Communication Basics....
Posted: August 16th, 2011, 1:22 pmI have noticed that we, as a club and as individuals, need some education in this area (me included!). What I am seeing is that there is no standard in the way we communicate. I have stolen the following snip from [url=http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Comms/]PBB[/url], as it seemed like a good start. Please read and comment.
I know.... this is a LONG read, but I feel it is important that we solve this problem.
I am also recommending that we, as a club, shift to HAM radios. This of course is expensive and time consuming, but I think it is a good direction. Thoughts?
[color=#FFFF40][i]Basic Voice Procedures
OK, so once you have all your comms gear installed and tested, it's time to learn how to use it like a pro.
I know, I know, I can hear the groans already.
But believe me, there's a reason professional radio operators talk the way we do - and it isn't just to sound cool in the movies! Many of the reasons that aviation, marine, and other professionals speak in the special way they do are equally applicable to a race situation. These include:
Messages that must get through quickly without delay and be understood the first time.
The need to be clear and concise on a congested net where many other users must also be able to Tx and Rx.
The need to be clearly understood even at the edge of your range when quality is poor.
The need to pass important safety or emergency information and be sure it is received and understood, without having to repeat it.
Due to any number of variables, including radio static, a busy or loud environment, or similarity in the phonetics of different words, a critical piece of information can be misheard or misunderstood if proper procedures are not observed when using two-way radio comms.
The number one rule of talking on the radio is to stay cool and calm, especially in an emergency. Speak normally and don't yell, scream, or rush.
The proper way to communicate via two-way radio is called "voice procedure". Developing good voice procedure is a skill that must be studied and practised, just like any other.
The basics of professional voice procedure are:
DO’s
- Listen out before transmitting;
- Wait until the net is clear before transmitting;
- Know what you are going to say;
- Adhere to radiotelephone vocabulary (see prowords below);
- Keep transmissions to a minimum;
- Keep transmissions short and concise;
- Speak in a normal, calm voice.
- Avoid idle chatter; and
- Be courteous.
DON'T’s
- Speak too loudly;
- Speak too rapidly;
- Whisper;
- Make irritating noise into the microphone;
- Cut in when others are transmitting;
- Hold microphone too close or too far from mouth; and
- Blow in your microphone when testing.
- Interrupt other transmissions that are in progress.
Remember, you are sharing the net with many other users, so be professional at all times!
Addressing / Callsigns
Because thee are many simultaneous users (stations) on a radio net, you need to "address" your transmissions. That is, you need to make it clear not only to the station with whom you wish to speak, but also to all other stations on the net, who the transmission is intended for. Similarly, when responding to a call or message, you need to indicate who is replying. We do this using "callsigns" which are really nothing more than a short name or nickname that identifies who you are. For example, our racecar callsign is "Car69". Our main pit crew's callsign is "JFR Ops" (ops is short for "operations"). Our roving pit crew's callsign is "JFR Mobile". Depending on what net you are using, it is possible to use abbreviated callsigns too. For example, if I'm on the main race channel, and need to talk to my pit crew I would use their full callsign: "JFR Ops" so there is no confusion about to whom I am speaking. However, if I'm on our team frequency which we may have to ourselves or share with only one or two other teams, I I may shorten the callsign and just call them "Ops".
By convention, the station being called is always stated first, followed by the procedural word (proword) "this is", and then the station calling identifies themself by callsign. For example:
"Car69, this JFR Ops, over".
If you hear your callsign being called, but didn't hear who was calling you, the correct response is to reply using the proword "Station calling", as in:
"Station calling, this is Car69, send, over"
If you need to broadcast a message to everyone on the net, use the callsign "All stations", normally repeated three times, as in:
"All stations, all stations, all stations, this is race control, be advised maximum speed in pit lane reduce to one-zero miles per hour"
Common Calls
The three most common radio calls are the preliminary call, the call answer, and the radio check.
PRELIMINARY CALL
The preliminary call is simply the first or initial call made by a station to initiate a conversation with another station.
