16-line message format

NATO radiogram format 16-line message format, or Basic Message Format, is the NATO standard military radiogram format for the manner in which a paper message form is transcribed through voice, Morse code, or Teletypewriter transmission formats. The overall structure of the message has three parts: HEADING (which can use as many as 10 of the format's 16 lines), TEXT (line 12), and ENDING. This heading is further divided into procedure, preamble, address, and prefix. Each format line contains pre-defined content. An actual message may have fewer than 16 actual lines, or far more than 16, because some lines are skipped in some delivery methods, and a long message may have a TEXT portion that is longer than 16 lines by itself. This radiotelegraph message format (also "radio teletype message format", "teletypewriter message format", and "radiotelephone message format") and transmission procedures have been documented in numerous military standards, going back to at least World War II-era U.S. Army manuals. Historical Development U.S. Army Field Manual FM 24-5 Basic Field Manual, Signal Communication U.S. Army Field Manual FM 24-17 Tactical Communications Center Operations U.S. Army Field Manual FM-24-19 Radio Operator's Handbook (Chapter 5: Operating Procedures)Radio Operator's Handbook https://archive.org/details/milmanual-fm-24-19-radio-operators-handbook 23 April 2015 Messages were formerly prepared on DD Form 173/4, Joint Message Form DD Form 1753, Master Station Log would be used to record some types of data for the radio station. DD Form 1765, Incoming Service Message Log would be used to record received messages. DD Form 1766, Outgoing Service Message Log would be used to record outgoing messages. Current Definition and Usage The 16-line format and procedures for transmitting it vary slightly depending on the communications medium, but all variations are designed to be harmonious and the procedures describe how to convert (refile) between the formats. ACP-124 (messages relayed by telegraphy)ACP-124 http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp124/ 23 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150202201013/http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp124/ 2015-02-02 dead ACP-125 defines the format of messages relayed by voiceACP-125 http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp125/ 23 April 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150525060740/http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp125/ 25 May 2015 ACP-126 defines the format of messages relayed by radio teletypeACP-126 http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp126/ 23 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150411175736/http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp126/ 2015-04-11 dead ACP-127 defines the format of messages relayed by automated tapeACP-127 http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp127/ 23 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150411063352/http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/acps/acp127/ 2015-04-11 dead Military Affiliate Radio Service Example Messages When sent as an ACP-126 message over teletype, a 16-line format radiogram would appear similar to this: RFHT DE RFG NR 114 R 151412Z MAR FM CG FIFTH CORPS TO CG THIRD INFDIV WD GRNC BT UNCLAS PLAINDRESS SINGLE ADDRESS MESSAGES WILL BE TRANSMITTED OVER TELETIPEWRITER CIRCUITS AS INDICATED IN THIS EXAMPLE BT C WA OVER TELETYPEWRITER NNNN Some of the format lines in the above example have been omitted for efficiency. The translation of this abbreviate format follows: Format Line Message Text Explanation Line 2 RFHT Station being called, which will receive the message Line 3 DE RFG NR 114 Sent by radio station having the callsign RFG, station serial number 114 Line 5 R 151412Z MAR Routine precedence, March 15, 2:12pm UTC in Date-time group format Line 6 FM CG FIFTH CORPS The message is from CG FIFTH CORPS Line 7 TO CG THIRD INFDIV The message is to CG THIRD INFDIV Line 10 WD GRNC Accounting symbol (WD); word groups have not been counted (GRNC) Line 11 BT Section separator between heading and text Line 12 UNCLAS PLAINDRESS SINGLE ADDRESS MESSAGES WILL BE TRANSMITTED OVER TELETIPEWRITER CIRCUITS AS INDICATED IN THIS EXAMPLE Message content is unclassified, and the message is sent with a misspelled word, "TELETIPEWRITER" for example purposes. Line 13 BT Section separator between text and the ending Line 15 C WA OVER TELETYPEWRITER corrects (C) word after (WA) "OVER" to "TELETYPEWRITER" Line 16 NNNN end-of-message indicator Example message in four different formats: Format Line Telegraph Radiogram (ACP-124) Voice Radiogram (ACP-125) Radioteletype Radiogram (ACP-126) Tape Relay Radiogram (ACP-127) ACP-127 Supl. 1 VZCZC051 UU VZCZC051 UU VZCZC051 UU 2 (or 2&3) CALLED_CALLSIGN THIS IS CALLING_CALLSIGN MESSAGE NUMBER 051 CALLED_CALLSIGN DE CALLING_CALLSIGN NR 051 RR CALLED_CALLSIGN RR CALLED_CALLSIGN 3 DE CALLING_CALLSIGN 0051 22/1856Z DE CALLING_CALLSIGN #0051 1121857 4 TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS/OP. SIGS ZNR UUUUU TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS/OP. SIGS ZNR UUUUU TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS/OP. SIGS 5 ROUTINE TIME 221855Z APR 2015 R 221855Z APR 2015 R 221856Z APR 2015 R 221857Z APR 2015 6 FROM ORIGINATION PLAIN LANGUAGE ADDRESS FM ORIGINATION PLAIN LANGUAGE ADDRESS FM ORIGINATION PLAIN LANGUAGE ADDRESS FM ORIGINATION PLAIN LANGUAGE ADDRESS 7 TO TO ADDRESSEE RI AND PLAD TO TO ADDRESSEE RI AND PLAD TO TO ADDRESSEE RI AND PLAD TO TO ADDRESSEE RI AND PLAD 8 INFO INFORMATION ADDRESSEE 1 RI AND PLADINFORMATION ADDRESSEE 2 RI AND PLAD INFO INFORMATION ADDRESSEE 1 RI AND PLADINFORMATION ADDRESSEE 2 RI AND PLAD INFO INFORMATION ADDRESSEE 1 RI AND PLADINFORMATION ADDRESSEE 2 RI AND PLAD INFO INFORMATION ADDRESSEE 1 RI AND PLADINFORMATION ADDRESSEE 2 RI AND PLAD 9 10 GROUP NO COUNT 11 BREAK BT BT BT 12 UNCLASSIFIEDTHIS IS A TEST MESSAGE UNCLASTHIS IS A TEST MESSAGE UNCLASTHIS IS A TEST MESSAGE UNCLASTHIS IS A TEST MESSAGE 13 BREAK BT BT BT 14 15 #0051 16 OVER NNNN NNNN NNNN Historical Development The concept of the standard message format originated in the wired telegraph services. Each telegraph company likely had its own format, but soon after radio telegraph services began, some elements of the message exchange format were codified in international conventions (such as Articles 9, 22, 26, 29, 30, and Appendix 1 of the International Radiotelegraph Convention, Washington, 1927), and these were then often duplicated in domestic radio communications regulations (such as the FCC in the U.S.) and in military procedure documentation. Military organizations independently developed their own procedures, and in addition to differing from the international procedures, they sometimes differed between different branches of the military within the same country. For example, the publication "Communication Instructions, 1929",International Radiotelegraph Convention (Washington, 1927) http://www.itu.int/en/history/Pages/RadioConferences.aspx?conf=39&dms=S0201000014 26 April 2015 from the U.S. Navy Department, includes: One procedure for messages transmitted "in naval form over nonnaval systems" (Part II: Radio, Chapter 15) One procedure for exchanging messages with commercial radio stations (Part II: Radio, Chapter 16, pages 36–37 for examples; see also Part I: Chapter 7) One procedure for messages transmitted within the Navy (Part IV: Procedure and Examples, Chapter 32, especially pages 21 & 22 for the format) One format for exchanging messages between the Army and Navy (Part IV: Appendix A), called the "Joint Army and Navy Radiotelegraph Procedure", with the format shown on page 70. Sources for Procedures Technical Manuals TM 1-460 (Radiotelephone Procedure, Air Corps 1941)TM 1-460 Radiotelephone Procedure, Air Corps 1941 https://archive.org/details/TM1-460-1941 23 April 2015 TM 11-454 (The Radio Operator)TM 11-454 The Radio Operator https://archive.org/details/TM11-454 23 April 2015 TM 11-455 (Radio Fundamentals) 11-486-2 Traffic. 11-486-3 Transmission and Circuit Layout. TM 11-490 (Army Communications Facilities: Autodin Station and Teletypewriter Station Operating Procedures) TM 11-490-2 (Army Communications Facilities: Telecommunications Center Operating Procedures) Field Manuals FM 11-8 (Field Radio Relay Techniques)Field Radio Relay Techniques 1957 https://archive.org/details/FM11-81957 23 April 2015 FM 11-9 (Signal Radio Relay Company)Signal Radio Relay Company https://archive.org/details/FM11-9 23 April 2015 FM 11-23 (U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command (Theater))U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command (Theater) https://archive.org/details/FM11-23 23 April 2015 Army Subject Schedules (ASubjScd) 11-23 Teletype Communications. Army Subject Schedules (ASubjScd) 11-24 Telephone Central Office Communications Army Subject Schedules (ASubjScd) 11-36 Radiotelephone Operations FM 11-50 (Combat Communications Within the Division)FM 11-50 Signal Battalion Armored, Infantry, and Infantry (Mechanized) Divisions https://archive.org/details/FM11-50 23 April 2015 FM 11-57 (Signal Battalion, Airborne Division) FM 11-65 (High Frequency Radio Communications) FM 11-84 Signal Radio Operations Company. FM 11-86 (Combat Area Signal Battalion, Army) Fm 11-92 (Corps Signal Battalion) FM 11-95 (Army Signal Battalion; radio nets, field army tactical operations center, etc.) FM 11-125 (Field Army Signal Communications)FM 11-125 Field Army Signal Communications https://archive.org/details/FM11-125 23 April 2015 FM 11-117 (Signal Support Company)Signal Support Company https://archive.org/details/FM11-117 23 April 2015 FM 11-127 Signal Medium Headquarters Operations Company FM 11-137 (Signal Communications Center Operation Company)Signal Communications Center Operation Company https://archive.org/details/FM11-137 23 April 2015 FM 11-147 Signal Small Headquarters, Operations Company FM 11-490-7 (Military Affiliate Radio