Radio Communication Tips
• Leave a second or two between "hand-offs" to give others a chance to break in.
• It is always best to speak in short simple phrases on the radio and toss the conversion
back and forth with the word "OVER."
• Don't speak immediately when you press the PTT (push to talk), especially with digital
radios which among all their benefits have slightly longer delay. Wait 2-3 seconds.
• If you speak as soon you press the PTT button, it can chop off the first syllable or word,
making you hard to understand. If that word doesn't make it, you will just have to say it
again and run down your batteries faster.
The Phonetic Alphabet
The common protocol to spell out critical words is to use RT’s phonetic alphabet.
A - Alpha J - Juliet S - Sierra
B - Bravo K - Kilo T - Tango
C - Charlie L - Lima U - Uniform
D - Delta M - Mike V - Victor
E - Echo N - November W - Whiskey
F - Foxtrot O - Oscar X - X-ray
G - Golf P - Papa Y - Yankee
H - Hotel Q - Quebec Z - Zulu
I - India R - Romeo
The Phonetic Numbers
3-TREE
5 FIFE
8 AIT
9 NIN-ER
Decimal DAY-SEE-MAL
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 acknowledge 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.”
Basic Two-Way Radio Etiquette Rules:
• When using a two-way radio, you cannot speak and listen at the same time, as you can
with a phone.
• Don’t interrupt if you hear other people talking. Wait until their conversation is finished
• 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.
• Perform radio checks to ensure your radio is in good working condition.
• Memorize call signs and locations of persons and radio stations you communicate with
regularly. Everybody has their own unique call sign.
• Think before you speak
• Make your conversations as concise, precise, and clear as possible
• Avoid long and complicated sentences
4 Golden Rules for Radio Communication
1. Clarity
o Your voice should be clear. Speak a little slower than normal. Speak in a normal
tone, do not shout.
2. Simplicity
o Keep your message simple enough for intended listeners to understand.
3. Brevity
o Be precise and to the point
4. Security
o Do not transmit confidential information on a radio
You may decide to use code words - e.g.
“CODE BLUE” - for a non-crucial incident.
“CODE YELLOW” - for a non-dangerous incident that still requires an immediate response.
“CODE RED” - for a dangerous or serious incident that requires an immediate response.
