From the files of the ARRL Automated Mail Server, (info@arrl.org):
file: radiogrm.txt    updated: 10-06-94


ARRL NUMBERED RADIOGRAMS

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.  

Example:  NR 1 R W1AW ARL 5 NEWINGTON CONN DEC 25  DONALD R. SMITH AA 
164 EAST SIXTH AVE AA NORTH RIVER CITY  MO AA PHONE 73-3968 BT ARL FIFTY 
ARL SIXTY ONE BT DIANA AR. 

For additional information about traffic handling, consult The ARRL 
Operating Manual, published by ARRL. 

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.

Emergency/priority messages originating from official 
sources must carry the signature of the originating 
official. 

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.

ARL NUMBERS SHOULD BE SPELLED OUT AT ALL TIMES.  

*Can be used for all holidays.            

FORM FSD-3 (Revised 2/94)


                      ARRL RADIOGRAMS

     The handling of radiogram traffic was the basis for the formation 
of ARRL, and a sizable segment of amateurs still makes this its 
principal Amateur Radio operating activity. Amateur radiogram service 
does not compete with other services, since there are no charges and 
can be no guarantee.  Provided FCC and international regulations are 
complied with, messages may be accepted from anyone for sending by 
Amateur Radio.
     What constitutes "legal" messages, or any other kind of third 
party communication, has been a matter of considerable discussion and 
various interpretations throughout the years.  The pertinent 
regulations sections are 97.3b, which defines an amateur operator as 
being a person "without pecuniary interest"; 97.112, which forbids any 
remuneration or other kind of compensation for use of an amateur 
station; and 97.114, which details certain prohibitions on third-party 
traffic.
     Generally speaking, unimportant, personal, non-business messages 
may be exchanged between different countries only after a special 
agreement has been reached between the countries.  A list of countries 
which have signed such agreements with Canada and with the U.S. 
appears frequently in QST.  In addition, most countries do not object 
to actual emergency radiograms being handled in the amateur bands if 
government or commercial facilities are not available at the time. 
     Individual amateurs handle radiograms in a number of different 
ways.  Some are "free lancers" who handle their traffic on individual 
schedules without recourse to regular nets.  Most traffic operators, 
however, participate in nets of various kinds.  The largest organized 
system of nets is the ARRL National Traffic System.  Others include 
networks organized by individuals for traffic-handling purposes in 
which individual amateurs participate out of preference.  
     
                    ORIGINATING  RADIOGRAMS

     Any amateur can originate a radiogram on behalf of another 
individual, whether such individual be a licensed amateur or not.  It 
is the responsibility of the originating amateur, however, to see that 
the message is in proper form before its first transmission, because 
under most circumstances it is improper for a relaying or delivering 
station to make changes.  
     Each radiogram originated and handled should contain the 
following component parts in the order given:

(a) Number            (d) Station of        (g)  Time Filed*
(b) Precedence            Origin            (h)  Date
(c) Handling Instruc- (e) Check             (i)  Address
    tions*            (f) Place of Origin   (j)  Text 
                                            (k)  Signature
*Optional with originator

