This Request for Information Strip Reader and Response Creator form is
designed to accept Requests for Information (RI) strips with multiple elements in a spreadsheet slant separated csv format. This form will
then parse the fields into individual elements, each of which will have a corresponding response field where the requested information
may be entered. Once
all of the response fields are filled out, the form will create a Response to the Request for Information (RRI) in strip format which
may then be returned to the sender. Multiple RRIs may then be compiled in spreadsheet format.
The form consists of 2 files, an html file and a txt file. When used with Winlink Express, they
are installed in the Templates folder. The form will also work outside of Winlink Express. This facilitates use with other communications
applications. The form will work with any operating system that has a browser. Simply place the two files in a convenient location. For
example, they may be installed on a thumb drive.
Overview
The Request for Information (RI) message strip format is useful for
the gathering a variety of information in a conpact and concise manner. The strip is in the form of a single row in
a spreadsheet. The strip is simply a slant separated set of values. The RI serves as the header line in the spreadsheet. The set of responses
forms the data cells in the spreadsheet.
There are many forms that collect information. Weather and situation report forms are two examples. Some of these will produce a
a csv spreadsheet text output. However, often times a "standard" form may not be optimal in some situations where, for example, a
"standard" form may not include the desired elements. RI strips are simple and fast to
create and may be used as standards for an organization or just serve as one-offs for particular situations.
In use, a RI strip is generated by a group or organization and is then sent to multiple recipients. This could be for gathering a
specific set of information, multiple types of information, or even a survey of
group members.
The strip format is transmission mode agnostic. It can be sent by any
digital radio mode or even voice. With certain formatting constraints a strip may be sent by cw or incorporated into the body of a radiogram.
The current version is based on the RI strip format developed by the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS). The MARS version has some
specific formatting standards to provide compatibility with their specialized software. The MARS format will be discussed further
below.
RI Example with Corresponding RRI
The following is a simple RI example. This is a simple survey of possible participants in an exercise.
ROSTER/HAM CALL SIGN/FIRST NAME/TOWN/COUNTY/STATE (2 LETTERS)/LAT (e.g. 44.123N)/LON (e.g. 069.123W)/MGRS (9 CHARACTERS)/WINLINK
(Y,N)/HF NBEMS (Y,N)/VHF NBEMS (Y,N)/BRIEF COMMENTS//
The first field has a simple strip title, a standard component of the format. This is followed by the specific information that is
requested. For consistency in the responses the
state name requests the 2 letter abbreviation, latitude and longitude are requested in decimal degrees with 3 digits after the decimal
point (this gives adequate resolution for the intended purpose). N and W are requested for the coordinates. A minus sign could also
be requested for the longitude in place of the W if desired. The MGRS entry requests a total of 9 characters, Next are a series of 3 capability
items with Y(es)or N(o) responses. The strip concludes with a field for brief comments.
As previously noted, each field is separated by a slant (/). These are the separators in the spreadsheet. Do not use the slant
elsewhere. If you have no response to a field you must still include the slant. The strip is terminated by a double slant. Also, the strip must be a
continuous string - no line feeds or carriage returns. The form automatically inserts the title into the RRI and manages the slants. If you have no comment for a field, simply
leave it blank.
Here is an example response:
ROSTER/KB1TCE/STEVE/OWLS HEAD/KNOX/ME/44.048N/069.103W/19TDJ9172/Y/Y/Y)/NEED PRACTICE WITH HF NBEMS//
Using the Form
In the RI entry field you may directly enter the RI or paste an existing RI into the field. The character counter will limit
the number of characters entered. The current limit
is 500 characters. This help to ensure that the RI is as concise as reasonably possible.
Once the RI is inputted, click the "Parse Strip" button. A two column table will appear with each strip element in the left column and
a corresponding blank input field on the right. Fill in your responses to each field. If you leave a field blank, the / separator
will still appear in the completed strip.
With the RRI strip table completed, click "Create Reply Strip." The strip will appear in the field below the button. If you want
to change something, return to the table and make the changes. Then click "Create Reply Strip" again. The revised strip will appear.
You now have two options. If the form is being used within Winlink Express, click "Submit" to load the RI and RRI into the Winlink Express
message pane. If you are using the form as a stand-alone, click "Copy Strips to Clipboard." You may now save the strips as a text file or
paste them into, for example, a flmsg form field.
Example Spreadsheet
Below is a spreadsheet based on the above example RI and RRI. Note that the person compiling the spreadsheet edited LAT and LON to make the
spreadsheet more readable.
| CALL SIGN |
FIRST NAME |
TOWN |
COUNTY |
STATE |
LATITUDE |
LONGITUDE |
MGRS |
WINLINK |
HF NBEMS |
VHF NBEMS |
COMMENTS |
| KB1TCE |
STEVE |
OWLS HEAD |
KNOX |
ME |
44.048N |
069.103W |
19TDJ9172 |
Y |
Y |
Y |
NEED PRACTICE WITH HF NBEMS |
Responding to MARS Strip RIs
This tool can also be used to respond to Request for Information (RI) strips that are sent by Army or Air Force MARS. ARES/RACES
operators may receive RI strips in a slant separated format. MARS has some formatting codes that may not be intuitive to the
Amateur community. These codes are provided to ensure that the MARS operator gets the response strip back in a format that
can be read by their software.
The following is the list of "masks" that MARS uses. As a simple example "/LAT DEG DEC(##.#####[N])/
asks for a reply with the latitude in decimal degrees, 5 digits after the decimal point and North latitude
(assuming the northern hemisphere). This would look like /44.12345N/ in the Response.
# (Numerical character - no spaces):
(#) unlimited size; (###); Sets mask to collect 3 numbers.
A (Alphabetic character - no spaces):
(A) unlimited size; (AA) sets mask to collect 2 letters.C
N (Alpha-numeric character - no spaces):
(N) unlimited size; (NNNN) sets mask to collect 4 alpha-numeric characters.
X (Free text):
(X) unlimited length, accepts special characters and blanks; (XXXX) sets mask to collect 4 characters, none of which can be blank.
Y:
Year, translates to #
M:
Month, translates to #
D:
Day, translates to #
H:
Hour, ranslates to #
M:
Minute, translates to #
,
Comma separated list of acceptable choice answers.
:
Colon, Used if a label is required in RRI. For example SHELTER RI has an ASOF:field. If it's 6/15/2023@14:18 hours as I write,
then DDHHMM=151418. (Note ASOF is "as of".)
[ ]
Ignore masking characters between brackets, i.e. [MST] indicates display MST for Moutain Standard Time amd do not
translate the M to a #. For example, 1539MST.
( )
together or separate are reserved characters and cannot be used as a mask.
For quesions or comments please contact KB1TCE via Winlink