Basic Rules of Radio Communication
Many of our customers have asked us how to talk on a radio? and what is/are a/the basic principle(s) of effective radio communication? Over the years, specific rules, or etiquette, have been established to make radio communication go more smoothly. Here is the basic etiquette a radio user needs to quickly answer and understand to help improve their overall experience when using two-way radios to communicate effectively.
Basic Two-Way Radio Etiquette Rules
In General
- The international radio language is English, except in cases where you are licensed to speak in some other language.
- When using a two-way radio, you cannot speak and listen simultaneously as you can with a phone.
- Don’t interrupt if you hear other people talking. Wait until their conversation is finished.
- Unless it is an emergency – if it is an emergency, inform the other parties that you have an urgent emergency message (see “Emergency Calls” below).
- Do not respond if you aren’t sure the call is for you. Wait until you hear your call sign to respond.
- Never transmit sensitive, confidential, financial, or military information. Unless you are certain your conversations are secured with the proper level of encryption for the level of sensitivity, assuming others can hear your conversations.
In Preparation
- Perform radio checks to ensure your radio is in good working condition.
- Ensure the battery is charged and the power is on.
- Keep the volume high enough to be able to hear calls.
- Regularly make radio checks to ensure everything is working and you are still in range to receive signals.
- Memorize call signs and locations of persons and radio stations you communicate with regularly.
- In radio communication, you are not called by your name. Everybody has their own unique call sign.
In Action
- Think before you speak.
- Decide what you are going to say and to whom it is meant for.
- Make your conversations as concise, precise, and clear as possible.
- Avoid long and complicated sentences. If your message is long, divide it into separate, shorter messages.
- Do not use abbreviations unless they are well understood by your group.
Four Golden Rules of Radio Communication
1. Clarity
Your voice should be clear. Speak a little slower than normal. Speak in a normal tone; do not shout.
2. Simplicity
Keep your message simple enough for intended listeners to understand.
3. Brevity
Be precise and to the point.
4. Security
Do not transmit confidential information on a radio unless you know the proper security technology is in place. Remember, frequencies are shared. You do not have exclusive use of the frequency.
Speak the Language
General Terms Meaning
| Radio Check | What is my signal strength? Can you hear me? |
| Go Ahead | You are ready to receive transmission. |
| Stand-by | You acknowledge the other party, but I am unable to respond immediately. |
| Roger or Ten Four | Message received and understood. |
| Negative | Same as “No”. |
| Affirmative | Same as “Yes”. Avoid “yup” or “nope” as they are difficult to hear. |
| Say Again | Re-transmit your message. |
| Over | Your message is finished. |
| Out | All conversation is finished, the channel is clear for others to use. |
| Break, Break, Break | You are interrupting in the middle of communication because you have an emergency. |
| Read You Loud & Clear | Response to “Radio Check”. Means your transmission signal is good. Al- so use ” Read you 5-by-5″. |
| Come in | You are asking the other party to aknowlege they hear you. |
| Copy | You understand what was said |
| Wilco | Means “I will comply”. |
| Repeat | Used before you repeat something. ex: “I require 9-5, repeat 9-5, gallons of diesel fuel. Over.” |
| That Is Correct | Yes, Yup |
| Acknowledge | Did you hear me/Do you understand? |
| Correction | Said before someone is correcting previously relayed information |
| Do You Read? | Are you there? Please reply. |
| Stand By | Wait a moment. Busy. |
| Check | I understand. Got it. |
| Confirm | Is that right/correct? Do I understand properly? |
Phonetic Alphabet
You will almost certainly have to use the phonetic alphabet in your conversations over a two-way radio. Many letters and words sound alike, so in order to make sure you are communicating clearly, you can use the phonetic equivalents of letters that are often confused, such as ‘F’ and ‘S’, ‘T’ and ‘C’, or ‘M’ and ‘N’.
| A- ALPHA | H- HOTEL | O- OSCAR | V- VICTOR |
| B- BRAVO | I- INDIA | P- PAPA | W- WHISKEY |
| C- CHARLIE | J- JULIET | Q- QUEBEC | X- X-RAY |
| D- DELTA | K- KILO | R- ROMEO | Y- YANKEE |
| E- ECHO | L- LIMA | S- SIERRA | Z- ZULU |
| F– FOXTROT | M- MIKE | T- TANGO | |
| G– GOLF | N- NOVEMBER | U- UNIFORM |
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