     a)  Every radiogram transmitted should bear a number.  Keep a 
sheet with a consecutive list of numbers (beginning at 1) at your 
operating position.  When a radiogram is filed at your station for 
transmission, complete all parts of the preamble except the number, 
leaving this blank.  When you send the radiogram, assign a number to 
it from the number sheet, crossing out numbers on the sheet as they 
are used and making a notation, after the number, of the station to 
whom the radiogram was sent and the date.  Such a system is convenient 
for quick reference purposes.  Most traffic handlers start with 
number 1 at the beginning of each year.
     (b)  Every radiogram has a precedence in amateur procedure.  This 
will normally be "Routine" (R).  It is a separate part of the preamble 
and is transmitted as such, not as part of the number.  Other 
precedences are "Emergency" (never abbreviated), "Priority" (P), and 
"Welfare" (W).  
     (c)  Handling Instructions (HX) are available prosigns for use 
when or if desired by the originator or the originating station, 
whenever special instructions are required in the handling of the 
radiogram.  
     (d)  The "station of origin" is the call of the station from 
which the radiogram was first sent by Amateur Radio and is included so 
that handling stations will be able to communicate with the originator 
if something interferes with the prompt handling or delivery of the 
message.
     (e) The "check" is the number of words and numerals in the text 
of the radiogram.  Handling stations should agree on the check before 
the message is considered handled.  Full information on checking 
radiograms is given later.
     (f)  The "place of origin" is the name of the place (city or town) 
from which the radiogram was started, not necessarily the location of 
the station of origin.  The preamble of a radiogram filed at League 
headquarters in Newington Conn., might read as follows: NR 457 R W1INF 
21 NEWINGTON CONN 2057Z JUNE 11.
     If a message is sent to your station by mail or otherwise not 
filed in person, the preamble should show the place the radiogram 
originally came from.  If the radiogram came to League Headquarters by 
mail from Wiscasset, Maine, the preamble would read: NR 457 R W1INF 21 
WISCASSET MAINE 2057Z JUNE 11.  Any radiogram received at an amateur 
station by any means other than Amateur Radio is an origination when 
put on an amateur circuit by that station.        
     (g)  The time filed is the time at which the radiogram is 
received at the station from which it is to be sent.  Standard 
practice is to use UTC.  This part of the preamble is optional with 
the originating station.
     (h)  The month and the day of the month that the radiogram was 
filed at the originating station.  The year is not included.  If the 
filing time is UTC, be sure the date agrees.
     (i)  The address is the name, street and number, city and state 
of the party to whom the radiogram is being sent.  The telephone 
number should be part of the address.  A complete address should 
always be given to ensure delivery.  When accepting a radiogram for 
origination this point should be stressed.  In transmitting the 
message by CW, the signal AA is used to separate parts of the address 
and the address is followed by BT or "break" before the text is 
started.
     In street addresses where the words east, west, north, south are 
part of the address, spell out the works in full.  Suffixes "th," 
"nd," "st," etc., are not recommended.  Example: "19 W 19th St" should 
be "19 West 19 St." It is not good practice for the relaying station 
to change address format, but the originating station should observe 
the above practices to insure clarity in retransmission.
     (j) The text consists of words in the body of the radiogram.  No 
abbreviations should be substituted for the words in the text of the 
radiogram.  The text follows the address and is set off from the 
signature by another BT.
     (k)  The signature is usually the name of the person originating 
the message.  The signature follows the BT or "break" at the end of 
the text.  The abbreviation "sig" is not transmitted.
     After the signature, say "end" or transmit AR.  If more to 
follow, say "more."  On CW, use the prosign B.  If no more, say "no 
more."  On CW use the prosign "N."

                  COUNTING WORDS IN RADIOGRAMS

     The amateur radiogram "check" is the count of the number of words 
in the text only.  It is essentially an "as sent" count.  While it is 
assumed that the rules of grammar and spelling will be followed, the 
check count is determined principally by the spacing used by the 
transmitting operator in sending the text.  Since the first operator 
to transmit the radiogram is the operator of the originating station 
who enters the check in the preamble, this check should carry through 
to destination.  The relaying operator has no authority to change the 
check unless it is definitely determined that the check as he received 
it is incorrect, then he should confirm with the transmitting operator 
before making the change.  When such a change is made, the original 
check should remain in the preamble.  Example: an original check of 10 
corrected to 9 would be sent "10/9" on CW.
     The check is a means for ensuring the accuracy and completeness 
of your copy.  It also indicates to the receiving operator how many 
words the radiogram he is about to copy will contain.  Inclusion of 
"check" in a message preamble is not optional.
     Numbers, ciphers, mixed groups and punctuation each count as one 
in the check, regardless of length.  It is recommended amateur 
practice not to use punctuation, fractions or other unorthodox or 
seldom-used code symbols in messages as such, but rather to spell 
these out when used in the text of a message to avoid complications in 
checking.  The letter X or "X-ray" is used in place of a period or 
semicolon and is counted in the check.
     Special note:  The ARRL-recommended procedure for counting the 
telephone number in the text of a radiogram is to separate the 
telephone number into groups, with the area code (if any) counting as 
one word, the three-digit exchange one word, and the last four digits 
one word.  For example, 203 666 1541 counts as three words in the 
text of a message; 666 1541 counts as two words.  Separating the phone 
number into separate groups also minimizes garbling. 
     The principle of counting words as sent can be illustrated 
by a few examples, as follows:

New York City....3 words                    527B.............1 word
NYC..............1 word                     H O Townsend.....3 words
Fifty six........2 words                    W1YL/4...........1 word 

     A few rules have to be observed in sending words so this 
principle of "counting as sent" will not be abused:
     1)  Make your spacing methodical and accurate on both phone and CW.
     2)  Follow the dictionary wherever possible.
     3)  Do not waste time in traffic nets arguing about "how to 
count."  The purpose of the "check" in amateur work is to confirm the 
number of words or groups in the text.  QTB is a useful signal in 
confirming check.  Once you are sure that you have copied it 
correctly, QSL (on CW) or "roger" (on phone) the radiogram and get on 
with the next one, correcting the check when you relay the radiogram.
     In copying traffic, whether by pencil or typewriter it is quite 
easy, with a little practice, to count the words in the text as you 
copy.  When using pencil, copy five words to a line.  At the end of 
the radiogram, you can readily figure the number of words by the 
number of lines (plus how many words over ) you copied.  By 
typewriter, it is more convenient to copy ten words to a line, and 
this can easily be done by copying five words, hitting the space bar 
twice (instead of once), copying five more words, then linespacing to 
begin a new ten-word line.  At the end of the Radiogram a glance at 
the number of lines will show you how many words you copied.  You can 
then query the sending operator if your figure does not agree with 
his.
     When traffic is heavy and time is precious, it it not considered 
advisable practice to query a check unless you have reason to believe 
that a mistake was made, either in sending or copying.

                            ARL Check

     Messages containing ARRL numbered radiogram texts (see form FSD-
3) have the same form as any other radiogram, except that the symbol 
ARL (NOT ARRL) is used before the check.  This symbol indicates 
that a spelled out number in the text of the radiogram refers to 
a complete text bearing that number on the ARL list.  
     In delivering a message with an ARL text, one of course delivers 
the complete text.  It is therefore very necessary that the symbol ARL 
be included with the check to avoid the possibility of delivery of a 
meaningless number to the addressee.
     Use of ARL text is a special tool for special occasions.  When 
used, it should be used properly to avoid delays and confusion.



ARRL RECOMMENDED PRECEDENCES

Please observe the following ARRL provisions for PRECEDENCES 
in connection with written message traffic.  These 
provisions are designed to increase the efficiency of our 
service both in normal times and in emergency. 

Precedences

EMERGENCY     Any message having life and 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.  On CW/RTTY, this 
              designation will always be spelled out.  When 
              in doubt, do not use it. 

PRIORITY      Use abbreviation P on CW/RTTY.  This 
              classification is for  a) important messages 
              having a specific time limit b) official 
              messages not covered in the emergency category  
              c)  press  dispatches and emergency-related               
              traffic not of the utmost urgency  d) notice 
              of death or injury in a disaster area, 
              personal or official. 

WELFARE       This classification, abbreviated as W on 
              CW/RTTY, refers to either an inquiry as to the 
              health and welfare of an individual in the 
              disaster area or an advisory from the disaster 
              area that indicates all is well.  Welfare 
              traffic is handled only after all emergency 
              and priority traffic is cleared.  The Red 
              Cross equivalent to an incoming Welfare 
              message is DWI (Disaster Welfare Inquiry).      

ROUTINE       Most traffic in normal times will bear this 
              designation. In disaster situations, traffic 
              labeled Routine (R on CW/RTTY) should be 
              handled last, or not at all when circuits are 
              busy with higher prcedence traffic. 


Note -- the precedence always follows the message number.  
For example, a message number may be 207 R on CW and "Two 
Zero Seven Routine" on phone. 

American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 
06111


