UNCLASSIFIED (U)

5 fah-2 h-320

acp 127 format lines

(CT:TEL-73; 11-09-2018)
(Office of Origin: IRM/BMP/GRP)

5 FAH-2 H-321 ACP-127 HEADER

(CT:TEL-26; 11-23-2007)
(Uniform all agencies)

The header refers to ACP-127 format lines (FLs) 1-10 that contain transmission codes necessary to transmit the message from an originating telecommunications facility to a receiving facility.

5 FAH-2 H-321.1 Format Line 1 (FL1): Transmission Identifier

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. FL1, the transmission identifier, consists of a start-of-message (SOM) function (two letters, five spaces, two carriage returns, one line feedused in the old torn tape transmissions), start-of-transmission (SOT) function, SOM indicator, and a channel sequential number (CSN), written as one continuous string of characters.

b. For Department of State telegrams, the SOT function is the letter "V," and the SOM indicators are the letters "ZCZC."

c. The channel number is composed of a trigraph (three-letter string) channel designator followed by three numerical digits.

d. The channel designator identifies the circuit and flow, e.g., BKO could indicate Bangkok outgoing; BKI could indicate Bangkok incoming.

e. The sequential numbers identify the message or service message (used by Information programs center [IPC] operators) sent over that circuit.

f. See 5 FAH-2 H-523.3 for an explanation of how channel numbers function in telegraphic accounting.

5 FAH-2 H-321.2 Format Line 2 (FL2): Addressees

5 FAH-2 H-321.2-1 Precedence Procedure Sign (Prosign)

(CT:TEL-73; 11-09-2018)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The precedence prosign digraph (two-letter string) is the first entry in FL2. The precedence prosign determines the order in which the originating station's terminal and relay station switches process the telegram.

b. The highest precedence of a multi-address, multi-precedence telegram determines the precedence prosign. If the highest precedence of a multi-precedence message is FLASH, a separate transmission must be made to the FLASH addressee.

c. See 5 FAH-1 H-210 for more information on precedences.

d. See 5 FAH-2 H-423 for more information on precedences and acknowledgment services for high precedence.

5 FAH-2 H-321.2-2 Destination Routing Indicator (RI)

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The subsequent entry in FL2 is the destination routing indicator(s) (RI) for the recipient station(s), or the relay station that will forward the message on to the final destination(s).

b. The Department of State Teletypewriter Routing Guide (DOSPUB) and ACP-117 CAN-US SUPP-1 contain routing indicators used for transmitting messages via U.S. Government facilities.

5 FAH-2 H-321.3 Format Line 3 (FL3): Originator

5 FAH-2 H-321.3-1 DE Prosign

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

The first entry in FL3 is the DE prosign signifying FROM.

5 FAH-2 H-321.3-2 Originating Station Routing Indicator

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The second entry in FL3 is the originating station's routing indicator (OSRI), preceded by a space. The originating station is the location where the communications center prepared the message for transmission.

b. Use the Departments Teletypewriter Routing Guide or ACP-117 to identify the correct RI for the OSRI.

5 FAH-2 H-321.3-3 Station Serial Number

(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The third entry in FL3 is the station serial number (SSN), a four-digit number preceded by a cross-hatch (#):

(1) Normally, the SSN corresponds to the last four digits of the Message Reference Number (MRN) in FL12;

(2) In telegrams originated by a military entity, the SSN uses numbers from a separate series of sequential numbers; and

(3) In a service message, the SSN uses numbers from a different series of sequential numbers, or from the same series as the military telegrams.

b. In multi-section telegrams, the section numbers follow the SSN, separated by a slant (/). For example, DE RUEHC #3334/01 1031020.

c. The SSN must match the message validation number (FL15). See 5 FAH-2 H-325.

