St. Lawrence County RACES

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Kerry Bickford, WA2NAN, County Radio Officer

New York State RACES Standard Operating Procedure

Introduction

This manual is written to provide a standard of operation and a guide for training and message handling techniques and net procedures for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) operators in New York State RACES Nets for state-wide nets as well as local county and city RACES nets.

Instructions and general operating procedures presented in this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) are are applicable to message traffic handling by RACES and used in all RACES training. All amateur radio operators are encouraged to use this document in training and/or activated net operations.

Proficiency is developed by practice using good procedures. Since message handling is the primary function of a RACES net, efficiency in this regard is the major goal toward which this SOP is directed.

Description and Authority

RACES is an organization of Federal Communication Commission licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer to provide radio communications for state and local governments during times of emergency. Created in 1952 primarily to serve in civil defense emergencies, RACES provides essential communications and warning links to supplement State and local government agencies during emergencies.

RACES is organized to provide emergency communications for civil preparedness purposes only. RACES is a special part of the amateur radio service sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and is conducted by amateur radio operators using their primary station licenses or by existing RACES stations. In the event that the President invokes the War Emergency Powers Act, amateur radio operators enrolled with their local emergency management offices would become limited to certain frequencies, while all other amateur operations would be silenced.

During an emergency, RACES is operated under the direct control of the local emergency management office, as authorized by the Federal Communication Commission and the Director of the New York State Emergency Management Office.

RACES is authorized by Section 606 of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by Part 97.407 of the Federal Communications Commission. A copy of part 97.407 is in the appendix. RACES guidance is also provided by FEMA document CPG1-15 March 1991. A copy of this document is available at the FEMA web site: www.fema.gov/library/civilpg.htm

NOTE: FCC rules, Part 97, still apply to all RACES stations and RACES operators participating in RACES operations.

NYS RACES and ARES

ARES is the "Amateur Radio Emergency Service". This is the national amateur radio emergency preparedness organization sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This organization is completely different from RACES, although many goals are in common. In many cases, ARES will be used as a public service organization to assist with communications during non-emergency events such as parades, foot and bicycle races, and community events. Membership in the ARRL is not required for amateur radio operator to be an ARES member. In general, ARES is organized to serve the public, and RACES is organized to serve the government. It is desirable for RACES members to also be enrolled in the ARES program. The additional training received during ARES public service events can be of great value during times of emergency. In addition to this, there are times of emergency when ARES will be the first organization to activate for communications assistance. As an emergency escalates, the local Emergency Manager may call for a RACES activation. At this time, with radio operators already activated, the operation can smoothly go from an ARES operation to a RACES operation. It must be noted that when this happens, the RACES members are now under the supervision of the County RACES Radio Officer and the County Emergency Manager, and are no longer directly involved with the ARES operation. At this point, operations will usually move to the EOC if the radio operators are not already there. It is suggested that one operator on each shift remain with the ARES operation to act as liaison between RACES and the non-RACES stations which may be involved supporting other agencies or organizations. Whenever possible, RACES and ARES communications should be on different net frequencies. Cooperation between the ARES and RACES organizations is of high importance, and cannot be understated.

RACES Eligibility

Any United States citizen who possesses a valid FCC Amateur Radio Operator License, Technician Class or higher, is eligible to become a member of RACES. The services of amateurs who have a Novice Class license may be used, but this is not recommended due to the privilege limitations. All RACES operators are required to operate within the restrictions of their license class, as per FCC part 97.

RACES Membership

Membership in RACES is on a county level. Individual members will register with the RACES Radio Officer of their county. The Radio Officer will provide a list of RACES members to the County Emergency Manager, who will approve the individual’s membership in RACES. The County Radio Officer as well as the County Emergency Management Office will maintain this list.

RACES members should be registered in one county only. If a member is registered in more than one county, and there is a need for RACES volunteers in multiple counties, it would be impossible for individual county emergency managers to know the number of volunteers available.

Insurance

New York State does not now provide insurance of any type (workman’s compensation or otherwise) for RACES volunteers. The local county where the RACES member is registered may elect to provide insurance for RACES volunteers. This is solely at the discretion of each individual county’s legislature or board of supervisors.

