Radiotelephony procedure

Radiotelephony procedure (also on-air protocol and voice procedure) includes various techniques used to
clarify, simplify and standardize spoken communications over two-way radios, in use by the armed forces, in
civil aviation, police and fire dispatching systems, citizens' band radio (CB), and amateur radio.

Voice procedure communications are intended to maximize clarity of spoken communication and reduce errors
in the verbal message by use of an accepted nomenclature. It consists of a signalling protocol such as the use
of abbreviated codes like the CB radio ten-code, Q codes in amateur radio and aviation, police codes, etc., and
jargon.

Some elements of voice procedure are understood across many applications, but significant variations exist.
The armed forces of the NATO countries have similar procedures in order to make cooperation easier and
pseudo-military organisations often base their procedures on them, so some commonality exists there.

The impacts of having radio operators who are not well-trained in standard procedures can cause significant
operational problems and delays, as exemplified by one case of amateur radio operators during Hurricane
Katrina, in which:

...many of the operators who were deployed had excellent go-kits and technical ability, but were
seriously wanting in traffic handling skill. In one case it took almost 15 minutes to pass one 25
word message.[1]

Contents
Introduction
International Radio Regulations
United States radio regulations
Radio call signs
Official call signs
Functional designators
Call signs in the United States
Military call sign systems
Amateur call sign systems
Maritime call signs
Microphone technique
Speech technique
Method of speech
Radio discipline
ABC—Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity
The Five Ws
Other rules
Voice procedures
 Service-specific procedures
Aeronautical Mobile Service
Maritime Mobile Service
Police procedures
Standard description of persons
Standard description of automobiles
Calling procedure
Break-in procedure
Order of priority of communications
Procedure words
Radio checks
Signal strength prowords
Readability prowords
International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet
Rules for spelling
Rules for numbers and figures
Closing down
Radio nets
Net manager
Net Control Station
Structure of the net
Time synchronization procedures
Modes of radio net operation
Types of net calls
Types of radio nets
Radio net procedure words
Example usage
Aeronautical mobile procedure
Maritime mobile procedure
British Army
See also
Notes
External links

Introduction
Radiotelephony procedures encompass international regulations, official procedures, technical standards, and
commonly understood conventions intended to ensure efficient, reliable, and inter-operable communications
via all modes of radio communications. The most well-developed and public procedures are contained in the
Combined Communications Electronics Board's Allied Communications Procedure ACP 125(G):
Communications Instructions Radiotelephone Procedures.[2]

These procedures consist of many different components. The three most important ones are:

1. Voice procedures—what to say[3]

 2. Speech technique—how to say it[3]
3. Microphone technique—how to say it into a microphone

These procedures have been developed, tested under the most difficult of conditions, then revised to
implement the lessons learned, many times since the early 1900s. According to ACP 125(G)[2] and the
Virginia Defense Force Signal Operating Instructions:[4]

Voice procedure is designed to provide the fastest and most accurate method of speech
transmission. All messages should be pre-planned, brief and straightforward. Ideally, messages
should be written down: even brief notes reduce the risk of error. Messages should be constructed
clearly and logically in order not to confuse the recipient.

Voice procedure is necessary because:

1. Speech on a congested voice net must be clear, concise and unambiguous. To avoid
interference between speech and data, it will often be expedient to assign the passage of data
traffic to logistic or admin nets rather than to those directly associated with command and
control.
2. It must be assumed that all transmissions will be intercepted by a portion of the civilian
population. The use of a standard procedure will help reduce the threat of spreading rumors or
creating panic among those not involved in an emergency response.
3. Some form of discipline is needed to ensure that transmissions do not overlap, if two people
send traffic at the same time, the result is chaos.

Radio operators must talk differently because two-way radios reduce the quality of human speech in such a
way that it becomes harder to understand. A large part of the radio-specific procedures is the specialized
language that has been refined over more than 100 years.

There are several main methods of communication over radio, and they should be used in this order of
preference:

1. Procedure words
2. Standard (predefined) phraseology (for most things in aviation and maritime use)
3. Plain language dialogue (for things that can't be handled by phraseology)
4. Formal messages
5. Narrative messages
6. Dialogue (normal conversation)
7. Brevity codes, including Ten-codes, and Phillips Code; and operating signals, including 92
code, Q code, and Z code; should be used as a last choice, as these lists of codes are so
extensive that it is unlikely that all participants have the full and correct definitions memorized.
All of those listed here except the ten-code are designed exclusively for use in Morse code or
teletypewriter use, and are thus unsuitable for use on voice circuits.

International Radio Regulations

All radio communications on the planet operate under regulations created by the ITU-R, which prescribes
most of the basic voice radio procedures, and these are further codified by each individual country.
United States radio regulations

In the U.S., radio communications are regulated by the NTIA and the FCC. Regulations created by the FCC
are codified in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

Part 4—Disruptions to Communications

Part 20—Commercial Mobile Services
Part 80—Stations in the Maritime Services (Maritime Mobile Service)
Part 87—Aviation Services
Part 90—Private Land Mobile Radio Services (Concerning licensed wireless communications
for businesses and non-federal governments)
Subpart C—Business Band
Part 95—Personal Radio Services (MURS, FRS, GMRS, and CB radio)
Part 97—Amateur Radio Service (Ham radio)
Part 300—NTIA Rules and Regulations

Radio call signs

Radio call signs are a globally unique identifier assigned to all stations that are required to obtain a license in
order to emit RF energy. The identifiers consist of from 3 to 9 letters and digits, and while the basic format of
the call signs are specified by the ITU-R Radio Regulations, Article 19, Identification of stations,[5] the details
are left up to each country's radio licensing organizations.

Official call signs

Each country is assigned a range of prefixes, and the radiotelecommunications agencies within each country
then responsible for allocating call signs, within the format defined by the RR, as they see fit. The Radio
Regulations require most radio stations to regularly identify themselves by means of their official station call
sign or other unique identifier.

Functional designators

Because official radio call signs have no inherent meaning outside of the above-described patterns, and other
than individually licensed Amateur radio stations, do not serve to identify the person using the radio, they are
not usually desirable as the primary means of identifying which person, department, or function is transmitting
or is being contacted.

For this reason, functional designators (a.k.a. tactical call signs) are frequently used to provide such
identification. Such designators are not sufficient to meet the FCC requirements that stations regularly identify
the license they are operating under, typically every x number of minutes and at the end of each transmission,
where x ranges from 10 to 30 minutes (longer for broadcast stations).

For the some radio services, the FCC authorizes alternate station IDs,[6] typically in situations where the
alternate station ID serves the purposes of identifying the transmitting station better than the standard ITU
format. These include:

Aircraft—the registration number (tail number) of the aircraft, preceded by the type (typical of
general aviation aircraft); or the aircraft operator nickname assigned by the FAA, followed by
 the flight number (typical of scheduled airline services).
Land mobile—Name of the station licensee (typically abbreviated), location of station, name of
city, or facility served, followed by additional digits following the more general ID.
Land mobile railroad—Name of railroad, followed by the train number, engine number etc.

Call signs in the United States

The United States has been assigned all call signs with the prefixes K, N, and W, as well as AAA–ALZ.
Allocating call signs within these groups is the responsibility of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (almost all government stations) or the Federal Communications Commission (all
other stations), and they subdivide the radio call signs into the following groups:

Military call sign systems

AAA–AEZ and ALA–ALZ are reserved for Department of the Army stations
AFA–AKZ are assigned to the Department of the Air Force
NAA–NZZ is jointly assigned to the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Amateur call sign systems

Ham station call signs begin with A, K, N or W, and have a single digit from 0 to 9 that separates the 1 or 2
letter prefix from the 2 or 3 letter suffix (special event stations have only three characters: the prefix, the digit,
and a one-letter suffix).[7]

Maritime call signs

Maritime call signs have a much more complex structure, and are sometimes replaced with the name of the
vessel or a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.

Microphone technique
Microphones are imperfect reproducers of the human voice, and will distort the human voice in ways that
make it unintelligible unless a set of techniques are used to avoid the problems. The recommended techniques
vary, but generally align with the following guidelines, which are extracted from the IARU Emergency
Telecommunications Guide[8]

Hold the microphone close to your cheek, just off to the side of your mouth, positioned so that
you talk across, and not into, the microphone. This reduces plosives (popping sounds from
letters such as "P").
Speak in a normal, clear, calm voice. Talking loudly or shouting does not increase the volume
of your voice at the receiving radios, but will distort the audio, because loud sounds result in
over-modulation, which directly causes distortion.
Speak at a normal pace, or preferably, slower. Not leaving gaps between words causes
problems with radio transmissions that are not as noticeable when one is talking face-to-face.
Pronounce words carefully, making each syllable and sound clearly distinguishable.
Adjust the microphone gain so that a normal voice 50 mm away from the microphone will
produce full modulation. Setting the gain higher than that will transmit greater amounts of
background noise, making your voice harder to hear, or even distorted. Noise-cancelling
microphones can assist in this, but do not substitute for proper mic placement and gain settings.
 If you use a headset boom microphone, be aware that lower-cost models have omni-directional
elements that will pick up background noise. Models with uni-directional or noise-cancelling
elements are best.
Do not use voice operated transmission (VOX) microphone circuits for emergency
communication. The first syllable or so of each transmission will not actually be transmitted,
while extraneous noises may also trigger transmission unintentionally.
If not operating in a vehicle, use a foot push-to-talk switch so that both of your hands are free to
transmit.
Always leave a little extra time (1 second will suffice) between depressing the PTT switch and
speaking. Numerous electronic circuits, including tone squelch, RF squelch and power-saving
modes, need a substantial fraction of that time in order to allow your signal to be transmitted or
received. This is especially true of repeaters, which might also have a "kerchunk" timer that
prevents brief transmissions from keying the transmitter, and doubly true of linked repeaters,
which have multiple sets of such circuits that must be activated before all stations can hear you.
One must also leave gaps between the last station that transmitted and the next station,
because such gaps are necessary to let other stations break in with emergency traffic. A pause
of two seconds, approximated by a count of "one, one thousand" is sufficient in many
conditions.

Similarly, the U.S. military radio procedures recommend headsets with noise-cancelling microphones:

Use of Audio Equipment. In many situations, particularly in noisy or difficult conditions, the use
of headsets fitted with a noise cancelling microphone is preferable to loudspeakers as a headset
will aid concentration and the audibility of the incoming signal. The double-sided, noise
cancelling microphone is designed to cancel out surrounding noise, for example engine noise or
gunfire, allowing speech entering on one side to pass freely. The microphone should be as close
to the mouth as possible.[9]

The U.S. Navy radio operator training manuals contain similar guidelines, including NAVPERS 10228-B,
Radioman 3 & 2 training course (1957 edition):[10]

Dos:

1. Do listen before transmitting. Unauthorized break-in is lubberly and causes confusion. Often
neither transmission gets through.
2. Do speak clearly and distinctly. Slurred syllables and clipped speech are both hard to
understand. A widespread error among untrained operators is failure to emphasize vowels
sufficiently.
3. Do speak slowly. Unless the action officer is listening he will have to rely on the copy being
typed or written at the other end. Give the recorder a chance to get it all the first time. You will
save time and repetitions that way.
4. Do avoid extremes of pitch. A high voice cuts best through interference, but is shrill and
unpleasant if too high. A lower pitch is easier on the ear, but is hard to understand through
background noises if too low.
5. Do be natural. Maintain a normal speaking rhythm. Group words in a natural manner. Send
your message phrase by phrase rather than word by word.
6. Do use standard pronunciation. Speech with sectional peculiarities is difficult for persons from
other parts of the country. Talkers using the almost standard pronunciation of a broadcast
network announcer are easiest to understand.
7. Do speak in a moderately strong voice. This will override unavoidable background noises and
prevent drop-outs.
 8. Do keep correct distance between lips and microphone. If the distance is too great, speech is
inaudible and background noises creep in; if too small, blaring and blasting result.
9. Do shield your microphone. Turn your head away from noise generating sources while
transmitting.
10. Do keep the volume of a hand set earphone low.
11. Do keep speaker volumes to a moderate level.
12. Do give an accurate evaluation in response to a request for a radio check. A transmission with
feedback and/or a high level of background noise is not loud and clear even though the
message can be understood.
13. Do pause momentarily, when possible, and interrupt your carrier. This allows any other station
with higher precedence traffic to break in.
14. Do adhere strictly to prescribed procedures. Up-to-date radiotelephone procedure is found in
the effective edition of ACP 125.
15. Do transact your business and get off the air. Preliminary calls only waste time when
communication is good and the message short. It is NOT necessary to blow into a microphone
to test it, nor to repeat portions of messages when no repetition has been requested.

Do Nots:

1. Don't transmit while surrounded by other persons loudly discussing the next maneuver or
event. It confuses receiving stations, and a serious security violation can result.
2. Don't hold the microphone button in the push-to-talk position until absolutely ready to transmit.
Your carrier will block communications on the net.
3. Don't hold a hand set in such a position while speaking that there is a possibility of having
feedback from the earphone added to other extraneous noises.
4. Don't hold a hand set loosely. A firm pressure on the microphone button prevents unintentional
release and consequent signal drop-out.
5. Don't send test signals for longer than 10 seconds.

Many radio systems also require the operator to wait a few seconds after depressing the PTT button before
speaking, and so this is a recommended practice on all systems. The California Statewide EMS Operations and
Communications Resource Manual explains why:

Key your transmitter before engaging in speech. The complexities in communications system
design often introduce delay in the time it takes to turn on the various components comprising the
system. Transmitters take time to come up to full power output, tone squelch decoding equipment
requires time to open receivers and receiver voting systems take time to select the best receiver.
While these events generally are accomplished in less than one second's time, there are many
voice transmissions that could be missed in their entirety if the operator did not delay slightly
before beginning his/her voice message. Pausing one second after depressing the push-to-talk
button on the microphone or handset is sufficient in most cases to prevent missed words or
responses.[11]

Further, transmissions should be kept as short as possible; a maximum limit of 20 or 30 seconds is typically
suggested:

Transmissions should generally be kept to less than 20 seconds, or within the time specifically
allocated by the system. Most radio systems limit transmissions to less than 30 seconds to prevent
malfunctioning transmitters or accidentally keyed microphones from dominating a system, and
 will automatically stop transmitting at the expiration of the allowed time cutting off additional
audio.[11]

Speech technique
Communicating by voice over two-way radios is more difficult than talking with other people face-to-face or
over the telephone. The human voice is changed dramatically by two-way radio circuits. In addition to cutting
off important audio bandwidth at both the low and high ends of the human speech spectrum (reducing the
bandwidth by at least half), other distortions of the voice occur in the microphone, transmitter, receiver, and
speaker—and the radio signal itself is subject to fading, interruptions, and other interference. All of these make
human speech more difficult to recognize; in particular, momentary disruptions or distortions of the signal are
likely to block the transmission of entire syllables.