5 FAH-2 H-321.3-4 Time of Transmission

(CT:TEL-56; 05-24-2017)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The fourth and final entry on FL3 is the time of transmission (TOT). This shows the date and time when the telegraphic processor released the formatted telegram to the outgoing queue. The TOT consists of the Julian date (the number of the day of the year), followed by the hour and minutes in Zulu (Z) time, which is the same time as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). (In military time format there are 24 time zones each assigned a letter, except for "I" and "O". GMT and the military Zulu time are in the same zone.)

b. The TOT is usually the same as the date-time-group (DTG) in FL5 if the outgoing queue does not have a backlog. The TOT should never show an earlier date/time than the DTG.

c. Upon opening each day, IPC personnel should verify that the time and date are set correctly in the telegraphic processor.

d. See the Julian date calendar in 5 FAH-2 Exhibit H-321.3-4.

5 FAH-2 H-321.4 Format Line 4 (FL4): Classification

5 FAH-2 H-321.4-1 Security Warning Signal Operating Signal Group

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

The security warning operating signal (opsig) is the first entry in FL4. This is a trigraph starting with the letter "Z." Use ZNR for telegrams transmitted over unclassified circuits. Use ZNY for telegrams transmitted over circuits that meet security criteria for classified handling.

5 FAH-2 H-321.4-2 Classification Group

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The redundant security classification group follows the security warning Z opsig, separated by a space. This group is a string of characters representing the classification. For example:

(1) ZNR UUUUU (for UNCLASSIFIED);

(2) ZNY EEEEE (for UNCLAS EFTO; used for SBU NOFORN);

(3) ZNY CCCCC (for CONFIDENTIAL);

(4) ZNY SSSSS (for SECRET);

(5) ZNY TTTTT (for TOP SECRET); and

(6) ZNY SSSSS/BBBBB (for SECRET SPECAT military messages).

b. The transmission release code (TRC) is a two-letter element inserted in place of the last two letters of the Redundant Security Classification Group. For example, ZNR UUUXX or ZNY CCCBB.

c. Use the TRC only for U.S. Government-originated telegrams in which a foreign nation or selected regional defense organizations such as NATO is also an addressee. Most Department-originated messages will not use a TRC.

5 FAH-2 H-321.4-3 Associated Operating Signals

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)

a. Other Z opsigs, if needed, follow the security classification group, separated by a space. You must enter them in the order they appear below:

(1) ZZH is mandatory for all messages originated by Department of State offices. ZZH is not used in service messages; and

(2) ZZK is used on NIACT IMMEDIATE telegrams. For example, ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZZK.

NOTE: In relay stations, a telegram with ZZK spills to a special high precedence queue. Relay operators must either verify that the receiving station is open and ready to receive the NIACT message, or notify the receiving station to recall IPC duty personnel to open the IPC and receive the NIACT message.

b. See ACP-131 for other Z opsigs commonly used in Department of State telegrams, as well as for decoding Z signals used by military entities.

5 FAH-2 H-321.5 Format Line 5 (FL5): Date-Time-Group (DTG)

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The first entry in FL-5 is the highest precedence prosign for the addressees, Z, O, P, or R. Some telegrams may contain a second precedence prosign, which represents the highest precedence for the information addressees. Examples: O 291830Z JUN 03 P R 021243Z AUG 03.

NOTE: If all addressees have the same precedence, only one iteration of that precedence is entered, as in the first example above.

b. The next entry in FL5 is the date-time group (DTG). This is the date and time the telegraphic processor formatted the telegram. The DTG is six digits (two for the date, two for the hour in 24-hour format, two for the minute), followed by the letter Z (for Zulu time zonesame as GMT), a space, the three-letter month, another space, and the two-digit year. All transmission facilities use this format regardless of which time zone they are located. Military organizations use the DTG as the reference number. For example, DIA WASHDC 291830Z JUN 99.

c. Additional Z operating signals conveying special handling instructions for the telecommunications operator may follow the DTG.

d. See ACP-131, Communications Instructions Operating Signals, for a complete list of operating signals and the action required.

5 FAH-2 H-321.6 Format Line 6 (FL6) Originating Station Plain Language Address Designator (PLAD)

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. FL-6 consists of the prosign FM followed by the PLAD of the originating post. For example, FM AMEMBASSY ROME; FM USDAO ROME IT.

If you send the telegram to TERP V, do not include the prosign FM on the pseudo header, as it is automatically inserted during formatting.

b. See the Departments Teletypewriter Guide or ACP-117 for a list of valid PLADs.

