07/18/2025
Radio Relay International¿ and ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio¿
Sign Memorandum of Understanding
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio[1]¿ (ARRL¿) and Radio Relay
International[2]¿ (RRI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)[3].
[PDF] The formal agreement, signed by ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, and
RRI Board Chairman James Wades, WB8SIW, outlines the value the organizations
find in cooperation.
SEE THE JOINT PRESS RELEASE[4] [PDF]
ARRL, established in 1914, is the nation's leading advocacy organization for
the Amateur Radio Service. ARRL's mission is to promote and protect the art,
science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of
radio amateurs. ARRL's 71 Sections across North America promote public service
with ham radio through programs including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service¿
(ARES¿) and the National Traffic System¿ (NTS¿).
Radio Relay International¿ (RRI) was established in 2016 to enhance and promote
effective nationwide messaging and emergency communications capabilities. Since
its founding, RRI has developed an extensive work product consisting of a wide
variety of training programs, a tested and evolved National Response Plan, and
communications facilities designed to better prepare radio amateurs to serve
their community in time of emergency. Central to these goals has been
modernization of the NTS.
Both ARRL and RRI recognize the importance of effective public service and
emergency communications, including the shared goal of modernizing and
enhancing the National Traffic System. "Coordination between our two
organizations will prevent duplication of efforts and ensure that both the
public and emergency services agencies have access to effective NTS disaster
communications facilities," said James Wades, Board Chair and Emergency
Management Director for RRI.
The National Traffic System, created by ARRL in 1949, is a network of trained
amateur radio operators who ensure the rapid transmission and relay of
messages, or "traffic." In addition to basic voice and Morse code or "CW"
communications networks, the NTS has recently been modernized through the
addition of the Digital Traffic Network, as well as interoperable messaging
gateways and specialized software templates developed in association with the
Winlink Development Team, which operates an international radio email service
well-suited to disaster response.
"Through last year's hurricanes and the recent devastating floods in Texas,
we're seeing amateur radio continue to be a vital tool before and during times
of crisis," said ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV.
"Amateur radio works When All Else Fails¿, and traffic handling is an important
part of that," he said.
Future plans for the improvement of NTS include the development of additional
robust HF digital networks, improved interoperability with local and state
emergency communications organizations, and continued development of local and
regional VHF and UHF digital "packet radio" network capabilities. Coordination
between RRI and ARRL will play an important role in achieving these goals.
www.arrl.org/nts[5]
www.radiorelay.org[6]
For more information contact:
James Wades, WB8SIW, Radio Relay International Board Chair
radiorelayinternational@gmail.com[7] and/or Sierra Harrop, W5DX, ARRL Public
Relations and Outreach Manager sharrop@arrl.org[8].
[1] http://www.arrl.org/
[2] http://www.radiorelay.org/
[3] https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Media%20&%20PR/RRI20ARRL202025.pdf
[4] https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Media%20&%20PR/Joint20Release20RRI20ARRL
20MOU.pdf
[5] http://www.arrl.org/nts
[6] http://www.radiorelay.org/
[7] mailto:radiorelayinternational@gmail.com
[8] mailto:sharrop@arrl.org
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