INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A MESSAGE PREAMBLE FOR NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM (NTS) MESSAGES

Message Number Precedence Station Check Place of Origin Time Date

NN TP N8EOC NC HOWELL MI 2200Z DEC 16

1. The next available NTS message number may be obtained by double clicking the message number log icon on the desktop of console C. Please type in the time and date next to the message number you are using. Then click File on the notepad menu bar, and click Save on the drop down menu.

2. The Precedence is R, W, TP, P, or E . R = Routine, W = Welfare, TP = Test Priority, P = Priority, and E = Emergency.

3. Unless you have a good reason to do so, please do not include Handling Instructions in the preamble.

4. Station of origin = N8EOC

5. The check is the number of words or letter groups in the text of the message only. X is used as a period in NTS messages and is counted as a word. The check for all packet messages is NC.

6. The Place of Origin should indicate the jurisdiction to which the report refers. Howell, MI

7. The date-time group must be in UTC and must indicate the time at which the authorizing official originated the report. Remember! A new radio date begins at 0001Z. The year is not included. A clock has been provided on each computer console that displays the correct UTC time and date. An example NNNNZ DEC 16