5 FAH-2 H-321.7 Format Line 7 (FL7): Action Addressee Plain Language Address Designator (PLAD)

(CT:TEL-56; 05-24-2017)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The first entry in FL7 is the prosign TO, followed by a space.

b. The second entry is the PLAD of the action addressee followed by a space.

c. The third entry is the precedence for the action addressee followed by a space. Enter the precedence after the PLAD, separated by a space. Do not enter ROUTINE precedence.

d. The fourth entry is the message continuity number (MCN). An MCN is a consecutive number from a series dedicated to each Department of State activity. You assign an MCN to the Department activity on each telegram sent to them, action or info.

e. If the drafter is sending this telegram solely for information purposes, there would be no FL7 line. FL8 would immediately follow FL6, the originator line. For example, a TERP V formatted telegram would show:

FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
INFO AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN, PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE

f. See 5 FAH-2 H-321.7-1 and 5 FAH-2 H-321.7-2 for more information on single and multiple addressees.

g. See 5 FAH-2 H-523.2 for a complete explanation of the MCN and its function in telegraphic accounting.

5 FAH-2 H-321.7-1 Single Action Address Telegrams

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. Follow the procedures set in 5 FAH-2 H-321.7.

b. If the drafter sends the telegram to a TERP V processor, they must not include the prosign TO. TERP V will automatically insert it. For example, a TERP V formatted telegram would show:

TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3952.

5 FAH-2 H-321.7-2 Multiple Action Address Telegrams

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. Follow the procedures set in 5 FAH-2 H-321.7.

b. If there is more than one action addressee, list each additional addressee on a separate line preceded by its routing indicator (RI) and a slant; no spaces.

c. List them in order of their precedence.

d. If the drafter wants to send the telegram by non-telegraphic means, the operating signal ZEN appears in place of the routing indicator.

e. If the drafter sends the telegram to a TERP V processor, it must not include the prosign TO or the RIs for the addressees. TERP V will automatically insert them. For example, a TERP V formatted telegram would show:

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3355
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 9352
ZEN/AMCONSUL FLORENCE

f. See 5 FAH-2 H-230 for more information on address formats.

g. Posts may not transmit NODIS cables laterally unless explicitly authorized to do so by the Executive Secretary (such as for specific NODIS subcategory cables).

5 FAH-2 H-321.8 Format Line 8 (FL8): Information Addressee Plain Language Address Designator (PLAD)

(CT:TEL-56; 05-24-2017)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The first entry in FL8 is the prosign INFO, followed by a space.

b. The second entry is the PLAD of the information (info) addressee followed by a space.

c. The third entry is the precedence for the info addressee followed by a space. Enter the precedence after the PLAD, separated by a space. Do not enter ROUTINE precedence.

d. The fourth entry is the message continuity number (MCN).

e. If the drafter is sending this telegram solely for information purposes, there would be no FL7 line. FL8 would immediately follow FL6, the originator line. For example:

FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 1411
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 2098

f. See 5 FAH-2 H-321.8-1 and 5 FAH-2 H-321.8-2 for more information on single and multiple addressees.

g. See 5 FAH-2 H-523.2 for a complete explanation of the MCN and its function in telegraphic accounting.

5 FAH-2 H-321.8-1 Single Info Address Telegrams

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. Follow the procedures set in 5 FAH-2 H-321.8.

b. If the drafter sends the telegram to a TERP V processor, it must not include the prosign TO. TERP V will automatically insert it. For example, a TERP V formatted telegram would show:

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3952
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 4112

5 FAH-2 H-321.8-2 Multiple Info Address Telegrams

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. Follow the procedures set in 5 FAH-2 H-321.8.

b. If there is more than one info addressee, list each additional addressee on a separate line preceded by its routing indicator (RI) and a slant; no spaces.

c. List them in order of their precedence.

d. If the drafter wants to send the telegram by non-telegraphic means, the operating signal ZEN appears in place of the routing indicator.

e. If the drafter sends the telegram to a TERP V processor, it must not include the prosign TO or the RIs for the addressees. TERP V will automatically insert them. For example, a TERP V formatted telegram would show:

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3355
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 4243
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 9352
ZEN/AMCONSUL FLORENCE

f. See 5 FAH-2 H-230 for more information on address formats.