The best way to overcome these problems is by greatly reducing the number of single-syllable words used.
This is very much counter to the human nature of taking shortcuts, and so takes training, discipline, and having
all operators using the same language, techniques, and procedures.[12]

Method of speech

Several radio operation procedures manuals, including ACP 125(G) teach the same mnemonic of Rhythm,
Speed, Volume, and Pitch (RSVP):[13]

Rhythm—Use short sentences divided into sensible phrases which maintain a natural rhythm;
they should not be spoken word by word. Where pauses occur, the press-to-talk should be
released to minimize transmission time and permit stations to break in when necessary.
Speed—Speak slightly slower than for normal conversation. Where a message is to be written
down by the recipients, or in difficult conditions, extra time should be allowed to compensate for
the receiving station experiencing the worst conditions. Speed of transmission is easily
adjusted by increasing or decreasing the length of pauses between phrases, as opposed to
altering the gaps between words; the latter will create an unnatural, halted style of speech,
which is difficult to understand.
Volume—Speak quietly when using whisper facilities, otherwise the volume should be as for
normal conversation. Shouting causes distortion.
Pitch—The voice should be pitched slightly higher than for normal conversation to improve
clarity.[14]

According to the UK's Radiotelephony Manual, CAP 413, radio operators should talk at a speed of fewer than
100 words per minute.

Radio discipline
Communicating over a half-duplex, shared circuit with multiple parties requires a large amount of discipline in
following the established procedures and conventions, because whenever one particular radio operator is
transmitting, that operator can not hear any other station on the channel being used.[15][16][17][18]

ABC—Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity

The initialism ABC is commonly used as a memory aid to reinforce the three most important rules about what
to transmit.[19]

The Five Ws

Whenever a report or a request is transmitted over a two-way radio, the operator should consider including the
standard Five Ws in the transmission, so as to eliminate additional requests for information that may occur and
thereby delay the request (and other communications).

1. Who—needs something
2. What—do they need
3. Why—do they need it
4. When—do they need it
5. Where—do they need it

Other rules
Think before you speak[20]
Listen before you speak[20]
Answer all calls promptly[20]
Keep the airways free of unnecessary talk[20]
Be brief and to the point[20]
Only transmit facts[21]
Do not act as a relay station unless the net control asks for one[21]

Voice procedures
The procedures described in this section can be viewed as the base of all voice radio communications
procedures.

Service-specific procedures

However, the international aviation and maritime industries, because their global expansion in the 20th century
coincided with, and were heavily integral to the development of voice procedures and other aspects in the
development of two-way radio technology, gradually developed their own variations on these procedures.

Aeronautical Mobile Service

Voice communications procedures for international air traffic control and communications among airplanes are
defined by the following International Civil Aviation Organization documents:

Annex 10—Aeronautical Telecommunications, Volume II—Communications Procedures

including those with PANS status,[22][23]
Procedures for Air Navigation Services—Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, ICAO Doc
4444)[24]
ICAO Doc 9432 (AN/925) Manual of Radiotelephony.[25]
Refinements and localization of these procedures can be done by each member country of ICAO.

United States

FAA Pilot Controller Glossary[26]

United Kingdom
Civil Aviation Authority's Radiotelephony manual[27]

Maritime Mobile Service

Voice procedures for use on ships and boats are defined by the International Telecommunication Union and
the International Maritime Organization bodies of the United Nations, and by international treaties such as the
Safety of Life a Sea Convention (a.k.a. SOLAS 74), and by other documents, such as the International Code
of Signals.

ITU Radio Regulations

Appendix 18
ITU maritime recommendations

ITU-R M.1171: Radiotelephony procedures in the maritime mobile service.[28]

IMO resolutions
Resolution A.918(22) (covers Standard Marine Communication Phrases)

Police procedures

In the U.S., the organization chartered with devising police communications procedures is APCO
International, the Association of Police Communications Officers, which was founded in 1935. For the most
part, APCO's procedures have been developed independently of the worldwide standard operating procedures,
leading to most police departments using a different spelling alphabet, and the reverse order of calling
procedure (e.g. 1-Adam-12 calling Dispatch).

However, APCO occasionally follows the international procedure standards, having adopted the U.S. Navy's
Morse code procedure signs in the 1930s, and adopting the ICAO radiotelephony spelling alphabet in 1974,
replacing its own Adam-Boy-Charles alphabet adopted in 1940, although very few U.S. police departments
made the change.

APCO has also specified Standard Description Forms, a standard order of reporting information describing
people and vehicles.

Standard description of persons

The Standard Description of Persons format first appeared in the April 1950 edition of the APCO Bulletin.[29]
It starts with a description of the person themself and finishes with a description of what they are wearing at
the time.
 Standard Description of Persons Form
Start Finish

1. Name 11. Clothing Head to Foot

2. Color
A. Hat
3. Sex
B. Shirt or Tie
4. Age
C. Coat
5. Height
D. Trousers
6. Weight
E. Socks
7. Hair
F. Shoes
8. Eyes
9. Complexion
10. Physical

Standard description of automobiles

APCO promotes the mnemonic CYMBALS for reporting vehicle descriptions:[29]

APCO vehicle description format

Property Example
Color Red
Year 2001
Make Ford
Body F-150
Additional descriptive items With a black camper shell
License 1234567
State California

Calling procedure

The voice calling procedure (sometimes referred to as "method of calling" or "communications order model")
is the standardized method of establishing communications. The order of transmitting the called station's call
sign, followed by the calling station's call sign, was first specified for voice communications in the
International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington, 1927,[30] however it matches the order used for the
radiotelegraph calling procedure that had already existed since at least 1912. In the United States, the
radiotelegraph calling procedure is legally defined in FCC regulations Part 80.97 (47 CFR 80.97(c)), which
specifies that the method of calling begins with the call sign of the station called, not more than twice, [THIS
IS] and the call sign of the calling station, not more than twice".[31] This order is also specified by the ICAO
for international aviation radio procedures (Annex 10 to the Convention on. International Civil Aviation:
Aeronautical Telecommunications.[32]), the FAA (Aeronautical Information Manual[33]) and by the ITU-R for
the Maritime Mobile Service (ITU-R M.1171),[34] and the U.S. Coast Guard (Radiotelephone Handbook[35]).
The March, 1940 issue of The APCO Bulletin explains the origin of this order was found to have better results
than other methods,[36]

1. MUST give the callsign of the station you are calling, twice (never three times)
2. MUST follow the callsign with the proword THIS IS
 3. MUST give your callsign once, and once only
4. Communicate
5. SHOULD end your transmission with the proword OVER, or OUT, although this can be omitted
when using a repeater that inserts a courtesy tone at the end of each transmission.

Break-in procedure

Stations needing to interrupt other communications in-progress shall use the most appropriate of the below
procedure words, followed by their call sign.

The use of these emergency signals is governed by the International Radio Regulations that have the force of
law in most countries, and were originally defined in the International Code of Signals and the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, so the rules for their use emanate from that document.

