TO: ALL WEST VIRGINIA ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM WV SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WV ARES BULLETIN NR 10.12 DATE: March 21, 2010
SUBJECT: GOOD PROCEDURE FOR LONG WORDS OR NAMES
During a training class, concerning the handling of hazardous materials, it was pointed out that while transmitting the names of most chemicals and unusual personal names, we should break down the word into four letter groups. This makes it easier to copy even if a letter is missed. The receiving station can tell the transmitting station to repeat a certain letter in a particular group.
For instance, when transmitting a person’s name like Hollandsworth, you could break the name down into four groups; First Group "Holl", Second Group "ands", Third Group "wort", and Forth Group "final letter h". In this example you would transmit them by stating the group number and using phonetics. Example; Hollandsworth - first group spelling; Hotel Oscar Lima Lima, Break, (pause for just a moment at the break) second group; Alpha November Delta Sierra, Break (pause), third group; Whiskey Oscar Romeo Tango, Break (pause), forth group; final letter Hotel, Break, end of word.
Using this method might take a little longer to transmit the information but, the receiving station could pinpoint a missed letter by stating the word group and letter number. A possible reply from the receiving station if the letter R was missed might be - Example; please say again from group three, third letter (or) Please say again third letter from group three. In any event, the transmitting station doesn't need to re-transmit the entire word or name in this case. This saves time in the long run, and reduces re-transmissions of entire words or names which should not be misspelled.
(Reprint, with modifications of, Wood County RACES Bulletin NR 93.31, By Duane Jones, N8LDM)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator