When you communicate over two-way radios it is important to understand the ‘lingo’ or the language that you may hear. While you can have ‘normal’ conversations over a radio, using short-hand expressions and codes can be very useful. Transferring information quickly over two-way radios helps keep the channels free for other users and improves efficiency.
Before we look at two-way radio lingo specifics, some checklists should be undertaken so that each user is comfortable with using the radios and that they too understand the etiquette required.
Two-Way Radio Lingo Starting Checklist
- The international radio language is English.
- Two-way radios are simplex, in other words, you cannot speak and listen at the same time, like a mobile phone.
- Don’t interrupt an existing conversation unless you have an emergency.
- If you have a callsign, Wait until you hear it before responding. Do not interrupt.
- The channels are often ‘open’ channels so disclosing private or sensitive information is not advised.
- Ensure your radio is in good working condition and perform a radio check at the beginning of the day.
- Make sure the battery is charged and the power is on.
- Check the volume is high enough to hear calls.
- Perform radio checks periodically to ensure you are still in range to receive signals.
- Make your conversations as concise, precise, and clear as possible.
- Only use abbreviations if they are going to be understood by your group.
Shorthand Two-Way Radio Lingo
- Roger that: “Message received and understood”
- Roger so far: Confirming part way through a long message that you’ve understood the message so far
- Stand By: I’m busy at the moment, I’ll call you asap
- Affirmative: Yes
- Negative: No
- Come in: Asking another user to acknowledge they can hear you
- Go ahead: I am ready for your message
- Say again: Repeat all of your last messages
- Say all before/after: Repeat all before/after a certain phrase or word if you didn’t catch part of the message
- Disregard: Ignore the previous transmission
- Copy: Message understood
- Over: I’ve finished my part of the transmission ready for your reply
- Out: Conversation is finished, no answer is required or expected
- Radio check: What’s my signal strength? Can you hear me?
- 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
- Read you loud and clear: Your transmission signal is good, I can hear you fine
- Wilco: Abbreviation of “I will comply”, means the speaker will complete the task that’s been asked of them
- On it: I’m in the process of doing what you asked
- Eyes On: I can see what we’re talking about
- Break, break: Interruption to transmission to communicate urgently
- Emergency, emergency: Distress call, only to be used when there is an imminent danger to life and immediate assistance is required
- Stand by: Wait for a short period and I will get back to you
- Wait out: The waiting period is longer than I expected, I will get back to you as soon as possible
- What’s Your 20?: Where are you?
- I spell: The next word will be spelled out using the phonetic alphabet
Phonetic Alphabet Used with Two-Way Radio Lingo
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: X-ray
Y: Yankee
Z: Zulu
Using Two-Way Radio Lingo Effectively
Starting Your Transmission
Starting a transmission is important. If you have many users in your group, the following lingo will help you communicate with the right person:
- Come in Bill: Are you there Bill?
- Go ahead: Transmit your message
- Go ahead Bill: Acknowledge “Bill” wants to contact me and I’m ready to listen
- Jane Calling Bill: I, Jane, want to talk with Bill
- Bill, Come In: Are you there Bill?
During Your Conversation
During your conversation you can start to introduce some more shorthand two-way radio 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?
Radio Check Issues
On occasion, you may have issues with your two-way radios. Instead of just shouting, try these:
- 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
Ending Your Conversation
Using two-way radio lingo to end your conversation, lets everyone know that the conversation is finished.
- Out: Conversation is finished, no answer is required or expected
- Over: I’ve finished my part of the transmission ready for your reply
