NTS Radiogram received

Received the following NTS radiogram today – thank you to Larry VE3GT for handling and delivery via his digital station:

 4191 R HXC KM7N ARL8 SAHUARITA AZ SEP 9
 PAUL SHIRYAEV VA3PAW
 PO BOX 62075 VICTORIA TERRACE PO
 TORONTO ON M4A2W1
 OPNOTE EMAIL VA3PAW ATSIGN GMAIL DOT COM
 BT
 ARL FIFTY SIX TRIPLE PLAY
 AWARD X 73
 BT
 ADAM KM7N TPA592
 =================
 TOR: 110231Z
 

This sparked my curiosity to find out more about the NTS (National Traffic System) and also what ‘ARL 56’ may stand for as neither of that was on my ham exam. Apparently, it’s an elaborate network of humans and machines effectively handling third-party messages across the continent. Very impressive to have this still up and running in this era of fiber-optics cables and cheap internet access.

By-the-way, ARL 56 stands for ‘Congratulations on your _______, a most worthy and deserved achievement.’, so the full message (in English!) reads:

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TRIPLE PLAY AWARD, A MOST WORTHY AND DESERVED ACHIEVEMENT.
BEST REGARDS, 
ADAM KM7N

Thank you Adam KM7N for congratulations!

ARL FIFTY THREE MESSAGE =
73 DE PAUL VA3PAW =