Counting words in a message has been a source of frustration to many hams
except for the most experienced traffic handler. Integrity of the message
content is based primarily on the message check being the same received as
sent. It insures the accuracy of one's message copy.
Message counting involves only the words in the "text" of the message
(the words found between the BT prosigns) not the words in the header,
address, or signature. Here is a review of word values in the message count:
Los Angeles two words
NYC one word
New York City three words
6146B one word
5U4GB one word
2N3394 one word
KB6SBH one word
SEVENTY THREE two words
73 one word
F B Silveira three words
Vern A DeMott three words
? one word
query one word
X one word
2100Z one word
2100 GMT two words
ARL SIXTY SEVEN three words
It is advisable to spell out "query" at the end of a question rather than
using a "?" punctuation mark. Most other punctuation can be sent as a
solitary "X" (and delivered as a pause).
Recommended traffic practice is not to use punctuation, fractions, or other
less known symbols as these do count "one word each" in the message count
(check). In lieu of using the punctuation period at the end of a sentence,
the "x" is used instead in its place. The last "X" at the end of the message
is not necessary. End the message text with a BT followed by the
signature (which in turn is followed by the prosign AR).
Advisable also is to spell numbers out rather than use their numeric symbols
(forty three rather than 43).
Here is a typical message form used within the National Traffic System:
NR 5R KB6IDI 22 CITRUS HEIGHTS CA FEB 2Z
FRED SILVEIRA K6RAU
1611 EVETTE COURT
MERCED CA 95340
T 722 7183 BT
HAVE NOT HEARD KA6FTA ON
PACKET LATELY X PLEASE ADVISE
HIM NR6N AND I HAVE
RETURNED FROM BIG BEAR X
SEVENTY THREE BT
ALICE KB6IDI AR
Note the "check" after KB6IDI is 22 indicating that the count between the BT
signs amounts to 22 words (the "x" between "LATELY X PLEASE" and "BEAR X
SEVENTY" count as one word each).
Now here's a short quiz to let you try your hand at determining the message
check. In the message header, "CK" will be used in place of the actual
numeric value. If you have scrolling function it is suggested to calculate
the message count before seeing the quiz answers at the end of this treatise.
Example A:
NR 17R KI6PR CK MERCED CA JAN 23Z
RICK MCMILLION WB7UGZ
7115 BARBERA AVE
WINTON CA 95388
T 357 0721 BT
FOUND SOME RG8 FOAM COAX
IN GARAGE THAT R H
PIRTLE GAVE ME AND THOUGHT
IT MAY BE OF SOME
USE AT THE MT BULLION
SITE X ALSO JUST A
REMINDER THE 160 METER CONTEST
WILL BE HELD SOON X
SEVENTY THREE BT
MIKE KI6PR AR
(It would have been better for "MT BULLION" to be sent as "MOUNT BULLION" but
that is the prerogative of the message originator.)
Example B:
NR 426R WA6PIC CK ATWATER CA JAN 31Z
RANDY WITHERS KA6FTA
1403 BROOKDALE DRIVE
MERCED CA 95340
T 722 7194 BT
HELLO RANDY X THANKS FOR
SENDING THE WPSS ROSTER X
WAS LOOKING FOR THE CALL
OF VAN L LYONS IN
NIPOMO CA X FOUND IT
ON LIST AS WB6IIY X
SURPRISED TO SEE OVER 400
HAMS ON WESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE
LIST X 73 BT
DAVE WA6PIC AR
(Here "CA" would have been best sent as "CALIFORNIA" but once again it is at
the initiation of the originating sender.)
Hams are encouraged to take an active part in traffic handling.
Source material: "Operating an Amateur Radio Station" printed by the Amateur
Radio Relay League.
