Communications
- Communication is a big part of everyday life
- We communicate most effectively by using
both aural and visual communication
- When it is not possible to use both forms, the
other must become much clearer to be
understood correctly
- When using a radio the aural communication
is made very clear through the use of
procedures and a common language
•Radio
This revolutionised communication, enabling
contact across the world.
The Air Cadets Organisation uses HF (High
Frequency) radio.
It has its own radio stations (the ‘network’)
which operates on a single frequency.
•Directed Network
This is a group of radio stations on the same frequency
in communication with each other.
It is always controlled – it has a ‘Network Control
Station’ (NCS)
The level of control depends on;
- the level of radio discipline being observed by those
using it
- the adherence to proper procedures
- the type of network
The station used as the NCS depends on;
- the equipment efficiency
- the operator experience
- the amount of radio communication that will be passed
An NCS is usually a fixed base station. All
communications go through the NCS.
MRA 10
MRC 23
Network
Control
Station
MRL 53
MRF 19
Free Network
Here there is no NCS
All stations are able to communicate with each
other
MRA 10
MRC 23
MRL 53
MRF 19
Air Cadets
Must practice the safe use and successful use
of radios
If you do not stick to the standard operations,
misunderstandings will take place and this
could be dangerous
Always remember that the enemy may be
listening!
Radio Station
This is the smallest part of a network. It has at
least one transceiver (to transmit and receive
information)
Radio Procedures
Security, Accuracy, Discipline are key
Call Signs
The identity and location of the station should be kept as
secret as possible. This is done by assigning a call sign.
- 3 letters
- 2 numbers
e.g. MRA 23
M = in the UK
R = RAF
A = indication of geographical location
23 = serial number issued by HQAC
If the station is mobile it could have M1, M2 etc. added to the
end e.g. MRA 23 M1
Radio Procedures
Always assume you have
- a sender
- a listener
- an interceptor
Service Radio Procedures are there
- to safeguard meaning for authorised listeners
- to make communications short (saves power
from mobile units and allows more stations to
communicate on the network)
NEVER
- use unauthorised codenames
- use personal names / nicknames
- use slang, jargon or foul language
- transmit aircraft types, roles or weapon
loads in clear speech
- transmit details of arms or ammunition,
particularly their movements
- transmit unit locations in clear speech
ALWAYS
- use your callsign at the start of a transmission
- use only authorised codenames and
codewords
- ask a station to ‘Authenticate’ if you think they
may not be a genuine station calling
Authentication
This is a method of challenging any station that
is using your network. The system used by Air
Cadets asks the station to respond to one of
four codes
a. Alpha
b. Bravo
c. Charlie
d. Delta
Alpha
The reply to this challenge is the Station’s
Squadron Number
(all callsigns would be pronounced using the
Phonetic alphabet)
e.g.
MRC 28 This is MRC 56 Authenticate Alpha
Over
MRC 56 This is MRC 28 I Authenticate Alpha
Figures 378 Over
MRC 28 This is MRC 56 Correct Out
( 378 = Squadron Number)
Bravo
The reply to this challenge is the Station’s
Squadron number in reverse
e.g.
MRC 28 This is MRC 56 Authenticate Bravo
Over
MRC 56 This is MRC 28 I Authenticate Bravo
Figures 873 Over
MRC 28 This is MRC 56 Correct Out
Charlie
The reply to this challenge is the Station’s
Squadron number added to the date (day of the
month). For 5 Squadron on the 12th April the
answer would be 17
e.g.
MRC 16 This is MRC 56 Authenticate Charlie
Over
MRC 56 This is MRC 28 I Authenticate Charlie
Figures 17 Over
MRC 16 This is MRC 56 Correct Out
Delta
The reply to this challenge is the Callsign
number added to the date (day of the month).
For Callsign MRV 92 on the 21st July the
answer would be 113
e.g.
MRC 92 This is MRC 47 Authenticate Delta
Over
MRC 47 This is MRC 92 I Authenticate Delta
Figures 113 Over
MRC 92 This is MRC 47 Correct Out
If the reply is not satisfactory the transmission must be
stopped immediately and your radio officer informed.
Authenticating Bravo and Charlie should not normally
be used when challenging a mobile unit.
Appointment Titles
These are an aid to security by concealing the level of
command
Veiled Speech
This is used to convey information when both the
listener and the sender are aware of the subject matter
e.g.
‘Meet me at the same time and place as last week’
Accuracy
- before transmitting listen on the frequency to ensure
there is no interference
- be familiar with the operation of the equipment
- do not turn away from the microphone when talking
and keep a consistent 50mm distance from the
microphone
- speak across the microphone not directly into it
- do not touch the microphone during transmission
(even with your lips)
- use a normal voice and speak clearly and distinctly
- pause slightly before and after saying numbers (for
clarity)
- do not ‘er’ or ‘um’
RSVP
R – Rhythm (natural speaking rhythm and
divide the message into sensible size sections)
S – Speed (speak slightly slower than normal,
use standard ‘Prowords’ to shorten the
message
V – Volume (loud enough to overcome
background noise but do not shout)
P – Pitch (some people may need to speak at a
high pitch but those with a naturally high pitch
should not)
Prowords
THIS IS – the callsign of the sender is about to
follow
OVER – the end of the transmission, a reply
or acknowledgement is required
OUT – end of transmission, not reply expected
WAIT OUT – transmission has been received,
a reply will follow later
Prowords

