RADIO PROCEDURES
A commonly understood international format is necessary on a radio network with the main principle differs little, no matter what system of communications and regardless of the frequency being used.
Why do we need radios and radio procedures?
üStaff safety is the first priority in any operation
üCo-ordination of operations internally and with external partners (NGOs
üStaff need to be able to call for assistance at any time
üStaff/Convoy movement tracking
Why Radio Communications?
ØAllows transmission of voice and data over great distances
ØInstantaneous: travels at the speed of light
ØCan be accomplished from almost any location, fixed or mobile
ØEasy to use
ØParty line (all stations hear the same traffic)
Spelling and figures
All personnel use the same phonetic alphabet. It is easy to understand, when the situation is disturbed.
International Phonetic Alphabet
Alphabet
|
Phonetic
Alphabet
|
Alphabet
|
Phonetic
Alphabet
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Alphabet
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Phonetic
Alphabet
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Alphabet
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Phonetic
Alphabet
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A
|
ALFA
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H
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HOTEL
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O
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OSCAR
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V
|
VICTOR
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B
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BRAVO
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I
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INDIA
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P
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PAPA
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W
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WHISKEY
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C
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CHARLI
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J
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JULIETT
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Q
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QUEBEC
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X
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XRAY
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D
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DELTA
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K
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KILO
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R
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ROMEO
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Y
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YANKEE
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E
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ECHO
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L
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LIMA
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S
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SIERRE
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Z
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ZULU
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F
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FOXTROT
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M
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MIKE
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T
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TANGO
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G
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GOLF
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N
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NOVEMBER
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U
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UNIFORM
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Figurers
Figures
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Figures
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Figures
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1
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WUN
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8
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ATE
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136
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WUN THUHREE SIX
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2
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TOO
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9
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NINER
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500
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FI-YIV HUNDRED
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3
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THUH-REE
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0
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ZERO
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7000
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SEVEN THOUSAND
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4
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FO-ER
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16000
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WUN SIX THOUSAND
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5
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FI-YIV
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12
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0NE TWO
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19A
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WUN NINER ALFA
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6
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SIX
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40
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FO-ER ZERO
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7
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SEVEN
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90
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NINER ZERO
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“PROWORDS”
They are standard, easily pronounced words which have been assigned special meanings & greatly speed up message handling on radio networks.
Why use standard ‘Prowords’?
Standardizes radio transmissions so that required information is sent concisely and minimizes the chance of an ERRORoccurring in a message
“This is” - identifies transmitting station“Message” - identifies a formal/official type of transmission
“Over” - it is your turn to talk and I expect you to do so“Send” - send your message
“Roger” - acknowledges reception and understanding of last transmission.
“Wilco” – acknowledge reception and understanding of last transmission
“Over” - it is your turn to talk and I expect you to do so“Send” - send your message
“Roger” - acknowledges reception and understanding of last transmission.
“Wilco” – acknowledge reception and understanding of last transmission
and will perform it
“Out” - identifies the transmission and conversation is over, and that others may use the channel, you DO NOT reply.
“Out” - identifies the transmission and conversation is over, and that others may use the channel, you DO NOT reply.
"Wait” I am pausing for a few seconds, similar to ‘Standby’
"Wait out” I will call you again – a pause for longer then a few seconds. Others may use the channel in the meantime۔
"Wait out” I will call you again – a pause for longer then a few seconds. Others may use the channel in the meantime۔
SIGNAL STRENGTH AND READABILITY REPORT
Signal Strength Report
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Readability Report
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1 – Fading
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1 - With Interference
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2 - Very Weak
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2 - Distorted
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3 – Weak
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3 - Unreadable
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4 – Good
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4 - Readable
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5 – Loud
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5 – Clear
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More PROWORD
"Say again/all before/all after, word before/word after”
A request for the sender to re-transmit the transmission or before/after a particular word of phrase
"I say again” I will re-transmit the message or part of the message
"Acknowledge/Acknowledged” Receipt of this message must be acknowledged by the addressee.
“OVER” means “Ihave finished transmitting & I expect your reply,
The frequency is still in use! “
"OUT" means “This conversation is ended –
The frequency is now free for other users and YOU DO NOT reply!”
The phrase "OVER AND OUT" is therefore contradictory and should NEVER be used!
"Read back” The message just sent will be re-transmitted for clarity by the receiving station
"Messagecorrect” The read-back was correct
"Negative” Means NO – more distinctly
"Affirmative” Means YES – more distinctly
“Break, break, break” Interrupt ongoing ‘chit chat’ for a more official/urgent message
“Break, break, break… KF Base this isMobile 1, urgent message, over”
“Emergency, emergency, emergency” Interrupt another c/s transmissions to pass a life threatening message
“Emergency, emergency, emergency, this is Mobile 1, location WP 1 5, convoy under attack, emergency, emergency, emergency, over”
TRY TO AVOID SOUNDING UNPROFESSIONAL
TRY TO AVOID SOUNDING UNPROFESSIONAL
“Breaker, breaker 19”
“10-4, good buddy!”
“CQ, want to have a BLT?”
“Hello, Hello anybody out there?”
ROGER, WILCO, OVER and OUT!
REPEAT last transmission OVER