All of these break-in procedure words must be followed by your call sign, because that information will help
the NCS determine the relevant importance when dealing with multiple break-ins of the same precedence, and
to determine the relevance when multiple calls offering a CORRECTION or INFO are received.
 Signal
Priority Proword Use For Handling Prosign/OPSIG
Type
FLASH messages are to be handled as
fast as humanly possible, ahead of all
Events other messages, with in-station
that are a handling time not to exceed 10
Message grave
1 FLASH minutes.[37] U.S. Government use only Z
precedence threat to
per CFR 47. FLASH messages are
the nation
handled before all three types of
or a region
international priority signals, including
MAYDAY.[38]
Immediate! All radio traffic not actively
engaged in assisting the station in
distress stops or moves to another
frequency. This rule applies on all
Lives or frequencies allocated to emergency
MAYDAY
property use. On other frequencies, the rule is
2 MAYDAY SOS SOS SOS
are in modified to allow FLASH precedence
MAYDAY
danger traffic,[39] because FLASH messages
have a similar scope of immediate
danger (especially when it is a military
communication) and also need
International immediate responses.
priority
Immediate, unless there is an ongoing
signals Urgent
Mayday issue. This is considered to be
PAN-PAN situations
3 PAN-PAN that are IMMEDIATE precedence traffic.[39] If XXX XXX XXX
PAN-PAN not life- the condition is medical, use PAN-PAN
threatening MEDICAL, PAN-PAN MEDICAL, PAN-
PAN MEDICAL.
Immediate, unless there is an ongoing
Mayday or Pan-pan issue. Must be sent
SÉCURITÉ Important
as T T T instead of TTT in order to
4 SÉCURITÉ safety TTT TTT TTT
differentiate it from the Morse code
SÉCURITÉ information
symbol for O. This is considered to be
IMMEDIATE precedence traffic.[39]
IMMEDIATE messages are processed,
transmitted, and delivered in the order
Handling received and ahead of all messages of
5 IMMEDIATE within 30 lower precedence. They are to be O
minutes handled as quickly as possible, with in-
station handling time not to exceed 30
minutes.[37]
PRIORITY precedence messages are
processed, transmitted, and delivered in
Handling the order received and ahead of all
Message
6 PRIORITY within 3 messages of ROUTINE precedence. P
precedence
hours They are to be handled as quickly as
possible, with in-station handling time
not to exceed 3 hours.[37]
Used for all types of message traffic
justifying transmission by rapid means,
Handling but not of sufficient urgency to require
7 ROUTINE by the higher precedence. They should be R
next day handled as soon as traffic flow allows,
but no later than the beginning of the
next duty day.[37]
8 CORRECTION Message Providing Use to let the Net Control Station know EEEEEEEE
handling a you have a correction for something
correction
 to another that the NCS or another station
station transmitted.
Providing Use to let the NCS know that you have
an answer information relating to a topic or
9 INFO INFO
to another question transmitted by the NCS or
station another station.

Order of priority of communications

The priority levels described below are derived from Article 44 of the ITU Radio Regulations, Chapter VIII,
and were codified as early as the International Telecommunication Convention, Atlantic City, 1947 (but
probably existed much earlier).

Radiotelephony communications priority

Order
Radiotelephony
of Simplify calling procedure Radiotelegraph signal
signal
priority
1 Distress calls, distress messages, and distress traffic MAYDAY SOS
PAN, PAN or
Urgency messages, including messages preceded by the
2 PAN, PAN XXX
medical transports signal.
MEDICAL
3 Communications relating to direction finding QSH, QTF
4 Safety information SÉCURITÉ TTT
QFA, QFZ, QNY, QUB,
5 Meteorological messages
QMW, QMX, QMZ
QAB, QBI, QBV, QBX,
Flight regularity (navigation and safe movement)
6 QCA, QDV, QFM, QGQ,
messages
QHG,
Messages relative to the navigation, movements, and Most Q signals in the
7
needs of ships QOA–QQZ range
Government messages for which priority right has been
8
claimed.
Service messages relating to the working of the
Messages prefixed with
9 radiocommunication service or to radiotelegrams SERVICE
SVC
previously transmitted
10 All other communications

Procedure words

Procedure words are a direct voice replacement for procedure signs (prosigns) and operating signals (such as
Q codes), and must always be used on radiotelephone channels in their place. Prosigns/operating signals may
only be used with Morse Code (as well as semaphore flags, light signals, etc.) and TTY (including all forms of
landline and radio teletype, and Amateur radio digital interactive modes). The most complete set of procedure
words is defined in the U.S. Military's Allied Communications Publication ACP 125(G).[9]
 Procedure words for general use
Proword Explanation Prosign/ OPSIG
This transmission is from the station whose designator
THIS IS DE
immediately follows.
UNKNOWN The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to establish
AA
STATION communication is unknown.
ZGN (military)

NOTHING NIL
To be used when no reply is received from a call station.
HEARD
(civilian)

This is a method of receipt. I have received your last transmission

satisfactorily.[9]

This usage comes from the Morse code prosign "R",

which means "received": from 1943 to early 1956, the
code word for R was Roger in the Allied Military
phonetic spelling alphabets in use by the armed
forces, including the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic
Alphabet and RAF phonetic alphabet.[40][41] This use
ROGER was officially continued even after the spelling word R
for R was changed to ROMEO.[42] Contrary to popular
belief, Roger does not mean or imply both "received"
and "I will comply." That distinction goes to the
contraction wilco (from, "will comply"), which is used
exclusively if the speaker intends to say "received and
will comply". The phrase "Roger Wilco" is
procedurally incorrect, as it is redundant with respect
to the intent to say "received".[43][9]

This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is

OVER K
necessary. Go ahead, transmit
I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR SIGNAL, UNDERSTAND IT, AND
WILL COMPLY. To be used only by the addressee. Since the
WILCO
meaning of ROGER is included in that of WILCO, the two
prowords are never used together.
This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is
OUT AR
required or expected.
CQ General call to all stations CQ
This is the end of my transmission to you. I am about to call (or
OUT TO YOU AR
resume a call) with other station(s).
WAIT I must pause for a few seconds AS
WAIT – OUT I must pause for longer than a few seconds. AS AR
FIGURES Numerals or numbers follow. n/a
I SPELL I shall spell the next word phonetically. n/a
SPEAK
Your transmission is too fast. Reduce speed of transmission. QRS
SLOWER
WORD AFTER The word of the message to which I have reference is that which WA
 follows…………..
The word of the message to which I have reference is that which
WORD BEFORE WB
precedes…………..
The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that
ALL AFTER AA
follows……………
The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that
ALL BEFORE AB
precedes…………..
Repeat all of your last transmission. Followed by identification
SAY AGAIN IMI?
data means "Repeat………… (portion indicated)."
I SAY AGAIN I am repeating transmission or portion indicated. IMI
An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will
continue with the last word correctly transmitted.

An error has been made in this transmission (or

CORRECTION EEEEEEEEC C
message indicated). The correct version is…… That
which follows is a corrected version in answer to your
request for verification"

Yes, affirmative, you are correct, or what you have transmitted is

correct. Because AFFIRMATIVE could be confused with
CORRECT C
NEGATIVE, always use CORRECT instead of YES or
AFFIRMATIVE.
ZUG (military)
NEGATIVE No, or negative.
N (civilian)

WRONG Your last transmission was incorrect. The correct version is……. ZWF
DISREGARD
This transmission is in error, disregard it. (This proword shall not
THIS
be used to cancel any message that has been completely EEEEEEEE AR
TRANSMISSION
transmitted and receipted.
– OUT
INT ZUA (military)
REQUEST TIME
I am requesting an accurate time check.
CHECK QTR IMI (civilian)

TIME CHECK I am about to confirm the exact time

ZUA

(military) QTR
TIME The time I am transmitting is exact as at the moment I said TIME
(civilian)

INTERCO International Code of Signals groups follow (spoken IN-TER-CO) INTERCO

Radio checks

Whenever an operator is transmitting and uncertain of how good their radio and/or voice signal are, they can
use the following procedure words to ask for a signal strength and readability report. This is the modern
method of signal reporting that replaced the old 1 to 5 scale reports for the two aspects of a radio signal, and as
with the procedure words, are defined in ACP 125(G):
The prowords listed below are for use when initiating and answering queries concerning signal strength and
readability.

Proword Meaning
RADIO CHECK What is my signal strength and readability?
ROGER I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
NOTHING HEARD To be used when no reply is received from a called station.

Signal strength prowords

In the tables below, the mappings of the QSA and QRK Morse code prosigns is interpreted because there is
not a 1:1 correlation. See QSA and QRK code for the full procedure specification.

