NTP 8(D) CHAPTER 6 GENERAL COMMUNICATION OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 600. MESSAGE DEFINITION A message is any thought or idea expressed briefly in plain or cryptic language, prepared in a form suitable for transmission by any means of communication. Communications requiring delivery normally are prepared for transmission as brief and concise messages. 601. MESSAGES: BASIC FORMS a. PLAINDRESS - A message in which the originator and addressee designations are external to the text. Unless the call serves as the address, a PLAINDRESS message contains all the components shown in the basic message schematic diagram in paragraph 602, except that the prefix may be omitted. A PLAINDRESS message always must include the following elements: (1) Precedence and (2) Date-Time-Group b. ABBREVIATED PLAINDRESS - Operational requirement for speed of handling a message may require abbreviation of PLAINDRESS message headings. In such a case, any or all of the following may be omitted: (1) Precedence (2) Date (3) Date-Time-Group (A time-group consisting of the hour and minutes may be used either in the message heading or at the message ending, following the BT prosign); and/or (4) Group count. c. CODRESS - A CODRESS message carries in the encrypted text the entire address, i.e., originator and all addressees. The heading contains all components shown in the message schematic diagram except the address. Upon receipt of the message in the area of destination, the message will be refiled into the Naval Telecommunication System at or by one of the designated MARS/Naval 6-1 DRAFT NTP 8(D) Communication System refile points/stations. CODRESS messages will not be normally handled by NAVMARCORMARS. 602. MESSAGE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM a. Messages prepared for transmission will be either PLAINDRESS, ABBREVIATED PLAINDRESS, or CODRESS and will have three parts as follows: (1) Heading (2) Text and (3) Ending. b. Message "PARTS" are sub-divided into "COMPONENTS". c. Message "COMPONENTS" are sub-divided into "ELEMENTS". d. In the following diagram, it should be noted that every element is indicated in the order of appearance in the message, but the contents of the various elements are not necessarily indicated as they will appear. For radiotelephone operations, substitute the corresponding prowords and phrases for the prosigns and operating signals. MESSAGE FORMAT SCHEMATIC FORMAT LINE 1 2,3 PARTS COMPONENTS ELEMENTS Handling Instructions Procedure Call CONTENTS H E Transmission Identification Transmission Instructions Station(s) called (Prosign XMT, exempted calls). Prosign DE and station calling. Station serial number. 4 Prosign T; G; F; Operating signals; Call signs; Address groups; plain language. 6-2 DRAFT NTP 8(D) Preamble A D Address I N G Prefix Precedence, date-timegroup, message instructions Originator's sign; originator Action addressee sign; action addressee. Information addressee sign; information addressee. Exempted addressee sign; exempted addressee. Accounting information; Group count. Subject matter. 5 6 7 8 Precedence prosign; date and time expressed in digits and zone suffix; month and year, operating signals and prosign IX. Prosign FM; Originator's designator. (Call sign or plain language.) Prosign TO; action addressee designator. (Call sign or plain language.) Prosign INFO; information addressee designator. (Call sign or plain language.) Prosign XMT; exempted addressee. (Call sign or plain language.) 9 10 Accounting symbol; group count. Prosign BT Internal instructions; basic idea of the originator. Prosign BT Hours and minutes expressed in digits and zone suffix, when appropriate. Prosigns B; AS; C; operating signals. Prosigns K; AR. BREAK T E X T BREAK E N D I N G Text 11 12 Procedure Time group 13 14 Final instructions Ending sign 15 16 603. DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC MESSAGE ELEMENTS a. Handling Instructions are used in MDS traffic relay and consists of the precedence prosign repeated twice followed by the routing indicators designating delivery responsibility. 6-3 DRAFT NTP 8(D) Example: RR NOASA NOASG b. Call - Contains the call sign(s) of the station(s) called, the prosign XMT and exempted call sign(s), the prosign DE and the call sign of the calling station. The call is used only in radiotelephone or keyboard-to-keyboard digital nets. Example: NNNØALS XMT NNNØADD NNNØBBB DE NNNØAAA ....etc. c. Transmission Identification - Used only in MDS traffic relay. It is a number assigned by operating personnel to a message to facilitate its identification and handling. Generally, station serial numbers are assigned consecutively to each outgoing message. A new set of station serial numbers is begun at 0001Z each day or the first day of each week, month or year and each message is assigned a consecutive serial number without regard to the station to which the message is transmitted. Example: RR NOASG DE NNNØADD ØØ1 d. Transmission Instructions - Prosigns, address designations and operating signals concerning the actual transmission of a message which are appended by communications personnel. When not in direct communication with all addressees, transmission instructions must be used except when routing indicators are assigned or when the station called has fixed responsibility for delivery. Example: NNNØADD DE NNNØAAA T ... etc. e. Precedence - Assigned and handled per paragraph 631 and indicated by the appropriate prosign. Dual precedence may be used. The higher precedence (for action addressees) is indicated first. Example: NNNØADD DE NNNØAAA T P R ..etc. f. Date-Time-Group - The date-time-group is expressed as six digits and a zone suffix, followed by the abbreviation of the month and the four digits of the year. The first two digits denote the day of the month; the second pair of digits denotes the hour; and the third pair of digits denotes the minutes. UTC is normally used and the zone suffix therefore would normally be Z 6-4 DRAFT NTP 8(D) (ZULU). The first to the ninth days of the month are represented by Ø1 to Ø9. Abbreviated PLAINDRESS messages may carry no date-time-group or the DTG may be replaced by a time group, omitting the date, and transmitted after the precedence designation or before the final instructions. (1) Each message originated by a station shall be assigned a different date-time-group. (2) The times 24ØØZ and ØØØØZ shall not be used and patterns of even times should be avoided to avoid confusion. g. Message Instructions - The message instructions contain any operating signal which pertains to the message itself and must be transmitted to all addressees. Example: NNNØADD DE NNNØAAA T P R 131ØØØZ MAR 2ØØ4 ZEL h. Address Elements - The elements in the address component of a message use address designators which include call signs, address groups, plain language titles (including abbreviated titles), and routing indicators. Any combination of letters and numerals or pronounceable words designated for use in message headings to identify a command, authority, unit or communication facility, or to assist in the transmission and delivery of messages may be classed as an address designator. Plain language address designators are normally confined to abbreviated titles of commands and activities. All numerals in abbreviated short titles shall be spelled out except numbers one through nineteen which will be spelled or written as such. EXAMPLES: Commander Sixth Fleet ............. COMSIXTHFLT Commander Task Force 140 .......... CTF ONE FOUR ZERO Commander Destroyer Squadron 10 ... COMDESRON TEN The use of both plain language and call sign designators in a message address is not authorized. However, to improve efficiency in the handling of personal communication within MARS, personal messages may contain the call sign of the originating station and the plain language designator of the addressee. The address should include the telephone number or UNK, if not known. This applies only to third party messages and does not preclude the use of 6-5 DRAFT NTP 8(D) passing instructions to be included in the text if delivery via a specific MARS station is desired. Example: R 1316Ø1Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM MRS JOSEPH P JONES ALEXANDRIA VA/NNN0ATS VA TO MR JOSEPH P JONES 1234 MAIN STREET NE PEAKSVILLE SC 294ØØ 8Ø3-324-5522 i. Originator - Contains the originator prosign "FM" followed by the originator's designation. In the interest of brevity, call signs shall be used when possible. Example: FM NNNØASA VA j. Action Addressee - Contains the action prosign "TO" followed by the action addressee(s) designation(s). Example: TO NNNØASN OR k. Information Addressee - Contains the information prosign "INFO" followed by the information addressee(s) designation(s). Example: INFO NNNØASG IL l. Exempted Addressee - The exempted addressee is only used in conjunction with collective calls, e.g. NNNØALL, NNNØALS, NNNØALD, if the originator desires a specific station(s) included in the collective call sign to be exempt. The exempt addressee contains the prosign, XMT followed by the addressee designation(s) of the exempted station(s). Example: INFO NNNØALD XMT NNNØASI SNE NNNØASG IL m. Accounting Information - Accounting information is used only on messages for refile with commercial facilities through the designated refile stations within the Naval Telecommunication System. n. Group Count - The group count is normally contained in coded group messages only. However, when used in plain language messages, groups are to be counted per the following rules: 6-6 DRAFT NTP 8(D) (1) Count text groups only. (2) Punctuation and symbols are not counted unless spelled out or abbreviated. (3) Sequence of characters not interrupted by a space is counted as one group. (4) The proper names of countries, cities, or streets consisting of two or more separate words should normally be written and counted as one group, i.e. San Salvador, San Diego, Salt Lake City, but when written separately, they will be transmitted and counted as separate groups GROUP Date-time-group Date time group New York (Joseph Smith) Paren Joseph Smith Unparen Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS Chief, NAVMARCORMARS Example: COUNT 1 3 2 2 4 4 2 GR 9 BT UNCLAS THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG BT o. Text - The text format will be in accordance with paragraph 604. p. Time Group - The Time Group contains the hour and minutes expressed in four digits and the Zone suffix. The time group is normally used only in Abbreviated PLAINDRESS. q. Final Instructions - Includes the prosigns B, C, and/or AS (operating signals and address designations as required). r. Ending Sign - The ending sign is to indicate the end of the message and contains the proword OVER or OUT (prosigns K and AR, respectively). The two prowords will NOT be used in any one transmission. In MDS messages, four N's will be used to indicate the end of message. 6-7 DRAFT NTP 8(D) Example for MDS messages: (text) BT NNNN (text) BT OVER (text) BT NNNN K Example radio telephone messages: Example for keyboard-to-keyboard SCD messages: 604. MESSAGE TEXT FORMAT Each message text, except tactical and proforma messages, shall be in the following sequence. Where elements listed are omitted, the sequence shall be adjusted accordingly. a. Classification or the abbreviation UNCLAS. b. Exercise identification (EXERCISE SPEED-COMM) (DRILL) NOTE: EXERCISE messages are handled like any other message. DRILL messages are sent between individual stations for training purposes and are not introduced into the MARS Data System. c. Subject line, concise identification of subject matter not normally to exceed one line. Example: SUBJ: MDS OPERATIONS d. Special handling instructions that cannot be properly indicated in the HEADING section may be included after the subject line and before the references or message text. Example: PASS TO ALL AREA MESSAGE SWITCH SYSOPS e. Reference(s), identified by letter(s). Example: A. NNNØASA VA 12Ø5ØØZ MAR 2ØØ4 B. MY 14Ø3Ø2Z MAR 2ØØ4 f. When a referenced letter or message is not held by an addee and not needed, the reference shall be followed by the word "NOTAL". 6-8 DRAFT NTP 8(D) Example: A. NNNØASA VA 12Ø5ØØZ MAR 2ØØ4 NOTAL g. When a reference is not held by an addee and is needed, the reference shall be followed by the word "PASEP" and the reference passed to the ADDEE(S) by forwarding a copy of a letter or readdressing the message. h. If a referenced message was forwarded by mail or courier, so indicate. Example: A. NNNØASA 12Ø5ØØZ MAR 2ØØ4 MAIL i. Expression of the thought: in the interest of brevity, abbreviations which are well known and/or those contained in Annex H should be used. j. Paragraphs are numbered. k. Subparagraphs are lettered or numbered as appropriate. l. The American Relay Radio League (ARRL) and/or NMAT abbreviated text may be used in personal messages, following the above format as necessary. Example: BT UNCLAS ARL SIXTY THREE BT m. Service messages need not adhere to the format prescribed. See paragraph 611. 