NTS-D
What is it?
Every one should know what NTS is but many are not aware that NTS-D has been in existence for years and yet they have never heard of it. The simple definition is that the digital part of NTS is nothing more than data transmission of our every day radiograms. Free software (WinLink.org) is available which allows us to enter our standard radiogram formatted message and transmit it through the NTS-D system. WinLink Classic and WinLink 2000 (WL2K) are the backbone of the network management.
How does it work?
Routing tables are set up that
automatically send the traffic to the NTS-D station closest to the destination
mostly based on the zip code. This
routing allows traffic to be put into the system at any NTS-D station and get
it all the way to the destination automatically. With normal NTS traffic we pass traffic from
one person to another many times through local nets, regional nets, area nets,
and so on. NTS-D only requires one
person to get it into the system and one person to pick it up near a
destination anywhere in the
What equipment is required?
Tough question. That’s like asking what kind of radio you should buy. The easiest example is an HF station capable of functioning on a couple of different bands, computer interface (TNC), an autotuner, and an SCS Pactor modem. Different bands are used due to propagation changes. A TNC allows signal conversions from PC to radio. The autotuner is used because the software client (I use AirMail) has a drop down list of frequencies and your selection will allow automatic tuning on transmit. The Pactor modem is the key piece of equipment because the transmission protocol is Pactor (preferably Pactor III). It would also be great if it were a portable setup for ARES/RACES or other activities in remote locations or served agency buildings.
Wouldn’t it be easier to just use NTS?
NTS-D is not meant to replace NTS. However, there are some significant advantages that reflect ingenuity of amateur operators. Since the software clients are glorified email clients they let us send attachments, faxes and bulk traffic. This is especially important for served agencies during a communications outage, where we would not be able to do that with standard NTS. Also, since NTS-D is not dependent on a net for phone or CW modes, it can be used 24 X 7 to transmit new traffic or receive stored traffic. The MBOs use store-and-forward methods. I usually check two or three times a day but technically only once is required to prevent excessive delays of any traffic.
Another advantage is speed. We have a goal of being able to get traffic
from source to destination in less than an hour when necessary. That means that I can get a message from
SEFTN to the MBO for
If you have questions that the reference links do not answer please email me at KM2V@ARRL.NET .
Additional Info:
NTS-D web site This site has lots of information about NTS-D related, including NTS-D staff, frequencies
WX4J.com Earl Leach (WX4J) is the MBO for
for NTS-D as well as other nets.
Thanks to:
WB2FTX Dave Struebel - Eastern Area Digital Coordinator, NJ STM
WX4J Earl Leach - FL MBO
AE5V E. Benson Scott – LA
Appendix A
NTS-D Session Log
Appendix B
The table below shows the expected format of a typical packet
Radiogram:
|
Component |
Sample Text |
|
Preamble |
NR 351 R
HXC K3RXK 21 |
|
Addressee |
AL BAROLET KJ3E |
|
Address |
|
|
City State ZIP |
|
|
Telephone |
301 862 3201 |
|
Prosign |
BT |
|
Text in lines of five or ten words |
CAN YOU
ATTEND THE JUNE |
|
Prosign |
BT |
|
Signature |
TONY K3RXK |
|
Prosign |
AR |
A couple of things that will look different from a standard radiogram are message number and prosigns. The “NR” that is shown is an option that a station can use to have the mail client automatically insert the next available message number based on a pre-configured file. New clients will default to start at 1000.
The BT prosign is the break in and out of text, and the AR is the digital version of an end of message. This is used in CW also. The MBOs will accept either the AR or “/EX” to end the message. There shouldn’t be any blank lines between sections and although there are some exceptions blank lines in the wrong place can cause software parsing errors. Another interesting point is that IF the message will go straight NTS-D station to NTS-D station and not get put into a standard radiogram for delivery, the text is not limited to 25 words. Consider it an internal “perk” if you will.