2010 ARES/RACES CONFERENCE WELCOME 2010 ARES/RACES CONFERENCE

Standard Operating Guideline 103 Wisconsin ARES/RACES says. . . It’s a requirement. Standard Operating Guideline 103 Wisconsin ARES/RACES says. . .

103.5.2.4. Send one NTS radiogram each year indicating that the member is interested in continuing his/her membership in WI ARES/RACES. The message may be sent over the air, conventional email, WinLink 2000, or other means. The message must be in NTS message format.

What’s it all about? The National Traffic System NTS message format ICS messages Traffic handling tips By the end of this program you will meet the 103.5.2.4 requirement.

A little background about NTS Traffic The National Traffic System supports ARES/RACES activities by providing an established routing for formal messages. It works.

In the National Traffic System. . .

traffic flows from local to section to region to area to local. Traffic in the NTS flows from the local net to the section (e.g. BEN) to the Ninth Region, to in our case, the Central Area Net. From there, it is sent to another area net (Eastern or Pacific) or it is redistributed within the Central Area. Traffic comes in the same way – area to region to section to local; Central Area, 9th Region, Late WIN, etc.

WISCONSIN SECTION PHONE NETS 0500 BADGER WEATHER NET 3982 WISCONSIN SECTION PHONE NETS 0500 BADGER WEATHER NET 3982.5 KHz 1200 BADGER EMERGENCY NET 1715 WIS. SIDE BAND NET 3985 kHz 0800 (SUN) WISCONSIN ARES/RACES NET 3967 kHz The section phone nets meet on 3985 every day at 5:00, Noon, and 5:15 (5:30 CDST). The ARES/RACES HF Net meets on Sundays at 6:00.

WISCONSIN SECTION CW NETS 1800 WIS NOVICE NET 1830 WIS SLOW SPEED NET 1900 WIS INTRASTATE NET 2200 WIS INTRASTATE NET (CW frequency: 3555 KHz) CW nets are alive and often pass messages even when conditions are poor. These nets will all meet on 3555 KHz – at different times , of course.

This has potential!

Quick Review

Why a formal message? It creates a record of what happened – perhaps for review, critique, or evaluation. It’s concise. It often takes less time than informal messages. It’s easier to copy. Receiving operators know the sequence of the information resulting in fewer errors and repeats.

An NTS message looks like this: This format has been around a long time. It’s been tweaked a bit, but it’s basically the same because it works.

ARRL Format NR PRC HX STN CK ORIG TIME DATE ADDRESSEE ADDRESS PHONE TEXT SIGNATURE Preamble: Number- Precedence – Handling Instructions – Station of Origin – Check – Place of Origin – Time – Date Addressee, Address, Phone Number Text Signature

Here are the parts. The NUMBER of the message can start with the year or the event. It’s unique so we can trace a message. Some like to start renumbering each month. Some like to use a decimal in the number – and that can get a little confusing on CW – since a decimal in CW is an “R.” – but the important part is to number each message.

1 of 4 Precedences emergency priority “P” welfare “W” routine “R” Notice “Emergency” is always spelled out. The other precedences are abbreviated.

Handling Instructions This optional part of a preamble may ask for a reply (HXE) or for time of delivery (HXC). See FSD-218 for the full list. Pink cards available.

Station of Origin Call of the station where the message is first written and introduced into the system If it starts on a local net, the first station to send it is the station of origin.

Check The number of words or number groups in the text - This is a good way to see if you’ve received the text accurately. If you write the text in lines of five words each, it makes it very easy to count. Don’t count the signature.

Place of Origin Where the message started – regardless of where the originating station is located. If I send a welfare message from Fort Atkinson to New Orleans from a lady in Brodhead, the place of origin is Brodhead.

Time and Date Use current date or Use local time in 24-hour format Use Zulu time/date (labeled) but Don’t skip the date because it helps to tell how long the message has been in the system. Use local time in 24-hour format Use Zulu time (GMT) if necessary Skip the time if it’s not important NIMS calls for local time in military 24-hour format. This calls for a judgment. If it’s time sensitive, include the time.

Hint: It’s going to your EC, DEC (if you’re an EC) or SEC (if you’re a DEC). This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

Addressee and Address Accurate spelling is a must Addressee and Address Accurate spelling is a must. Say all figures individually. (“1 – 2 – 3” not “one hundred twenty-three”) This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

Phone Number (three groups) When sending, pause between groups. 920 (pause) 898 (pause) 5335 -

“Break” Say the word “break” just before you start the text and when the text ends – before the signature. CW folks use a “BT” before and after the text. It’s there to indicate when the actual text starts and ends. Everything between the “breaks” is counted for the check. And those are the “breaks.” The signature is the name. The closing, e.g. “73,” is part of the text.

Your text? GREETINGS BY AMATEUR RADIO THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE IN THE ARES/RACES PROGRAM IN WOOD COUNTY AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN X THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION X 73

That’s a check of 34! This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

ARL FIFTY I WISH TO CONTINUE ACTIVE IN ARES/RACES X 73 This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

The check is. . . This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

ARL 11 (It has an ARRL numbered radiogram in the text and the total count is 11.) This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

Then there’s another “Break” (WHEN YOU’RE SENDING IT) This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

And then the signature (Not counted in the check) This is essential. Don’t make assumptions about the spelling.

Please turn in your message before you leave.

Keep the pink card handy! ARRL op aid FSD-218 can be very helpful. Available.

