LaPorte County ARES Traffic Net — Training Item for 18SEP2025

Tonight’s training item will introduce the Damage Assessment Radiogram format that we’ll be using during the October 11th Simulated Emergency Test. The radiogram follows a standard template. It starts with the message header:

• Message Number
• Precedence
• Callsign of origin station
• Check (the number of groups in the address and text)
• Place and time of origin
• Addressee

After the header comes the message body, where we use the letters Delta Alpha to mark that it’s a Damage Assessment. The body includes:

• Location
• Damage type
• Severity
• Immediate needs
• Reporter’s callsign

We use keywords to keep these messages short and unambiguous. For example, “POWER OUT,” “ROOF OFF,” or “ROAD BLOCKED.” Severity terms are MINOR, MODERATE, MAJOR, or DESTROYED. Immediate needs can be RESCUE, MEDICAL, SHELTER, or NONE.

Here’s an example message:

10 R KD9LWR 11 Michigan City 1712Z SEP18
Allen AC9EB
BT
DA River Road and Mill
Street Tree Down Major None
EXERCISE
BT
Jacob KD9LWR
AR
End, number 12. How copy?

During the SET, we’ll be using this exact format to pass post-storm reports quickly and consistently. Keeping messages concise and using the keywords will help us move traffic more efficiently.

For practice this week, I encourage each station to think of a short scenario—such as a blocked road, roof damage, or power outage—and try framing it as a radiogram using this format. I Invite you to bring these to the next net.