146 lines
3.9 KiB
Plaintext
146 lines
3.9 KiB
Plaintext
WRDCOUNT.NTS (6/89)
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The Check
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Counting words in a message has been a source of frustration to many hams
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except for the most experienced traffic handler. Integrity of the message
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content is based primarily on the message check being the same received as
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sent. It insures the accuracy of one's message copy.
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Message counting involves only the words in the "text" of the message
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(the words found between the BT prosigns) not the words in the header,
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address, or signature. Here is a review of word values in the message count:
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Los Angeles two words
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NYC one word
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New York City three words
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6146B one word
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5U4GB one word
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2N3394 one word
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KB6SBH one word
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SEVENTY THREE two words
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73 one word
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F B Silveira three words
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Vern A DeMott three words
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? one word
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query one word
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X one word
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2100Z one word
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2100 GMT two words
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ARL SIXTY SEVEN three words
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It is advisable to spell out "query" at the end of a question rather than
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using a "?" punctuation mark. Most other punctuation can be sent as a
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solitary "X" (and delivered as a pause).
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Recommended traffic practice is not to use punctuation, fractions, or other
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less known symbols as these do count "one word each" in the message count
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(check). In lieu of using the punctuation period at the end of a sentence,
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the "x" is used instead in its place. The last "X" at the end of the message
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is not necessary. End the message text with a BT followed by the
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signature (which in turn is followed by the prosign AR).
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Advisable also is to spell numbers out rather than use their numeric symbols
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(forty three rather than 43).
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Here is a typical message form used within the National Traffic System:
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NR 5R KB6IDI 22 CITRUS HEIGHTS CA FEB 2Z
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FRED SILVEIRA K6RAU
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1611 EVETTE COURT
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MERCED CA 95340
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T 722 7183 BT
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HAVE NOT HEARD KA6FTA ON
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PACKET LATELY X PLEASE ADVISE
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HIM NR6N AND I HAVE
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RETURNED FROM BIG BEAR X
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SEVENTY THREE BT
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ALICE KB6IDI AR
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Note the "check" after KB6IDI is 22 indicating that the count between the BT
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signs amounts to 22 words (the "x" between "LATELY X PLEASE" and "BEAR X
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SEVENTY" count as one word each).
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Now here's a short quiz to let you try your hand at determining the message
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check. In the message header, "CK" will be used in place of the actual
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numeric value. If you have scrolling function it is suggested to calculate
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the message count before seeing the quiz answers at the end of this treatise.
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Example A:
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NR 17R KI6PR CK MERCED CA JAN 23Z
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RICK MCMILLION WB7UGZ
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7115 BARBERA AVE
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WINTON CA 95388
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T 357 0721 BT
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FOUND SOME RG8 FOAM COAX
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IN GARAGE THAT R H
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PIRTLE GAVE ME AND THOUGHT
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IT MAY BE OF SOME
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USE AT THE MT BULLION
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SITE X ALSO JUST A
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REMINDER THE 160 METER CONTEST
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WILL BE HELD SOON X
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SEVENTY THREE BT
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MIKE KI6PR AR
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(It would have been better for "MT BULLION" to be sent as "MOUNT BULLION" but
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that is the prerogative of the message originator.)
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Example B:
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NR 426R WA6PIC CK ATWATER CA JAN 31Z
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RANDY WITHERS KA6FTA
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1403 BROOKDALE DRIVE
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MERCED CA 95340
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T 722 7194 BT
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HELLO RANDY X THANKS FOR
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SENDING THE WPSS ROSTER X
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WAS LOOKING FOR THE CALL
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OF VAN L LYONS IN
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NIPOMO CA X FOUND IT
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ON LIST AS WB6IIY X
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SURPRISED TO SEE OVER 400
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HAMS ON WESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE
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LIST X 73 BT
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DAVE WA6PIC AR
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(Here "CA" would have been best sent as "CALIFORNIA" but once again it is at
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the initiation of the originating sender.)
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Hams are encouraged to take an active part in traffic handling.
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Source material: "Operating an Amateur Radio Station" printed by the Amateur
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Radio Relay League.
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Quiz answers:
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Message count (check) for Example A is 42.
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Message check (count) for Example B is 43.
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73, Fred/K6RAU @ K6RAU
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