Proword Meaning Prosign/OPSIG

LOUD Your signal is very strong. QSA5
GOOD Your signal strength is good. QSA4
WEAK Your signal strength is weak. QSA3
VERY
Your signal strength is very weak. QSA2
WEAK
At times your signal strength fades to such an extent that continuous reception
FADING QSA1 or QSB
cannot be relied upon.

Readability prowords

Proword Meaning Prosign/OPSIG

CLEAR The quality of your transmission is excellent. QRK5
READABLE The quality of your transmission is satisfactory. QRK4
DISTORTED Having trouble reading you due to distortion.
QRK3
WITH INTERFERENCE Having trouble reading you due to interference.
INTERMITTENT Having trouble reading you because your signal is intermittent. QRK2
UNREADABLE The quality of your transmission is so bad that I cannot read you. QRK1

The reporting format is one of the signal strength prowords followed by an appropriate conjunction, with that
followed by one of the readability prowords:

LOUD AND CLEAR means Excellent copy with no noise

GOOD AND READABLE means Good copy with slight noise

FAIR BUT READABLE means Fair copy, occasional fills are needed

WEAK WITH INTERFERENCE means Weak copy, frequent fills are needed because of interference from
other radio signals.

WEAK AND UNREADABLE means Unable to copy, a relay is required

According to military usage, if the response would be LOUD AND CLEAR, you may also respond simply
with the proword ROGER. However, because this reporting format is not currently used widely outside of
military organizations, it is better to always use the full format, so that there is no doubt about the response by
parties unfamiliar with minimization and other shorthand radio operating procedures.

International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunication Union, and the
International Maritime Organization (all agencies of the United Nations), plus NATO, all specify the use of the
ICAO Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet for use when it is necessary to spell out words, callsigns, and other
letter/number sequences. It was developed with international cooperation and ratified in 1956, and has been in
use unmodified ever since.

Rules for spelling

Spelling is necessary when difficult radio conditions prevent the reception of an obscure word, or
of a word or group, which is unpronounceable. Such words or groups within the text of plain
language messages may be spelt using the phonetic alphabet; they are preceded by the proword "I
SPELL". If the word is pronounceable and it is advantageous to do so, then it should be spoken
before and after the spelling to help identify the word.[44]

Rules for numbers and figures

When radio conditions are satisfactory and confusion will not arise, numbers in the text of a
message may be spoken as in normal speech. During difficult conditions, or when extra care is
necessary to avoid misunderstanding, numbers are sent figure by figure preceded by the proword
FIGURES. This proword warns that figures follow immediately, to help distinguish them from
other similarly pronounced words.[44]
Letter Code word
A Alfa
B Bravo
C Charlie
D Delta
E Echo
F Foxtrot
G Golf
H Hotel
I India
J Juliett
K Kilo
L Lima
M Mike
N November
O Oscar
P Papa
Q Quebec
R Romeo
S Sierra
T Tango
U Uniform
V Victor
W Whiskey
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
 ACP 121(I) and ACP 125(G) Punctuation
Character Code word ICAO and ITU Abbreviated as
. Full Stop / period Full stop PD
, Comma Comma CMM
/ Slant/oblique Slant Slant
- Hyphen Hyphen Hyphen
( Left-hand bracket Brackets on Paren
) Right-hand bracket Brackets off Unparen
: Colon Colon CLN
; Semi-colon Semi-colon SMCLN
? Question mark Question mark Ques
" Open quote Quote Quote
" Close quote Unquote Unquote
. Decimal Decimal Point

Closing down

Ending a two-way radio call has its own set of procedures:

Generally, the station that originated the call is the station that should initiate termination of the
call.
All stations indicate their last transmission of a particular communication exchange by using
the proword OUT (I intend no further communication with you at this time) or OUT TO YOU (I
am ending my communication with you and calling another station).
Stations going off the air (specifically turning their radio equipment off or leaving the station
unattended) can additionally state that they are "closing" or "closing down", based on the
proword command "CLOSE DOWN".

Radio nets
Nets operate either on schedule or continuously (continuous watch). Nets operating on schedule handle traffic
only at definite, prearranged times and in accordance with a prearranged schedule of intercommunication. Nets
operating continuously are prepared to handle traffic at any time; they maintain operators on duty at all stations
in the net at all times. When practicable, messages relating to schedules will be transmitted by a means of
signal communication other than radio.[45]

Net manager

A net manager is the person who supervises the creation and operation of a net over multiple sessions. This
person will specify the format, date, time, participants, and the net control script. The net manager will also
choose the Net Control Station for each net, and may occasionally take on that function, especially in smaller
organizations.

Net Control Station

Radio nets are like conference calls in that both have a moderator who initiates the group communication, who
ensures all participants follow the standard procedures, and who determines and directs when each other
station may talk. The moderator in a radio net is called the Net Control Station, formally abbreviated NCS, and
has the following duties:[46]

Establishes the net and closes the net;

Directs Net activities, such as passing traffic, to maintain optimum efficiency;
Chooses net frequency, maintains circuit discipline and frequency accuracy;
Maintains a net log and records participation in the net and movement of messages; (always
knows who is on and off net)
Appoints one or more Alternate Net Control Stations (ANCS);
Determines whether and when to conduct network continuity checks;
Determines when full procedure and full call signs may enhance communications;
Subject to Net Manager guidance, directs a net to be directed or free.

The Net Control Station will, for each net, appoint at least one Alternate Net Control Station, formally
abbreviated ANCS (abbreviated NC2 in WWII procedures), who has the following duties:[46]

Assists the NCS to maintain optimum efficiency;

Assumes NCS duties in event that the NCS develops station problems;
Assumes NCS duties for a portion of the net, as directed or as needed;
Serves as a resource for the NCS; echoes transmissions of the NCS if, and only if, directed to
do so by the NCS;
Maintains a duplicate net log

Structure of the net

Nets can be described as always having a net opening and a net closing, with a roll call normally following the
net opening, itself followed by regular net business, which may include announcements, official business, and
message passing. Military nets will follow a very abbreviated and opaque version of the structure outlined
below, but will still have the critical elements of opening, roll call, late check-ins, and closing.

A net should always operate on the same principle as the inverted pyramid used in journalism—the most
important communications always come first, followed by content in ever lower levels of priority.

1. Net opening
1. Identification of the NCS
2. Announcement of the regular date, time, and frequency of the net
3. Purpose of the net
2. Roll call
1. A call for stations to check in, oftentimes from a roster of regular stations
2. A call for late check-ins (stations on the roster who did not respond to the first check-in
period)
3. A call for guest stations to check in
3. Net business
4. Optional conversion to a free net
5. Net closing
Each net will typically have a main purpose, which varies according to the organization conducting the net,
which occurs during the net business phase. For amateur radio nets, it's typically for the purpose of allowing
stations to discuss their recent operating activities (stations worked, antennas built, etc.) or to swap equipment.
For Military Auxiliary Radio System and National Traffic System nets, net business will involve mainly the
passing of formal messages, known as radiograms.

Time synchronization procedures

Stations without the ability to acquire a time signal accurate to at least one second should request a time check
at the start of every shift, or once a day minimum. Stations may ask the NCS for a time check by waiting for
an appropriate pause, keying up and stating your call sign, and then using the prowords "REQUEST TIME
CHECK, OVER" when the NCS calls on you. Otherwise, you may ask any station that has access to any of
the above time signals for a time check.

Once requested, the sending station will state the current UTC time plus one minute, followed by a countdown
as follows:

This is Net Control, TIME CHECK WUN AIT ZERO TOO ZULU (pause) WUN FIFE
SECONDS…WUN ZERO SECONDS…FIFE FOWER TREE TOO WUN…TIME WUN
AIT ZERO TOO ZULU…OVER

The receiving station will then use the proword "TIME" as the synch mark, indicating zero seconds. If the
local time is desired instead of UTC, substitute the time zone code "JULIETT" for "ZULU".