RACES Activation

All RACES activation must be through the appropriate civil defense (emergency management) office. The statewide RACES high frequency net will be activated upon directions of the State RACES Radio Officer or other proper authority at the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO). Only the Senior Civil Defense Official (County Emergency Manager in most counties) or the person acting directly on behalf of this official has the authority to activate RACES on a county level.

Location of RACES Operations

Since RACES serves the government with a means of supplemental communications, it is vital that RACES radio operators be available at the Emergency Operations Center or command post, as requested by the Emergency Manager. The Emergency Manager or the County Radio Officer will determine additional deployment of RACES operators. In most situations, RACES operators will be working "in the field", and not from their homes.

No RACES volunteer will ever travel to any disaster site without prior approval of the Emergency Manager through the Radio Officer. Travel into an area under a "declaration of emergency" may actually violate certain laws in effect by the declaration of emergency.

Inter-County Operation

As of this date, there is no statewide "Mutual-Aid" agreement for inter-county operation. Any inter-county operational details must be determined between the counties involved. If a county has chosen to provide insurance coverage for RACES volunteers, it must be determined from the county’s insurance carrier if the insurance will cover a RACES volunteer for "out-of-county" operation.

New York State RACES Nets

A list of the HF RACES training nets is in the appendix of this document. Up to date information on HF as well as local VHF nets can be found on the New York State Emergency Management Office website: www.nysemo.state.ny.us

Radiotelephone (Voice) Procedures

Specific instructions for the conduct of communications employing radiotelephone procedures are found in the appendix of this document.. Departures from these procedures may result in confusion, and thus reduce accuracy and efficiency of message handling.

Radiotelegraph Procedures

Currently, New York State is the only state still conducting a scheduled RACES net with the use of Morse code. This net will cease operations on January 1, 2000.

Procedures for Other Digital Modes

Other digital modes such as Packet, Pactor, Pactor II, etc., may also be used for the transmission of RACES messages. Due to the built-in error checking in these modes, plain language will be used at all times. The use of Q-Signals and Prowords are to be avoided. If an error is made during a "keyboard-to-keyboard" digital transmission, the sending operator will send: "The following was sent in error", followed by the words sent in error. This will be followed by the words "correction follows", followed by the proper text. If an error is discovered in a message sent to a bulletin board, the message will be withdrawn if possible. If this is not possible, a subsequent message outlining and correcting the error will be sent.

A message is not considered as delivered until the receiving station acknowledges receipt of the message. A message left on a "public bulletin board" or a "personal bulletin board" is not considered as delivered until acknowledged by the station it was intended for. For this reason, "keyboard-to-keyboard" transmission is encouraged whenever possible.

RACES Message Format

Effective January 1, 2000, New York State RACES must use the standard message form as used by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the National Traffic System (NTS). Individual nets may, at the option of the net manager, use this format immediately. The use of the pre-printed ARRL Radiogram message form is suggested, but not mandatory.

Specific instructions on this message form are in the appendix.

RACES Training Sessions

RACES HF training nets will be held once each week as noted in the net schedule in the appendix of this document. This will be conducted to improve the efficiency and operation of net procedures and message handling.

The Net Control Station (NCS) of any RACES net involving more than 1 county will provide a weekly report of net activities to the State Radio Officer (This may be bi-weekly if the same station is NCS for both weeks). This report will include the following:

Date and time of each training session.
Roll call of all stations in the net, indicating NCS and assistant NCS.
Copy of "drill" message sent.
Any other remarks or comments deemed necessary by NCS.

The time permitted for RACES training is listed in FCC Part 97.407 E 4. A copy is in the appendix.

Net Control Station Duties and Authority

RACES nets are directed nets, and will be treated accordingly. The authority of the NCS extends only to the operation of the net on the air. However, within this scope, and while the net is in session, the authority of the NCS is absolute. It is the duty of the NCS to maintain strict discipline and adherence to standard operating procedures. The decisions of the NCS are final and it’s instructions must be strictly and immediately complied with.

The NCS will clear traffic within the net, and dispatch traffic to points outside the net as is required.

The NCS derives authority from the State Emergency Management Radio Officer (or, in a local net, the County Radio Officer), and is responsible to that Officer for the conduct of the net. The success or failure of net operations depends on keeping the net in order and operating swiftly and smoothly by use of the powers invested in the NCS for this purpose. The NCS may break into the net at any time, if it is the opinion that it is necessary to aid in the functioning of the net. NCS must keep a written record of all stations in the net and the traffic they have for transmission.

Questions, Comments, and Updated RACES Information

Questions or comments regarding the New York State RACES program can be directed to the State Radio Officer via e-mail at the New York State Emergency Management Office web site. The internet address of the SEMO web site is: www.semo.state.ny.us.

Net schedules and general information about the New York State RACES program will be found at this site. April 16, 1999 Appendix I FCC Rules Governing RACES

1. 1. Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

No station may transmit in RACES unless it is an FCC-licensed primary, club, or military recreation station and it is certified by a civil defense organization as registered with that organization, or it is an FCC-licensed RACES station. No person may be the control operator of a RACES station, or may be the control operator of an amateur station transmitting in RACES unless that person holds a FCC-issued amateur operator license and is certified by a civil defense organization as enrolled in that organization.
The frequency bands and segments and emissions authorized to the control operator are available to stations transmitting communications in RACES on a shared basis in the amateur service.
A RACES station may only communicate with :

Another RACES station;
An amateur station registered with a civil defense organization;
A United States Government station authorized by the responsible agency to communicate with RACES stations;
A station in a service regulated by the FCC whenever such communication is authorized by the FCC.

An amateur station registered with a civil defense organization may only communicate with:

A RACES station licensed to the civil defense organization with which the amateur station is registered;
The following stations upon authorization of the responsible civil defense official for the organization with which the amateur station is registered:

A RACES station licensed to another civil defense organization;
An amateur station registered with the same or another civil defense organization;
A United States Government station authorized by the responsible agency to communicate with RACES stations; and
A station in a service regulated by the FCC whenever such communication is authorized by the FCC.

All Communications transmitted in RACES must be specifically authorized by the civil defense organization for the area served. Only civil defense communications of the following types may be transmitted:

Messages concerning impending or actual conditions jeopardizing the public safety, or affecting the national defense or security during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies;
Messages directly concerning the immediate safety of life of individuals, the immediate protection of property, maintenance of law and order, alleviation of human suffering and need, and the combating of armed attack or sabotage;
Messages directly concerning the accumulation and dissemination of public information or instructions to the civilian population essential to the activities of the civil defense organization or other authorized governmental or relief agencies; and
Communications for RACES training drills and tests necessary to ensure the establishment and maintenance of orderly and efficient operation of the RACES as ordered by the responsible civil defense organization served. Such drills and tests may not exceed 1 hour per week. With the approval of the chief officer for emergency planning in the applicable State, Commonwealth, District or territory, however, such tests and drills may be conducted for a period not to exceed 72 hours no more than twice in any calendar year.

All other rules governing operation in the Amateur Radio Service must also be followed.

Appendix II Phonetic Alphabet

Alpha November

Bravo Oscar

Charlie Papa

Delta Quebec

Echo Romeo

Foxtrot Sierra

Golf Tango

Hotel Uniform

India Victor

Juliet Whiskey

Kilo X-Ray

Lima Yankee

Mike Zulu

Appendix III New York State RACES HF Training Nets

New York State RACES HF SSB Net

Sundays at 0900 local time

3993.5 kHz, LSB

New York State RACES HF CW Net

Sundays at 0930 local time (CW Net Operations will cease on January 1, 2000)

3530 kHz

Appendix IV Radiotelephone (Voice) Procedures

All operators will transmit messages exactly as written or received. Prosigns, prowords, operating signals, or abbreviations will not be substituted for text words or groups as written by the message originator.

An operator who receipts for a message is responsible for the timely delivery or relay of that message. Any long delay in delivery or relay of the message, or non-delivery of the message, must be immediately reported to the message originator.

The speed of transmission will be attained by employing standard voice phraseology and authorized prowords. Operators will transmit messages only as fast as the receiving operator can record the message. In a net operation, the speed of the slowest operator will normally govern the speed of all stations in the net. This rule may be suspended by the Net Control Station (NCS) when practical reasons dictate urgency and a higher speed.

