Request for Information Reader and Response Creator

The current released version is 1.6 and is available elsewhere on this site and also within Winlink Express. Here we have the latest unreleased version along with information on the changes since the latest formal release (v1.6, February 22, 2026). The version here is v 1.6.3.19, New features include:

Wizard Mode: Walks through the 11-screen guided interface including how each Welcome page option works, what happens on the Q&A screen (auto-fill, special widgets, Enter key navigation), and the output screen's three export options with the "Include Request for Information Strip" checkbox.

User Profile System: Explains automatic capture (profile builds itself as you use the tool), the profile.txt file format with # comments and the auto-load flag, import/export workflow, and how the profile embeds in the HTML for Winlink Express compatibility.

Strip Editor for Multiple Responses: Covers the complete Browse workflow in both modes: multi-file selection with Ctrl+A/Shift+click, the organized listing by call sign and date, single-strip loading with auto-detection (and the prompt for custom strip definition files), multi-strip view with "Copy All to Clipboard" and "Capture Highlighted Strip to RI Table", and the persistent Selected Strips panel.

Radiogram Formatter: Documents every formatting rule with before/after examples (negative numbers, decimals, emails, periods mid-sentence vs trailing, dashes, commas, special character stripping), the reverse formatting rules, and all the camel-case exceptions (CALL SIGN, WIND DIR, STATE & CWA, MGRS, NWS CWA, SKYWARN ID, strip names, NA). Notes that the checkbox only appears for Radio Relay International's WXOBS.

The full Feature Guide (link below) provides details on the above plus also lists five standard and proposed standard RIs with their field counts and special features, plus a "Tips for Getting Started" section.

• March 23 unreleased version Response Creator v1.6.3.19
  This replaces 1.6.3.16. Thanks to KC1VBS for pointing out an issue with 1.6.3.16 and then with 1.6.3.18.
  3 files including the form (html), Winlink message format (txt) and profile (txt). If using with Winlink Express, place all three in your Global folder.


• Instructions for use Response Creator v1.6.3.16 Feature Guide

Radiogram Delivery Form: In these days of cell phones and spam calls, there is a reduced use of land-lines and the general inclination of people not to answer their phones if they don't recognize the caller's number. As a result, it can be difficult to deliver radiogram messages without resorting to postal mail. New ham messages are an example of this.

My favorite method of delivery of this type of message is to prepare a one page note with the radiogram content inserted into W1HKJ's flmsg Radiogram form with a semi-customized explanation letter. The flmsg form is a half page, fillable and printable.

The process involves several steps: open flmsg, use cut & paste to populate the form field by field from the radiogram "as received" text, print, open and modify the letter text in Word (or equivalent) and then print the letter under the radiogram form.

Figuring there must be a simpler way, I developed a tool where you simply paste the formatted radiogram text into a custom html form, select the letter text from a small collection of user-composed letters and then click a button. Everything gets put into the proper places and the addressee's first name is inserted in the letter's greeting.

Also, if there's an ARL Number, the text of the ARL is printed below the radiogram. If the ARL includes one or more blanks, those get filled in. This shortens a 10-15 minute process to about a minute.

Download Radiogram Delivery Form.

ICS-213 Radiogram to ICS-213 Printable Form Converter: This HTML tool is similar to the Radiogram Delivery Tool described above. It takes the raw formatted RRI/NTS ICS-213 radiogram text and parses it into the fields of a "standard" ICS-213 form. The radiogram preamble is preserved for record keeping purposes and is reproduced across the top of the form. In the text, while all upper case text is preserved, prowords are converted to common language. As examples, ATSIGN becomes @ and X, DOT and R become periods and decimal points.

NOTE: The tool works by the positions of the content items in the text format. With some exceptions, all fields of the radiogram must have some content. Otherwise the content will be shifted, placing those items in the wrong fields. If there is no contact information in the Addressee field, the Radiogram form will insert NO PHONE per standard radiogram practice. Based on feedback, the form was modified on 27 May 2026 to permit the Address field (Street or PO Box) to be left blank.

Download ICS-213 Radiogram to ICS-213 Printable Form Converter.

Multi-Use Radio Message Form: This stand-alone HTML form is based on the SHARES Form 2. An updated version appears in Winlink Express as the SHARES Message Form. It has some aspects of the ICS-213 but with radio operator information and a field for radio operator notes. In this it has some parallels with radiogram information fields.

The term "Multi-Use" has several implications.

• It's a single HTML file so it will work on any browser.
• It may be used with any data compatible transmission mode including Winlink, the VARA chat programs (VARA Chat, VarAC), NBEMS, email, etc.
• A completed form is saved as a simple text file. This is what gets transmitted. The recipient must have the same HTML file to display, print or save as a PDF.
• Since the form serves both as the composition worksheet and the form at the receiving end, it may be edited at aay point. For example, if the message text is to be encrypted using an off-line end to end encryption program, the encrypted text may be removed and replaced with plain text at the receiving end. It may then be passed to the addressee as a printed form or pdf.
• In addition to the normal "Save to txt File" the form has a "Save to k2s File." The k2s extension is the one used ith flmsg Custom Forms. If the html file is saved to the NBEMS CUSTOM folder, it is fully usable as a flmsg form. Outside of flmsg, the form will open a k2s file without having to change the extension.

Download Multi-Use Message Form.

For all of the above, please provide feedback (good, bad or ugly) to KB1TCE.