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