RI Strip Response Creator

Summary

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.

Installation

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.

When creating or saving a strip (original RI or a Response) there must be no line feeds or carriage returns. An RI can be edited or created in the Request field and then Parsed to check for errors. Changes in the Request field will be shown when the RI is parsed again.

Outside of the tool, it is suggested that a pure text editor be used for RI creation or editing. Notepad++ is a suggested application. Turn off CR and LF to prevent breaks in the strip.

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.
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

Back to links

The inserted information script will replace the current text.

GYX WEATHER	GYX WEATHER/DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)/TIME (HHMML OR HHMMZ)/CALL SIGN/SPOTTER ID (or NA) /SOURCE (Amateur Radio, Trained Spotter, Media, Public Service Radio, Other 3rd Party, Direct Messaging)/LOCATION (Road, Town) /STATE (ME, NH, OA)/CURRENT WEATHER (Relevant info, be brief)/SNOW, SLEET (Inches or NA, if storm total add * e.g. 2.6 or 3.5*) /ICE ACCRETION (Inches or NA)/RAINFALL (Inches or NA, if storm total add * e.g. 2.6 or 3.5*)/HAIL SIZE (Inches or NA)/WIND DIRECTION & SPEED (AAA@MPH)/STORM DAMAGE (Wind, flooding, ice jams, other details)/MODE(Personal Observation, FM Repeate. Winlink, DMR, Direct Messaging. For others leave blank)/NET (Name of radio net or other e.g. email, Slack)//
GYX NAME	GYX STRIP//
GYX NAME	GYX STRIP//
WXOBS	WXOBS/CALL SIGN/SKYWARN ID (or NA)/CITY/STATE (AA)/MGRS (N)/NWS CWA (AAA,NA)/   /OBSERVATION TIME Z (DDHHMMZ)/   /WIND DIR (AAA)/AVE SPEED MPH (###)/GUSTS MPH (###)/   /CLOUDS (CLR,FEW,SKT,CB,OVC,TCU)/   /TEMP DEG F (###, -##)/   /BAROMETER MB (####.#)/BAROMETER 3 HR TREND (R,S,F)/   /PRECIP TYPE (RA,SN,SL,PL,GR,NONE)/CURRENT PRECIP INS (###.##,NA)/STORM TOTAL PRECIP INS (###.##,NA)/LIQUID EQUIV PRECIP INS (###.##,NA)/ /COMMENTS,DAMAGE//
SITREP
OPRED

Back to links

GYX Request for Information Strip Reader and Response Creator  Click to add your agency/group name to title Operator Info - Read Please     Request       Charcter count:    of        Insert a Standard Information Strip               Instructions for Standard RI Strips    Strip Question   Answer   Create Reply Strip                   Form based on a concept by the SHARES Region 1 Interoperability Group   Version 1.4R4