National Traffic System Formating

Message Example 

  I.    1    R   HXG W1AW 8 NEWINGTON CT 1830Z  May 1
        a    b      c        d        e            f                           g        h

  II.  John Doe
        136 WEST FORTH STREET
        EAST RIVER CITY OH 00246
        PH: 000-000-0000

  III. HAPPY BIRTHDAY X SEE YOU
        SOON X LOVE

  IV. PATRICIA
          (note that X, when used in the text as punctuation, counts as
          a word.)   (X is used in place of a period.)

  Message Format

I.  PREAMBLE
        a. Number (begin with 1 each month or year)
        b. Precedence (R, W, P or Emergency)
        c. Handling instructions (optional, see text)
        d. Station of origin (first amateur handler)
        e. Check (number of words/groups in text only)
        f. Place of origin (not necessarily location of station of ori -
          gin)
        g. Time filed (optional with originating station)
        h. Date (must agree with date of time filed)

  II.  ADDRESS (as complete as possible, include zip code and tel
        ephone number)

  III.TEXT (limit to 25 words or less, if possible)

  IV. SIGNATURE

Precedences
(the precedence will follow the message number)


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.

PRIORITY--Important messages having a specific time limit.  Official messages not covered in the Emergency catagory.  Press dispatches and other emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notification of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official.

WELFARE--A message that is either a) an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in a disaster area b)an advisory or reply from the disaster area that indicates all is well should be given this precidence.  These messages are handled after Emergency and Priority traffic but before Routine.

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

HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
(Optional)


HXA--(Followed by number.) Collect landline 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 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 addressee, originate message back.

HXF--(Followed by number.)  Hold delivery until ...... (date).

HXG--Delivery by mail or landline 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.

Sample blank message form prints out nicely on standard size paper.

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E-mail Me At: n8sc@arrl.net