Section Traffic Manager
Encyclopedia
The Section traffic manager (STM) is an appointed position within the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL) field organization. The STM is appointed by the ARRL section manager
to supervise traffic handling organization at the section level—that is, to coordinate all traffic efforts within the section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System
affiliation, so that routings within the section and connections with other networks and digital traffic nodes will result in orderly and efficient traffic flow. The STM should be a person at home and familiar with traffic handling on all modes, must have at least a Technician class license, and should possess the willingness and ability to devote equal consideration and time to all section traffic matters.
American Radio Relay League
The American Radio Relay League is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the USA. ARRL is a non-profit organization, and was founded in May 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim of Hartford, Connecticut...
(ARRL) field organization. The STM is appointed by the ARRL section manager
Section Manager
In the American Radio Relay League and the Radio Amateurs of Canada , the section manager is an elected volunteer who implements and manages ARRL / RAC programs in the section, which is an administrative division of the organization that consists of a state, or part of state for the ARRL and a...
to supervise traffic handling organization at the section level—that is, to coordinate all traffic efforts within the section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System
National Traffic System
The National Traffic System is an organized network of amateur radio operators sponsored by the American Radio Relay League for the purpose of relaying messages throughout the US and Canada....
affiliation, so that routings within the section and connections with other networks and digital traffic nodes will result in orderly and efficient traffic flow. The STM should be a person at home and familiar with traffic handling on all modes, must have at least a Technician class license, and should possess the willingness and ability to devote equal consideration and time to all section traffic matters.
STM functions
- Establish, administer, and promote a traffic handling program at the section level, based on, but not restricted to, National Traffic System networks.
- Develop and implement one or more effective training programs within the section that address the needs of both traditional and digital modes of traffic handling. Ensure that net managers place particular emphasis on the needs of amateurs new to formal network traffic handling, as well as those who receive, send, and deliver formal traffic on a "casual" basis, via RTTY, AMTOR, and packet-based message storage and bulletin board systems.
- Cooperate and coordinate with the section emergency coordinatorSection Emergency CoordinatorIn the American Radio Relay League and the Radio Amateurs of Canada, the Section Emergency Coordinator is the assistant to the section manager for amateur radio emergency communications preparedness...
so that traffic nets and emergency nets in the section present a unified public service front. - Recommend candidates for net managers and official relay station appointments to the SM. Issue appointments/cancellations and appropriate certificates. At the SM's discretion, the STM may directly make or cancel NM and ORS appointments.
- Ensure that all traffic nets within the section are properly and adequately staffed, with appropriate direction to net managers, as required, which results in coverage of all net control and liaison functions. Assign liaison coverage adequate to ensure that all digital bulletin boards and message storage systems within the section are polled on a daily basis, to prevent misaddressed, lingering, or duplicated radiogram-formatted message traffic.
- Maintain familiarity with proper traffic handling and directed net procedures applicable to all normally-used modes within the section.