Sunday, December 19, 2021

Prowords in Formal Messages

As a follow up to the net training topic December 19:

PROWORDS aka OPERATIONAL WORDS

These words are spoken to begin or end a formal message, indicate information for the receiving operator, or to separate parts of the message or books. They are not written in the message or counted in the check. Following are several common prowords with descriptions of their use:

Number

The proword “number” begins message copy. It tells the operator to copy everything after hearing the word “number”. To begin the message say "number ..." then transmit the preamble.

Figures

Used to indicate you are about to give a series of numbers. Variatons include Zip Figures - used immediately before giving a zip code, and Phone Figures - used immediately before giving a phone number.

Initials

Indicates you are about to give one or more initials phonetically.

Mixed Group

Indicates you are about to give is a mixture of numbers and letters.

Direction

Used for cardinal direction in an address.

I Spell

Indicates you are about to spell phonetically the word you just said.

Amateur Call

Used before saying an amateur call sign.

Say Again, (use #1)

To repeat for clarity: say the group(s), then "I say again", repeat the group(s), and then continue. 

Say Again, (use #2)

Used if you missed a portion of the message and need it repeated. Example: Say Again all before _ _ _ _ or, Say Again all after _ _ _ _ .

Break

The proword “break” marks the start of the text, and “break” at the end of the text marks the start of the signature. 

Go, Go Ahead

Used by the receiving station to indicate he or she is ready for the next section of the message

No More, One More, Two More

Indicates if you have additional traffic to follow - or not. These terms follow the “end” or “end book” termination of copy.

Over

Indicates the end of your transmission and signals the receiving station to go ahead

Roger

Indicates you received the transmission successfully. Example: I Roger your number # # #

End 

The proword “end” signals the end of groups to be copied, in other words, the end of the written message.

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. 

End Book

Used to end copy of a book of messages. In other words book copy is begun with “book of (#)” and terminated with “end book”.