Every formal radiogram message originated and handled should contain the following component parts in the order given

1. Preamble
1. Number (begin with 1 each month or year)
2. Precedence (R, W, P or EMERGENCY)
3. Handling Instructions (optional, see text)
4. Station of Origin (first amateur handler)
5. Check (number of words/groups in text only)
6. Place of Origin (not necessarily location of station of origin.)
7. Time Filed (optional with originating station)
8. Date (must agree with date of time filed)
2. Address  (as complete as possible, include zip code and telephone number)
3. Text   (limit to 25 words or less, if possible)
4. Signature

CW: The prosign AA separates the parts of the address. BT separates the address from the text and the text from the signature. AR marks end of message; this is followed by B if there is another message to follow, by N if this is the only or last message.  It is customary to copy the preamble, parts of the address, text and signature on separate lines.

RTTY: Same as CW procedure above, except
(1) use extra space between parts of address instead of AA
(2) omit CW procedure sign BT to separate text from address and signature, using line spaces instead
(3) add a CFM line under the signature, consisting of all names, numerals and unusual words in the message in the order transmitted.

PACKET/AMTOR BBS: Same format as shown in the cw message example above, except that the AA and AR prosigns may be omitted.  Most AMTOR and packet BBS software in use today allows formal message traffic to be sent with the "ST" command.  Always avoid the use of spectrum-wasting multiple line feeds and indentations.

PHONE: Use prowords instead of prosigns, though it is not necessary to name each part of the message as you send it. For example, a message would be sent on phone as follows:

"Number one routine HX Golf W1AW eight Newington Connecticut one eight three zero zulu july one Donald Smith Figures one six four East Sixth Avenue North River City Missouri zero zero seven eight nine Telephone seven three three four nine six eight Break Happy birthday X-ray see you soon X-ray love Break Diana End of Message Over.  

"End of Message" is followed by "More" if there is another message to follow; "No More" if it is the only or last message. Speak clearly using VOX (or pause frequently on push-to-talk) so the receiving station can get fills. Spell all difficult or unusual words phonetically--do not spell out common words. Do not use CW abbreviations or Q-signals in phone traffic handling.
 

Precedences

The precedence will follow the message number. For example, on CW 207R or 207 EMERGENCY.  On phone, "Two Zero Seven, Routine (or Emergency)."

EMERGENCY -- Any message having life and death urgency to any person or group of persons, which is transmitted by Amateur Radio in the absence of regular commercial facilities.  This includes official messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to relief of stricken populance in emergency areas. During normal times, it will be very rare. On CW, RTTY and other digital modes this designation will always be spelled out. When in doubt, do not use it.

PRIORITY -- Important messages having a specific time limit.  Official messages not covered in the Emergency category.  Press dispatches and other emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notifications of death or injury in a disaster area, personal or official. Use the abbreviation P on CW.

WELFARE -- A message that is either
a) an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in the disaster area, or
b) an advisory or reply from the disaster area that indicates all is well should carry this precedence, which is abbreviated W on CW.
These messages are handled after Emergency and Priority traffic but before Routine.

ROUTINE--Most traffic normal times will bear this designation.  In disaster situations, traffic labeled Routine (R on CW) should be handled last, or not at all when circuits are busy with Emergency, Priority or Welfare traffic.
 

Handling Instructions (Optional)

HXA -- (Followed by number) Collect landline delivery authorized by addressee within....miles. (If no number, authorization is unlimited.)

HXB -- (Followed by number) Cancel message if not delivered within....hours of filing time; service originating station.

HXC -- Report date and time of delivery (TOD) to originating station.

HXD -- Report to originating station the identity of station from which received, plus date and time. Report identity of station to which relayed, plus date and time, or if delivered report date, time and method of delivery.

HXE -- Delivering station get reply from addresses, originate message back.

HXF -- (Followed by number) Hold delivery until....(date).

HXG -- Delivery by mail or landline toll call not required.  If toll or other expense involved, cancel message and service originating station.

For further information on traffic handling, consult the Public Service Communications Manual or the ARRL Operating Manual, both published by ARRL.
 

