“Do what the trained receiving operator expects and confusion and errors will be minimized.” –from “Methods and Practices Guidelines (MPG)”
Use of prowords and introductory phrases are used in message handling to enhance accuracy and efficiency. They are not part of the message itself and are not counted in the check, but are spoken to begin or end the message, indicate information for the receiving operator, or to separate parts of the message or books. Detailed information can be found at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public Service/MPG204A.pdf.
NUMBER
Tells receiving station to copy everything after hearing word “Number”
BREAK
follows address to indicate beginning of text and again at end of text before signature, ALSO used to separate parts of booked messages
END
Indicates end of the message, to be followed by END NO MORE (no more messages for you or END MORE or END # MORE referring to number of messages to follow.
BOOK OF #
Used to begin transmission of a book of messages. To begin the book say “BOOK OF (#)” then begin the fixed parts of the message. The corresponding words to end the book are “END BOOK”. The (#) is the quantity of individual messages in the book spoken as words without using the “figures” introducer.
I SPELL
Used to indicate you are going back to spell the group just voiced. It is used with ONE GROUP AT A TIME, and is said IMMEDIATELY after voicing the group, followed by either phonetic or letter spelling of the group.
I SAY AGAIN
Used to indicate you are going back to spell the group just voiced. It is used with ONE GROUP AT A TIME, and is said IMMEDIATELY after voicing the group, followed by either phonetic or letter spelling of the group. OR to correct an error, Stop, say “I say again”, go back to last group (or proword) sent correctly, and continue, starting with that correct group or proword.
AFFIRMATIVE
Yes
NEGATIVE
No
ROGER
Received and understood. Does NOT mean yes, confirm, or affirmative! Always used at end of message to acknowledge 100% receipt of message.
INITIAL
Used to introduce a single letter initial, phonetic pronunciation mandatory, as in the initial in a proper name, John R Smith: “JOHN.. initial ROMEO.. SMITH”
INITIALS OR LETTER GROUP
Used to introduce a group of 2 or more letters, as in an abbreviation, unpronounceable group, etc. Phonetics are mandatory; as in: AM voiced as “initials ALPHA MIKE”
FIGURE(S)
Used to introduce a group of one or more numbers: Say “figure(s)”, then voice the numbers one digit at a time, group pause, and go on to the next group. Examples: 2, voiced as “figure TWO”; 62, voiced as “figures SIX TWO”
MIXED GROUP
Used to introduce a group consisting of a mix of 2 or more of the 3 types of characters permitted in a group; letters, figures, or slashes (/), not beginning with figure(s). R2, A3J, A/X, B/3, MS/4, W4XYZ/3, W3XYZ/EPA/EANTX, etc Do NOT introduce characters separately within the mixed group. To do so would imply a separate group to copy
MIXED GROUP FIGURE(S)
Used to introduce a mixed group as above when the first character is number(s), as in: 2A: voiced as “mixed group figure TWO ALPHA”
AMATEUR CALL
Used to introduce an amateur call sign in the Address, Text, or Signature (but not in the Preamble). Phonetics are mandatory for the letters; as in: KO0O: voiced as “amateur call KILO OSCAR ZERO OSCAR”, etc.