The inherent break-in capability of modern equipment makes it possible to adopt CW break-in methods for voice transmissions. The break-in procedures outlined here are basically the same as for CW operation. Break-in is a procedure whereby a receiving station may interrupt a transmitting station to request the transmitting station to wait, repeat, shift frequency, etc. Break-in will not be used when more than one station is receiving a message. To enhance this capability, the transmitting operator should occasionally pause for two or three seconds to permit the receiving operator to break in as needed. Any transmission ending with the proword "OUT" will also be followed by a 5 second pause for possible "breaking" stations. During the transmission of a message, short pauses should occur between the heading and the text, at the end of phrases or sentences, and every ten groups in long messages. An operator requiring a "break-in" will do so by transmitting his or her call sign. In a more urgent situation regarding "Immediate" or "Priority" traffic, the word "break" followed by the call sign will be used. (For example, BREAK W2XYZ).

VOX operation will not be used in any RACES operation. Standard push-to-talk methods will avoid inadvertent keying and interference from extraneous station noises.

Procedure for Voice Operation of a RACES Net

1. Open with net prologue. The Net Control Station (NCS) will ask for any stations with traffic. If any traffic is present, NCS will ask for stations able to handle the traffic to check in. After clearing any such traffic, stations will call into the net in the order as designated by the NCS.
2. After station call-up, NCS will appoint an assistant net control station.
3. Upon completion of the net, the RACES net closure will be used.
4. All stations in the net will maintain a written log, and be prepared to assume the duties on NCS or assistant NCS if the need arises.

Prowords and Radiotelephone (Voice) Net Techniques

Operating Signals

Operating signals (Q Signals) will not be used for voice operation. In all voice operation, the operating information will be conveyed by concise phrases, procedures, and prowords as described in the following pages.

Signal Strength and Readability

A station assumes it has a readability of "good" unless otherwise notified. Signal strength and readability reports will not be exchanged unless communication is unsatisfactory.

When a report is necessary, concise phrases such as "weak but readable" or "strong but distorted" or "loud and clear" are to be used. Reports such as "Q5" or "59" will not be used. A station suspecting a problem and desiring a signal report should transmit "How do you read?" or "How is my signal?" or "What is my readability".

Test Signals for Receiver or Transmitter Adjustment

When it is required for a station to perform "on-the-air" testing for transmitter or receiver adjustment, such signals should not continue for more than fifteen seconds and will be followed by the call sign of the transmitting station and the proword "out". If this is to be done on a net frequency, permission must first be obtained from the NCS. As good operating practice dictates, tune up should be done "off- the-air" with a "dummy load" whenever possible.

Phonetic Alphabet

The standard phonetic alphabet will be used when necessary for purposes of clarity, to spell difficult words or groups, or to identify any letter of the alphabet. The word or group to be spelled will be preceded by the words "I Spell". If the operator can pronounce the word or group to be spelled, this will be done before and after the phonetic spelling to identify the word.

A single letter of the alphabet will be identified phonetically, preceded by the proword "initial".

The phonetic alphabet is in the appendix of this document.

Use of Numbers

Numbers may be sent either as digits or spelled out. When spelled out, numbers are expressed in words for each digit except even hundreds or thousands.

Examples: 123.4 is said as one two three decimal four and is thus unmistakable.

However, if this were said as one twenty three decimal four it could be mistaken as 1203.4. Cardinal numbers rather than ordinal numbers will be used whenever practical (i.e. for the number 62, six two will be said instead of sixty-two).

Prowords

Prowords are pronounceable words or phrases, which have been, assigned a very specific meaning for the purpose of expediting message handling where radiotelephony (voice) procedure is used. A list of prowords authorized for general RACES use is in the appendix of this document.

Note on Prowords "Over" and "Out"

"Over and out" are never used together to end a transmission. Every transmission will end with either "over" or "out". The proword "over" is to be used when an answer is requested or expected. When no answer is expected, transmissions will end with the proword "out".

ARL Numbered Radiogram Messages

The use of ARL Numbered Radiogram Messages is authorized for RACES use. A list of these messages is in the appendix.

Tactical Callsigns

Tactical callsigns will be employed for all multi-county and statewide emergency nets. The use of tactical callsigns does not relieve the operator from station identification requirements as listed in Part 97.

