One
function of the annual S.E.T. is to pass as much formal and informal traffic as
possible. To that end, I would like to
send a typical NTS message that might be used in the S.E.T. and call your
attention to some of the parts. Here’s
the message.
NR 190 TEST
ROUTINE K9LGU ARL 16
SKIP SHARPE W9REL
262-436-9553
TEST MESSAGE X
ARES ACTIVATED IN
RESPONSE TO
SIMULATED BLIZZARD X ARL FIFTEEN
73
DAN
SPANGLER KC9IKI
You
probably noticed the insertion of the word, “test,” in the message
number right before the precedence. You
also heard the words, “test message,” as the first two words of the text. Be sure to do that for all NTS and
ICS-213 format messages during the S.E.T.
In
the preamble, you saw that although the originating station is located in
There
was a full name, address, and phone number for the addressee and the signature
included a title because it was appropriate for the message.
Notice
that, as sending station, I didn’t have to identify the parts of the preamble,
and the word, “break,” told you where the text started and ended. In the text, the ARRL Numbered Radiogram is
spelled out as usual. The figures, “73,”
are before the final break – meaning they are part of the text and included in
the check.
Finally,
after getting confirmation of the message, I’m going to record to whom it was
sent and at what time, because documentation is important.
As you prepare your local ARES units for the S.E.T., don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions about traffic handling. – K9LGU/STM