5 FAH-2 H-321.9 Format Line 9 (FL9): Addressee Exemptions (XMT Prosign)

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)

a. If the drafter does not want include a post that is a member of a collective address, the drafter would need to use the prosign XMT (exempt) on this line.

b. The first entry in FL9 is the prosign XMT.

c. The next entry is the PLAD of the addressee.

d. If there is more than one exempted post, each post is entered on a separate line. For example, the drafter does not want Sofia or Bucharest, members of the European Political Collective, to receive this telegram. The TERP V formatted telegram would show:

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3355
RUEHX/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
XMT/AMEMBASSY SOFIA
AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST

e. If the drafter wants to send the telegram to a collective member post(s) as action, and to the collective as info, the drafter must exempt the post in FL9. The exemption is required because you must not send a telegram twice to the same post. For example, Sofia is an action addressee and the European Political Collective is an info addressee. The TERP V formatted telegram would show:

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3355
RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA, PRIORITY 2214
INFO RUEHX/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
XMT/AMEMBASSY SOFIA

5 FAH-2 H-321.10 Format Line 10 (FL10)

(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform State/USAID)

FL-10 is not used in Department-originated telegrams.

5 FAH-2 H-321.11 Format Line 11 (FL11): Separation Line

(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform all agencies)

The Separation Line, FL-11, contains only the prosign BT (sometimes called Begin Text) and sets the header format lines off from the text.

5 FAH-2 H-322 FORMAT LINE 12 (FL12): TEXT

(CT:TEL-56; 05-24-2017)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The text portion of a message is all the information between the separation lines FL11 and FL13.

b. Communications centers use handling instructions in the text portion of Department of State telegrams for routing and dissemination within the Departments network.

c. All agencies using Department of State telecommunication facilities must use the telegram format outlined in 5 FAH-1, Correspondence Handbook, and 5 FAH-2, Telecommunications Handbook.

5 FAH-2 H-322.1 Classification, Section, Message Reference Number

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)

a. The first line of text contains the classification, section information, if any, and Message Reference Number (MRN):

(1) You must enter the classification as shown in the examples below. If the drafter is sending the telegram via TERP V, it will do the formatting. Examples of TERP V formatted classifications:

UNCLAS
UNCLAS EFTO
C O N F I D E N T I A L
S E C R E T
T O P S E C R E T

(2) No deviation from these spellings is acceptable. Classified markings are spaced out with single spaces between each letter; and

(3) You must transmit SBU NOFORN on classified circuits. You must use the addressee's routing indicator for classified traffic. These telegrams are marked UNCLAS EFTO for transmission purposes.

b. Telegraphic processors divide telegrams into sections of 110 lines, from FL1 through the FL15. If a telegram is longer than one section, the section information is listed one space after the classification. For example:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 20 NEW DELHI 19850

c. You refer to a telegram usually by its MRN. This is true for Department of State and some agencies' telegrams. Military telegrams are usually referred to by the originator and the date-time-group (DTG):

(1) The MRN appears after the classification and section information, if the message has more than one section;

(2) The MRN consists of the originator's location indicator followed by a number;

(3) The MRN assigned to an outgoing telegram is the next number in a consecutive series;

(4) You assign an MRN to every telegram originating from your post; and

(5) You must reset the series to one (0001) at the start of each calendar year.

d. The location indicator for the MRN is the city where the originating station is located. See ACP-117 and the Department of State Teletypewriter Routing Guide (DOSPUB) for further information on standardized addressee post listings.

5 FAH-2 H-322.2 Captions and Attention Indicators

(CT:TEL-64; 01-29-2018)
(Uniform State/USAID)

a. Enter captions and/or attention indicators below the classification line, separated by a blank line.

b. Incorrectly placed or garbled captions can cause problems in telegram dissemination, especially if the incorrect caption restricts distribution.

c. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.12 for correct draft format and sequence for listing captions and attention indicators.