ARRL QN Signals For CW Net Use

QNA* Answer in prearranged order.
QNB * Act as relay Between _____ and _____
QNC   All net stations Copy. I have a message for all net stations.
QND* Net is Directed (controlled by net control station).
QNE* Entire net stand by.
QNF   Net is Free (not controlled).
QNG   Take over as net control station.
QNH   Your net frequency is High.
QNI   Net stations report In.*.  I am reporting into the net. (Follow with a list or traffic or QRU).
QNJ   Can you copy me?   Can you copy _____?
QNK* Transmit message for _____ to _____
QNL   Your net frequency is Low.
QNM* You are QRMing the net. Stand by.
QNN   Net control station is _____. What station has net control?
QNO   Station is leaving the net.
QNP   Unable to copy you. Unable to copy _____
QNQ* Move frequency to _____ and wait for _____ to finish handling traffic. Then send him traffic for _____
QNR   Answer _____ and Receive traffic.
QNS * Following Stations are in the net. *(Follow with list.)
             Request list of stations in the net.
QNT   I request permission to leave the net for _____ minutes.
QNU * The net has traffic for you. Stand by.
QNV* Establish contact with _____ on this frequency.  If successful, move to _____ and send him traffic for _____
QNW How do I route messages for _____?
QNX   You are excused from the net.* Request to be excused from the net.
QNY* Shift to another frequency (or to _____ kHz) to clear traffic with _____
QNZ   Zero beat your signal with mine.

* - For use only by the Net Control Station.

Notes on Use of QN Signals

The QN signals listed above are special ARRL signals for use in amateur CW nets only.  They are not for use in casual amateur conversation.  Other meanings that may be used in other services do not apply. Do not use QN signals on phone nets.  Say it with words. QN signals need not be followed by a question mark, even though the meaning may be interrogatory.
 

International Q Signals

A Q-signal followed by a "?" asks a question.  A Q-signal without the "?" answers the question affirmatively, unless otherwise indicated.

QRA What is the name of your station?
QRG What's my exact frequency?
QRH Does my frequency vary?
QRI How is my tone? (1-3)
QRK What is my signal intelligibility? (1-5)
QRL Are you busy?
QRM Is my transmission being interfered with?
QRN Are you troubled by static?
QRO Shall I increase transmitter power?
QRP Shall I decrease transmitter power?
QRQ Shall I send faster?
QRS Shall I send slower?
QRT Shall I stop sending?
QRU   Have you anything for me? (Answer in negative)
QRV   Are you ready?
QRW Shall I tell _____ you're calling him?
QRX   When will you call again?
QRZ   Who is calling me?
QSA What is my signal strength? (1-5)
QSB   Are my signals fading?
QSD Is my keying defective?
QSG Shall I send _____ messages at a time?
QSK   Can you work breakin?
QSL   Can you acknowledge receipt?
QSM Shall I repeat the last message sent?
QSO Can you communicate with _____ direct?
QSP   Will you relay to _____?
QSV Shall I send a series of V's?
QSW Will you transmit on _____?
QSX Will you listen for _____ on _____?
QSY Shall I change frequency?
QSZ Shall I send each word/group more than once? (Answer, send twice or ___)
QTA Shall I cancel number _____?
QTB   Do you agree with my word count? (Answer negative)
QTC   How many messages have you to send?
QTH What is your location?
QTR What isyour time?
QTV Shall I stand guard for you _____?
QTX Will you keep your station open for further communication with me?
QUA Have you news of _____?
 

Abbreviations, Prosigns, Prowords

CW Phone (meaning or purpose)
AA (Separation between parts of address or signature)
AA All After (use to get fills)
AB All Before (use to get fills)
ADEE Addressee (name of person to whom message addressed).
ADR Address (second part of message).
AR End of message (end of record copy).
ARL (Used with "check," indicates use of ARRL numbered message in text).
AS Stand by; wait.
B More (another message to follow).
BK Break; break me; break-in (interrupt transmission on cw. Quick check on phone).
BT Separation (break) between address and text; between text and signature.
C Correct; yes.
CFM Confirm. (Check me on this).
CK Check.
DE From; this is (preceding identification).
HH (Error in sending. Transmission continues with last word correctly sent.)
HX (Handling instructions. Optional part of preamble.) Initial(s). Single letter(s) to follow.
IMI Repeat; I say again. (Difficult or unusual words or groups.)
K Go ahead; over; reply expected. (Invitation to transmit .)
N Negative, incorrect; no more. (No more messages to follow.)
NR Number. (Message follows.)
PBL Preamble (first part of message)
N/A Read back. (Repeat as received.)
R Roger; point. (Received; decimal point.)
SIG Signed; signature (last part of message.)
SK Out; clear (end of communications, no reply expected.)
TU Thank you.
WA Word after (used to get fills.)
WB Word before (used to get fills.)