These tactical callsigns will identify the location of the station, rather than the individual RACES operator. This is especially important when operations extend for more than one operational period or operator shift.

Appendix V Format for a RACES Radiotelephone (Voice) Training Net

This is (NCS Callsign), New York State Emergency Management Office Net Control in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, operating on 3993.5 kilohertz (or other frequency of operation) by authority of the Federal Communications Commission and the Director of the State Emergency Management Office. This is a directed net, alerted for the purpose of a RACES training drill. Those not directly concerned with this RACES exercise are requested to keep this frequency clear. I will pause for 10 seconds to allow stations to adjust equipment……..Out.

Any stations with traffic of higher than routine precedence, call……..Over

If any traffic higher than routine is present, NCS asks for stations able to handle the traffic to check in, and the traffic is now handled.

This is (NCS Callsign), net control. I now request stations to check in by region. Stations in Region 1, call…….Over

NCS will record all stations checking in from Region 1

I roger (calling stations are acknowledged, callsigns are given phonetically). Are there any other stations in Region 1, or relays from Region 1?…….Over

(Additional stations are acknowledged).

This procedure is repeated for Regions 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Any station, in any Region, wishing to check in, give your Region followed by your callsign.

Acknowledge these stations, and give callsign of station they will follow and be followed by in the net listing.

Appoint an assistant NCS.

All stations, prepare to copy drill message…..Out.

Drill message is now given.

(Callsign of assistant NCS, or any other station in the net) read back the message…..over.

Are there any stations requiring fills………..Over.

Do necessary fills for message)

All stations beginning with (callsign) in Region (first region in net) roger the message…Over.

After stations have rogered the message, verify the station count with the assistant NCS.

Release any stations that have requested to secure after the message.

This is (callsign of NCS), net control for the New York State RACES net. Are there any other stations wishing to check into this net? If so, call…..Over.

Have assistant NCS critique the session.

Add any additional information deemed necessary by the NCS.

Ask for additional comments or words for the net.

Closing:

This is (callsign of NCS), New York State Emergency Management Office Net Control in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, operating on 3993.5 kilohertz by authority of the Federal Communications Commission and the Director of the State Emergency Management Office. All units close station. This is (NCS callsign) closing net and station…..Out. Appendix VI Net Prologue and Closure for an Emergency Net

This is (NCS Callsign), New York State Emergency Management Office Net Control in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, operating on 3993.5 kilohertz (or other frequency of operation) by authority of the Federal Communications Commission and the Director of the State Emergency Management Office. This is a RACES net activation. This is not a drill. I say again, this is not a drill. Those not directly concerned with this RACES activation are requested to keep this frequency clear. I will pause for 10 seconds to allow stations to adjust equipment……..Out.

Any stations with traffic of higher than routine precedence, call……..Over

Any traffic higher than routine is now handled.

NCS will now take check-ins and appoint an assistant net control station.

Net business will be conducted as required.

Closing:

This is (callsign of NCS), New York State Emergency Management Office Net Control in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, operating on 3993.5 kilohertz (or other operating frequency) by authority of the Federal Communications Commission and the Director of the State Emergency Management Office. All units close station. This is (NCS callsign) closing net and station…..Out.

Appendix VII Prowords

Proword Meaning

Affirmative Permitted, granted, yes

All after Say again all that part of your transmission after ____________

All before Say again all that part of your transmission before ___________

ARL ARL numbered radiogram message follows

Break I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the message. This is used at the beginning and end of text in a message. Also used to mean, " I desire you to stop your transmission".

By Authority Of ____ Name of Official authorizing transmission

Correct You are correct, that is correct

Correction An error has been made in this transmission, transmission will continue with last word correctly transmitted; an error has been made in the transmission (or message indicated), the correct version is _______; that which follows is a corrected version in answer to your request for verification.

Disregard this transmission. This transmission is in error, disregard it. (This proword will not be used to cancel any transmission that has been completed and receipted for).

Figure(s) Numeral(s) or number(s) to follow.

From The originator of this message is indicated by the designation immediately following.

Groups This message contains the number of groups indicated by the numeral following.

