The ARRL Programs and Services Committee (PSC) will submit a motion to the ARRL Board of Directors expressing appreciation for the work and volunteer membership of the National Traffic System (NTS™). The PSC motion, submitted by ARRL Southeastern Director Doug Rehman, K4AC, during a recent PSC meeting, thanked NTS members, congratulated them for outstanding service, and assured them of an ongoing ARRL public service communication role.

“As Field Day approaches, the ARRL Board’s Programs and Services Committee wanted to recognize the continued work of the National Traffic System, especially the dedicated rank-and-file participants who are the lifeblood of this important ARRL program,” said Roanoke Division Director and PSC Chair Dr Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, who seconded Rehman’s motion. “The ARRL is committed to the NTS as a key component in the League’s public service communications plans.”

The PSC will submit its motion of NTS support to the full ARRL Board of Directors for consideration at the Board’s July meeting.

The resolution points out that the handling of message traffic by early radio amateurs led to the founding and naming of the ARRL in 1914. The National Traffic Plan published in 1949 gave rise to the NTS.

The Committee cited the “countless hours” NTS participants devote “to operate CW, phone, and digital nets spanning both the clock and the continent,” and the more than 200 NTS members recognized with Public Service Honor Roll status in the most recent monthly listing.

“NTS plays a vital role in providing a messaging component for Amateur Radio’s public service mission, including preparation and training for emergency communications,” the resolution asserted. It also noted that the PSC has been working to create the League’s Second Century public service communications delivery plan, and, while reviewing the League’s current operations over the past several years, “the PSC has seen and has greatly appreciated the valuable contributions of NTS members.”