What are the correct endings to a radio transmission?

Do you remember playing with walkie talkies when you were a kid?

While it may have been great fun, walkie talkies are so much more than a toy. Whether you’re traveling, working, hunting or camping, this handy tool could even save lives.

But if you choose to use a radio, you’ve got to master the walkie talkie language. Because if you start speaking normally, the recipients may hear a mixed message on the other side.

Why should you try walkie talkie codes? And what’s the must-know lingo? Read on for a full guide.

Do you copy? Let’s go!

Why Try the Lingo?

Using walkie talkie lingo may seem a bit comical, can you not just talk normally over the radio?

Radios don’t have the same audio quality as smartphones do. This means if you speak normally, recipients may lose some words on the way. This leads to an unclear transmission, which can be frustrating.

Using radio talk codes and the right lingo makes your message short and sweet. This is essential for people whose lives depend on clear radio communication. For example, the military, firefighters, civilian pilots, and other services.

Standard Walkie Talkie Codes

Walkie talkie language may change according to the field of work. For example, airplane pilots, the police, or movie crews may have variations on the codes. But there are many standardized radio talk codes.

If you use the lingo below, you should be able to communicate with anyone.

Start Right

Beginning a transmission is important, especially if you’re connected with several people. To communicate with the right person use these intros:

• Come in John (Are you there John?)
• Go Ahead (Transmit your message)
• Go for John (Acknowledge “John” wants to contact me and I’m ready to listen)
• Kate Calling John (I, Kate, want to talk with John)
• John, Come In (Are you there John?)

A clear start opens the way to a clear conversation.

Back to Basics

Now you know how to initiate communication you need to know the basic lingo:

• Affirmative (Yes)
• Copy (Message understood)
• Disregard (Ignore the previous transmission)
• Eyes on… (I can see what we’re talking about)
• Negative (No)
• On It (I’m in the process of doing what you asked)
• Roger or Roger That (Message understood)
• Stand By (I’m busy at the moment, I’ll call you asap)
• What’s Your 20? (Where are you?)

Knowing the basic lingo will reduce ambiguity and they’re more likely to get the message.

Communication Issues

Now and again you’ll have communication issues. Instead of shouting “hello, hello, can you hear me?” try these codes instead:

• Do You Copy? (Can you hear me?)
• Loud and Clear (Your radio is working)
• Mic Check or Radio Check (Is my radio working?)
• Say Again or Go Again (Retransmit your message)

Using these words for issues are, not only, known worldwide, but they are a polite way to communicate in the walkie talkie world.

Finish Strong

In a usual conversation a “bye, see you later” would suffice. But in walkie talkie language a clear ending is essential:

• Out (I’m finished transmitting for now)
• Over (I’ve finished my part of the transmission ready for your reply)

Using these words will allow the person listening to know exactly when the conversation is over.

10-Codes

In 1937, police officers in Illinois devised a system of codes. The aim was to help police officers communicate in a concise and speedy way. This was especially useful when the line wasn’t overly clear.

When using a 10-code, you simply say “ten” and add the corresponding number. It’s as simple as that!

Unfortunately, many 10-codes vary from department to department. If you’re working within a certain field, they’ll fill you in on what the local lingo is. But the following 10-codes below are standard all over the world:

• 10-1 (Transmission unreadable or receiving poorly)
• 10-2 (Signal good)
• 10-3 (Abort transmission)
• 10-4 (Message received, understood)
• 10-5 (Relay message to someone else)
• 10-6 (Busy, stand by)
• 10-7 (Out of service)
• 10-8 (In-service)
• 10-9 (Repeat message)
• 10-10 (Transmission complete)
• 10-20 (What’s your location? Or what’s your 20?)

On a comical note, 10-1 is sometimes known as “I need a quick restroom break”. While 10-2 is sometimes known as “I need a long restroom break”. A number 1 and a number 2, right?

Alfa, Bravo, Charlie

Now and again you may need to spell something over the radio, especially if it’s a place name. But because sounding out letters over a transmission can be tricky, use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet instead:

• A-Alfa
• 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-X-ray
• Y-Yankee
• Z-Zulu

You can pronounce all the numbers as they are. Except number 9 which is always “niner”.

This code is well-known all over the world. And getting to know this handy alphabet can make all the difference. Especially if it’s a life-threatening situation, such as a search and rescue mission.

