Hi all.  Here are the formats for NTS,RACES and ARES.  these formats are
similar.The NTS format is as follows...#1.  This is the message number.  If
you are the originating station, you can start with the number one and then
continue from there.  #2.  This is the presidence.  This would be M for
morale,W for welfare, P is for priority, and E is for emergency and R for
routine.  The most common is R for routine.  #3.  This would be the place to
put the HX handling instructions if there are any.( Iwill supply these
later)  #4 This is where  the name of the originating person's name and
address or  call sign.  #5.  This is where you would enter the number count
of the text.  The text can consist of X's which are periods or quree for
question.  These are the only punctuation used.The text is
kept to a maximum of 25 words.  #6.  This is where you put the City of the
originating station with State Abbreviations.  #7  The next here is the
Month and day. such as Feb.1    #8  This is where  you put the name and
address
and city and zip code and phone number for where your message is going to.
#9
this is the abbreviation of bt. This means that you are finished with the
preamble and are ready to send text.  You follow the text with another bt,
which means you are finished with text and then follow with  #10  signature.
This can include a title(i.e..  John Doe RO Central Canada section manager.

The ARES and RACES formats are similar, but all you have to add is the time
in front of Month.  The time is in Local time and is stated in military time
and follows with EST or DST.

The HX handling instructions mentioned above are as follows.  The letters HX
are followed by the lettersA through G.HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS:
HXA  (Followed by a number. ) Collect landline authorized by
     addressee within ....... (miles/kilometers.)  (If no number
     given, authorization is unlimited.)

HXB  (followed by a 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 addressee, originate message
     back.

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

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


Here is a sample traffic format...

001 R HXC Gary Tillinghast 16 Springville.NY Feb 1 John Doe 555 Main St
Anytown NY 15000 6716 555 1212 bt

Thanks for taking the time to learn something n    ew X Keep on  passing
traffic X 73 bt Gary KB2YAA

The only change that would be added is the arl codes.  These were developed
to save on message space.  ARL codes are used in Routine traffic as well as
RACES and ARES formats.If you get involved with your local traffic handling
nets, they will pass on a copy of these to you  I hope this has helped, if
not please E mail  at [log in to unmask]  with any questions.  Gary KB2YAA