NOTICE OF TERMINATION

After 33 years on the air, the Northwest Oregon Traffic and Training Net will terminate operations on 145.27 Mhz on August 29, 2025. Lack of operator support and diminishing Radiogram traffic handling in general are the reasons. I will continue to maintain training information offered on this web page, either under the www.qsl.net/NTTN URL or I may move the content to my personal web page at www.qsl.net/w7ees. Operators are encouraged to form their own on air presence with a 'net' that better represents the needs of the modern amateur radio operator.

The traffic net format of NTTN represented the needs of the 90's when the net was established and the internet and cellular technology was in its infancy. Today's operators are used to these advanced communications options which make voice radio less attractive. Keep in mind, in an emergency, those modern options can and do fail and operators will need to fall back on the old ways of radio technology, like CW or Voice modes that work every time they're tried.

As the founder of this organization and author of this page, I continue to reserve all rights pertaining to its contents, including the name NORTHWEST OREGON TRFFIC AND TRAINING NET, NTTN. This name is reserved as my personal intellectual property and may not be used by any other person or organization.

I wish you all Fair Winds and Following Seas. Bon Voyage OM. de W7EES. 73

THE FOLLOWING CONTENT IS DEPRECATED AND IS FOR HISTORIC REFERENCE ONLY

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide emergency radio communication and radiogram messaging services to our neighbors in Northwest Oregon when disaster strikes. We encourage operator participation by checking in with us and originating and delivering Radiogram traffic routinely in preparation of an actual event.

To practice our skills, we meet three times per week, Mon., Wed. and Fri. at 18:05 Local Time on the "Timber", 145.27 Mhz (107.2 PL) repeater.

Linked Repeater Policy

NTTN does not rely on internet linked repeaters. We hold our net sessions on the Western Oregon Radio Club, Timber Repeater, 145.27 Mhz. The coverage area for the net is limited to this repeater's coverage area. If you can't work the repeater, then you are not in the net coverage area. We are a Local area net. See the 'Why We Are Here' link.

In Emergencies

The net will shift to a Daily meeting time for the 18:05 formal net session. The net manager will assume NCS duties on unscheduled days.

NTTN net control stations will continuously monitor the Timber, 145.27 Mhz repeater for health and welfare traffic, and/or any emergency calls that can be serviced by our operators until the situation resolves. Monitoring times will conform to the Watch Clock method. Three minute windows on the hour and half hour. Net Control will announce that they are monitoring for any traffic at 1 minute intervals during those windows. Depending on the severity of the situation, a voluntary watch list arrangement will be implemented as necessary.

Be aware that ARES and RACES operations may assume control of amateur radio frequencies during a disaster event. Follow their directions and cooperate as required. NTTN serves our local neighborhoods and our neighbors. ARES and RACES serve government and NGO's. Give the government their dues. We all have a common goal, preservation of life and property. Cooperation is important.

Should the Timber repeater be unavailable, stations should first shift to 145.31 Mhz repeater, 123 Hz. tone. If unsuccessful there, shift to simplex frequencies 147.56 and 147.44 Mhz. It may be useful to have a scanner or preprogrammed radio in operation to monitor these frequencies. Operators note that in these conditions it is helpful to announce your frequency at the end of each transmission so monitoring stations know your channel and can contact you. Say; "This is N7XYZ on 744."

Stay tuned. Gather on the net frequency for instruction and coordination.

Simplex

Be prepared to operate using simplex, no repeaters! The day may come when internet access is not available. Linked repeaters will be down and the repeaters we rely on may not be available at all. Practice with other hams and see how far your signal propagates without using repeaters. You will be surprised at the results! Simplex frequencies on 2 meters are 146.42-146.60, 147.40-147.58 MHz. 25 watts and a good roof top vertical should have a 20-30 mile range. Elevated locations will yield better results. A yagi antenna will increase the distance you can work. Don't be a slave to repeaters! See the 2 Meter Working Frequencies list.

Know Your Phonetic Alphabet!

On radio voice circuits, letters of the alphabet are voiced using Phonetics, words that represent the letters. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Phonetic Alphabet is the world wide standard for radio communications. Memorize them. Keep a copy of this chart at your operating position for reference. When conditions make reception difficult, or you have to send a complex mixed group of letters and numbers, phonetics help to insure accuracy.

NTTN Recognizes RRI Certified Radiogram Format

On June 1, 2025, Radio Relay International introduced the Certified Radiogram program. The program introduces a new message precedence for Certified, Fast Radiogram messages. Read about the program here.

Net Control Stations Needed

Help us fill open Net Control Station slots! If you have experience with being a net control station and you have traffic net experience, we want to talk to you. A General Class license, or higher, and the ability to act as a Liaison to the HF Section net is preferred. Study chapters 4 and 5 of the Methods and Practices Guidelines (MPG) manual. Then, take the Local Net NCS Test to qualify.

...to participate! Join us! Become a member of our traffic handlers team! Help your neighbors keep in touch with families and friends in the event of an emergency or just say "hello" to yours via amateur radio! Send a radiogram today!