Tag: handling

Traffic Tips #6

How do I use a period/dot in a radiogram? That depends! How do you want to use it? When finishing a thought or changing subjects in a radiogram message, use “X” to end the statement or thought as in Example1. When referring to a decimal point, use “R” in place of the period/dot as in Example2. When referring to an email or website, use “DOT” written out as in Example3.

Example1: WE HAD A GREAT TIME X WHY IS IT THAT WE ONLY VISIT IN FALL QUERY

Example2: 146R52 IS THE CALLING FREQUENCY

Example3: WWW DOT GOOGLE DOT COM

Traffic Tips #3

When correcting check errors the original check should be maintained in the message and the corrected check should be noted. In the radiogram the original and corrected check should be noted with a “/” which on voice would be read as corrected to. This also applies to missing ARL designator in messages where ARRL Numbered Radiograms are used. Example1: A check of 15 that was corrected to 14 should be noted as “15/14” which would be read as “one five corrected to one four“. Example2: A message which starts out with ARL Fifty and has a check of 14 should be noted as “14/ARL 14” and should be read as “one four corrected to A-R-L one four“.

Traffic Tips #2

It is best practice to indicate initials as initials versus taking them for abbreviated words. Changing some word-groups can change the check of the message, while some simply imply that a word is written out; but both change the message, which should always be avoided. One example of this is changing NJ by reading it as “New Jersey” instead of “initials november juliette” or “initial group november juliette” which would change the word count as well as alter the original message. Another example of this is changing KHZ by reading it as “kilohertz” instead of “initials kilo hotel zulu” or “initial group kilo hotel zulu” which, while minor, alters the original message that was sent, which should always be avoided.

Traffic Tips #1

When sending a message by radio there are many factors that may change the way a message is heard by the receiving party. This is especially true of numbers. It is best practice to indicate “figures” and voice each number in a group of numbers as a single digit. For Example: 14 should be sent as “figures one four” because the word “fourteen” may be misheard or believed to be written out with letters.