The preliminary call is nothing more than the callsign of the called station, proword "this is", callsign of the station calling, and the proword "over". For example,
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, over"
The amount of traffic on the net and the quality of the comms on the net determine how often a preliminary call needs to be used. For example, if you are on a main net with many users, you would always initiate any exchange with a preliminary call.
However, if you are on your private net, and comms are good quality, you may forgo the preliminary call and just get straight to the message, for example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, headed for pit 3, over"
That said, even if you and the station you are calling are the only two users on the net, if comms quality is poor (communications are difficult, broken, etc.) then it is appropriate to begin each exchange with a preliminary call to make sure the station you are calling is ready to receive your message. This is particularly true if you need to send a long message they will have to write down.
CALL ANSWER
The call answer is simply the initial response by a called station to a preliminary call addressed to them.
When you are called by another station you will hear their preliminary call, your response is the call answer which is simply: the callsign of the station calling, proword "this is", callsign of the station being called, and the proword "over". For example:
Preliminary Call - "JFR Ops, this is Car69, over"
Call Answer - "Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
Before transmitting a call answer, make sure you are ready to receive (copy) the caller's transmission.
If you are not ready, or are otherwise occupied, immediately answer and tell the calling station to wait or standby (see applicable prowords and voice procedures below).
RADIO CHECKS
Performing a radio check before launching on a mission...errm, I mean starting a race or pre-running session is critical. Do not skip it. The radio check serves to:
Determine the serviceability of your equipment
Determining the circuit conditions.
The former is obvious, but the latter is also important as it determines "message transmission speed" (i.e. how fast you can speak on the net), along with how strict your voice procedures need to be, how long or formal your callsigns need to be, etc. While I always advocate for strict voice procedures and utmost professionalism at all times on any net, I recognize that not everyone shares my passion for procedure. However, if the net is congested, noisy, or otherwise poor quality, it is to your utmost advantage to be strict with your voice procedures as this will enable you to communicate as clearly and effectively as possible with as little repetition as possible. Remember, this is very important because the net is not yours - it is a shared resource. Good procedures will help you avoid "stepping on" other people's transmissions, clogging the net with garbage talk, and otherwise pissing off your fellow racers who are also trying to communicate in challenging conditions.
So do your radio checks, mmmkay.
Now, "Hey Bubba, you got ya ears on?" is NOT a proper radio check!
A radio check is initiated by one station as follows: station being called, proword "this is", callsign of the station calling, proword "radio check", and the proword "over". For example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, radio check, over"
The correct response to a radio check is a report of strength and readability, as follows:
Report Of Signal Strength
Fading - At times, your signal strength fades to such extent that continuous reception cannot be relied upon
Very Weak - I can hear you only with great difficulty
Weak - I can hear you only with difficulty
Good - Your signal is good.
Loud - Your signal is strong. Interference will not bother my copying
Report Of Signal Readability (clarity)
Unreadable - Quality bad, I can’t read you
With interference - I have trouble reading you due to interference
Intermittent - I have trouble reading you because your signal is intermittent
Readable - Quality good, I can read you
Clear - Excellent quality
Therefore, a complete radio check would be:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, radio check, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, loud and clear, how me?, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, loud and clear, out"
Technically, signal strength and readability can be reported in any combination (but always in the order strength then readability), but obviously certain combinations don't make sense. For example, you're unlikely to hear "very weak and clear".
Note that both scales are numbered from one to five, where one is the worst and five is the best. It is therefore possible to report a radio check by number instead of prowords, in which case the numbers are separated with the word "by". For example "Five by five" is the numerical equivalent of "loud and clear".
Personally, I don't favour this method, as the numbers don't immediately convey the information required and you have translate them into the words in your head to understand something meaningful. For example, 3 x 2 doesn't mean a lot to me intuitively, but "weak with interference" does.
Finally, it is perfectly acceptable to simply substitute the proword "roger" for "loud and clear", in which case the above full radio check can be abbreviated to:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, radio check, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Ops ,roger, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, roger, out"
Prowords
The foundation for developing professional voice procedure is the use of certain special words or phrases, called "prowords". This is the "radiotelephone vocabulary" referred to in the previous list of "DO's". Use these prowords to communicate clearly, effectively, and quickly.
