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.
E-mail Me At: n8sc@arrl.net