Instead of providing time checks on an individual basis, the NCS should give advance notice of a time check
by stating, for example, "TIME CHECK AT 0900 JULIETT", giving all stations sufficient time to prepare
their clocks and watches for adjustment. A period of at least five minutes is suggested.

Modes of radio net operation

Directed Net
A net in which no station other than the net control station can communicate with any other
station, except for the transmission of urgent messages, without first obtaining the
permission of the net control station.[47]
Free net
A net in which any station may communicate with any other station in the same net without
first obtaining permission from the net control station to do so.[47]

Types of net calls

When calling stations who are part of a net, a variety of types of calls can be used:
 Call type Includes Usage
The call
Single sign of a Used to call a particular station, inviting them, and giving them permission to
call single communicate with NCS
station
A list of
two or
Multiple
more Used to request that two or more stations take some action.
call
individual
call signs
A call to
Collective An invitation and permission for all stations to check in. The form of a net call on non-
the entire
call military nets.
net
A call to a specific subset of the net participants, which may take one of the following
forms:

Limited A call to a All stations with emergency traffic or priority message traffic
collective portion of All stations with message traffic
call the net All stations with long-distance (e.g. out-of-state) message traffic
All stations with a call sign suffix in a specified range (common in Amateur radio nets)
All stations in a geographic region

The call A specific form of a collective call, used mainly in military nets, to indicate that the NCS
Net call sign of the is calling all stations. The first use of this is a very abbreviated form of requesting stations
net to check-in to the net.
Exempt Multiple A collective call where one or more stations are not required (or not even permitted) to
call stations respond, based on prior arrangement. A common feature in military net procedures.
An automatic method of selectively calling other stations, using DTMF codes or other
One or
signalling. On military radios, a selcall will typically cause all radios the selcall was
Selcall multiple
addressed to provide an audible or visual alert, decreasing the odds that any particular
stations
operator will miss the call.

Types of radio nets

The Civil Air Patrol and International Amateur Radio Union define a number of different nets which represent
the typical type and range used in civilian radio communications:
 Type Usage

Command and For conveying messages and information between different locations and levels of command.
Control (C2) This is where formal messages are exchanged, so it serves the same purpose as an IARU Traffic
Nets net.[48]
A Tactical Net is established whenever a requirement exists to coordinate the actions of deployed
Tactical Net units in a mobile or portable environment. The primary purpose is to support deployed units, and it
would generally be conducted from an Incident Command Post[48]

Liaison Nets Anytime the host of the net is involved with other agencies.[48]
Communications managers at each level have the authority to initiate stand-by nets, placing radio
Contingency
stations within their span of control on alert to be available for developing conditions that may
Nets
result in event activity.[48]
Communication managers may establish nets for training purposes, such as to teach radio
Training Net
procedures to novice operators, or new skills and procedures to more advanced operators.[48]
Used for incoming operators to receive assignments, and to be reassigned as needs changed.
Resource net Can also be used to locate equipment and operators with special skills. More than one resource
net may be created in large-scale events if the traffic warrants.[49]
A type of resource net specifically tasked with logistical needs separate from those of the
Logistics net
communications teams.[49]

Tactical net Handle the primary on-site emergency communication.[49]

Information net Used to disseminate official bulletins, answer general questions, etc.[49]
Traffic net Handles formal written messages (radiograms)
A Traffic Net that handles messages among those people impacted by or in the vicinity of a
Health and disaster and their friends and family living outside the disaster zone.[49] These nets usually
Welfare (H&W) handle messages between concerned friends, families and persons within and outside of the
net disaster area where legally permitted. In Amateur radio, these nets are conducted with the
National Traffic System and exchange ARRL Radiograms.
Maritime
broadcast
An radio net used by boats when in distress or assisting another vessel in distress.
communications
net

Radio net procedure words

U.S. Army Field Manual ACP 125(G) has the most complete set of procedure words used in radio nets:[50]
 Prosign/
Proword Explanation
OPSIG
All stations are to net their radios on the unmodulated carrier wave which I am
NET NOW ZRC2
about to transmit.
THIS IS A
From now until further notice this net is directed. ZKB
DIRECTED NET
THIS IS A FREE
From now until further notice this net is free. ZUG ZKB
NET
BROADCAST YOUR
Link the two nets under your control for automatic rebroadcast
NET
STOP Cut the automatic link between the two nets that are being rebroadcast and
BROADCASTING revert to normal working.
REBROADCAST
Commence automatic rebroadcasting of your other net onto this frequency
YOUR NET
STOP
Cease rebroadcasting your other net onto this frequency QRT
REBROADCASTING
ASSUME CONTROL You will assume control of this net until further notice ZKD
I AM ASSUMING
I am assuming control of this net until further notice ZKA
CONTROL
REPORTING INTO Calling station is joining an established net or returning after having been
THE NET closed down.
REPORT
STRENGTH AND Report to me how you are receiving all other stations on the net
READABILITY
The station called is to answer after call sign……..when answering
ANSWER AFTER ZGO
transmissions.
USE
ABBREVIATED Call signs are to be abbreviated until further notice.
CALL SIGNS
USE FULL CALL
Call signs are to be sent in full until further notice.
SIGNS
USE
As conditions are normal, all stations are to use abbreviated procedure until
ABBREVIATED
further notice.
PROCEDURE
USE FULL As conditions are not normal, all stations are to use full procedure until further
PROCEDURE notice.
Cease transmissions on this net immediately. Silence will be maintained until
SILENCE (Repeated
lifted. (Transmissions must be authenticated by use of a self authenticated HM HM HM
three or more times)
system, codeword, etc.)
Silence is lifted. (Transmissions must be authenticated by means of self ZUG
SILENCE LIFTED
authentication system, codeword, etc.) HM HM HM
CLOSE DOWN Stations are to close down when indicated. Acknowledgments are required ZKJ

Example usage

Aeronautical mobile procedure

The Federal Aviation Administration uses the term phraseology to describe voice procedure or
communications protocols used over telecommunications circuits. An example is air traffic control radio
communications. Standardised wording is used and the person receiving the message may repeat critical parts
of the message back to the sender. This is especially true of safety-critical messages.[51] Consider this example
of an exchange between a controller and an aircraft:

Aircraft: Boston Tower, Warrior three five foxtrot (35F), holding short of two two right.
Tower: Warrior three five foxtrot, Boston Tower, runway two two right, cleared for immediate takeoff.
Aircraft: Roger, cleared for immediate takeoff, two two right, Warrier three five foxtrot.

On telecommunications circuits, disambiguation is a critical function of voice procedure. Due to any number
of variables, including radio static, a busy or loud environment, or similarity in the phonetics of different
words, a critical piece of information can be misheard or misunderstood; for instance, a pilot being ordered to
eleven thousand as opposed to seven thousand. To reduce ambiguity, critical information may be broken down
and read as separate letters and numbers. To avoid error or misunderstanding, pilots will often read back
altitudes in the tens of thousands using both separate numbers and the single word (example: given a climb to
10,000 ft, the pilot replies "[Callsign] climbing to One zero, Ten Thousand"). However, this is usually only
used to differentiate between 10,000 and 11,000 ft since these are the most common altitude deviations. The
runway number read visually as eighteen, when read over a voice circuit as part of an instruction, becomes one
eight. In some cases a spelling alphabet is used (also called a radio alphabet or a phonetic alphabet). Instead of
the letters AB, the words Alpha Bravo are used. Main Street becomes Mike Alpha India November street,
clearly separating it from Drain Street and Wayne Street. The numbers 5 and 9 are pronounced "fife" and
"niner" respectively, since "five" and "nine" can sound the same over the radio. The use of 'niner' in place of
'nine' is due to German-speaking NATO allies for whom the spoken word 'nine' could be confused with the
German word 'nein' or 'no'.

