Prowords are used to standardize information, a message or request and are especially useful when formal (written) traffic is being passed or when band conditions are noisy from atmospheric or other interference.
Prowords for Message Traffic
When sending formal traffic, such as the National Traffic System radiograms, certain prowords are used to clarify portions of the message.
| REAK | separates address from text and text from signature |
| CORRECTION | I’m going to correct an error |
| END | END of message, usually followed by “no more” or “more” as below |
| MORE | MORE messages to follow, usually preceded by the number of messages to follow, i.e., “2 MORE” |
| NO MORE | NO MORE messages to follow |
| FIGURES | used for a word group containing figures (numbers) |
| INITIAL | used only for a single INITIAL |
| I SAY AGAIN | used to indicate a “repeat” of a word |
| I SPELL | to spell (phonetically) a word |
| LETTER GROUP | i.e., ARES, SCTN |
| MIXED GROUP | i.e., 12BA6 |
| AMATEUR CALL | used to indicate an amateur call sign follows |
When receiving traffic certain PROWORDS are used for clarification or repeats of missing words. These PROWORDS are preceded by SAY AGAIN:
- WORD AFTER
- WORD BEFORE
- BETWEEN
- ALL AFTER
- ALL BEFORE
General Prowords
| ACKNOWLEDGE | A directive from the originator requiring the addressee (s) to advise the originator that his communication has been received and understood. This term is normally included in the electronic transmission of orders to ensure the receiving station or person confirms the receipt of the orders. |
| AFFIRMATIVE | You are correct. |
| ALL AFTER …. | The portion of the message to which I have referenced is all that which follows or when used with “repeat” repeat all of the message after the word referenced. |
| ALL BEFORE | The portion of the message to which I have referenced is all that proceeds or when used with “repeat” repeat all of the message before the word referenced. |
| AUTHENTICATE | The station called is to reply to the challenge which follows. “I authenticate …” is the reply to the challenge. |
| BEADWINDOW | Used to indicate that an Essential Element of Friendly Information (EFFI) has been accidentally disclosed. BEADWINDOW is followed by a number to indicate the type of information disclosed. The only response is an acknowledgement. In morse code “ZNK” plus the number is sent, i.e., “ZNK 1 K” The response is “R AR” |
| BREAK | I hereby indicated the separation of the text from other portions of the message. Break can also be used when finishing talking to one station and then immediately calling another. |
| CORRECTION | An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will continue with the last word correctly transmitted. |
| DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION-OUT | This transmission is in error. Disregard it. (The proword shall not be used to cancel any message that has been completely transmitted and for which receipt or acknowledgement has been received.) |
| DO NOT ANSWER / DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE | Stations called are not to answer this call, receipt for this message, or otherwise to transmit in connection with this transmission. When this proword is employed, the transmission shall be ended with the proword “OUT”. |
| EMERGENCY | Used on Amateur Radio, MARS, CAP & other civilian messages. Any message having life and death urgency, this includes official messages of welfare agencies during emergencies requesting supplies, materials or instructions vital to the relief of people in the affected area. When in doubt, do not use. On cw and digital modes this is always spelled out. |
| FIGURES | Numerals or numbers follow. |
| FLASH | Precedence FLASH. Reserved for messages that require an immediate action. These messages are usually short. Handling is as fast as possible with an objective time of 10 minutes or less. |
| FROM | The originator of this message is indicated by the address designator immediately following. |
| I AUTHENTICATE | The group that follows it is the reply to your challenge to authenticate |
| IMMEDIATE | Precedence IMMEDIATE. Reserved for messages relating to situations which gravely affect the security of national/multinational forces of populace, and which require immediate delivery. |
| I READ BACK | The following is my response to your instructions to read back |
| I SAY AGAIN | I am repeating transmission or portion indicated. |
| I SET | Used to indicate what follows in encrypted (usually used with DRYAD encryption) |
| I SPELL | I shall spell the next word phonetically. |
| I VERIFY | That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated. (To be used as a reply to verify information.) |
| MESSAGE | A message which requires recording is about to follow. (Transmitted immediately after the call.) |
| MIXED GROUP | Used to indicate what follows is a group of mixed numbers and letters, such as a ham call sign. |
| MORE TO FOLLOW | Transmitting station has additional traffic for the receiving station. Used at the end of one message and before passing the next. |
| NUMBERS GROUP | Used to indicate what follows is a group of numbers. |
| OUT | This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected. (Since OVER and OUT have opposite meanings, they are never used together.) |
| OVER | This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary. Go ahead; transmit. |
| PRIORITY | Precedence PRIORITY. Reserved for important messages which must have precedence over routine traffic. This is the highest precedence which normally may be assigned to a message of administrative nature. For Amateur Radio etc. Official messages not covered in the emergency category. Press dispatches and other emergency-related traffic not of the utmost urgency. Notification of death or injury in the affected area. Abbreviated P on cw. |
| READ BACK | Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as received. |
| RELAY (TO) | Transmit this message to all addressee (or addresses immediately following this proword). The address component is mandatory when this proword is used. |
| ROGER | I have received your last transmission satisfactorily |
| ROUTINE | Precedence ROUTINE. Reserved for all types of messages which are not of sufficient urgency to justify a higher precedence, but must be delivered to the addressee without delay. On Amateur Radio etc.: Nearly all traffic at normal times will be routine. In an emergency routine traffic is handled after all other traffic, if at all if circuits as busy with emergency, priority and welfare traffic. Abbreviated as R on cw. |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat all of your last transmission. (Followed by identification data means to repeat after the portion indicated) Can be used with PROWORDS “all after” or “all before.” |
| SILENCE | “Cease Transmission Immediately.” Silence will be maintained until lifted. (Transmission imposing silence must be authenticated.) |
| SILENCE LIFTED | Silence is lifted. (When authentication system is in force the transmission silence is to be authenticated.) |
| SPEAK SLOWER | Your transmission is at too fast of a speed. Reduce speed of transmission. |
| THIS IS | This transmission is from the station whose designator immediately follows. |
| TIME | That which immediately follows is the time or date/time group of the message. The time zone must be included, such as UTC, MST, etc. |
| TO | The addressee(s) immediately following is (are) addressed for action. |
| UNKNOWN STATION | The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to establish communications is unknown |
| VERIFY | Verify the entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version. (To be issued only at the discretion of the addressee to which the questioned message was directed.) |
| WAIT | I must pause for a few seconds |
| WAIT OUT | I must pause for longer than a few seconds |
| WELFARE | An Amateur Radio and other civilian radio service precedence for messages: A message that is a) an inquiry as to the health and welfare of an individual in the affected area, or b) a reply from the affected area that indicates all is well. Abbreviated as W on cw. |
| WILCO | I have received your signal, understand it and will comply. (To be used only by the addressee. Since the meaning of ROGER is included in that of WILCO, the two prowords are never used together) |
| WORD AFTER | The word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows… |
| WORD TWICE | Communication is difficult. Transmit (ring) each phrase (or each code group) twice. This procedure word may be used as an order, request, or as information. |