From lhurder@arrl.org Wed Jan 20 15:25:37 1993 Return-Path: Received: from uu2.psi.com by world.std.com (5.65c/Spike-2.0) id AA24929; Wed, 20 Jan 1993 15:25:34 -0500 Received: from port6.hartford.pub-ip.psi.net by uu2.psi.com (5.65b/4.0.071791-PSI/PSINet) id AA00755; Wed, 20 Jan 93 15:25:24 -0500 Received: from lh by mgate with SMTP id AA122732 ; Wed, 20 Jan 93 15:12:48 EST Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 15:08:20 GMT Message-Id: <4339@lh> From: lhurder@arrl.org (Luck Hurder KY1T) To: distribution.@uu2.psi.com; (see end of body) Subject: New NTS Award Status: RO ARRL National Traffic System Sponsors New Award By Luck Hurder, KY1T Traffic handlers, Amateur Radio Emergency Service members, and other public service communicators have for some years had access to several popular certificates and awards. These include the Brass Pounders League certificates and medallions, as well as the Public Service Honor Roll, National Traffic system Service Award, and Public Service Commendation certificates. But these awards have traditionally appeared difficult to obtain, at least to some amateurs. Indeed, today's newcomer to the Amateur Radio Service often finds her/himself daunted by the seemingly impossible task of earning, for example, 500 BPL points or 70 PSHR points in a given month. So, recognizing the needs of amateurs new to the public service communications arena, ARRL HQ and the senior officials of the National Traffic System area staffs nationwide are now making available a new, easy-to-strive-for certificate, designed expressly for neophyte traffic handlers. Just like BPL medallions and PSHR certificates, these awards are available on a one time basis only. To obtain one, U.S. Amateur Radio licensees must show proof of having ORIGINATED (not merely transmitted by their stations -- but ORIGINATED) at least four properly-formatted NTS messages in a one-month time frame. It will be up to the amateur to determine who his SM/STM is, and how to provide the necessary proof to the proper, duly-appointed SM/STM of his Section. A side benefit of this scheme, from a management perspective, is that the amateur will need to become at least peripherally aware of why the term "origination" is by definition an off-the-air function, why it's likely to be of service to the public (rather than to himself), and who the responsible ARRL Leadership Officials are in his local traffic-handling community. In addition, it's likely that they will suddenly become clear on who they can turn to for traffic training information, complimentary Public Service Communications Manuals, and other necessary materials that ARRL HQ makes available to the local Leadership Officials. Amateurs seeking the new National Traffic System Message Origination Award are encouraged to contact their SM and/or STM for further details as to local implementation procedures for obtaining this prestigious new NTS award. %%% overflow headers %%% To: jhenness@arrl.org, cuddeback@merlin.nmhu.edu, k2pj@genie.geis.com.barc-w1aw@world.std.com, dfh@teak.cray.com, all@f100.n282.z1.tdkt.kksys.com.jdesmon@nwnt07.mnet.uswest.com, arrlb@lawton.lonestar.org.4728744@mcimail.com, david@stat.com, BONCZEK@HSDWL.A1.UTC.COM.GOODRIC@hsdwl.utc.com, erc@world.std.com, 70233.75@compuserve.com.76557.604@compuserve.com, 3241437@mcimail.com, bjahnke@arrl.org.gdtms@n1dam.lcs.mit.edu, wrothberg@pfloyd.enet.dec.com.doane@ccsu.ctstateu.edu, uunet!bytex!kinahan, whester@nyx.cs.du.edu.tstader@attmail.com, sotorrio.eduardo@a1.isidro.sqo.mts.dec.com %%% end overflow headers %%%