Over fire service radios, phraseology may include words that indicate the priority of a message, for
example:[52]

Forty Four Truck to the Bronx, Urgent!

or

San Diego, Engine Forty, Emergency traffic!

Words may be repeated to modify them from traditional use in order to describe a critical message:[53]

Evacuate! Evacuate! Evacuate!

A similar technique may be used in aviation for critical messages. For example, this transmission might be sent
to an aircraft that has just landed and has not yet cleared the runway.

Echo-Foxtrot-Charlie, Tower. I have engine out traffic on short final. Exit runway at next taxiway.
Expedite! Expedite!

Police Radios also use this technique to escalate a call that is quickly becoming an emergency.
 Code 3! Code 3! Code 3!

Railroads have similar processes. When instructions are read to a locomotive engineer, they are preceded by
the train or locomotive number, direction of travel and the engineer's name. This reduces the possibility that a
set of instructions will be acted on by the wrong locomotive engineer:

Five Sixty Six West, Engineer Jones, okay to proceed two blocks west to Ravendale.

Phraseology on telecommunications circuits may employ special phrases like ten codes, Sigalert, Quick Alert!
or road service towing abbreviations such as T6. This jargon may abbreviate critical data and alert listeners by
identifying the priority of a message. It may also reduce errors caused by ambiguities involving rhyming, or
similar-sounding, words.

Maritime mobile procedure

(Done on VHF Ch 16)

Boat "Albacore" talking to Boat "Bronwyn"

Albacore: Bronwyn, Bronwyn, Bronwyn* this is Albacore, OVER. (*3×1, repeating the receiver's callsign
up to 3 times, and the sender's once, is proper procedure and should be used when first establishing contact,
especially over a long distance. A 1×1, i.e. 'Bronwyn this is Albacore,' or 2×1, i.e. 'Bronwyn, Bronwyn, this is
Albacore,' is less proper, but acceptable especially for a subsequent contact.)[54]

Bronwyn: Albacore, this is Bronwyn, OVER. (** At this point switch to a working channel as 16 is for
distress and hailing only**)

Albacore: This is Albacore. Want a tow and are you OK for tea at Osbourne Bay? OVER.

Bronwyn: This is Bronwyn. Negative, got engine running, 1600 at clubhouse fine with us. OVER.

Albacore: This is Albacore, ROGER, OUT.

"Copy that" is incorrect. COPY is used when a message has been intercepted by another station, i.e. a third
station would respond:

Nonesuch: Bronwyn, this is Nonesuch. Copied your previous, will also see you there, OUT.

One should always use one's own callsign when transmitting.

British Army

Station C21A (charlie-two-one Alpha) talking to C33B (charlie-three-three Bravo):[55]

C21A: C33B, this is C21A, message, OVER.

C33B: C33B, send, OVER.

C21A: Have you got C1ØD Sunray at your location?, OVER.

C33B: Negative, I think he is with C3ØC, OVER.

C21A: Roger, OUT.

The advantage of this sequence is that the recipient always knows who sent the message.

The downside is that the listener only knows the intended recipient from the context of the conversation.
Requires moderate signal quality for the radio operator to keep track of the conversations.

However a broadcast message and response is fairly efficient.

Sunray (Lead) Charlie Charlie (Collective Call - everyone), this is Sunray. Radio check, OVER.

C-E-5-9: Sunray, this is Charlie Echo five niner, LOUD AND CLEAR, OVER.

Y-S-7-2 Sunray, this is Yankee Sierra Seven Two, reading three by four. OVER.

B-G-5-2: Sunray, this is Bravo Golf Five Two, Say again. OVER.

E-F-2-0: Sunray, this is Echo Foxtrot Two Zero, reading Five by Four OVER.

Sunray: Charlie Charlie this is Sunray, OUT.

The "Say again" response from B-G-5-2 tells Sunray that the radio signal is not good and possibly unreadable.
Sunray can then re-initiate a Call onto B-G-5-2 and start another R/C or instruct them to relocate, change
settings, etc.

So it could carry on with:

Sunray: Bravo Golf Five Two this is sunray, RADIO CHECK OVER.

B-G-5-2: Sunray this is Bravo Golf Five Two, unclear, read you 2 by 3 OVER.

Sunray: Sunray copies, Relocate to Grid One Niner Zero Three Three Two for a better signal OVER.

B-G-5-2: Bravo Golf Five Two copies and is Oscar Mike, Bravo Golf Five Two OUT.

