THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK:
Clarity: | Your voice should be clear. Speak a little slower than normal. Speak in a normal tone; do not shout. |
Simplicity: | Keep your message simple enough for intended listeners to understand. |
Brevity: | Be precise and to the point. |
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. |
Follow these easy steps to make a call.
Below is a sample dialog that puts these standards to use.
Adam: | Mike, this is Adam. Over. |
Mike: | Adam, this is Mike, Stand By. Over. |
Mike: | Adam, this is Mike, Go Ahead. Over. |
Adam: | Mike, there is a fire at 123 Main Street. Over. |
Mike: | Adam, this is Mike, confirming a fire at 123 Main St. The fire department will be notified. Over. |
Adam: | Mike, this is Adam, address is confirmed, thanks for the help. Over and Out. |
Come in | You are asking the other party to acknowledge they hear you. |
Correct | Yes – Avoid ‘yup’, ‘nope’, etc. |
Go Ahead | Resume transmission. |
Negative | No |
Out | Communication is over and the channel is available for others. |
Over | Transmission finished. |
Radio Check | What is my signal strength? Can you hear me? |
Repeat | Used before you repeat something, e.g., “I require 9, repeat 9, gallons of fuel. Over.” |
Roger | Message received and understood. |
Say Again | Re-transmit your message. |
Stand-by | Transmission has been acknowledged, but I am unable to respond now. |
Wilco | Means “I will comply.” |
Used to spell out letters over the radio.
A – Alpha | K – Kilo | U – Uniform |
B – Bravo | L – Lima | V – Victor |
C – Charlie | M – Mike | W – Whiskey |
D – Delta | N – November | X – X-ray |
E – Echo | O – Oscar | Y – Yankee |
F – Foxtrot | P – Papa | Z – Zulu |
G – Golf | Q – Quebec | |
H – Hotel | R – Romeo | |
I – India | S – Sierra | |
J – Juliet | T – Tango |
Event: | Date & Time: | |
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Assigned Position | Name (& Call Sign) | Method(s) of Contact (phone, pager, cell, radio channel or frequency, vehicle ID, etc.) |
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[1] See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotelephony_procedure [1]
[2] See https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/dhpd/emergency-preparedness/two%20way%20radio%20protocol.pdf [2]
[3] See https://quality2wayradios.com/store/two-way-radio-etiquette [3]
[4] See ICS 205A, https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/icsresource/assets/ics%20forms/ics%20form%20205a,%20communications%20list%20(v3).pdf [4]
Links:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotelephony_procedure
[2] https://www.csudh.edu/Assets/csudh-sites/dhpd/emergency-preparedness/two%20way%20radio%20protocol.pdf
[3] https://quality2wayradios.com/store/two-way-radio-etiquette
[4] https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/icsresource/assets/ics%20forms/ics%20form%20205a,%20communications%20list%20(v3).pdf