At 0900L on 29 April 2023, a Net was started by KB2SKP acting as NCS for the purpose of practicing the passing of messages using the ARRL Radiogram format and NTS best practices. KB1YZ, KC3RWE, AC3CU, W3OST, N3AK, AC3FE each generated, passed, and received one message via voice. Three messages (from AC3CU, KB1YZ, and KC3RWE) were also sent via WINLINK to the tactical callsign STMAEC.
The following questions were brought up:
- Does the ‘X-Ray’ in the text count in the CHECK?
- Yes it does
- What should the sending station say when complete with a section?
- For our purposes we will use the word ‘OVER’
- Where should we write the SIGNATURE?
- There is not a ‘box’ for the SIG so it should be written under the body of the message and above the “Recv’d” box.
- Is it necessary to say the box title for the boxes in the Preamble?
- No it is not; enough of a pause should be employed by the sender and the actual entry or value should be enough so as to make it clear which block is being populated. However if there is doubt on the part of the receiver or the sender is more comfortable saying them it is permissible.
- How do you include a decimal point such as 1.5″ of rain reported?
- The decimal point is said as “decimal” and written as a capital ‘R’ on the Radiogram form. For the rain report above it would be:
- Spoken: Figures One Decimal Fiver Inches Of Rain
- Written: 1R5 Inches Of Rain
- The decimal point is said as “decimal” and written as a capital ‘R’ on the Radiogram form. For the rain report above it would be:
Overall the exercise went very well and the net was closed at 1016L.