Basic Prowords
Word Meaning Used
Over I have finished my transmission and am awaiting your reply At the end of every transmission when you are expecting the other party to reply. See example below.
Out I have finished my transmission and do not expect you to reply At the end of a transmission when you are not expecting or wanting the other party to reply. (note that "over" and "out" mean opposite things and should NEVER be used together,, despite what Hollywood would have you believe. NEVER EVER say "Over and out" - it's ludicrous!
Roger I have heard and understood your transmission.
To acknowledge receipt of a transmission, or to report "loud and clear" for a radio check. Example:
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, pit crew is enroute to remote pit 1, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, Roger, out."
Wilco I have heard and understood your instruction and will comply with it.
To acknowledge receipt of an instruction and inform that you will carry it out. Example:
"Car69, this is race control, stop at next checkpoint, over"
"Race Control, this is Car69, WILCO, out"
Send Go ahead with your transmission or message When you are ready to copy the other party's transmission. Preferred to the slang "go ahead". See example below.
Standby I am temporarily unable to respond, please wait a moment.
When you are unable to talk for a short moment, ask the other party to "standby".
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
"JFR Ops, this is car69, standby"
... a moment later...
""JFR Ops, this is car69, send, over"
Wait I am unable to respond at this time, I will get back to you when able.
When you are unable to talk for a longer period than "standby", ask the other party to "wait". Often followed immediately by the proword "out". Example:
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
"Ops, this is Car69, wait, out"
Kick Change frequency to indicated
When you want to switch to a different channel or frequency. Example:
"Ops, this is car 69, Kick 'relay control', over"
Say Again I didn't hear or understand your last transmission, please repeat it.
To get the other party to repeat what they said. For brevity, can be combined with the words "all before" or "all after" to indicate the exact portion of the transmission that was not heard and therefore limit the amount that must be repeated. Example:
"Car69m this is Race Control, After next checkpoint, turn left ....(garbled transmission)"
"Race Control, this is Car69, Say again all after 'left', over"
"Car69, this is Race Control, roger, I say again, turn left after the big pointy rock, over"
"Race Control, this is Car69, WILCO, out."
Stepped On Your transmission was interrupted by somebody else transmitting while you were. Often follows "say again" to explain why you didn't hear what the transmitting station said, as in: "Say again Car 69, you were stepped on"
Affirmative Yes Yes
Negative No No
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
Abbreviation used to communicate the time at which you expect to arrive in a specific location. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, ETA main pits 15:30, over"
In the blind I am making this transmission although I cannot currently hear you
Used when you need to send a message, but you have not been able establish that the receiving station can hear you. Equivalent to saying "I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I'm going to say this anyway". Often used at extremes of range, particularly when one antenna is higher than another. For example, when a long way from base I may not be able to hear my crew, but I still transmit a position report as follows:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69 in the blind, ETA next pit stop 15:30 Hours, out."
With Request I have something to ask of you.
Used to indicate that you are about to transmit a message that includes a request for the receiving station to take some action. Often used in conjunction with "relay". See example below.
Relay Please send this transmission onwards to the station indicated.
Used when the station you wish to communicate with is not within range, but there is a third-party station (sometimes a dedicated relay station) between the two of you who can hear you both. In this case, you request relay, send the message to the relaying station, and they in turn pass it on to your intended recipient. Example:
"Weatherman, this Car 69,with request, over"
"Car 69, this is Weatherman, send, over"
"Weatherman, this is Car69, Relay to JFR Ops, ETA Main Pits 15:30, over"
Break
Used when sending more than one message in a single transmission - especially when addressing multiple stations at one. Example:
"JFR Ops, JFR Mobile, this is Car 69, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Mobile, over:
"Ops, get spare transmission ready - BREAK - Mobile, return to main pit and pick up spare transmission, over".
"Car69, this is Ops, roger, out"
"Car69, this is Mobile, roger, out."