5 FAH-2 H-322.3 Executive Order 13526 (E.O. 13526)

(CT:TEL-64; 01-29-2018)
(Uniform State/USAID)

a. E.O. 13526, TAGS, and SUBJECT lines appear in a block, with no blank lines in between, starting one blank line after the MRN, or captions, if any.

b. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.9 for correct draft format of the E.O. 13526 information.

c. See 5 FAH-2 H-222 for correct formatting of the E.O. 13526 information.

5 FAH-2 H-322.4 Traffic Analysis by Geography and Subject (TAGS)

(CT:TEL-64; 01-29-2018)
(State only)

a. All telegrams drafted by Department of State offices must include at least one TAGS.

b. Information programs center (IPC) should update the TAGS database in the telegraphic processor when the Department sends out notification of new TAGS and when the 5 FAH-3 TAGS/Terms Handbook revisions are received.

c. 5 FAH-3 TAGS/TERMS manual is also available on OpenNet Plus.

d. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.6 for more information on draft format of TAGS.

5 FAH-2 H-322.5 Subject

(CT:TEL-64; 01-29-2018)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. All telegrams must include a subject line. The entry starts with the word SUBJECT" followed by a colon.

b. If the subject line is classified, the classification letter, in parenthesis, follows the colon.

c. The subject line may begin with a subject term, from the TERMDEX section of 5 FAH-3 TAGS/TERMS handbook. This helps in narrowing the distribution to the intended recipients.

d. The SUBJECT line may exceed one line in length.

e. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.5 for correct draft format for the subject line.

5 FAH-2 H-322.6 Reference Line

(CT:TEL-64; 01-29-2018)
(Uniform State/USAID)

a. References, if any, are listed one blank line after the SUBJECT line. The line starts with the word "REF" followed by a colon.

b. References are listed horizontally and lettered starting with "a" and a close parenthesis.

c. If manual distribution is required, IPC operators should check the telegraphic database for the references. They may provide a clue to the appropriate dissemination.

d. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.6 for draft format of reference lines.

5 FAH-2 H-322.7 Body

(CT:TEL-64; 01-29-2018)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The body of the telegram, the substantive reported information, is part of FL-12.

b. Most transmission errors or garbles in the body of the message will not affect automated processing. Where practicable, IPC personnel should scan incoming messages for transmission garbles or possible omissions in the body and request retransmissions when necessary.

c. See 5 FAH-2 H-525 for information regarding retransmission requests.

d. See 5 FAH-1 H-232.9, 5 FAH-1 Exhibit H-232.21(2), 5 FAH-1 H-246, and 5 FAH-1 H-247 for more information on draft format for the body of the text.

5 FAH-2 H-323 FORMAT LINE 13 (FL13): SEPARATION LINE

(TL:TEL-2; 05-23-2002)
(Uniform all agencies)

The second separation line, demarcated by the prosign BT (also known as break text), separates the telegram text from the end of message format lines.

5 FAH-2 H-324 FORMAT LINE 14 (FL14): CONFIRMATION LINE

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

Department of State facilities do not use the confirmation line.

5 FAH-2 H-325 FORMAT LINE 15 (FL15): END OF MESSAGE (EOM) VALIDATION NUMBER (VN)

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

a. The end of message validation number must be identical to the SSN in FL3 including the leading cross-hatch (#).

b. If the end of message validation number (EOM VN) does not match the SSN, the telegram will enter an error queue. It is likely the telegraphic circuit was interrupted causing a subsequent telegram to append to the end of the text of the telegram in question. This may result in a security incident if the telegram is unclassified but the appended telegram contains classified text. IPC personnel must check these errors closely.

c. See 5 FAH-2 H-523.4 for information about how the SSN functions in telegraphic accountability.

5 FAH-2 H-326 FORMAT LINE 16 (FL16): END OF MESSAGE (EOM) FUNCTIONS

(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)

The end of message (EOM) functions (two carriage returns, eight line feeds, four Ns and 12 ASCII shift out, or letters function, characters) indicate the end of message to the telegram processor. You may or may not see these function characters, depending on the media.

5 FAH-2 H-327 THROUGH H-329 UNASSIGNED

5 FAH-2 Exhibit H-321.3-4(a)
Julian Date Calendar Non-Leap Year

(CT:TEL-26; 11-23-2007)
(Office of Origin: IRM/BPC/PRG)