[KYHAM] KEN TRAINING for May 13: Formal Radiogram Format

[Ron Dodson]

Every formal radiogram message originated and handled should
contain four component parts 

Let's look at each of these parts as they go, in order, on
the radiogram:

I. Preamble (The message heading of all radiograms!)

a. Number (begin with 1 each month or year depending on
operator preference)

b. Precedence which can be either,

	1. ROUTINE - Most traffic normal times will bear this
designation. In disaster situations, traffic labeled Routine
(R on CW) should be handled last, or not at all when
circuits are busy with Emergency, Priority or Welfare
traffic. 

	2. WELFARE - A message that is either a) an inquiry as to
the health and welfare of an individual in the disaster area
b) an advisory or reply from the disaster area that
indicates all is well should carry this precedence, which is
abbreviated W on CW. These messages are handled after
Emergency and Priority traffic but before Routine.  It is
likely that Health and Welfare traffic will NOT be accepted
for several hours, due to the inability to handle such
traffic. In a major emergency, the emphasis will be on
handling true emergency traffic which provides immediate
relief from suffering and saving lives.

	3. PRIORITY - Important messages having a specific time
limit. Official messages not covered in the Emergency
category. Press dispatches and other emergency-related
traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notifications of death or
injury in a disaster area, personal or official. Use the
abbreviation P on CW.

	4. EMERGENCY - Any message having life and death urgency to
any person or group of persons, which is transmitted by
Amateur Radio in the absence of regular commercial
facilities. This includes official messages of welfare
agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials
or instructions vital to relief of stricken populace in
emergency areas. During normal times, it will be very rare.
On CW, RTTY and other digital modes this designation will
always be spelled out. When in doubt, do not use it.

c. Handling Instructions (optional)

HXA (Followed by number) Collect land line delivery
authorized by addressee within....miles. (If no number,
authorization is unlimited.)
HXB (Followed by number) Cancel message if not delivered
within....hours of filing time; service originating station.
HXC Report date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating
station.
HXD Report to originating station the identity of station
from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of
station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if
delivered report date, time and method of delivery.
HXE Delivering station get reply from addresses, originate
message back.
HXF (Followed by number) Hold delivery until....(date).
HXG Delivery by mail or land line toll call not required. If
toll or other expense involved, cancel message and service
originating station.
For further information on traffic handling, consult the
Public Service Communications Manual or the ARRL Operating
Manual, both published by ARRL


d. Station of Origin (first amateur handler of the traffic)


e. Check (number of words/groups in text only)  We'll review
this next week.


f. Place of Origin (Which does not not necessarily location
of station of origin.)


g. Time Filed (optional with originating station) NOTE: The
filing time of Emergency and Priority traffic is important
and must be shown. 


h. Date (must agree with date of time filed)


II. Address (as complete as possible, include zip code and
telephone number WITH CORRECT AREA CODE!)


III. Text (limit to 25 words or less, if possible. However,
sometimes this just can not be done)


IV. Signature of the person causing the message to be sent. 
All emergency and priority messages must be SIGNED by the
official who originates them, with their title, taking
responsibility for their contents.


Next week, The message 'check'.