A formal message is more likely to be delivered with its meaning intact than verbal comments. Using a standard format for formal messages makes it easier and faster for both sending and receiving stations to handle. Not every situation requires a formal message, but where the accuracy of specific information is critical, the formal written message is the best method.
Officials of a served agency normally originate messages, but if you have appropriate training, you may be authorized to originate messages. Whenever possible, you should work with a message’s author to create a clear text using the minimum number of words.
The ARRL Radiogram is a format universally used by amateurs, and it forms a basis for adapting traffic handling to any other format our agency might use. All radiograms should have the following parts in the following order:
This immediately follows the message number. On phone, “Two Zero, routine.”
EMERGENCY — The message has life or property loss urgency and is being transmitted in the absence of other commercial communication facilities. This includes official messages of relief agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to a stricken populace. The designation is always spelled out entirely.
PRIORITY — Important messages having a time limit or urgency. Official messages not qualifying as an EMERGENCY. Use the abbreviation P in digital modes.
WELFARE — Either a) an inquiry or b) an advisory or reply about the health and well being of an individual in a disaster area. Abbreviate W in digital modes. Handled after EMERGENCY and Priority messages.
ROUTINE — Most traffic will bear this precedence. Hande this kind of traffic last or not until all circuits are clear with other traffic.
On phone, we properly send the printed message below as follows:
“Number three routine…HX Echo …KA3ABC … ten … Exton Pennsylvania… one eight three zero zulu… April one eight… Lor Kutchins I spell Kilo Uniform Tango Charlie Hotel India November Sierra… W3QA… figures seven eight five Tree Lane… West Chester Pennsylvania one nine three eight zero… Telephone six one zero three four one three three three two…Break…Next letters Alpha Romeo Echo Sierra training meeting should… cover the emergency operations plan… Break… Sam… end … no more… over.”
________________________________________
3 R HXE KA3ABC 10 EXTON PA 1830Z APR 18
LOR KUTCHINS
785 TREE LANE
WEST CHESTER PA 19380
610-341-3332
NEXT ARES TRAINING MEETING SHOULD
COVER THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
SAM
________________________________________
When sending formal traffic we use “pro-words“ to clarify portions of the message. These are:
BREAK -- separates address from text and text from signature
CORRECTION -- I am going to correct an error
END -- end of message, usually followed by “no more” or “more” as below
MORE -- more messages to follow, usually preceded by the number of messages to follow, i.e., “2 MORE”
NO MORE — no more messages follow
FIGURES -- used for a word group containing numbers
INITIAL-- used only for a single initial
I SAY AGAIN -- used to indicate a “repeat” of a word
I SPELL -- to spell (phonetically) a word
LETTER GROUP -- i.e., ARES, SCTN
MIXED GROUP -- i.e., 12BA6
AMATEUR CALL --indicates an amateur call sign follows
When receiving traffic, we use different pro-words for clarification or repeats of missing words. We always precede these pro-words by SAY AGAIN:
WORD AFTER
WORD BEFORE
BETWEEN
ALL AFTER
ALL BEFORE
http://www.bucksares.org/
Primary Repeater: 147.090+ PL 131.8
WinLink: TelPac nodes:
Upper NJ3A-10 145.610 Riegelsville
Upper N3EXA-10 145.610 Perkasie
Central KB3BUX-10 145.670 Ivyland Home frequency
Lower NY3J-10 145.530 Bensalem
http://www.delcoares.org/
Primary Repeater: 147.195MHz + PL 100.0
Linked Repeaters: 447.375 – PL 100.0
442.250 + PL 131.8
WinLink: Telpac nodes (1200 baud)
EOC/Lima W3AEC-10 144.910MHz
Aston N3UP-10 144.930MHz
Malvern/Paoli W3JY-10 144.95MHz
Ridley Park K4RFJ-10 145.03MHz
ARES: http://www.mocoares.org/
RACES: http://www.montcopa.org/eoc/OEP/RACES/races.htm
Primary Repeater:
2 m 146.235/146.835 - N3ACL PL 88.5
6 m 52.11/53.11 - N3ACL PL 88.5
220 Remote Base to 440 Repeater - 223.88 simplex – PL 136.5
440 444.125/449.125 - N3ACL PL 88.5
PACKET BBS - 145.01, 145.05 – Connect to N3ACL- 4
WinLink: 145.57
N3LJZ-10 (Trappe)
WA3WLH-10 (East Greenville)
W3CF-10 (Hatfield Twp)
http://www.harcnet.org/aresindex
Primary Repeater: 147.030 + PL 91.5 Phil-Mont Repeater System
444.800 + PL 186.2
Secondary Repeater: 146.685 - PL146.2 (H.A.R.C. repeater)
State Net(Harrisburg)- Daytime: HF 40m LSB 7250.5
State Net(Harrisburg)- Nighttime: HF 75m LSB 3993.5
When communications get heavy, someone may have a short solution to a problem that is consuming valuable air time. We use “break tags" so they can get into the net and share their information. Normally we are trained not to break into a controlled net unless there is an emergency. The usual exception is to throw out our call sign, which usually gets us put on hold, while we sit in frustration with the answer to a question that could save much unnecessary chatter.
Break tags are single pro-words used to break into a net that indicate the kind of info you are offering. They are to be used only when the information will be appreciated by the NCS and will result in a more efficient net. They are: