[Adapted for Virginia ARES from the State of California ACS / RACES Operations Guide, by Bill Pennington, WA6SLA]
From: Ed Harris [[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 7:06 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Blacksburg Handout on Prowords
Prowords are the framework around which an effective emergency net operates, but they are effective only when all participants "read from the same sheet of music" by understanding and using them correctly:
Always contact a station by saying its callsign, then say:
"THIS IS", Is ALWAYS used to indicate who is initiating the contact, followed by callsign.
When it is their turn to respond, say...OVER.
"OVER" means, "I have finished transmitting to you and am waiting for your reply."This leaves no doubt who's turn it is...
When your business is finished, the station initiating the contact should end it. "This is [YOUR CALL], out." "OUT" means "End of Contact," as in, "I have finished my transmission to you and expect no reply."
Leaves no mistake that the contact has ended.
You should also be familiar with these prowords:
"CLEAR." Use to end transmission during a busy net. Means "I am ceasing transmission, but will monitor for further traffic."
"ROGER" means "Received and understood." [Does NOT mean yes or signify agreement!]
"AFFIRMATIVE" is always used instead of "yes." "NEGATIVE" is used instead of "no" because their sound is distinctive and their meaning clear, even under marginal propogation conditions.
"SAY AGAIN" is ALWAYS used when requesting a "fill," Means repeat picking up from last known word or group preceding or following word referenced, as in: "SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER [known word]."
"CORRECTION" means, "I made an error and will transmit again starting after last correct word."
"CORRECT" means "You are correct."
"BREAK" is used to separate NTS message text from the address or signature blocks. NEVER use to interrupt a contact in progress!
(Cure repeater users of "Break" outside the context of NTS traffic, by responding: "Unidentified station in distress, state your location and the nature of your emergency, over!")
"BREAK-BREAK!" A "double-break" always means EMERGENCY, cease all transmission.
"COPY" means "I receive and understand third party traffic to me and do not require a relay." (Don't use Q-signals such as QSL or jargon such as "direct")
"WAIT ONE " means "I am ceasing transmission for a few seconds, please stand by."
(Use this one to collect your thoughts and unkey, instead of tying up the frequency with "dead air" while you try to remember)
"WAIT" - Cease all transmission until contacted again by Net Control.
"FIGURES" - Next group is numbers.
"INITIAL" - Single letter follows.
"LETTER GROUP" - Next group is letters.
"MIXED GROUP" - Next group contains both letters and figures.
"I SPELL" - Copy as "I spell phonetically."
There is no such thing as "Common Spelling" on an emergency net! Do not improvise phonetics! When copy is difficult always use Standard ITU Phonetics to spell call signs, letter groups and place names!
| A | Alpha | J | Juliet | S | Sierra |
| B | Bravo | K | Kilo | T | Tango |
| C | Charlie | L | Lima | U | Uniform |
| D | Delta | M | Mike | V | Victor |
| E | Echo | N | November | W | Whiskey |
| F | Foxtrot | O | Oscar | X | Xray |
| G | Golf | P | Papa | Y | Yankee |
| H | Hotel | Q | Quebec | Z | Zulu |
| I | India | R | Romeo |
Speak SLOWLY and DISTINCTLY! When conditions are poor, numbers must be exaggerated to be readily understandable. Never say the initial "OH" as in OSCAR, when you mean figure "ZERO!"
| Wun | Too | Tharee | |||
| Fower | Fiyiv | Siks | |||
| Sevven | Ate | Niner | |||
| Zearow |
If you use the above prowords and phonetics properly, it will help you to provide the efficient, reliable, high quality emergency communications that ARES and RACES are known for. Good radio procedure reflects pride, efficiency and competence. Please do your part to set a good example for your fellow operators.
Page Last Updated, 05/09/09