area Staff Chairs Reinstated
The following appeared in the September NTS Letter:
For decades, three area staffs — Eastern, Central and Pacific (now renamed Western) — oversaw the operation of the NTS above Section level. Each staff was comprised of region and area net managers and Transcontinental Corps directors for each of the two operating cycles (afternoon SSB and evening CW) as well as an area digital coordinator and several members-at-large. Each of the three staffs elected a chair from among their members to serve a term of two years. Each staff determined the operation of their respective areas, but in matters concerning the entire network, the three chairs would work together to resolve issues. In 2016, the election of staff chairs was discontinued and overall leadership of the upper-level network disintegrated.
At the ARRL Board of Directors meeting in July 2025, a motion was unanimously passed to re-establish the staffs and election of area chairs, thereby restoring leadership to the network. This is very welcome news. The motion is reproduced below. More details will be made available in future issues of this newsletter.
35. The Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee moved that:
WHEREAS, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has a fundamental interest in fostering and maintaining a robust National Traffic System (NTS). The NTS serves as a vital, organized network of amateur radio operators capable of efficiently relaying messages throughout the United States and Canada. This capability is particularly crucial in times of emergency, where reliable communication is paramount. The NTS is designed to work in close collaboration with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), ensuring a coordinated and effective response to disasters and other urgent situations; and
WHEREAS, Radio Relay International (RRI), while operating independently, shares a common goal with the NTS in modernizing and enhancing the National Traffic System and to promote and develop effective programs that ensure basic, survivable connectivity in times of emergency. This collaborative partnership strengthens the overall effectiveness and resilience of amateur radio emergency communications capabilities, and
WHEREAS, a close collaboration between the NTS and RRI is significantly strengthening amateur radio’s ability to provide essential communication services during emergencies and other critical situations, and
WHEREAS, the top-level leadership structure of the NTS, specifically the Area Staff Chairs for the Eastern, Central, and Pacific Areas, was disbanded approximately a decade ago. This decision has arguably weakened the NTS’s overall effectiveness and coordination, and
WHEREAS, the Area Staff Chairs played a critical role within the NTS, charged with the following key responsibilities:
1. Oversight and Guidance: Overseeing the performance and operations of NTS officials within their respective areas, ensuring adherence to established protocols and promoting efficient message handling.
2. Advisory Role: Providing expert advice and guidance to Transcontinental Corps (TCC) Directors, Area Net Managers, and Region Net Managers, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning.
3. Traffic Management: Establishing guidelines and best practices for managing high volumes of traffic within the NTS. This included optimizing message routing, prioritizing emergency communications, and maintaining the overall health and efficiency of the system.
4. Emergency Preparedness: Maintaining a heightened awareness of potential disasters and other emergencies, proactively preparing the NTS to respond effectively, and ensuring seamless integration with ARES operations when needed.
THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the ARRL that Minute 33 from the July 2016 Board meeting is hereby rescinded, and that the Area Staff Chairs for the NTS Eastern, Central, and Pacific (Western) Areas are to be reinstated. These Chairs shall be elected by their respective Area Staff Members, guaranteeing a democratic and representative selection process, with each term lasting two years. Additionally, each Area Staff Chair shall have the authority to appoint active and knowledgeable NTS members within their respective Area to form a Staff to provide advice and assistance, as needed, in fulfilling the duties of the Area Staff Chair position.
The motion was unanimously APPROVED.