Instructions
Preamble
The preamble remains the same through out the life of the message. It must never be changed regardless of the number of times the message may have to be relayed.
Field 1 Serial Number
Each operator keeps his own record of consecutive serial numbers beginning with NR 1. The squence resets to NR 1 annually on the first day of January.
Field 2 Precedence
Precedence defines the importance of each message, therefore when have been sorted into four classifications, will define the order in which they will be forwarded, transmitted or delivered.
EMERGENCY
This classification is the only one not abbreviated under any circumstances. It denotes a message having life and death urgency for any person or group of persons. It is used in the absence of regular comms services. This classification includes official messages to and from welfare agencies during emergencies, requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to stricken areas. During normal times, EMERGENCY priority will be very rare. If in doubt, do not use this classification.
PRIORITY (P)
This classification is abbreviated to P for CW, RTTY, AMTOR and packet denotes important messages having a specific time limit, official messages not covered in the emergency category, press dispatches and emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency.
WELFARE (W)
This classification is abbreviated to W for CW, RTTY, AMTOR and packet. It is used for either an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in the disaster area, or an advisory from the disaster area to indicate all is well. Welfare traffic is handled only after all emergency and priority traffic has been cleared.
ROUTINE (R)
This classification is abbreviated to R for CW, RTTY, AMTOR. It will be the most common designation in normal times. In disaster situations, traffic designated Routine should be handled last, or not at all when circuits are busy with higher-precedence traffic.
Field 3 HX Handling Instructions
The absence of a HX code indicates the sender does not require confirmation of message delivery.
HXA (Followed by a number). Any charges for Landline or physical delivery have been authorized by addressee within _______ kilometres. (If no number, authorisation is unlimited).
HXB (Followed by a number). Cancel this message if not delivered within ________ hours of filing time; advise originating station of message cancellation after time expiry.
HXC Report date and time of delivery back to originating station.
HXD Fully report to originating station the identity of station from which message received and the station to which it was relayed, plus date and time of both transactions. If delivered, report date, time and method of delivery.
HXE Delivering station to obtain a reply from addressee, then originate and send message with addressee’s reply to the original sender.
HXF (Followed by number). (Followed by a time or date). Hold delivery until __________ (time or date).
HXG Delivery by mail or landline call is not required. If toll or other expenses are involved, cancel message and advise originating station.
Field 4 Station of Origin
Call sign of the station to first send the message by radio.
Field 5 Check
The Check field is populated by two integers, separated by a forward slash. The first integer is the sum of the number of words in the ‘To’ fields plus the number of words in the ‘Message’ fields, plus the number of words in the ‘From’ field. It does not include any words in an OPNOTE. The second integer is the number of words in the message text only.
Field 6 Place of Origin
The sending station’s location may be specified by nearest town, bush hut name, or by map coordinates from GPS or other source.
Field 7 Time
Must be in 24-hour format, no colon, followed by time zone, for intra-NZ traffic use NZT.
Field 8 Date
Day number + three-letter month + two digit year, no spaces.
Addressee
Only as much information as needed to ensure delivery. Could be as little as a single call sign or ten or twelve words, as appropriate
Message Text
Up to 25 words, occasionally extended to 30, but should the number of words exceed 30 then a second telegram should be sent.
A second telegram will affect both the serial number and require an OPNOTE, e.g NR 29/1 and NR 29/2. OPNOTE at the end of NR 29/1 would say NR 29/2 FOLLOWS, then an OPNOTE at the end of NR 9/2 would say MESSAGE ENDS.
Sender
The sender’s name will be provided by the person requesting the traffic be sent. The sender should also provide a return address if a reply is needed. The reply address may have to be sent to the addressee in the case where a different reply mode has been specified, or due to the passing of time, a different RO could be involved.
Admin only
AKA ‘Office Use Only’. These ten fields record administration details as tasks are completed by the operator handling the message. The groups will be filled in two, 5-field stages: 1. fill the left-hand fields immediately after reception of the message; 2. fill the right-hand fields immediately after on-sending the message.
Useful tracking information, e.g. the frequency or modes may be recorded in the long fields beneath each Admin group.