BASIC RADIO ETIQUETTE

• Use English

• You cannot speak and listen at the same time

• Do not interrupt

• Do not respond for another callsign

• Never transmit sensitive, confidential, or financial information

• Perform radio checks at intervals

• Memorize callsigns and locations 

• Think before you speak

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1. CLARITY: Your voice should be clear. Speak a little slower than normal. Speak in a normal tone, do not shout.

2. SIMPLICITY: Keep your message simple enough for intended listeners to understand.

3. BREVITY: Be precise and to the point.

4. 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.

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GENERAL TERMS

AFFIRM: Yes

ALL STATIONS ON NET: Emergency transmission

BAD COPY: I didn't receive your last transmission

BREAK: More to follow

BREAK, BREAK, BREAK: Emergency transmission

COME IN: You are asking the other party to acknowledge they hear you

COPY: You understand what was said

CORRECTION: An error has been made in this transmission and will now be rectified

DISREGARD: This transmission is in error.

GO AHEAD: You are ready to receive transmission.

HOW COPY: How did you receive my last transmission

I SAY AGAIN: Returning transmission for confirmation

LOUD AND CLEAR: Transmission signal is good

MAYDAY: Aviation distress call. Priority transmission.

NEGATIVE: No

OUT: All conversation is finished, the channel is clear for others to use.

OVER: Your message is finished

PREPARE TO COPY: Prepare to receive a transmission that needs writing down

RADIO CHECK: What is my signal strength?

REPEAT: Repeat last fire order (NEVER use as a substitution for "SAY AGAIN")

ROGER: Message received and understood

SAY AGAIN: Re-transmit your message

SILENCE: Cease transmission on this net immediately.  Silence will be maintained until lifted

SILENCE LIFTED: Silence is lifted

SOLID COPY: I received your last transmission

STANDBY/WAIT OUT: You acknowledge the other party, but I am unable to respond immediately

THIS IS: Caller's sign

WILCO: I will comply

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TERMS

AO - Area of Operation

Bird – Helicopter

CAS - Close Air Support

CQB - Close Quarter Battle

DZ - Drop Zone

FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle

FNG - Fucking New Guy

FOB - Forward Operating Base

FUBAR - Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition

Helo - Helicopter

IED - Improvised Explosive Device

Klicks – Kilometers

Lima Charlie - Loud and Clear

LT - Lieutenant

LZ - Landing Zone

Mike - Minute

MOUT - Military Operations in Urban Terrain

NCO - NonComissioned Officer

Oscar Mike - On the Move

ROE - Rules of Engagement

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PHONETIC ALPHABET

A - ALPHA

B - BRAVO

C - CHARLIE

D - DELTA

E - ECHO

F - FOXTROT

G - GOLF

H - HOTEL

I - INDIA

J - JULIET

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 - XRAY

Y - YANKEE

Z - ZULU