AUSTRALIAN ARMY CADETS
Radiotelephone procedures
Recruit introduction to RATEL
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
What is a proword?
A proword is:
a pronounceable word or phrase:
which has been given a particular
meaning – for the purpose of speeding
up messages between users on radio
circuits
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Examples of prowords
ROGER
 Means ‘I have received your last transmission
satisfactorily’ or ‘I understand your message’
 Can also mean ‘loud and clear’
SEND
 Means ‘I am ready to receive your message’
WILCO
 Means ‘Message understood, and will be complied
with’
A full list of authorised prowords is at ANNEX A
of your RATEL AIDE MEMOIRE
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Prowords
DO NOT USE INCORRECT PROWORDS
YES and NO
 Are correct prowords
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Prowords
DO NOT USE INCORRECT PROWORDS
YES and NO
 Are correct prowords
‘AFFIRMATIVE’ and ‘NEGATIVE’
 Are NOT correct prowords
“DO YOU READ ME” and similar expressions
 Are NOT correct prowords
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Prowords
DO NOT USE INCORRECT PROWORDS
YES and NO
 Are correct prowords
X
X
X
X
‘AFFIRMATIVE’ and ‘NEGATIVE’
 Are NOT correct prowords
“DO YOU READ ME” and similar expressions
 Are NOT correct prowords
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
The phonetic alphabet
Enables spelling of words or phrases in a
radiotelephone message


to be conveyed accurately and
consistently
in a standard format that all users know
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
The phonetic alphabet







A
B
C
D
E
F
G
ALPHA
BRAVO
CHARLIE
DELTA
ECHO
FOXTROT
GOLF
AL-FAH
BRAH-VOH
CHAR-LEE
DELL-TAH
ECK-OH
FOKS-TROT
GOLF
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
The phonetic alphabet







H
I
J
K
L
M
N
HOTEL
HOH-TELL
INDIA
IN-DEE-AH
JULIETT
JOO-LEE-ETT
KILO
KEY-LOH
LIMA
LEE-MAH
MIKE
MIKE
NOVEMBER
NO-VEM-BER
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
The phonetic alphabet







O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
OSCAR
OSS-CAH
PAPA
PAH-PAH
QUEBEC
KEH-BECK
ROMEO
RO-ME-OH
SIERRA
SEE-AIR-RAH
TANGO
TANG-GO
UNIFORM
YOU-NEE-FORM
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
The phonetic alphabet





V
W
X
Y
Z
VICTOR
VIK-TAH
WHISKEY WISS-KEY
X-RAY
ECKS-RAY
YANKEE
YANG-KEY
ZULU
ZOO-LOO
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Spelling using the phonetic
alphabet
Spelling using the phonetic alphabet is
preceded by the proword
‘I SPELL’
Example:
‘WALK – I SPELL – WHISKEY-ALPHALIMA – KILO – WALK’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
0
1
2
3
4
5
ZERO
WUN
TOO
THU-REE
FO-WER
FI-YIV
Emphasis on ‘n’
Sharp ‘t’, long ‘oo’
Short ‘u’, roll ‘r’, long ‘ee’
Long ‘o’
Emphasise ‘f’, ‘v’, first ‘i’ is
long, second ‘i’ is short
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
6
7
SIX
SEV-EN
Emphasis on ‘x’
Two distinct syllables, ‘en’
as in ‘hen’
8 ATE
Long ‘a’
9 NINER
Long ‘i’, emphasis both ‘n’s
10 WUN ZERO
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
•
Numbers are transmitted digit by digit
•
•
Example FIY-IV WUN TOO for ‘512’
Exact multiples of hundreds and of
thousands may be spoken as such
•
Example FIY-IV HUNDRED
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
• In good conditions numbers may be sent
as in normal speech
• Example ‘Forty-four’ for ’44’
• Example ‘Two thousand and eight’ for
‘2008’
• Example: ‘Twenty-three fifty-nine hours’
for ‘2359 hours’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
•
•
Under poor or difficult conditions, figures
are sent digit by digit,
preceded by the proword FIGURES
Example:
‘FIGURES SEV-EN THUH-REE FO-WER’
for ‘734’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
•
Proword ‘FIGURES’ is NOT used with:
•
•
•
Callsigns
Grid references
Time checks
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Pronunciation of figures
•
Decimal point spoken as ‘DAY-SEE-MAL’
•
Example
‘Wun Too Thuh-ree DAY-SEE-MAL Fow-er’
for ‘123.4’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Grid references
GRID REFERENCE IN CLEAR
‘GRID Three Two Six – Eight Four
Seven’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Fixed Callsigns
A fixed callsign is a callsign assigned to a unit
Does not change daily
Stays the same (‘fixed’)
Arranged in a tiered sequence