See also
Radiotelephone
Mobile radio
Two-way radio
Plain Language Radio Checks
QSA and QRK code (for Morse code only)
R-S-T system (for Amateur radio only)
Signal strength and readability report
Circuit Merit (for wired and wireless telephone circuits only, not radiotelephony)
ICAO spelling alphabet
List of international common standards
Mayday
Military slang
Procedure word
Station identification
Allied Communication Procedures
Notes
1. Sant Andrea, Steve (April 2010). "When Not to Operate: During emergency operations listening
and common sense are key". QST.
2. Mills, C.J., ed. (2016). ACP 125(G): Communications Instructions – Radiotelephone
Procedures (http://www.k1chr.org/ACP%20125%20%28G%29%20Radio%20Telephone%20Pr
ocedures%20NOV%202016.pdf) (PDF) (Unclassified, public military procedures document.)
((G) ed.). Combined Communications-Electronics Board (published 2016-11-28). Retrieved
2017-12-14.
3. Reeds PBO Small Craft Almanac 2014. Reeds. 2014. p. 108. ISBN 9781408193303.
4. "Virginia Defense Force Division Signal Operating Instruction (SOI) 24-1" (http://lafayettebrigad
e.org/s6/VADF_SOI_07_updated_1-2008.pdf) (PDF).
5. "ITU-R Radio Regulations, Article 19, Identification of stations" (http://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art1
9.pdf) (PDF).
6. "47 CFR 2.303 - Other forms of identification of stations" (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/
2.303).
7. "Amateur Call Sign Systems" (https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/a
mateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems).
8. "IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide" (http://www.iaru.org/uploads/1/3/0/7/13073366/
emcommguide_1sept2016.pdf) (PDF).
9. Mills, C.J., ed. (2016). ACP 125(G): Communications Instructions – Radiotelephone
Procedures (http://www.k1chr.org/ACP%20125%20%28G%29%20Radio%20Telephone%20Pr
ocedures%20NOV%202016.pdf) (PDF) (Unclassified, public military procedures document.)
((G) ed.). Combined Communications-Electronics Board (published 2016-11-28). Retrieved
2017-12-14.
10. "NAVPERS 10228-B, Radioman 3 & 2 training course (1957 edition)" (http://www.virhistory.co
m/navy/manuals/rm32-10228B-1957.pdf) (PDF).
11. "California Statewide EMS Operations and Communications Resource Manual" (https://emsa.c
a.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/07/EMSA145.pdf) (PDF).
12. "Recognition of Monosyllabic Words in Continuous Sentences Using Composite Word
Templates" (http://www.haskins.yale.edu/Reprints/HL0239.pdf) (PDF).
13. Mills, C.J., ed. (2016). ACP 125(G): Communications Instructions – Radiotelephone
Procedures (http://www.k1chr.org/ACP%20125%20%28G%29%20Radio%20Telephone%20Pr
ocedures%20NOV%202016.pdf) (PDF) (Unclassified, public military procedures document.)
((G) ed.). Combined Communications-Electronics Board (published 2016-11-28). Retrieved
2017-12-14.
14. "Radiotelephony Manual, CAP 413" (https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP413v21_6.pdf)
(PDF).
15. "CAP REGULATION 100-3 Radiotelephone Operations" (https://www.capmembers.com/media/
cms/R100_003_4C83447E87350.pdf) (PDF).
16. "CAP R100-3" (https://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R100_003_4C83447E87350.pdf)
(PDF).
17. "two way radio ettiqute" (https://quality2wayradios.com/store/two-way-radio-etiquette).
18. "How to Stop Saying Um, Uh, and Other Filler Words" (http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/stop-um-u
h-filler-words/).
19. "U.S. Marine Corps Radio Operators Handbook" (http://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/
Docs/TBS/MCRP%203-40.3B%20Radio%20Operators%20Handbook.pdf) (PDF).
20. "Jamacian Radio Voice Procedure (so-so)" (https://www.jamaicaham.org/downloads/Radio%2
0Voice%20Procedure.pdf) (PDF).
21. "Communications Procedures" (http://www.harriscountyares.org/ops/operating_tips.pdf) (PDF).
22. "THE POSTAL HISTORY OF ICAO Annex 10 - Aeronautical Telecommunications" (https://ww
w.icao.int/secretariat/PostalHistory/annex_10_aeronautical_telecommunications.htm).
23. "ANNEX 10 - AERONAUTICAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS - VOLUME II - ENGLISH" (https://st
ore.icao.int/annex-10-aeronautical-telecommunications-volume-ii-english-printed.html).
24. "Doc 4444, PROCEDURES FOR AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES, Air Traffic Management" (http
s://www.icao.int/cybersecurity/Lists/Source/DispForm.aspx?ID=46).
25. "MANUAL OF RADIOTELEPHONY 4TH EDITION - 2007 (DOC 9432)" (https://store.icao.int/m
anual-of-radiotelephony-doc-9432-english-printed.html).
26. "Pilot-Controller Glossary" (http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/PCG/A.HTM).
Federal Aviation Administration.
27. "Radiotelephony Manual" (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP41320Editionto4April2013_ISBN
9780117928206.pdf) (PDF). Civil Aeronautics Authority. p. 5.
28. "M.1171 : Radiotelephony procedures in the maritime mobile service" (https://www.itu.int/rec/R-
REC-M.1171-0-199510-I/en).
29. "APCO Standard Description Forms" (http://www.apcohistory.org/apco-collection/search/profile/
article/A28955).
30. "International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington, 1927" (http://search.itu.int/history/Hist
oryDigitalCollectionDocLibrary/5.20.61.en.100.pdf) (PDF).
31. "47 CFR 80.97 - Radiotelegraph operating procedures" (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/
80.97).
32. "Annex 10 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation: Aeronautical Telecommunications,
Volume II" (https://www.icao.int/Meetings/anconf12/Document%20Archive/AN10_V2_cons%5B
1%5D.pdf) (PDF).
33. "Aeronautical Information Manual" (https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/AIM_Basi
c_dtd_10-12-17.pdf) (PDF).
34. "ITU-R Recommendation M.1171-0, Radiotelephony Procedures in the Maritime Mobile
Service" (https://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/m/R-REC-M.1171-0-199510-I!!PDF-E.pdf)
(PDF).
35. "Radiotelephone Handbook" (https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CGTTP_6-01
_1A_Radiotelephone_Handbook-%20508%20compliant%20v2.pdf) (PDF).
36. "The APCO Bulletin, March 1940 (page 10)" (http://www.apcohistory.org/pdf/1940-03-march_pa
ges1-12.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 7 May 2015.
37. "Guide to Radio Communications Standards for DEM Emergency Responders" (http://www.de
m.ri.gov/topics/erp/4_3.pdf) (PDF).
38. CAP Radiotelephone Procedures Guide
39. "CAP REGULATION 100-3 Radiotelephone Operations" (https://www.capmembers.com/media/
cms/R100_003_4C83447E87350.pdf) (PDF).
40. "Roger" was the U.S. military designation for the letter R (as in received) from 1927 to 1957.
41. SDSTAFF Robin and Straight Dope Science Advisory Board (2007-02-27). "Why do pilots say
"roger" on the radio?" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080129171204/http://www.straightdope.c
om/mailbag/mroger.htm). The Straight Dope. Archived from the original (http://www.straightdop
e.com/mailbag/mroger.htm) on 2008-01-29.
42. "SGM 34-56: Use of ROGER as Procedural Word" (http://archives.nato.int/uploads/r/null/1/2/12
7448/SGM-0034-56_ENG_PDP.pdf) (PDF).
43. ACP 125(F), Communication Instructions Radiotelephone Procedure (http://jcs.dtic.mil/j6/cceb/
acps/acp125/ACP125F.pdf) (PDF), Combined Communication Electronics Board (published 5
September 2001), September 2001, pp. 3–14 (page 46 of the pdf), retrieved 2012-02-20
44. Mills, C.J., ed. (2016). ACP 125(G): Communications Instructions – Radiotelephone
Procedures (http://www.k1chr.org/ACP%20125%20%28G%29%20Radio%20Telephone%20Pr
ocedures%20NOV%202016.pdf) (PDF) (Unclassified, public military procedures document.)
((G) ed.). Combined Communications-Electronics Board (published 2016-11-28). Retrieved
2017-12-14.
45. U.S. Army Field Manual FM 24-5
46. "Air Force MARS National Training Manual 2016" (http://www.mars.af.mil/Portals/59/document
s/Regs/AFMARS%20NTM%202016%20RevA.pdf) (PDF).
47. "MCRP 3-40.3B Radio Operator's Handbook" (http://www.marines.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket
=iBFG-jvJwRI%3D&portalid=59).
48. "National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol, CAP Regulation 100-3" (https://www.gocivilairpatrol.co
m/media/cms/R100_003_4C83447E87350.pdf) (PDF).
49. "IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide" (http://www.iaru.org/uploads/1/3/0/7/13073366/
emcommguide_1sept2016.pdf) (PDF).
50. Mills, C.J., ed. (2016). ACP 125(G): Communications Instructions – Radiotelephone
Procedures (http://www.k1chr.org/ACP%20125%20%28G%29%20Radio%20Telephone%20Pr
ocedures%20NOV%202016.pdf) (PDF) (Unclassified, public military procedures document.)
((G) ed.). Combined Communications-Electronics Board (published 2016-11-28). Retrieved
2017-12-14.
51. See: "Section 2: Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques", Aeronautical
Information Manual, US Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. Any
year AIM will serve as an example. Another example is "Completing the Loop: Two-Way
Communication", Special Report: Improving Firefighter Communications, USFA-TR-
099/January 1999, (Emmitsburg, Maryland: U.S. Fire Administration, 1999) p. 27.
52. See, "Problem Reporting", Special Report: Improving Firefighter Communications, USFA-TR-
099/January 1999, (Emmitsburg, Maryland: U.S. Fire Administration, 1999) pp. 25-26. FDNY
has implemented these ideas and they were observed on publicly released FDNY 9-11-01
logging recorder audio CDs. Portions of these CDs were broadcast on news programs.
53. For an example of fire procedures, look at "Communications Procedures", XII-A-4.JH.970314,
(Los Gatos, California, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Training Division, 03/14/1997).
54. "VHF Radio Basics" (https://www.sailonline.com/seamanship/navigation-a-weather/vhf-use-the
-basics). sailonline.com. Retrieved Apr 13, 2015.
55. Cannon, Mike (1994). Eavesdropping on the British Military. Dublin: Cara Press. pp. 85–85.

External links
Origins of Hamspeak (http://www.ac6v.com/73.htm)
Rec. ITU-R M.1171 (http://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/m/R-REC-M.1171-0-199510-I!!PDF-
E.pdf) Radiotelephony Procedures in the Maritime Mobile Service

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