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Santa Clara County ARES®/RACES

Packet Message Subject Line

Packet messages in the SCCo ARES/RACES network should use the following standard format for the subject line. This format allows Outpost to determine the sender’s message number from the subject line of the message and display it properly in the log. It also allows the receiving operator to easily scan his/her inbox and prioritize messages based on handling order without having to open each message. This information is also available in the “SCCo Packet Subject Line” packet notice in the XSCPERM notice area on all SCCo BBSs.

The standard format for the subject line field is:

<SenderMsgNbr>_<HandlingOrder>_<MsgSummary>

<SenderMsgNbr> is typically a three-character Tactical ID consisting of letters and/or digits, followed by a hyphen (“-”), followed by three or more digits, followed by a letter suffix.

  • Tactical ID: Individuals should use the last three characters of their call sign. Agency EOCs/DOCs should use their assigned three-letter Tactical ID. Other tactical call sign users should use the three-character value assigned by their agency, typically the last three characters of the tactical call sign.
  • Letter suffix: Used to make the number different from any that may already exist on pre-printed forms.
    • Outpost automatically adds the suffix “P”.
    • For manual messages, use the suffix “M”.
    • For resending messages with the same content and same message number, use the suffix “R”.

<HandlingOrder> is a one-letter indicator: I = Immediate; P = Priority; R = Routine.

<MsgSummary> is a short description of the contents of the message. The details will vary, depending on the message type and contents.

Note that underscores (“_”) are used between the above three fields to provide better visual separation, making it easier for the receiving operator to scan his/her Inbox.

Example

Consider the following example subject line:

LOS‑127P_R_Status of sandbag supplies

We can easily see the following information:

  • Sender Msg Nbr: LOS‑127P
  • Handling Order: R = Routine
  • Msg Summary: Status of sandbag supplies

PackItForms

When sending PackItForms messages, the subject line will automatically be formatted according to the above rules and passed to Outpost. PackItForms will include the type of form used as part of the <MsgSummary>.

For example, if the user entered “Status of sandbag supplies” in the Subject field of an ICS-213 message, and assuming the same message number and handling order as above, the subject line that PackItForms would submit to Outpost would be:

LOS‑127P_R_ICS213_Status of sandbag supplies

Check-In/Out

Check-In/Out messages have a specific <MsgSummary> format and body format. See the “Standard Format for Packet Check-In/Out Messages” document on the SCCo ARES/RACES web site or the “SCCo Packet Check-In/Out” packet notice in the XSCPERM mailbox on any SCCo BBS for details.