Auxiliary Communications Emergency Service

Burnside Bridge Antietam Battlefield

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Alert Status For Airports

There is no great mystery to handling traffic, but there are a few tips.  

• Sending    

1. Keep it simple
2. Use phonetics only when necessary (difficult spelling, bad transmission conditions, confusing words (to, two, too, etc.) confusing letters (b, d,
3. When sending mixed groups (K3ABC = KILO 3 ALPHA BRAVO CHARLIE)
4. Speak slowly (a little slower than you could print the words.
5. Originate a messages frequently (solicit messages from friends and relatives for delivery in another part of the state or even in another state - if out of the country check the third party agreement regulations.)
6. Keep a record of all messages sent.
7. Try your hand at sending messages by various modes, phone, CW and packet.

• Receiving

1. Have the proper form available (NTS, SITREP, ADREP)
2. Print or type the message as received, you may not make corrections on your own
3. Do not acknowledge receipt until you have:

            A. Checked your word count against the Check number.
            B. Reread the message for clarity.
            C. Confirmed the spelling of unusual words.

• Delivering Messages

1. Deliver the message to the recipient as soon as possible (not more than 24 hours unless directed to hold for a specific time or date).
2. Deliver messages in plain language (ARL fifty means nothing to the average person.)
3. Keep a record of all messages received.
4. Enjoy traffic handling.     

• Wrap up

1. Relax - traffic handling is not only a skill, but can be enjoyable.
2. Don't be afraid that you may make an error. (We are all human).
3. Enjoy traffic handling.
4. Practice this skill as often as possible.

There is a little difference between the forms that The Maryland Emergency Management Agency uses, but the same techniques are used.  Just remember that in passing traffic, efficiency and clarity are the most important aspects, and efficiency is not the same as speed.

We do look for a message from each of our members, from time to time, to keep their hands in traffic handling.  Practice does make us perform better at any skill, and traffic handling is a skill for which we are known.

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Copyright � 2012 Washington County ACES

 This page was last modified on December 12, 2012