610. BASIC MESSAGE TYPES 611. SERVICE MESSAGES A service message is a short, concise message between communication personnel which is used to obtain information regarding the handling of communication matters. A service message is a bonafide message and shall be accorded prompt attention. If action cannot be completed within a reasonable time, the station originating the service will be so notified. Prosigns and operating signals will be used to the maximum extent to obtain and provide corrections, or repetitions. Service messages are normally assigned a precedence the same as the message being serviced. A service message may be identified by one of the following: 6-9 DRAFT NTP 8(D) a. Reference to an original message. b. Reference to another service message. c. The abbreviation SVC is the first word of the text following the classification, (UNCLAS). Example 1 - (Request message, referencing an original message): R 12Ø8Ø3Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM NAV VA TO NNNØGAN HI BT UNCLAS SVC ZEI NNNØGAN 1122Ø1Z MAR 2ØØ4. TO MRS SAM JONES 2365 WESTDALE CT, WALDORF MD 2Ø6Ø1-Ø13Ø 3Ø1-555-1234 BT. BT (ZEI - ACCURACY IS DOUBTFUL OF HEADING OF MESSAGE RECEIVED AS FOLLOWS...CHECK TO STATION OF ORIGIN IF NECESSARY AND REPEAT.) Example 2 message): (Reply message, referencing another SVC R 13ØØ11Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM NNNØGAN HI TO NAV VA BT UNCLAS SVC ZUI YOUR 12Ø8Ø3Z MAR 2ØØ4. C MY 1122Ø1Z MAR 2ØØ4 TO READ TO MRS SAM JONES 3256 WESTDALE CT, WALDORF MD 2Ø6Ø1-Ø13Ø 3Ø1-555-1234 BT. BT (ZUI - YOUR ATTENTION IS INVITED TO...) 612. MESSAGE READDRESSAL When an additional addressee requires or needs to have the information contained in a particular message, the message recipient may readdress that message to additional addressee(s) by a supplemental heading. The readdressal header will show the readdressing addressee as the originator, action and/or information addressees, a precedence prosign, a date-time-group, 6-10 DRAFT NTP 8(D) and, when necessary, message instructions and transmission instructions. The following rules apply to message readdressals: a. That part of the original message preceding the preamble is omitted. b. The new precedence assigned applies to the supplementary heading. c. The preamble of the original message indicates the beginning of the original message. d. Readdressed messages are filed under the original DTG. The READDRESSAL DTG will not be used as a message reference. e. A message received for information (INFO) may only be readdressed for information (INFO). A message received for action may be readdressed for action (TO) or information (INFO). f. If it is necessary to inform any of the original addressees or the originator that a message has been readdressed, they may be included in the supplementary heading. g. An originator desiring to add addressees to a message previously transmitted will normally do so by READDRESSAL. Example: Original message: R 13Ø5Ø5Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM NNNØASA VA TO NNNØASG IL INFO NNNØASF STX NNNØASE SCA BT Readdressal of original message: R 141122Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM NNNØASF STX INFO NNNØASI SNE R 13Ø5Ø5Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM NNNØASA VA .etc.. 613. SINGLE ADDRESS MESSAGES A single address message is destined for only one addressee. 6-11 DRAFT NTP 8(D) 614. MULTIPLE ADDRESS MESSAGES A multiple address message is destined for two or more addressees, each of whom must be informed of all the addressees. Originators of messages should limit the number of addressees, whether action or information, to those for whom the information contained in the text is essential. Over addressing of messages can lead to a burden on those who handle the message. 615. BOOK MESSAGES A book message is destined for two or more addressees and is of such a nature that the originator considers that addressees need not be informed of other addressees. However, each addressee will be indicated as an action or information recipient. A book message is identified by the operating signal "ZEX" (and ZEZ if appropriate), in format line 5. Addressees of book messages are divided into groups according to the relay stations which serve them. For each group of addressees, a separate message is prepared and transmitted. Each book message is assigned a new station serial number but retains the same date-time-group for all books of the same message. A receiving relay station may further reduce the book message to a single address message to its stations of responsibility, if desired. This applies whether the message is delivered by rapid means or by mail and includes all confirmation copies. Addressees shall not readdress book messages outside their area of responsibility. Example: Message as originated: R 132218Z MAR 2ØØ4 ZEX FM NNNØASA VA TO NNNØASG IL NNNØASE SCA NNNØASF STX BT Same message as prepared for transmission over different channels: R 132218Z MAR 2ØØ4 ZEX FM NNNØASA VA TO NNNØASE SCA BT 6-12 DRAFT NTP 8(D) R 132218Z MAR 2ØØ4 ZEX FM NNNØASA VA TO NNNØASG IL NNNØASF STX BT..ETC.. 616. GENERAL MESSAGES A general message has a wide distribution and is assigned an identifying title. Each message of a given title carries a serial number in a sequence which covers a calendar year. A general message content may be directive in nature or promulgate information to the addressees. a. Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS Broadcasts are sent using the following format: FM CHNAVMARCORMARS WILLIAMSBURG VA TO ALNAVMARCORMARS BT UNCLAS SUBJ: CHNAVMARCORMARS BCST 11-Ø4 etc. b. Area Broadcasts are sent using the following format: FM NNNØASI SNE TO NNNØALL NORTHEAST AREA INFO NNNØASA VA NNNØALD (OPTIONAL) BT UNCLAS SUBJ: NORTHEAST AREA BCST Ø3/Ø4 etc. c. Region Broadcasts are sent using the following format: FM NNNØAS3 MDE TO NNNØALL REGION THREE INFO NNNØASA VA BT UNCLAS SUBJ: REGION THREE BCST Ø3/Ø4 etc. d. Broadcasts sent by state directors or specialty network coordinators shall follow a format similar to that for Region Broadcasts above except the action addressee shall use the collective call sign for the state or specialty network as set forth in Annex K. 6-13 DRAFT NTP 8(D) e. Broadcasts remain effective until canceled by the originator. f. The first broadcast of each calendar year shall list all broadcasts which remain in effect from previous years. All previous years broadcasts which are not in this listing are canceled and need no longer be retained. 620. MISSING AND DELAYED MESSAGES 621. TRACER MESSAGES A tracer message is a service message to determine the reason for inordinate delay in delivery or nondelivery of a message. Tracer action must commence within 30 days from the date of the message being traced. All tracer messages must be acted upon promptly. A station's failure to respond to tracer action can only be construed to mean that the fault lies within that station. All tracer messages shall include Chief, NAVMARCORMARS and the appropriate area and region directors as information addressees. 622. DELAYED MESSAGES The MARS Station making the ultimate delivery to the addressee will initiate tracer action by notifying the originator of an inordinate delay of a message. The stations will first carefully examine their records and the message heading to determine if the cause can be ascertained and adequately explained prior to commencing tracer action. Cognizance must be taken of any adverse circuit or traffic conditions previously known or reported by intermediate relay stations which would have caused delay before initiating such action. If the cause for delay cannot be locally established, the originating station of that message will normally transmit a routine tracer message to the first relay station to which the delayed message was transmitted, citing the message date-time-group, station serial number, the date and time the message was transmitted (TOD) and other amplifying data as required. Tracer action will continue on a station-to-station basis until the cause of delay has been determined. Upon receipt of an inordinate delay tracer, each station will examine its records for time of receipt and time of transmission of the traced message. This information will be compiled and transmitted with the tracer action to the next station in the relay path and INFO to the station which originated the tracer, Chief, NAVMARCORMARS, the area and region directors. If any station which handled the tracer message caused delay, the 6-14 DRAFT NTP 8(D) reason for the delay and corrective action taken will be stated in the report. Examples: Inordinate delay tracer to first relay by originating station R 16Ø23ØZ JAN 2ØØ4 FM NNNØAAB SCA TO NAV VA INFO NNNØASA VA NNNØASE SCA NNNØAS9 SCA NNNØEFB SC BT UNCLAS SVC ZUI NNNØAAB 1Ø1425Z JAN 2ØØ4 NNN0EFB TOR 15/1Ø28Z. 5 DAYS DELAY. ZDN BT Note: ZDN - REPORT DISPOSAL OF MESSAGE YOUR STA WITH ANY REASON FOR DELAY Relay station's report on an excessive delay tracer: R 16Ø25ØZ MAR 2ØØ4 FM NAV VA TO NNNØRSE SC INFO NNNØASA VA NNNØAAB SCA NNNØASE SCA NNNØASG IL NNNØAS4 GA NNNØAS9 SCA NNNØEFB SC BT UNCLAS SVC ZUI NNNØAAB 1Ø1425Z MAR 2ØØ4 NNNØEFB TOR 15/1Ø28Z. 5 DAYS DELAY. TOR 1Ø/1438Z ZDQ NNNØRSE 1Ø/2347Z. 9 HOURS DELAY THIS STA DUE SKED. ZDN BT 623. LOST MESSAGES Upon verification of non-receipt of a message, the originating station will retransmit the message as a duplicate (ZFG) to the station(s) claiming non-delivery and transmit a 6-15 DRAFT NTP 8(D) service message tracer to the first relay station involved with the original transmission. The latter station, after determining that mishandling was not involved, will then transmit the tracer to the next relay station for action and to the originating station, the