Incorrect You are incorrect; that is incorrect; the correct version is _______.

Initial A single letter or initial follows.

I read back The following is my response to your instructions to read back, meaning , I read back everything exactly as transmitted.

I say again I am repeating transmission or portion indicated.

I spell I shall spell the next work phonetically

I verify That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated (to be used only as a reply to "verify")

Message follows A message which requires recording is about to follow (transmitted immediately after the call).

More to follow I have more messages, traffic, or information for you.

Negative Not received, no.

Out This is the end of my transmission to you. No response is required or expected. After the proword "out", all stations will pause for a 5-second interval to listen for stations desiring to break-in.

Over This is the end of my transmission to you, a response is required or expected.

Read back Repeat this entire transmission exactly as received.

Relay Station called transmit to _____________

Roger I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.

Say again Repeat all of your transmission. Followed by identification data means: "Repeat ------ (portion indicated).

Speak faster Your transmission is too slow. Increase speed of transmission.

Speak slower Your transmission is too fast. Decrease speed of transmission.

This is This transmission is from the station whose designation follows

Time That which immediately follows is the time or date-time group of the message

To The addressees, whose designations immediately follow, are to act on this message

Unknown station The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to establish communications is unknown.

Verify Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version. To be used only at the discretion of the addressee to whom the questioned message was directed.

Wait I must pause for a few seconds (not to exceed 30 seconds)

Wait _____ I must pause for _____ minutes (expressed in numerals).

Word after Repeat the word after _________.

Word before Repeat the word before ____________.

Word twice Communication is difficult. Transmit(ting) each word twice. This proword may be used as an order, request, or as information. Appendix VIII

ARRL Standard Message Form As Adapted For New York State Races

Number:

This is the message number as assigned by the originating operator.

Precedence:

This is the order of transmission of messages. The following sequence will be used:

Emergency:
Any message having life or 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. When in doubt, do not use it.
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 importance. Notification of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official.
Welfare:

A message that is either:

An inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in the disaster area.
An advisory or reply from the disaster area that indicates all is well should carry this precedence.

These messages are handled after Emergency and Priority traffic, but before Routine.

Routine:

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

HX (Optional)

These are the handling instructions, and are optional.

HXA - (followed by number):

Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee if 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 and 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.

Station of Origin:

This is the callsign of the station originating the message.

Check:

This is the "word" count of the message. To maintain accuracy of transmitted messages, each transmitting station must assign an accurate word count to the message. All messages will include a word count. The following rules are used for counting word groups.

Count the word "Test", "Exercise" or "Drill" as one word.
Count text groups
Punctuation and symbols are not counted unless spelled out.
Any sequence of characters not interrupted by a space is counted as one group.
The proword "Break" which precedes and follows the text is not counted in the word count.
An internet address or web site address will count as one word group.
Each word and initial of the proper names of persons and places (countries, states, counties, cities, streets, etc.) consisting of two or more separate words will be counted.

Examples:

New York (Group count = 2)

E. Main St. (Group count = 3)

John.Doe@anynet.com (Group count = 1)

Robert A. Jones (Group count = 3)

12AU7 (Group count = 1)

48 dash 321A (Group count = 3)

telephone numbers will count as 3 words (area code, prefix, number)

Punctuation:

Punctuation will not be used unless it is absolutely necessary to attain clarity. If used, punctuation will be spelled out. At times, the letter "X" in place of specific punctuation may appear in messages originated by military and non-RACES stations. In this case, the letter "X" will be counted as one group. This will not be used by originators of RACES messages in lieu of punctuation.

Place of Origin:

All RACES operators will use this field as the "From" field for the location requesting the message to be sent. For example:

SEMO

Greene County EOC

Time Filed:

The local time the message is generated. This will be given in 24-hour notation.

Date:

The month and date the message was created. The use of the year in the date is optional.

To:

Person or Agency the message is being sent to.

Body of Text:

The text will be given as plain language whenever possible. ARL numbered radiograms are permitted, and are encouraged in times of poor propagation conditions. A list of these ARL numbered radiograms is in this appendix. This list should be posted at all radio operating positions.

Signature:

This is the name of the person requesting the message to be sent. This name will be followed with the prowords "By Authority Of", followed by the name of the Emergency Manager or other official authorizing the message to be sent.

