A few days ago we looked at the header of an ICS 213 form, which contains the Incident Name, To, From, Subject, Date and Time fields.  Today we will look at the message body. which only has two blocks:  The Message block and the Approval block.  Here is an example:

As you can see, the ICS message does not use the familiar ARRL Radiogram format.  It uses normal written language including punctuation.  This is an example of the kind of message we will be sending during our Simulated Emergency Test.  Replace the term "North Adams" with your specific shelter location, the number of operators and the bands and modes on which you are operational with your own information.  

Obviously, if you can establish a data mode connection using something like WinLink standard forms, you can send this message form as an electronic copy with just a few key strokes.  But, what if all you have is VHF simplex voice?  How would you transmit this message?  

Here is an example.  In this case the shelter site at Plainfield cannot reach Agawam MEMA on simplex.  They will send their message through the relay site at Jacob's Ladder, which can reach Agawam on simplex. Note that Tactical IDs are used except at the close of each transmission, when FCC callsigns must be given.  

"JACOB JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD OVER"

"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB OVER"

"JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD ONE MESSAGE OVER"

"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB SEND YOUR MESSAGE OVER"

"JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD MESSAGE FOLLOWS BREAK 

BLOCK ONE ARES 2025 SET

BLOCK TWO WAYNE MEMA REGION 3/4 AGAWAM

BLOCK 3 GARY PLAINFIELD SHELTER

BLOCK 4 SITUATION REPORT

BLOCK 5 10/4/2025

BLOCK 6 1030

HOW COPY OVER?"

"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB GOOD COPY OVER"

"JACOB THIS IS PLAINFIELD MESSAGE CONTINUES

BLOCK 7 PLAINFIELD SHELTER COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH ONE OPERATOR PERIOD VHF FM AND WINLINK CAPABILITIES PERIOD

BLOCK 8 GARY KB1AKU RADIO OPERATOR

MESSAGE ENDS HOW COPY?"

"PLAINFIELD THIS IS JACOB ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR MESSAGE.  KC1ZZZ."

"KB1AKU."

So, now Plainfield Shelter's message is sitting in Beckett, on KC1ZZZ's clipboard on the side of Route 20.  Not where it needs to be yet.  The next part of the relay chain begins with:

"AGAWAM AGAWAM THIS IS JACOB OVER"

JACOB THIS IS AGAWAM OVER"

AGAWAM, THIS IS JACOB ONE MESSAGE OVER"

And so on, as was done above.

Is this more time-consuming and error-prone than using a digital mode like WinLink?  You bet it is!  However, if this is all you have, it can be done.  Make sure you speak slowly and clearly, or if receiving write legibly and ask for any repeats as needed to ensure clean copy.

I hope you found this to be of some help in understanding how the ICS 213 form is used for messages.

73 de Chuck, WS1L

Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®

Section Emergency Coordinator

Western Massachusetts

chandlerusm@gmail.com

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