Practice procedures When operators handle traffic regularly, it becomes automatic. When they use the same kinds of procedures, the same forms, the same labels, that language fosters efficient communication. Often nets meet and visit when no traffic is being handled. That’s a good way to get used to the procedures, to test equipment, and to get accustomed to the voices and patterns of other operators. The more we get to know each other, the better we can work together.

HINTS FOR TRAFFIC HANDLING DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. RESPECT THE NCS. DON’T USE “Q” SIGNALS ON VOICE IF YOU MOVE OFF NET FREQ., THE RECEIVING STATION CALLS FIRST Seasoned traffic handlers will be happy to answer questions about what they do. The NCS is boss. If she says move up 5 and pass your 3 messages to KC9AMX, do it. Q signals are for CW. The receiving station will know where the frequency sounds clear to him, where there’s no TV birdie, etc. He gets to choose the exact spot and calls first.

Are you ready? QRV? “ST” LISTEN CAREFULLY WRITE CLEARLY BE ACCURATE Always ask if the receiving station is ready. If you say you are – you should be.

ADVANTAGES OF QSK, VOX, OR PAUSES Clarifies quickly Saves explanations Full break-in CW, VOX, or frequent pauses during the sending of a message allows the receiving op to get a repeat or correction immediately. Phonetics are helpful under bad conditions, but it’s not necessary to spell out each word in the text phonetically unless it could be miscopied.

little things Speak only as fast as you can write No need to identify the parts of the preamble – or the message Don’t forget the “breaks” ~ [address / text] & [text / signature] No “X-ray” after an ARL Number Don’t forget to “translate” on delivery Pace yourself as you send the message. It’s much more efficient NOT to label the parts of the preamble beyond the number. Number 6 Routine K9LGU ARL6 Fort Atkinson, WI October 28 Not Number 6 precedence routine, station of origin K9LGU, check of ARL 6, place of origin, filed on October 28. And don’t forget to put the numbered radiogram back into plain text for delivery.

Hint: PAUSE BEFORE YOU RETURN TO NET FREQUENCY. - ON RETURN, LET THE NCS KNOW.

Prosigns save time! When we agree on what the prosigns mean, this special language helps our efficiency.

Some common prosigns - and their voice equivalent AA - All After (Please send all of the text after...) AB - All Before (Send all of the text before...) ARL - used in the check to show there's an ARRL numbered radiogram in the text -

more common prosigns B - more (additional messages follow) BK - Break (a pause for separation between address and text, text and signature) BN - What’s between __ and____ -

a few more common prosigns CFM - Confirm (Did I get this right?) CK - Check (the number of words in the text) IMI - Repeat; I say again -

Still more common prosigns N - No -- or “no more” messages to follow R - Roger -- or a decimal point in CW WA - Word After WB - Word Before -

When to use the Prowords “I Spell”   DO NOT automatically spell familiar words or acronyms like “EOC” or “RACES” unless operating conditions are poor enough that it is needed Necessary for proper names (There is no “common spelling” on emergency nets): “Jones, I spell JULIET OSCAR NOVEMBER ECHO SIERRA” To clarify homonyms words which sound alike, but have different meanings, such as :“To, I spell TANGO OSCAR”

ROGER MEANS ROGER. QSL MEANS QSL. NEVER CHANGE THE TEXT. No froggin’ around with the text!

What Is An ICS Message? Record Communications on behalf of   Record Communications on behalf of served agency officials must be written in ICS Form 213 format or on the originating agency’s approved form. But don’t fixate on the FORM!  Be prepared to copy long messages.  Learn to copy messages without relying on a FORM!

ICS 213 Message Form 1 - “To” line 2 - “From” line   ICS 213 Message Form 1 - “To” line 2 - “From” line 3 - “Subject / Date / Time” line 4 - “Admin” line One Form 213 includes Message Number, Priority, and Group Count. 5 - “Message” field (ten 5-word lines) 6 - “Signature” line 7 - “Reply” field (ten 5-word lines) 8 – “Reply Date/Time/Signature” line

Formal Written Messages “Record” Communications Because incident reports are public documents, USE A FORMAL MESSAGE FOR:       Station activation & closure      Damage assessments      Shelter and EOC status      Situation updates      Declarations      Resource Requests ICS facility relocations

Operational Traffic “Record” communications - SITREPS (situation reports), resource requests, etc. must be signed by the agency originator, to identify responsibility & authenticity Agency controller establishes priority. If used, precedence follows the Message Number before the Group Count, on “admin line” 4.  

ICS Precedence: URGENT IMMEDIATE R (ROUTINE)

THE NTS offers DAILY TRAINING, DAILY TESTING. -

It’s an important part of ARES/RACES -

and an important part of how we serve the public. -

During an emergency, how do our nets connect? Net stand for “network.” SO how do we make our nets --- work?

DEC NTS TelPac Hosp WEM Red Cross EOC So what should we be concerned with and how do our section nets work together to route traffic? Red Cross EOC

Nationally, the joint structure of the NTS/ARES/RACES nets could have many parts.

Here’s the basic set-up according to our plan Here’s the basic set-up according to our plan. The ARES/RACES Net serves for tactical communication. The BEN handles formal messages. Liaison stations connect the nets.

These nets may be merged. You could be a liaison station between any of these nets in our plan. Or ---- for any net -- you could be the net control station!

You would be especially welcome on any section net. The daily nets are the perfect practice field.

It’s great practice.

One ham can’t do it all. It’s a network.

Thanks for all you do. It matters.

Time to Talk Time for discussion

K9LGU@arrl.net or on any Wisconsin section net. QUESTIONS? K9LGU@arrl.net or on any Wisconsin section net. -