Appendix IX ARL Numbered Radiogram Messages

The letters ARL are inserted in the preamble in the check and in the text before spelled out numbers, which represent texts from this list. Note that some ARL texts include insertion of numerals

Group One--For Possible "Relief Emergency" Use

ONE--Everyone safe here. Please don't worry.

TWO--Coming home as soon as possible.

THREE--Am in ____ hospital. Receiving excellent care and recovering

fine.

FOUR--Only slight property damage here. Do not be concerned about

disaster reports.

FIVE--Am moving to new location. Send no further mail or

communication. Will inform you of new address when relocated.

SIX--Will contact you as soon as possible.

SEVEN--Please reply by Amateur Radio through the amateur delivering

this message. This is a free public service.

EIGHT--Need additional _____ mobile or portable equipment for

immediate emergency use.

NINE--Additional _____ radio operators needed to assist with

emergency at this location.

TEN--Please contact ______. Advise to standby and provide further

emergency information, instructions or assistance.

ELEVEN--Establish Amateur Radio emergency communications with ______

on _____ MHz.

TWELVE--Anxious to hear from you. No word in some time. Please

contact me as soon as possible.

THIRTEEN--Medical emergency situation exits here.

FOURTEEN--Situation here becoming critical. Losses and damage from

____ increasing.

FIFTEEN--Please advise your condition and what help is needed.

SIXTEEN--Property damage very severe in this area.

SEVENTEEN--REACT communications services also available. Establish

REACT communication with ______ on channel _____.

EIGHTEEN--Please contact me as soon as possible at _______.

NINETEEN--Request health and welfare report on _____. (State name,

address and telephone number.)

TWENTY--Temporarily stranded. Will need some assistance. Please

contact me at ______.

TWENTY ONE--Search and Rescue assistance is needed by local

authorities here. Advise availability.

TWENTY TWO--Need accurate information on the extent and type of

conditions now existing at your location. Please furnish this

information and reply without delay.

TWENTY THREE--Report at once the accessibility and best way to reach

your location.

TWENTY FOUR--Evacuation of residents from this area urgently needed.

Advise plans for help.

TWENTY FIVE--Furnish as soon as possible the weather conditions at

your location.

TWENTY SIX--Help and care for evacuation of sick and injured from

this location needed at once.

Group Two--Routine messages

FORTY SIX--Greetings on your birthday and best wishes for many more

to come.

FIFTY--Greetings by Amateur Radio.

FIFTY ONE--Greetings by Amateur Radio. This message is sent as a

free public service by ham radio operators at ______. Am having a

wonderful time.

FIFTY TWO--Really enjoyed being with you. Looking forward to getting

together again.

FIFTY THREE--Received your ______. It's appreciated; many thanks.

FIFTY FOUR--Many thanks for your good wishes.

FIFTY FIVE--Good news is always welcome. Very delighted to hear

about yours.

FIFTY SIX--Congratulations on your ______, a most worthy and

deserved achievement.

FIFTY SEVEN--Wish we could be together.

FIFTY EIGHT--Have a wonderful time. Let us know when you return.

FIFTY NINE--Congratulations on the new arrival. Hope mother and

child are well.

* SIXTY--Wishing you the best of everything on ______.

SIXTY ONE--Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

* SIXTY TWO--Greetings and best wishes to you for a pleasant ______

holiday season.

SIXTY THREE--Victory or defeat, our best wishes are with you. Hope

you win.

SIXTY FOUR--Arrived safely at ______.

SIXTY FIVE--Arriving ______ on ______. Please arrange to meet me

there.

SIXTY SIX--DX QSLs are on hand for you at the ______ QSL Bureau.

Send ______ self addressed envelopes.

SIXTY SEVEN--Your message number ______ undeliverable because of

______. Please advise.

SIXTY EIGHT--Sorry to hear you are ill. Best wishes for a speedy

recovery.

SIXTY NINE--Welcome to the ______. We are glad to have you with us

and hope you will enjoy the fun and fellowship of the organization.

Trademarks and copyrights are the property of the respective owners and may not be used without permission.
Reproduction of this World Wide Web Site in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. All rights reserved.