station claiming non-delivery, Chief, NAVMARCORMARS, and the area and region directors for information. Such action will be continued on a station-to-station basis until the cause for the lost message has been determined and reported to the originating station, station(s) claiming non-delivery, Chief, NAVMARCORMARS, area and region directors. The following is a recommended SVC message text to be used when initiating or continuing tracer action regarding non-deliveries: R 141521Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM NNNØJPJ SCA TO NNNØTEF SND INFO NNNØASA VA NNNØASE SCA NNNØPPC MI NNNØAS8 CWY NNNØAS9 SCA BT UNCLAS SVC NNNØPPC CLAIMS NON DLVY NNNØJPJ Ø9141ØZ MAR 2ØØ4 ZDQ NNNØTEF 09/1422Z NCA. TRACE TO DESTINATION AND ADVISE BT 624. UNDELIVERABLE MESSAGES A message that cannot be delivered due to incorrect or incomplete addressees will be serviced back to the originating station. The service message should state that the message was not delivered and show the portion of the heading in question as received (with maximum utilization of "Q" and "Z" signals). Example: BT UNCLAS SVC ZDE4 YOUR 1ØØØØ1Z AUG 2ØØ4 TO MRS SAM JONES 2ØØ1 NOWHERE STREET. WALDORF MD BT 6-16 DRAFT NTP 8(D) 630. MESSAGE PRECEDENCE 631. PRECEDENCE ASSIGNMENT a. Assignment of the precedence to a message is the originators responsibility; however, the subject matter and time factor involved determine the precedence. Precedence designations indicate the relative order in which a message is handled with respect to all other precedence designators, as follows: (1) To the originator - required speed of delivery to the addressee. (2) To communication personnel - relative order of handling and delivery. (3) To the addressee - relative order in which he should note the message. b. The precedence assigned to multiple address messages having both action and information addressees may be assigned a single precedence, which indicates the precedence is for all addressees, or two precedences, one precedence for all action addressees and a lower precedence for all information addressees. The higher precedence will always be placed first in the preamble. c. Precedences available include: (1) FLASH (Z): FLASH precedence is reserved for initial enemy contact messages or operational combat messages of extreme urgency. Brevity is mandatory. FLASH messages will be hand carried, processed, transmitted and delivered in the order received and ahead of all other messages. Messages of lower precedence will be interrupted on all circuits involved until handling of the FLASH message is completed. (2) IMMEDIATE (O): IMMEDIATE is the precedence reserved for very urgent messages relating to situations which gravely affect the security of national forces or populace. IMMEDIATE precedence may be used on messages concerning the amplification of initial enemy contacts, logistical support when essential to sustain operations, widespread civil disturbance, warning of grave natural disaster (earthquake, flood, storm, etc.), and distress assistance. IMMEDIATE messages are processed, transmitted and delivered in the order received and ahead of all messages of lower precedence. Messages of lower precedence will be interrupted on all circuits involved until the handling of the IMMEDIATE message 6-17 DRAFT NTP 8(D) is completed. This is the highest precedence level expected to be handled on MARS circuits. (3) PRIORITY (P): PRIORITY is the precedence reserved for messages concerning the conduct of operations in progress and for other important and urgent matters when ROUTINE precedence will not suffice. This is the highest precedence which normally may be assigned to administrative or personal messages. PRIORITY messages will be processed, transmitted, and delivered in the order received and ahead of all messages of ROUTINE precedence. Routine messages being transmitted should not be interrupted unless they are extra long and a very substantial portion remains to be transmitted. (4) ROUTINE (R): ROUTINE is the precedence to be used for all types of messages which justify transmission by rapid means but are not of sufficient urgency and importance to require a higher precedence. ROUTINE messages will be processed, transmitted and delivered in the order received and after all messages of a higher precedence. 