How to Talk on a Walkie Talkie

Now you know the lingo, you’re halfway there. Next, you need to learn HOW to talk on a walkie talkie. There is a certain etiquette you should follow.

First, as it’s harder to understand people’s voices over a transmission, clear pronunciation is key. Words blend together, so speak slowly to get your message across. Enunciate clearly and pause after important words to make sure they get the point.

But this doesn’t mean you need to shout. Normal speaking volume is more than enough. If you’re too loud, you’ll just muffle the mic and the message will sound unclear.

And last but not least, don’t forget to hit the transmission button before you start talking. This is because radios take a couple of seconds to start transmitting properly. They may miss the beginning of your message if you start too soon.

The same goes for the end of the conversation. Take your finger off the button a couple of seconds after you’ve said: “over and out”. This will ensure they heard the end of your message.

Walkie Talkie Dictionary at the Ready!

So what’s your 20 on radio talk codes? Will you use them in your next transmission? If you use this guide as a walkie talkie dictionary, you’ll definitely sound the part.

Of course, the only way you can use walkie talkie codes is if you have a super clear connection. Low-quality walkie talkies will stop your message from sounding loud and clear. For high-quality, yet affordable walkie talkies made in the US, check out our range today.

Over and out!

We all know that communication skills are amongst the most important skills that a security officer can possess. Often, we need to relay messages and information further than would otherwise be possible via verbal means. In order to achieve this, a security officer has a number of tools at their disposal, such as the mobile phone, short message service, Morse code (not so common these days), and of course, radio communications.

In this article, we are going to look at some of the more basic, but all too often forgotten radio communication procedures required for quick, concise and accurate transmission of information via radio.

Basic Radio Communication Procedure

It is important to remember that strict radio communication procedures and disciplines need to be adhered to at all times when using a radio, whether it be a hand held, vehicle based or a base station set up. This is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we observe strict radio procedures to preserve the security of the information being transmitted. Regardless of how secure the equipment you are using may be, always operate on the basis that someone could be listening in on your transmissions. Therefore, names of operatives and locations involved in a particular operation should be disguised via the use of code words or call signs.

Call Signs

When used in radio communications, call signs can perform a number of functions. Their primary function is often to protect the identity of the parties involved in the radio transmission. However, they also serve to simplify matters when communicating between large groups of people. For example, can you imagine trying to communicate with someone on a first name basis when there are three people in the group all called David? Not to mention that it is unreasonable to expect that every person in a group remember everyone’s name.

Instead, it is far easier and safer to assign call signs based either on the Phonetic alphabet or a person’s area of responsibility. For example, C1, C2, C3, pronounced Charlie One, two and three, would be used in place of Ralph, Fred and Bill. This way each person knows who is being called and there is no risk of him or her being identified. Alternatively, if you had three members of your team assigned to the stage area at a rock concert, you could assign them the call signs: Stage one, two and three. Once again, the identity of the caller is preserved and everyone knows exactly who he or she is communicating with.

Code Words

Code words and call signs are used for much the same reasons – to prevent the true nature of the subject being discussed from being overheard by uninvited listeners. Take for example a situation where a security officer receives a radio call informing him that the door to one of the venue’s cash offices has a broken lock. The call also informs him that the staff member at that location will be leaving the area unattended for a period of time. He is therefor requested to get someone there to keep an eye on the money. If anyone were listening in on the conversation, it would be a simple matter of getting there first or worse, taking the officer out of the picture and helping themselves to the contents of the cash office.

To avoid this situation, code words can be assigned to specific types of incidents or locations. For example, rather than saying the cash office on the third floor in the member’s area, you could refer to its location as “Members 3”. Incidents can also be assigned code words such as “Code Blue”, which might refer to a non-crucial incident requiring assistance when possible. An incident that requires more immediate assistance but is not yet dangerous could be a “Code Yellow” and a serious incident that requires immediate assistance could be a “Code Red”. Similarly, specific incidents can be assigned specific code words. For example, a violent situation could be “Cyclone”. Back up needed could be “Tanto.” There are no set rules for assigning code words. Some people like to use words that employ the same first letter as the area they are referring to and other people like to use words that reflect the nature or function of a particular area or incident. Use any code word you like as long as the team know it and can remember it.

By employing code words, you make it difficult for anyone with criminal intentions to interfere with your operations. Take our example of the cash office from earlier in the article. Someone wishing to take advantage of the opportunity knows after hearing the call, who is attending, where the cash is and the nature of the problem. However, by employing the system of code words and call sign as discussed the call might sound something like this:

“ Cash office to security. We have a Code Blue at Members 3. Require assistance.”