e.g. 10 (ONE ZERO), 11 (ONE ONE), 12 (ONE
TWO)…
 The NCS callsign is usually 0A
(ZERO ALPHA)
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Layout of typical command structure
showing fixed callsigns
callsigns are indic at ed by
an asterisk, thus: 0A*
0A* (headquarters st at io n)
20* (B 'Company')
10* (A 'Company')
11*(11Plat oon')
12* (12 Platoon)
12A
11A *
11A
(1
Section)
(1 'Section'
)
12B
*
11B**
11C*
11B
11C
(2
Section)
(2 'Section'
) (3
(3 Section)
'Section')
13*
(13 Platoon)
Platoon)
12*(12
21*
22*
(etc)
12C
13A*
13B*
13C*
12A*
12B*
12C*
(4(7
'Section'
)
(5(8
'Section'
)
(6(9
'Section'
)
Section)
Section)
Section)
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
23*
Radio appointment titles
Purpose is to hide identity of the person in that
appointment. Same appointment titles for all units.
SUNRAY
Commander
SUNRAY MINOR
Deputy Commander
MOLAR
Quartermaster
MOONBEAM
Executive Officer
PLAYTIME
Transport
STARLIGHT
Medical
SEAGULL MINOR Adjutant
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
CALLING
To communicate on a radio net,
make an initial call
(‘transmission’).
An initial call has several parts:
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Initial Call
CALLSIGN identifies station/s being called
‘THIS IS’
proword - means callsign of caller
follows
CALLSIGN identifies caller
TEXT
the message itself
ENDING:
‘OVER’
proword - means ‘your turn to talk,
NOW’
‘OUT’
proword - means ‘end of my transmission, no answer required’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
ANSWERING
An answer to an initial call has
several parts:
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Parts of an answer
CALLSIGN identifies station/s now being called
‘THIS IS’
proword – means callsign of caller
follows – compulsory in first reply
CALLSIGN identifies caller now calling
RECEIPT
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Parts of an answer
RECEIPT:
 ‘ROGER’, or
 ‘WILCO’, OR
 ‘WAIT’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Parts of an answer
‘ROGER’ proword – means
 ‘Message received’
‘WILCO’ proword – means:

Message received, and

I understand, and

I will comply.
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Parts of an answer
‘WAIT’



proword – means:
Your message received, and
There will be a brief delay – less than
5 seconds, and
No other station is to transmit
during this pause.
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Parts of an answer
‘WAIT OUT’
Proword – means:




‘Received your message,
There will be a delay more than 5
seconds,
I will come back to you later, and
Any station is free to transmit now.
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Parts of an answer – 25
‘OUT TO YOU’
Proword – means:



‘This ends my transmission to you, and
No answer needed, and
I am going to call another station
immediately.
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
INITIAL CALLS
• At time designated for opening of net, NCS
makes ‘initial call’ to all stations
• NCS uses proword ‘RADIO CHECK’
• RADIO CHECK means ‘what is my signal
strength & readability?’
INITIAL CALLS
• Substations
then reply in
correct answering order, stating
how they hear the NCS.
INITIAL CALLS
• Substations use these prowords to report signal
strength:
•LOUD
Your signal strength is excellent
•GOOD
Your signal strength is good
•WEAK
Your signal strength is weak
•VERY WEAK Your signal strength is very weak
•FADING
Your signal strength at times
fades so that continuous reception
cannot be relied upon
DO NOTS
DO NOT SAY ‘LOUD AND CLEAR’ - THE
CORRECT PROWORD IS: ‘ROGER’
DO NOT say ‘how do you read’ – the correct
proword is ‘RADIO CHECK’
DO NOT use any other unauthorised prowords
EXAMPLE OF INITIAL CALL
NCS (0A) initiates the call:
“XRAY PAPA - THIS IS 0A – RADIO CHECK –
OVER”
11 replies:
“(0A) - (THIS IS) 11 - (ROGER) - OVER”
12 replies:
“(0A) - (THIS IS) 12 – WEAK BUT READABLE –
OVER”
13 replies:
“(0A) - (THIS IS) 13 – LOUD WITH INTERFERENCE
- OVER”
14 replies:
“(0A) - (THIS IS) 14 – (ROGER) – OVER”
Procedure if station fails
to join the net
When a substation fails to answer in
proper sequence, it must
wait until all other substations have
answered.
Procedure if station fails
to join the net
If NCS does not receive a reply to the
final request, NCS transmits:
‘NOTHING
HEARD’
Procedure if station fails
to join the net
When able to join net, substation
reports in, using proword:
‘REPORTING INTO THE NET’
EXAMPLE OF FIXED STATION
JOINING A WORKING NET
Substation 12 joins the net after it has already
been opened
12 initiates call:
“0A - THIS IS 12 – REPORTING INTO THE NET –
OVER”
NCS (0A) replies:
“(12) - (THIS IS) 0A - (ROGER) - OVER”
12 replies:
“(0A) - (THIS IS) 12 – OUT”
I’ve got a message
for you!
OFFERING
MESSAGES
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMANMARTIN, 2011
OFFERING MESSAGES
Messages are ‘offered’:
to see if called station is ready to receive
before sending reports or orders
in poor or difficult conditions
if message must be written down
when NCS states that net is directed
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
OFFERING MESSAGES
When message is offered, it is not given during initial
transmission
Message is offered using one of these prowords:
MESSAGE
CRYPTO MESSAGE
SITREP, CASEVAC REQUEST, MAINTDEM, etc
Receiver must take down offered message in writing
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
LONG MESSAGES
Long message – one which takes > 30
seconds to transmit
Sent in sections each lasting approx 30
seconds
Each section terminates with ‘MORE TO
FOLLOW – OVER’
Receiving stations acknowledge each
section in turn – with callsign followed
by ‘OVER’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
LONG MESSAGES
Procedure may be interrupted after any
section by urgent traffic
If no interruption, next section is
transmitted using ‘ALL AFTER’ – followed
by last word or phrase of section
previously transmitted
This procedure is continued until
message is completed
Receiving stations then acknowledge the
last section & end with proword ‘OUT’
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
REPORTS
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMANMARTIN, 2011
REPORTS
LOCSTAT – location statement
SITREP – situation report
MAINTDEM – demand for essential supplies
INCIDENTREP – report of an incident
MOVEREQ – movement (i.e. transport) request
NOTICAS – notification sick/injured not requiring
evacuation.)
FATALCAS – SHORT NOTICAS format – reports fatality
CASEVAC – sick or injured requiring urgent evacuation
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
LOCSTAT
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
LOCSTAT
LOCSTAT
ALPHA.
BRAVO.
CHARLIE.
DELTA.
Callsign
Time (Date/Time Group)
Location (GR)
Direction (if moving) or length
of halt (if halted)
LOCSTAT to be provided on request
If no change from previous LOCSTAT, state
‘LOCSTAT: No change’
LOCSTAT
Conversation between 0A and 11
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Note how punctuation marks such as
full stops are spelled out as prowords.
This draws attention to the start of
each section.
It also allows a brief catch up time
when the receiver writes down the
message.
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
At 0900 hours on 31 July 2006,
11 sends a LOCSTAT to 0A
stating that they are at GR 563 728
and are heading North to checkpoint 3
(nickname CLEAR FOX)
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
11 initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11 – LOCSTAT – OVER”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
11 initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11 – LOCSTAT – OVER”
NCS replies:
“(11) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND LOCSTAT – OVER”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
11 initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11 – LOCSTAT – OVER”
NCS replies:
“(11) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND LOCSTAT – OVER”
11 replies with LOCSTAT:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) 11 – LOCSTAT –
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
11 initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11 – LOCSTAT – OVER”
NCS replies:
“(11) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND LOCSTAT – OVER”
11 replies with LOCSTAT:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) 11 – LOCSTAT –
ALPHA –
FULL STOP
– One One
[callsign]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
11 initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11 – LOCSTAT – OVER”