WILCO – message received and understood, I will
comply with you instructions

ROGER – I have received your transmission

SAY AGAIN – request for repetition of message

MESSAGE – the following transmission must be
written down
Prowords




FIGURES – used before groups of numbers are
said
GRID – used before encoded reference or grid
reference
RADIO CHECK – report how you receive my
transmission
SPEAK SLOWER
Prowords




BREAK – said to separate text during a long
transmission or the next identified station should
reply
TIME – the following group is a time group or a
date time group
UNKNOWN STATION – when calling a station
whose identity is not known
WRONG – your last transmission was incorrect
Phonetics
Letters and
numbers can be
pronounced using
the phonetic
alphabet to ensure
that complex words
or specific
information is
transmitted correctly
Time should always
be given using the
24 our clock
Pronunciation
0
ZERO
1
WUN
2
TOO
3
TREE
4
FOW ER
5
FIFE
6
SIX
7
SEV EN
8
AIT
9
NIN ER
DECIMAL
DAY SEE MAL
THOUSAND
TOU SAND
A
ALPHA
AL FAH
B
BRAVO
BRAH VOH
C
CHARLIE
CHAR LEE
D
DELTA
DELL TAH
E
ECHO
ECK OH
F
FOXTROT
FOKS TROT
G
GOLF
GOLF
H
HOTEL
HOH TELL
I
INDIA
IN DEE AH
J
JULIET
JEW LEE ETT
K
KILO
KEY LOH
L
LIMA
LEE MAH
M
MIKE
MIKE
N
NOVEMBE
R
NO VEM BER
O
OSCAR
OSS CAH
P
PAPA
PAH PAH
Q
QUEBEC
KEH BECK
R
ROMEO
ROW ME OH
S
SIERRA
SEE AIR RAH
T
TANGO
TANG GO
U
UNIFORM
YOU NEE
FORM
V
VICTOR
VIK TAH
W
WHISKEY
WISS KEY
X
X-RAY
ECKS RAY
Y
YANKEE
YANG KEE
Z
ZULU
ZOO LOO
Remember that phonetics will
increase the transmission
time and will reduce battery
life on portable equipment and
block network availability
The following should always
be transmitted using the
phonetic alphabet;
- callsign
- map references
- times
- ATC channel numbers
Number / Word
Pronunciation
0
ZERO
1
WUN
2
TOO
3
TREE
4
FOW ER
5
FIFE
6
SIX
7
SEV EN
8
AIT
9
NIN ER
Decimal
DAY SEE MAL
Thousand
TOU SAND
All numbers must be pronounced
clearly in this way.
Sending a message
When a radio is first switched on you need to check id
communications are satisfactory.
The strength of signal is described in 5 levels:
Loud, Good, Weak, Very Weak, Fading
Readability (capacity of understanding) is described in 6 levels:
Clear, Readable, Unreadable, Distorted, Intermittent, Interference
Radio checks should include strength and readability e.g. ‘Loud
and Clear’, ‘Very Weak and Readable’, ‘Fading and Intermittent’
MRG91 This is MRG84 Radio check over.
MRG84 This is MRG91 Good Readable radio check over
MRG91 This is MRG84 Loud and Clear out
Messages
The Call – the start of a message
The Text – convey meaning or instructions
The Ending – signify understanding and
action will be taken