System) FM 24-1 (Combat Communications, signal communications training; Tactical Communications Doctrine) FM 24-5 (Basic Field Manual, Signal Communication),FM 24-5 (Basic Field Manual, Signal Communication) https://archive.org/details/Fm24-5 10 January 2018 FM 24-6 (Radio Operator's Manual, Army Ground Forces)FM 24-6 (Radio Operator's Manual) http://ablecompany502pir.org/files/FM_24-6_June_1945.pdf 23 April 2015 FM 24-9 (Combined United States-British Radiotelephone (R/T) Procedure) FM 24-10 (Combined Radiotelegraph (W/T) Procedure) FM 24-11 (Combined Operating Signals) FM 24-16 (Communications-Electronics: Operations, Orders, Records and Reports) FM 24-18 (Radio Communication)FM 24-18 Radio Communication https://archive.org/details/Fm24-18 23 April 2015 FM 24-21 Field Radio Relay Techniques FM 24-35 (Communications-Electronics Operation Instructions) FM 100-11 (Signal Communications Doctrine) FM 100-34-1 (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Command Post Operations) FM 101-5-2 (U.S. Army Report and Message Formats)—The US Army's doctrinal library for report and message voice templates Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) 11-122 Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Signal Group. 11-127 Signal Operations Company, Medium Headquarters. 11-137 Signal Communication Center Operation Company. 11-147 Signal Small Headquarters Operations Company. 11-303 Signal Radio Operations Company. 11-327 Signal Operations Company, Large Headquarters. 11-345 Signal Operations Battalion. 11-347 Signal Long Lines Company. 11-357 Signal Truck Switching Company. 11-358 Signal Messenger Company. 11-367 Signal Company, Tropospheric, Light. 11-368 Signal Company, Tropospheric, Heavy. 11-317 Signal Radio Relay Company. Army Regulations AR 25-6 (Military Auxiliary Radio System)Military Auxiliary Radio System and Amateur Radio Program (MARS) https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/r25_6.pdf 22 July 2017 26 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190126172332/https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/r25_6.pdf live AR 25-11 (Record Communications and the Privacy Communications System)Information Management: Telecommunications--Record Communications and the Privacy Communications System https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ar25-11.htm 23 April 2015 AR 105-10 (Communications Economy and Discipline) AR 105-31 (Record Communications) AR 105-64 (US Army Communications Electronics Operation Instructions (CEOI) Program) AR 105-75 (Military Auxiliary Radio System; replaced by AR 25-6) Navy Department Communication Instructions 1929Navy Department Communication Instructions 1929 http://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/1929_comm_inst-iv.pdf 23 April 2015 AR 310-50 (Authorized Abbreviations, Brevity Codes, and Acronyms)Authorized Abbreviations, Brevity Codes, and Acronyms https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ar310-50.pdf 23 April 2015 Forms DA FORM 4158 (Circuit Log and Operator’s Number Sheet) DA PAM 310-1 (Consolidated Index of Army Publications and Blank Forms) Training Material PS 6-79 (Purpose and operational principles of the message center) 1-3310 1943 (Radio Operator) TF 11-2061 (Use of Voice Radio) FS 11-66 (Forms, records, and equipment) PS 6-81 (Incoming messages, how to handle) PS 6-80 (Outgoing messages) MF 11-2487 (Radio Interference—Part I) MF 11-2488 (Radio Interference—Part II) MF 11-4573 (Radiotelephone Procedures) MF 11-4359 (Single Side Band Radio Communications, Part I: Principles) MF 11-4362 (Single Side Band Radio Communications, Part II: Techniques) TVT 11-109 (Radio Interference - Causes and Sounds) TVT 11-110 (Radio Interference: Remedial Action and Reporting) TVT 11-6300 (Net Controller Training, Part I) TVT 11-6301 (Net Controller Training, Part II) 113-571-1003 (Communicate in a Radio Net) 113-572-1002 (Send a Message in 16-Line Format) TF 11-671 (Message Center Procedures for Division and Higher Headquarters; Part I, Outgoing Messages)Message Center Procedures for Division and Higher Headquarters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOwPIOMcC4M 23 April 2015 TF 11-1064 (Message Center Procedures for Division and Higher Headquarters; Part II, Incoming Messages) And their modern decedents in the Allied Communications Procedures ACP-131 (Communication Instructions—Operating Signals) U.S. Navy Signalman training courses Training for message handling may (or may not) be found listed in the following documents: DOD Regulations and Manuals (DOD) DOD 5040.2-C-1 Catalog of Audiovisual Productions—Army DOD 5040.2-C-2 Catalog of Audiovisual Productions—Navy and Marine Corps DOD 5040.2-C-3 Catalog of Audiovisual Productions—Air Force and Miscellaneous DOD Productions DOD 5040.2-C-4 Catalog of Audiovisual Productions—DOD Productions Cleared for Public Release External links 16-line message format message announcing end of Navy MARS See also Allied Communication Procedures References Category:Military communications