Precedence
(R, W, P or EMERGENCY)
The precedence will follow the message number. For example,
on cw 207R or 207 EMERGENCY. On phone, "Two Zero Seven,
Routine (or Emergency)."
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 populance in emergency areas.
During normal times, it will be very rare. On cw, RTTY
and other digital modes this designation will always be
spelled out. When in doubt, do not use it.
Priority--Important
messags having a specific time limit. Official messages
not covered in the Emergency category. Press dispatches
and other emergency-related traffic not of the utmost
urgency. Notifications of death or injury in a disaster
area, personal or official. Use the abbreviation P on
cw.
Welfare--A
message that is either a) an inquiry as to the health
and welfare of an individual in the disaster area b) an
advisory or reply from the disaster area that indicates
all is well should carry this precedence, which is abbreviated
W on cw. These messages are handled after Emergency and
Priority traffic but before Routine.
Routine--Most
traffic normal times will bear this designation. In disaster
situations, traffic labeled Routine (R on cw) should be
handled last, or not at all when circuits are busy with
Emergency, Priority or Welfare traffic.
Handling
Instructions (HX):
HXA--(Followed
by number) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee
within....miles. (If no number, authorization is unlimited.)
HXB--(Followed
by number) Cancel message if not delivered within....hours
of filing time; service originating station.
HXC--Report
date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating station.
HXD--Report
to originating station the identity of station from which
received, plus date and time. Report identity of station
to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered
report date, time and method of delivery.
HXE--Delivering
station get reply from addresses, originate message back.
HXF--(Followed by number) Hold delivery until....(date).
HXG--Delivery
by mail or landline toll call not required. If toll or
other expense involved, cancel message and service originating
station.
Station
of Origin - First amateur handler' call sign
Check
- Number of words/groups in "text" only
Place
of Origin - Not necessarily location of station of origin.
This
Page is Designed and Maintained as a Public Service to the Amateur Radio
Community by:
David S. Gore, W5DSG
- District Emergency Coordinator
mail @ ares-nela.org
