In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the
format lines used in the R/T message format. Refer to
table 2-4.
FORMAT LINES 1, 2, 3, AND 4
Format line 1 is not used in R/T procedures. Format
lines 2 and 3 contain the call sign, the proword
MESSAGE, and the transmission identification.
The call may take one of the following forms:
Full Call
Kamehameha (station called),
THIS IS
Vallejo (station calling)
Abbreviated Call
THIS IS
Vallejo (station calling).
Normally, a full call is used when first establishing a
net and when reporting into a previously established
net. A full call is also used in the transmission
instructions and address components when a message is
required to be relayed to a station on a different net.
Once communications are established and no
confusion will result, an abbreviated call may be used.
To further expedite voice communications, the
receiving station may omit the proword THIS IS when
the station is responding to a call and communications
are good. Additionally, the call may be omitted entirely
when two stations are in continuous communication or
the net is not shared by a third station.
When a collective call sign is used and some of the
addressees are to be exempted, you do so in the call by
using the proword EXEMPT, followed by the call
sign(s) of the station(s) exempted. For example:
Edison (collective call)
EXEMPT
Tecumseh (station exempted),
THIS IS
Vallejo (station calling).
Notice that only one station is exempted in this call-
up. If there had been more than one station, each station
would have been spoken before the proword THIS IS.
After the call, transmit the proword MESSAGE if
you wish to indicate that a message you are about to
transmit requires recording. For example:
Vallejo (station called),
THIS IS
Kamehameha (station calling)
MESSAGE (message is to follow).
The transmission identification is normally a
station serial number used mostly in teleprinter
procedures. When used in voice communications, the
transmission identification is the last element of format
lines 2 and 3, consisting of the station serial number
preceded by the proword NUMBER.
Format line 4 contains the transmission
instructions, which may consist of the prowords
RELAY TO, WORDS TWICE, DO NOT ANSWER, or
READ BACK. The use of these prowords is explained
later.
FORMAT LINE 5
Format line 5 contains the precedence, DTG, and
any necessary message instructions. The precedence is
the first element of format line 5. In the case of a dual-
precedence message, the higher precedence is
transmitted first; for example, PRIORITY
ROUTINE. The DTG is preceded by the proword
TIME. An example of this format line is as follows:
Vallejo, THIS IS Polk, RELAY TO Key,
PRIORITY, TIME, Tree Zero Wun Fower Fower
Fife Zulu.
Message instructions are not normally required in
R/T messages. When included, they consist of short and
concise instructions that indicate the status of the
message. Message instructions remain with the
message until the message reaches its destined station.
For example, if the message is a suspected duplicate, the
phrase This Message Is A Suspected Duplicate
immediately follows the DTG.
FORMAT LINES 6, 7, 8, AND 9
Format lines 6, 7, 8, and 9 form the address of the
message and are recognized by the prowords FROM,
TO, INFO, and EXEMPT, respectively. When the
originator and the addressee are in direct
communication, the call may serve as the address.
Table 2-5 is an example of an R/T transmission showing
elements of the heading components (format lines 2
through 9).
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