632. SPEED OF SERVICE OBJECTIVES a. The established goal of these objectives is to ensure the fastest communications support possible. Regardless of the objectives established, within the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) message traffic will be handled as rapidly as possible consistent with security (when required) and accuracy. The objectives apply to the total elapsed handling time between writer and reader (time of file to time of delivery). b. The following guidelines apply: Precedence FLASH IMMEDIATE PRIORITY ROUTINE Prosigns Z O P R Objective As fast as humanly possible with an objective of less than 10 minutes. 30 minutes - 3 hours 18 - 24 hours 24 - 48 hours 640. MESSAGE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES 641. PUNCTUATION Punctuation shall be used. It is essential for clarity. Punctuation marks used in naval messages shall be limited to the 6-18 DRAFT NTP 8(D) symbols listed below and appear on standard typewriter, teletypewriter and computer keyboards. Punctuation marks shall be processed and transmitted exactly as drafted, provided the means of communication permits. Otherwise, communication personnel shall substitute authorized abbreviations or spell out the punctuation mark. Punctuation equivalents: Name Symbol Ampersand & Apostrophe ' Asterisk * At Sign @ Back Slant \ Colon : Comma , Dollar Sign $ Equal sign = Exclamation ! Hyphen or Dash Number Sign # Parenthesis/Left ( Parenthesis/Right ) Percent % Period . Plus Sign + Question Mark ? Quotation Mark " Semi-Colon ; Slant Sign / Tilde ~ Underline _ 642. PHONETIC ALPHABET When necessary to identify any letter of the alphabet, the standard phonetic alphabet shall be used. This alphabet is listed below (syllables underlined carry the accent): LETTER A B C D E F G PHONETIC ALFA BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA ECHO FOXTROT GOLF SPOKEN AS AL FA BRAH VOH CHAR LEE DELL TAH ECK OH FOKS TROT GOLF LETTER N O P Q R S T PHONETIC NOVEMBER OSCAR PAPA QUEBEC ROMEO SIERRA TANGO SPOKEN AS NO VEM BER OSS CAR PAH PAH KEH BECK ROW ME OH SEE AIR RAH TANG GO Abbreviation AMPSND APOS AST (AT) BACK SLANT CLN CMM DOLS EQUALS EXCL DASH NR PAREN UNPAREN PCT PD PLUS QUES QUOTE/UNQUOTE SCLN SLANT TILDE UNDERLINE Spoken Ampersand Apostrophe Asterisk At Sign Back Slant Colon Comma Dollars Equals Exclamation Point Dash Number Paren Unparen Percent Period Plus Question Mark Quote/Unquote Semi-Colon Slant Tilde Underline 6-19 DRAFT NTP 8(D) H I J K L M HOTEL INDIA JULIETT KILO LIMA MIKE HOH TELL IN DEE AH JEW LEE ETT KEY LOH LEE MAH MIKE U V W X Y Z UNIFORM VICTOR WHISKEY XRAY YANKEE ZULU YOU NEE FORM VIK TAR WISS KEY ECKS RAY YANK KEY ZOO LOO a. These equivalents are desirable in expressing lettered designations and in spelling words in radiotelephone operations. They will not be used: (1) When the actual word might be used; for example, 26 degrees West (instead of 26 degrees whiskey). (2) When the abbreviation is readily recognizable and authorized; for example, USN, USMC, MARS, NMAT, ARRL, etc. b. Personal initials shall be spoken phonetically prefixed by the word "INITIAL" or "INITIALS". For example, "G M Smith" shall be spoken "INITIALS GOLF MIKE SMITH." c. Letter-figure or figure-letter combinations are spoken phonetically as governed in chapter 7. 643. NUMBERS To distinguish numerals from written and spoken letters, figures and similarly pronounced words, the following written and pronunciation will be observed: WRITTEN NUMERAL 1 2 3 4 5 SPOKEN AS WUN TOO THUH-REE FO-WER FI-IV WRITTEN NUMERAL 6 7 8 9 Ø SPOKEN AS SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINER ZERO a. The letters I and Z should be written in such a manner as to clearly distinguish them from the numbers 1 and 2. e.g. I as a clear capital I, and Z in the European style with a cross mark. b. The decimal point is to be spoken as "DEH-SEE-MAL". For example, 123.4 is spoken "FIGURES WUN TOO THUH-REE DEH-SEE-MAL FO-WER". 6-20 DRAFT NTP 8(D) 644. MONTH ABBREVIATIONS The abbreviations to be used for the months of the year are: January ..... February .... March ....... April ....... May ......... June ........ JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN July ....... August ..... September .. October .... November ... December ... JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Where appearing together, month and year will be spoken as in the following example: "JANUARY TWO ZERO ZERO THREE", "APRIL TWO ZERO ZERO FOUR", etc. 645. STATE ABBREVIATIONS The following are the authorized state abbreviations: ALABAMA ALASKA ARIZONA ARKANSAS CALIFORNIA COLORADO CONNECTICUT DELAWARE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FLORIDA GEORGIA HAWAII IDAHO ILLINOIS INDIANA IOWA KANSAS KENTUCKY LOUISIANA MAINE MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MISSISSIPPI