American Radio Relay League

Western Pennsylvania Section Traffic Manager

Bill1 Comment

I was appointed Western Pennsylvania Section Traffic Manager on December 1, 2025. My primary responsibility is to collect net activity, station activity, and Public Service Honor Roll reports, compile them, and submit them to the Section Manager and the ARRL.

Another responsibility is to make information on traffic handling readily available and to provide training handouts and supplies for current traffic managers. To help facilitate this, I have established a web page containing relevant information and resources. The URL is :

https://wx2dx.net/NTS/wpa_nts_info.html

I am also to cooperate and coordinate with the Section Emergency Coordinator so that traffic nets and emergency nets in the section present a unified public service front.

2022 Western PA Spring Simulated Emergency Test

Bill1 Comment

The Western PA (WPA) Section Spring Simulated Emergency Test (SET) was held this morning from 9 AM until 12:30 PM EDT (1300-1630 UTC). I was an active participant serving as an official relay station.

The purpose of the SET was to find out the strengths and weaknesses in providing emergency communications. It also provided a public demonstration of the value to the public that amateur radio provides, particularly in time of need. It also helped radio amateurs to gain experience in communications using standard procedures and a variety of modes under simulated emergency conditions.

The emergency test scenario was as follows: freezing rain and dense fog made for hazardous road conditions. A train hit a tractor trader containing hazardous materials of unknown composition and several rail cars derailed. Local utilities were affected and power lines were arcing in the area. People are also experiencing eye and throat irritation. National Weather Service Skywarn and American Red Cross were activated.

The amateur radio propagation today was generally poor. However, radio messages were successfully handled. I was asked to monitor the 60-meter band but there was nothing but noise. I regularly checked into the WinLink digital stations WIAW and W6IDS. The latter had a significantly better signal on the 40-meter band. I also checked in with a local 2-meter station to pass messages (traffic), and into a voice net on the 75-meter band.

At end of the exercise, I had originated one message, sent 3, received 2, and delivered 1 for a total of 7 messages handled.