TNARRL

Section Traffic Manager (STM)

Harrell Davidson, WD4LAR

📍 Address: P.O. Box 215, Obion, TN 38240
✉️ Email: wd4lar@gmail.com
📞 Phone: (731) 446-4890

Assistant Section Traffic Manager (ATSM)

William "Will" Adams, KN4ZPF

📍 Address: 926 Forest Acres Ct., Nashville, TN 37220
✉️ Email: adams.w@comcast.net
📞 Phone: (615) 426-5435

Section Traffic Manager (STM) - Position Description

The Section Traffic Manager (STM) is appointed by the Section Manager (SM) to supervise the traffic handling organization at the section level.

  • The STM coordinates all traffic efforts within the section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System (NTS) affiliation.
  • Ensures orderly and efficient traffic flow through proper routing within the section and connections with other networks and digital traffic nodes.

Requirements:

  • Familiarity with traffic handling across all modes.
  • Technician class license or higher.
  • Full ARRL membership.

Responsibilities

Traffic Management & Training

  • Establishes, administers, and promotes a traffic handling program at the section level.
  • Develops and implements training programs for both traditional and digital traffic handling modes.
  • Ensures Net Managers emphasize training for:
    • New amateurs learning formal network traffic handling.
    • Casual operators who send and receive radiogram-formatted traffic via RTTY, AMTOR, Packet-based systems, and Bulletin Board Systems (BBS).

Coordination with Emergency Operations

  • Works with the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) to ensure traffic and emergency nets present a unified public service effort.

Staffing & Appointments

  • Recommends candidates for:
    • Net Managers (NM)
    • Official Relay Station (ORS) appointments
  • Issues appointments and cancellations, including certificates.
  • At the discretion of the Section Manager (SM), the STM may directly appoint or cancel NM and ORS positions.
  • Ensures all traffic nets within the section are:
    • Properly staffed.
    • Effectively managed by Net Managers.
    • Adequately covered by Net Control and liaison operators.
  • Assigns liaisons to ensure:
    • Daily polling of digital bulletin boards and message storage systems.
    • Prevention of misaddressed, lingering, or duplicated radiogram traffic.

Procedural Knowledge & Reporting

  • Maintains proficiency in traffic handling and directed net procedures for all commonly used modes.
  • Prepares and submits accurate monthly net reports to ARRL Headquarters, directly or via the Section Manager, by the established deadlines.

Recommended Training & Certification

  • Encouraged to earn ARRL certifications in:
    • Introduction to Emergency Communications (EC-001)
    • Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs (EC-016)

Recruitment & Membership Growth

  • Recruiting new hams and ARRL members is an integral part of the role.
  • The STM should take every opportunity to encourage amateur radio participation and expand ARRL membership.
  • Strengthening Field Organization programs enhances public service capabilities.