NCS replies:
“(11) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND LOCSTAT – OVER”
11 replies with LOCSTAT:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) 11 – LOCSTAT –
ALPHA –
BRAVO –
FULL STOP
– One One
FULL STOP
– Three One–Zero Niner Zero Zero
– JULY – Zero Six [Date/Time Group]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
(continued)
CHARLIE –
FULL STOP
– GRID – Six–Five–Three – Seven–
Two–Eight [Grid Reference]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
(continued)
CHARLIE –
FULL STOP
DELTA – FULL STOP –
– GRID – Six–Five–Three – Seven–
Two–Eight
heading North to CLEAR FOX
[direction]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
(continued)
CHARLIE –
FULL STOP
– GRID – Six–Five–Three – Seven–
Two–Eight
DELTA – FULL STOP –
heading North to CLEAR FOX
0A acknowledges receipt of the LOCSTAT:
“(11) – (THIS IS) – 0A – OVER”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE - LOCSTAT
(continued)
CHARLIE –
FULL STOP
– GRID – Six–Five–Three – Seven–
Two–Eight
DELTA – FULL STOP –
heading North to CLEAR FOX
0A acknowledges receipt of the LOCSTAT:
“(11) – (THIS IS) – 0A – OVER”
11 (originator) ends:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) – 11 – OUT”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMANMARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
ALPHA.
Callsign
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
ALPHA.
Callsign
BRAVO.
Current situation overview
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
ALPHA.
Callsign
BRAVO.
Current situation overview
CHARLIE.
Remarks
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
ALPHA.
Callsign
BRAVO.
Current situation overview
CHARLIE.
Remarks
DELTA.
Admin situation
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
ALPHA.
Callsign
BRAVO.
Current situation overview
CHARLIE.
Remarks
DELTA.
Admin situation
ECHO.
General (must include future intentions)
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
SITREP –
Situation report
SITREP
ALPHA.
Callsign
BRAVO.
Current situation overview
CHARLIE.
Remarks
DELTA.
Admin situation
ECHO.
General (must include future intentions)
FOXTROT.
Commander’s evaluation
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE OF
SITREP
Conversation between 11A and 0A
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
Punctuation marks – such as FULL
STOP and COMMA – in the
written message are pronounced
as prowords when the message is
transmitted by voice.
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
11A initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11A – SITREP – OVER”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
11A initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11A – SITREP – OVER”
0A replies:
“(11A) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND SITREP – OVER”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
11A initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11A – SITREP – OVER”
0A replies:
“(11A) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND SITREP – OVER”
11A sends SITREP:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) 11A – SITREP –
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
11A initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11A – SITREP – OVER”
0A replies:
“(11A) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND SITREP – OVER”
11A replies:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) 11A – SITREP –
ALPHA – FULL STOP – One One Alpha – [callsign]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
11A initiates call:
“0A – THIS IS 11A – SITREP – OVER”
0A replies:
“(11A) – (THIS IS) – 0A – SEND SITREP – OVER”
11A replies:
“(0A) – (THIS IS) 11A –
ALPHA – FULL STOP – One One Alpha –
BRAVO – FULL STOP – behind time due to terrain
[current situation overview]
EXAMPLE – SITREP
CHARLIE – FULL STOP – Nil – [remarks]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
CHARLIE – FULL STOP – Nil –
DELTA – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA – [admin situation]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
CHARLIE – FULL STOP – Nil –
DELTA – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA –
ECHO – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA. Intend to reach checkpoint one
tonight. [general – must include future intentions]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
CHARLIE – FULL STOP – Nil –
DELTA – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA –
ECHO – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA. Intend to reach checkpoint one
tonight.
FOXTROT – FULL STOP – Intend to reach checkpoint two
tomorrow as arranged [Commander’s intentions]
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
CHARLIE – FULL STOP – Nil –
DELTA – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA –
ECHO – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA. Intend to reach checkpoint one
tonight.
FOXTROT – FULL STOP – Intend to reach checkpoint two
tomorrow as arranged
0A gives a receipt: “(11A)–(THIS IS)–0A–(ROGER)–OVER”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
EXAMPLE – SITREP
CHARLIE – FULL STOP – Nil –
DELTA – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA –
ECHO – FULL STOP – Moving slowly and will not reach
destination until after ETA. Intend to reach checkpoint one
tonight.
FOXTROT – FULL STOP – Intend to reach checkpoint two
tomorrow as arranged
0A gives a receipt: “(11A)–(THIS IS)–0A–(ROGER)–OVER”
11A (the originator) ends: “(0A) – (THIS IS) – 11A – OUT”
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
ANY FINAL
QUESTIONS
?
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMAN-MARTIN, 2011
THAT’S ALL FOLKS
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R. NEWMANMARTIN,
2011
©LTCOL(AAC) G.R.
NEWMAN-MARTIN,
2011