C 3 RADIO ABBREVIATIONS & KEY WORDS

Strict adherence to correct procedure is necessary to ensure accuracy and speed in passing messages, and to eliminate mistakes and repetition.

Use the phonetic alphabet and figures when it is necessary to spell out individual words and numbers.

3.1 NATO PHONETIC ALPHABET

3.2 FIGURE PRONUNCIATION

                   1 =     Wun      4 =     Fower    7 =     Sevenne   0 =     Zero

                   2 =     Two      5 =     Fife       8 =     Ate

                   3 =     Three    6 =     Six        9 =     Niner

                   10 = One Zero         100 = One Hundred          1000 =  One Thousand

3.3 TWENTY FOUR HOUR CLOCK

Will always be used. i.e.

                    7.00am  =  0700hrs    - speak 'Zero Seven Hundred Hours'

                    11.30pm =  23.30hours - speak 'Twenty Three Thirty Hours'

 3.4 SIGNAL STRENGTH

Should be stated in one of the five levels as follows:

                   1.       Unreadable

                   2.       Very noisy, barely readable

                   3.       Noisy but readable

                   4.       Good but slightly noisy

                   5.       Loud and clear

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3.5 PRO-WORDS

 Here are a few key words which will assist in making good communication:

                   'Roger'                              : I have received your message 'Acknowledged'

                                                             (not to be used as an affirmative)

                   'Over'                               : When a reply is expected

                   'Out'                                : When a particular communication is complete

                             'Out to You'                       : End of my transmission to you, no reply

                                                                     expected and further calls to other stations to

                                                                     follow immediately

                   'Wait'/'Wait Out'                 : Literally, wait, I will call you back

                   'Send'/'Go Ahead'                : Instruction to calling station to proceed

                   'Listening Out'/’To Standby’

‘Standing by’                      : Operational and awaiting calls

                   'Affirmative'                       : Yes

                   'Negative'                          : No

                   'Read Back'                       : Repeat all, or specified part, of this message

                   'Radio Check'                     : Report how you receive my transmission

                   'Say Again'                        : Repeat....., used with All Before or All After,

  etc.

                   'Wilco'                               : Message received, understood, and will be
                                                            complied with

                   'Wrong'                             : What has been said is incorrect

                   'Complete to..'                    : All cars up to and including number given

  have passed this station.

                   'So Far'                             : Have you received the message so far

                   'Priority'                             : An urgent priority message, other station wait

                                                            out.

'Urgent'/'Safety'                  : An urgent non-priority message other station
                                                   wait out except  'priority' calls

                   ‘Relevant’                          : A message with pertinent information

3.6 REMEMBER

                   ALWAYS      Use the call sign of the station you are calling followed by your own when opening a transmission.

                   ALWAYS      Say OVER at the end of each transmission.

                   ALWAYS      Take your finger off the PTT (Press To Talk) button when you have finished speaking.

                   ALWAYS      Be as brief as possible.

                   ALWAYS      Make sure you get the message right.  If necessary write it down first.

                   ALWAYS      Remember, safety is the first consideration, information is secondary.

                   ALWAYS      Know where your microphone is, and make sure that the PTT cannot be accidentally operated.

                   ALWAYS      Leave a short gap between each transmission so that a station with an urgent call can 'get in'.

                   ALWAYS      If you feel unable to handle a situation pass the microphone to someone who is, if possible.

                   NEVER         Call when someone is already talking - you will only cause interference.

                   NEVER           Use bad language.

                   NEVER         Use radios for 'chat' when stage of event is running.

                   NEVER         Add to, embellish and/or use unnecessary voice inflections to messages given to be relayed

                   NEVER         Panic. Keep calm.

T H I N K   O F F   A I R

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