THere is a good manual on national traffic system and handling traffic on the arrl site. Look for the nts manual written by w3yvq there. I have a beta version or working draft which central are chair made into ascii for me a couple of years ago. IT's well written and does a good job. SInce you're in 5 land let me suggest that if you want to learn how to pass traffic and have 40 meter capabilities be sure to check into and assist the 5th region daytime net, 7280 khz 10:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. Monday-SAturday, 1:30 and 3:30 P.M. on Sundays. STart with this nts manual however, gives you an overview from originating and composing written traffic to all the steps in getting it on its way to delivery. Many good old hands at traffic handling collaborated on the writing of this manual. I think I even threw in a couple of comments which were incorporated by the author. Btw please send in plain text to lsits such as this. Richard Webb Electric Spider Productions "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." --- Benjamin Franklin, NOvember 1755 from the Historical review of Pennsylvania