There was a time, some decades ago, when traffic nets were incredibly busy with holiday radiogram traffic. Even those who rarely handled message traffic would often originate a holiday radiogram to family and friends separated by distance. This was, of course, during the era before the Internet and cellular phones, when distance seemed like more of an omnipresent reality than it is today.
It seems that the tradition of sending a Christmas radiogram should have a nostalgic feel that fits the holiday season well. Furthermore, the delivery of a radiogram serves as a great public relations opportunity. Therefore, the ARRL and RRI are encouraging radio amateurs to originate a Christmas radiogram this year.
If one hasn’t originated a radiogram before, there are some convenient tools, one of which is available via the Winlink forms library and the other of which is an on-line service developed by the ARRL NTS2 Committee. Both methods allow someone who has never sent a radiogram in his life to originate a message to family or friends.
If doing so by Winlink, one can access an interactive RRI radiogram form in the Winlink “Forms Library.” The RRI radiogram template walks you through the process of creating a properly serviced radiogram. It will even correct you if you make a formatting error. Once you have completed your radiogram form, you simply select the destination region for routing to the last mile and ultimate delivery.
Another option is the online “radiogram portal” developed by the NTS2 Committee. One fills out an on-line radiogram form, which is then transferred to an NTS volunteer who injects it into the traffic system for relay to its destination and delivery. Use this link to access the portal: https://nts2.arrl.org/radiogram/
Before originating your radiogram, please make sure you have the correct, up-to-date address information for the recipient including both a phone number and email address. Because these are routine messages, please limit your text to 25 words or less. One may want to also consider using the ARL Numbered Radiogram Texts “ARL Sixty One” or “ARL Sixty Two.”
Some Recommendations for Traffic Handlers:
For Christmas radiograms, we are encouraging email or hard-copy delivery. This allows for the use of the new “Christmas Season Radiogram Form 1802 available in the RRI Forms Library” at: https://radiorelay.org/files/2025/11/ARRL-RRI-Form-1802-Christmas-Radiogram-2025-v2.pdf
This form has a unique holiday theme layout ideal for delivering Christmas radiograms. The back of the radiogram form includes information on Amateur Radio, the ARRL, and RRI, making it an ideal “advertising” tool for the Amateur Radio Service.
NTS and RRI volunteers delivering these Christmas Radiograms will want to provide a quality delivery experience. If delivering via email, simply populate the form and then print it as a PDF. The PDF can then be appended to an email for delivery. The PDF can also be easily converted to a JPEG for delivery via text message. One can even deliver the form via both methods!
If delivering via USPS or in person, one should print the Form 1802 radiogram form in color (if possible) and double-sided. This places the information about the Amateur Radio Service and the ARRL on the back of the form. One can then place it in an envelope for mailing or personal delivery.
The importance of public outreach:
Public relations is more important than ever for the Amateur Radio Service. Whether a message is delivered to a third party or to a local radio amateur, the holiday season allows us to advertise the fact that the Amateur Radio Service is alive and well and active in the community.
Lastly…..We recommend transmitting your Christmas radiogram early. We don’t want our volunteers staying up until midnight on Christmas Eve trying to deliver lots of last-minute radiograms. Try selecting some random days between December 5 and December 20.