The National Traffic System (NTS) is working on structuring the
ICS-213 into a suitable form/format so that it can be sent by radio
circuits. This is to be accomplished by
January 2016 and we will take suitable information such as the
articles published in QNI by Jim WB8SIW and other examples that have
been used by other groups.
We have already
provided guidance for handling of ICS-213 forms in any format in
the MPG (reference the current MPG, chapter 6, 6.2.15). For your
convenience, here is an excerpt from Chapter 6:
1.1 ICS-213 GUIDANCE
The NIMS/ICS ICS-213 message form, and
similar forms used by various agencies for internal communications
in a preferred format, is not designed for tracking and logging in
radio networks. Guidance for transmitting such forms in the ARRL
Field Organization follows:
-
POINT-TO-POINT
TRANSFER
The ICS-213 (etc.) form contents as
written may be transmitted from an originating station directly to
a receiving station having a blank copy of the form, as is
frequently done for other government or agency forms (such as
situation reports, etc.). It is assumed that both stations are
familiar with the form, and are familiar with how to identify the
blocks of the message being transmitted. Care must be taken to use
transmitting protocols to ensure exact copy of the message
contents at the receiving end. General voicing and CW protocols
may be used for transmitting the groups of the message as noted in
Chapters 2 and 3 of the MPG. The military-like use of the
introducer “symbol for ___” may be used to articulate colons and
other punctuation. Of course, a direct packet radio or Radio-email
connection between the stations may be used to transfer the form
contents.
6.2.1.2 RELAYS THROUGH
MANUAL NETS/STATIONS
If the contents of an ICS-213 form
(etc.) must be sent through intermediate manual relaying stations
on Local, Section, or nation-wide NTS nets and NTSD, a Radiogram
must be created with a valid preamble, address of the destination
station or site, the ICS-213 contents entered into the text block,
and a valid signature, including, as necessary, Op Notes and full
a signature with return address, phone and/or email contact
information. The Radiogram received-from and sent-to record
sections must be completed. The ICS-213 contents must be modified
to comply with Radiogram punctuation rules for the text so that
standard voicing or CW transmission methods may be used. This can
be cumbersome, but the ICS-213 itself is not suitable as a radio
communications format, lacking the tracking and record attributes
of the standard ARRL Radiogram.
-
RADIO-EMAIL
TRANSFER
By far, the most effective method for
transferring the ICS-213 form (etc.) is to simply attach the
contents file to a Radio-email to be sent via WL2K
(telnet, packet, or HF access to the system), or sent via
station-to-station transfer of the Radio-email via packet
or HF. If the recipient has no WL2K or internet link on site, Type
3 Radio-email may be used to move the form messaging to a
relay station capable of making direct delivery to the
addressee(s). If the originator has no WL2K or internet link on
site, it may use Type 4 direct station-to-station transfer to move
the form messaging to a relay station capable of re-filing the
traffic onto the WL2K network or internet.
In the interim if you receive any
ICS-213 for sending, please just add the handwritten information
contained in the preamble of an ARRL radiogram to be able to send
it.
73
Joe Ames
W3JY Steve Phillips K6JT
Rob Griffin K6YR
Chair Eastern Area Staff Chair
Central Area Staff Chair Pacific Area
Staff