“OK cash office. Escort one en route to Members 3.”

What we have just ascertained is that there is an incident at the cash office in the member’s area on level three that requires attention when possible. This has been acknowledged and one of the cash escort security officers is on the way.

The following key words are used in order to covey certain messages.

• ROGER: means message understood
• OVER: Call sign has transmitted and awaiting reply
• OUT: Call sign is finished transmitting at this time

When transmitting messages, these words used in conjunction with correct procedures make a message far more concise and easier to understand. The correct procedure for transmitting a message is as follows:

1. Start the message with your call, Sign and then say the call sign of the person you wish to contact.

1. Any time you expect a response, finish you transmission with the word OVER. This will let the person you are talking to know you are waiting for their reply.
2. When you are responding to someone else’s message, use the word ROGER to let them know you have understood their transmission. If you didn’t understand the transmission for some reason ask them to repeat the message by saying, “Repeat last call”.

1. When you have finished your transmission and wish to end the conversation use the word OUT. This lets the person you are talking to know that you are finished. It also lets anyone else waiting to use the radio know that the channel is clear and they can go ahead.

When putting all of the previous examples in practice, you should have a short exchange that is easily understood, accurate and concise. Let’s look at the earlier example of the cash office incident again. A conversation between trained radio operators should “sound” something like this:

“Cash office to Security, OVER.”

“Security, go ahead Cash Office, OVER.”

“Security, we have a Code Blue at Members 3, Over.”

“ROGER Cash Office, Escort 1 en route, OVER.”

“ROGER Security, Cash office OUT.”

You can see how much more efficient and secure this example is. Cutting out the call signs once communications in this relay are established, can shorten this example even further.

Common Problems With Radio Procedures

Cutting short transmissions

There are a number of common problems that can occur with officers who have either little or no time on a radio net. Probably the most common of these problems is accidentally cutting off the first few seconds of a transmission. This is especially annoying if you are the person they are trying to contact. By cutting off the first few seconds of their transmission, the caller effectively cuts off their own call sign.

As a result, all you hear is your call sign with no idea of who is calling.

To prevent this problem from occurring, simply push the transmit button on the radio and count to two before you begin to relay your message. Do this every time you transmit and you should get your message through loud and clear every time.

Make Sure That You Pay Attention To Radio Calls

Another problem common to people who have little or no experience on a radio net is inattentiveness. Be aware of your call sign and be vigilant for its use. There are few things more annoying than someone who won’t answer their radio either because they are not paying attention to transmissions or because they have turned their unit down or knocked the volume and can no longer hear it properly. The solutions to both these problems are simple – pay attention to radio calls and check your volume at regular intervals.

If for some reason you are going to be unavailable for any period of time, call your supervisor and let them know and then inform them when you are back on air. If you are tied up with a patron or in the middle of something, rather than just ignoring your radio, respond with your caller’s call sign followed by your own and then say “stand by”. When you are free to talk, open radio communications with the last caller using correct procedure and say “go ahead”.

Don’t Babble!

People who babble to hear their own voice and to express their importance can be extremely annoying. These people distract other staff, clog up radio channels and make it difficult for anyone else trying to use the radio.

Radio Training Sessions

Here are a few basic guidelines for training in the correct use of radios:

• During training sessions, set up a program designed to get staff familiar with using call signs and code words. Simulate instances and responses to situations using the radio so that everyone gets experience using the correct procedures. This is the best practice other than on the job experience.
• Try to use the best quality radio that you can afford. These will usually be more reliable and offer better clarity.
• Become familiar with the radio. Make sure you can operate all of its switches, by feel, in the dark.
• Make sure you have spare batteries and suitable recharging equipment.
• Keep talk time to a bare minimum. No chit chat. Operational use only.
• An ear piece is recommended for added security and clarity, especially when in high noise areas. It also enables you to receive messages hands free.
• Remember, everything you say can be heard. Therefore, don’t say anything you do not want anyone one else to hear.
• Learn the Phonetic Alphabet. Any word can be spelled out with clarity using this internationally recognised protocol.
• Don’t forget to do a radio check not only when you first receive your radio but again when you are in your area of operation.

As is the case with all the skills a security officer must posses, practice makes perfect.