MISSOURI AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MONTANA NEBRASKA NEVADA NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEY NEW MEXICO NEW YORK NORTH CAROLINA NORTH DAKOTA OHIO OKLAHOMA OREGON PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA SOUTH DAKOTA TENNESSEE TEXAS UTAH VERMONT VIRGINIA WASHINGTON WEST VIRGINIA WISCONSIN WYOMING MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY 646. FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND OTHER ABBREVIATIONS 6-21 DRAFT NTP 8(D) AFLOAT ATLANTIC AFLOAT PACIFIC ANTIGUA ISLAND ANTARCTICA AZORES BERMUDA CUBA CANAL ZONE (PANAMA) DIEGO GARCIA GERMANY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GUAM ICELAND ITALY IWO JIMA JAPAN KOREA, REPUBLIC OF MARCUS ISLAND MIDWAY ISLAND OKINAWA PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF PUERTO RICO SPAIN THAILAND VIRGIN ISLANDS 650. REFILING MESSAGES AA AP AN AT AO BI CU CZ DG GE GU IC IT IJ JA RK MC MW OA RP PR SP TH VI 651. MESSAGE REFILE BASIC PROCEDURES A message retransmitted by a means different from that which it was received must be converted into the proper format. Normally messages to be refiled into the networks or the Naval Telecommunication System will not require converting. 652. AMATEUR RADIO TO MARS REFILE An amateur radio message will not be accepted for refile into MARS unless it meets the message criteria contained in paragraph 540. It is necessary to change the Amateur Radio message format to the MARS format per this chapter. In converting the message to the proper format, it is essential that the place of origin and the time and date of origination be indicated. Example: Received via Amateur Radio 6-22 DRAFT NTP 8(D) NR56R W4SSN CK 7 NORFOLK VA 21ØØZ MAR 15 WELDON RYE ITCS USN OPERATIONS DIV NAVCOMMTELSTA SAN DIEGO CA 92132 286 262 Ø67Ø BT YOUR MESSAGE RECEIVED X SEE YOU SUNDAY BT HAROLD This message refiled to NAVMARCORMARS R 1521ØØZ MAR 2ØØ4 FM NNNØZLS VA TO ITCS WELDON RYE USN OPERATIONS DIV NAVCOMMTELSTA SAN DIEGO CA 92132 286-262-Ø67Ø BT UNCLAS 1. NR 56R W4SSN CK 7 NORFOLK VA 21ØØZ MAR 15 2. YOUR MESSAGE RECEIVED X SEE YOU SUNDAY 3. HAROLD SENDS BT 653. MARS TO AMATEUR RADIO REFILE The refile of MARS messages into Amateur Radio Service shall be in accordance with the criteria contained in paragraph 540. All NMAT texts shall be expanded with the meanings from Annex L. EXAMPLE: Received via NAVMARCORMARS R 181Ø15Z MAR 2ØØ4 FM PVT B J HARPER PHILADELPHIA PA/NNN0ABC PA TO JAMES C HARPER 62 ELM STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 2ØØ3Ø 2Ø2-266-6299 BT UNCLAS BE HOME ON SATURDAY MAR 26, MEET ME AT THE BUS TERMINAL. BILLY JOE. BT This message Refiled to Amateur Radio NRl6R K4NAA CK 13 PHILADELPHIA PA VIA MARS 1Ø15Z MAR 18 JAMES C HARPER 62 ELM STREET NW 6-23 DRAFT NTP 8(D) WASHINGTON DC 2ØØ3Ø PHONE 2Ø2 266 6299 BT BE HOME ON SATURDAY MAR 26 X MEET ME AT THE BUS TERMINAL BT BILLY JOE 654. NAVMARCORMARS REFILE TO OR FROM ARMY OR AIR FORCE MARS Navy-Marine Corps MARS, Army MARS and Air Force MARS all use the same 16-line message format (see the Message Format Schematic in paragraph 602 above). There are minor differences in how the different format lines are used between services. Stations relaying traffic to another service MARS will send the traffic in the format they use in their service. The receiving station will make any format changes that are necessary to ensure proper delivery in their service's traffic system. 660. RADIO NETWORKS 661. ESTABLISHING A NET a. Net Control Station (NECOS) will establish a net with an initial transmission to NNNØALS that contains the following instructions (operating signals are shown for SCD nets. Their plain language equivalents will be used on voice nets): (1) Identification of NECOS (ZKA) (2) Net designator and/or purpose (3) Net Operation (Free or Directed) (ZKB) (4) Any other special instructions (5) Conduct a roll call of stations (or proceed with callup procedure) at this time and after each frequency shift. b. Net call-ups will be standardized in each area in writing in the individual Area Operations Guide. 662. CONTROL OF NETWORKS To have an efficient operating network, it is necessary that the NECOS control the operations of the network. However, control action should be limited to that required to maintain order or to immediately restore order. Amplification of information regarding a breach of circuit discipline must be sent via letter, rather than tying up the net with lengthy exchanges. Communication Improvement Memorandums (CIMs) per paragraph 509 are encouraged. 6-24 DRAFT