ICS-213 Message form and NTS handling

[K7MT]

From: W5KAV DRN7 D
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 9:11 AM
Subject: ICS-213 Guidance


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

[KA2ODP/7]

Hi Bill,

I don't know who created it, but attached is a combination form that merges the elements of the ICS-213 message form with the ARRL Radiogram.

It has been around for a while and seems to solve the problem.

[K7MT]

Hi Bruce,

You know this is the first I have heard about this subject and was not aware NTS was developing a form etc. as indicated in the message. Whatever they decide we can adapt and overcome to quote Gunny Highway !!!!

Thanks Bruce.

Bill K7MT

[KA2ODP/7]

Hi Bill,

Here in Great Falls we heard about this problem between the ICS-213 and the standard ARRL Radiogram years ago. The combination ICS-213 / ARRL Radiogram was created back around 2010 as a solution to the ICS-213 lacking the information blocks necessary to track a radiogram.

For the NTS to just announce now that they "are looking into the problem" forces me to ask, "Where have you guys been?" This issue was identified years ago. And you hope to have something worked out by the year 2016? These guys must work for the Federal government! I'm certain it is comforting for the folks in Nepal who need disaster relief NOW, to know that the NTS is on the case and will hopefully have a solution by sometime next year.

I would expect the NTS could come up with a combination form in a week, instead of 8 or more months! This is not rocket science. Take note of the information blocks on the ARRL Radiogram that are missing from the ICS-213, then modify the ICS-213 to include them. I realize that there is no 3rd party traffic agreement with Nepal, but for the benefit of others, NTS needs to resolve this issue pronto before the next disaster strikes.

I really thought this issue was already resolved. I am disappointed to find out that the NTS still has this issue on it's list of "Things To Do". Apparently the ARES community took action and created a combination form years ago. How the NTS remained in the dark is beyond me. I would expect better communications between the ARRL and the NTS, especially when it involves a common problem. Thanks for the warning - at least now we know about the disconnect at NTS.