Note: When two or more stations are called using individual c/s, they are to answer in the order in which they were called.
Sitrep Situation report
A "situation report" is a report of the current situation - i.e. a verbal report of what is going on. Example:
"Car 69, this is JFR ops, send sitrep, over"
Readback Please repeat the message word for word to confirm that you received it
Used when the precise understanding is so critical that the receiving station must repeat every word exactly to confirm receipt of the exact message. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, Request 8 gallons fuel next pit stop, readback, over"
"Car 69, this is JFR Ops, I readback, 8 gallons fuel next pit stop, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, readback correct, out"
Ops Normal Operations are normal, everything is OK.
Used as a standard call, an abbreviated sitrep, when everything is as it should be with nothing out of the ordinary to report. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car 69, Ops Normal, race mile 6, out."
Disregard Pay no attention to / forget that I said
During the transmission of a message and prior to the transmission of the ending proword "over" or "out," the transmission may be cancelled by use of the proword "disregard this transmission, out".
This is particularly useful if you get all tongue tied during a transmission and are tripping over yourself. In this case, the best thing to do is say "disregard", stop, collect your thoughts, and try again. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, we've got a problem with the umm, the thing in the end of the , the errr, you know...disregard this transmission, out"
followed by
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, transfer case rear output broken. Request you make ready to replace at pit 3, over"
My Last The last thing I just said / transmitted
Can be used in combination with "disregard" to tell the receiving station to ignore your entire last transmission after you have completed it. This is frequently easier and more clear than trying to amend or update the bit you got wrong. can also be used in conjunction with "correction" (see below). Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, disregard my last, out"
followed by:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, Front transfer case output broken, I say again, FRONT output broken. Request you make ready to replace at pit 3, over"
I say again I am repeating important information Used to preface the repetition of important information in order to ensure that it was clearly received and understood. See example above.
I spell Indicates that the operator is about to spell a word out.
Difficult words or groups within the text of plain text messages may be spelled using the phonetic alphabet and preceded by the proword "I Spell."
If the operator can pronounce the word to be spelled, he will do so before and after the spelling to identify the word. Example:
"Ops this is Car69, broken down beside Lake Seaguard, I Spell Sierra Echo Alpha Golf Uniform Alpha Romeo Delta - Seaguard, over"
Correction I made a mistake
When an error is made during a transmission, the proword "CORRECTION" will be transmitted followed by the last word, group, proword, or phrase correctly transmitted. Transmission then continues. For example, if I send an ETA for Checkpoint 3 of 15:30 when I meant to say 16:30 Hrs, if i catch my mistake before ending my transmission it would sound like:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, ETA checkpoint 3 - 15:30 Hrs - correction, ETA Checkpoint 3 - 16:30 Hrs, over"
And if I don't realize my mistake until after I have ended my transmission it would sound like:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, correction my last, ETA Checkpoint 3 - 16:30 Hrs, over"
Radio Check What is my strength and readability of my transmission? Used to assess the serviceability of communication equipment and to determine the circuit conditions.
Nothing Heard I do not know if you replied, but if you did, I did not hear it.
When you are expecting a reply, but don't get one, you should indicate that you didn't hear a reply by stating :nothing heard". This is often followed by "transmitting in the blind". Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69 with sitrep, over"
<silence>
"JFR Ops, this is Car69 with sitrep, over"
<silence>
""JFR Ops, this is Car69, nothing heard. Transmitting in the blind: Sitrep, ops normal, mile marker 77, over"
Mayday I have an urgent life-threatening emergency and require immediate assistance Used to call for help in serious emergencies. Never transmitted in jest or for practice. Repeated three times, as in "Mayday, mayday, mayday..."
Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet is used to spell words using a unique, easily distinguished word to represent each letter of the alphabet. This is done to reduce the chance for misunderstanding and reduce the need to repeat things since audio quality may be poor and many letters can easily be confused with others.
The phonetic alphabet is as follows:
Relaxations
Depending on the net in use, the number of stations on the net, the quality of the circuit, and the tactical situation (how quickly you need to transmit and receive, it is possible to relax from full formal voice procedures. For example, if the net is very busy, brevity and speed are usually the chief concerns and some risk of loss of clarity can be accepted. If, on the other hand, the net is not busy but ranges are long, quality poor, and information critical, then more formal procedures are called for.
The following examples demonstrate three different levels of formality used in sending the same message, which is the pit crew asking what time the car will be at pit stop two and the car replying.
Formal:
Car69 this is JFR ops, over.
JFR Ops this is Car69, send, over
Car69 this is JFR ops, interrogative, say ETA Pit 2, over.
JFR Ops this is Car69, ETA Pit 2, 12:15 hrs, over
Car69 this is JFR ops, ROGER, OUT.
Relaxed:
Car69 this is JFR ops, over.
69, go ahead
69 send ETA Pit 2, over.
Ops, ETA Pit 2, 12:15 hrs, over
69, copy that.
Super relaxed:
69, ops
Ops, 69, go
69 say ETA Pit 2, over.
Ops, ETA 12:15, over
Ops copies
USING MAYDAY TO TRANSMIT A DISTRESS CALL
Aircraft and ships use a standardized method of transmitting a distress message that enables the maximum amount of information to be conveyed in the shortest time possible. It also enables distant stations to receive and understand the information, even when clarity is low. Now, in the case of aircraft and ships at sea, this is extremely important as it may be the last anybody hears from them until (if) a search and rescue party is able to locate them.
Things are probably not so critical in offroad racing, but then again, if you're lost and alone in the desert, it's probably a good idea to communicate in a proven, professional manner. Using procedure also helps to keep you calm in stressful situations so you don't end up yelling or rambling incoherently into the mic and not helping yourself.
The distress call consists of:
The distress signal "MAYDAY" spoken three times;
The proword "THIS IS";
The identification (callsign) of the station in distress spoken three times.
Position (or estimated)
Time;
Nature of emergency; and
Your intentions (remain with vehicle, walk towards camp, etc.)
Over
Example:
"Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is Car69, Car69, Car 69. Position race mile 63, Time 15:30 local, Car overturned and on fire, minor injuries to crew, remaining with car, over"
OK, I could go on and on forever about comms and comms procedures, but before I start quoting classified tactical radio comms procedures and going on about tropospheric ducting of signals, we'd better call it a day.
Once you have your kit installed and your voice procedure down, that's not the end. The smart tactical racers and their crews will develop their own comms plan which may include things like:
How they plan to transmit sitreps / position reports
Using a relay station
Lost-comms procedures (what to do when you can't reach each other - switching to different channels, using a relay, etc.)
Scanning and multi- radio ops (monitoring more than one net simultaneously)
Sniping intel on other teams and race stats from other nets and transmitting it to the car
etc.
Perhaps that might be the subject for another article one day!
Conclusion
Comms are a force multiplier. You gotta have them. Rugged Radios are the place to get them. When you have the kit, study and practice professional voice procedures - look professional, sound professional, be professional! I'll be listening![/i][/color]
I know.... this is a LONG read, but I feel it is important that we solve this problem.
I am also recommending that we, as a club, shift to HAM radios. This of course is expensive and time consuming, but I think it is a good direction. Thoughts?
[color=#FFFF40][i]Basic Voice Procedures
OK, so once you have all your comms gear installed and tested, it's time to learn how to use it like a pro.
I know, I know, I can hear the groans already.
But believe me, there's a reason professional radio operators talk the way we do - and it isn't just to sound cool in the movies! Many of the reasons that aviation, marine, and other professionals speak in the special way they do are equally applicable to a race situation. These include:
Messages that must get through quickly without delay and be understood the first time.
The need to be clear and concise on a congested net where many other users must also be able to Tx and Rx.
The need to be clearly understood even at the edge of your range when quality is poor.
The need to pass important safety or emergency information and be sure it is received and understood, without having to repeat it.
Due to any number of variables, including radio static, a busy or loud environment, or similarity in the phonetics of different words, a critical piece of information can be misheard or misunderstood if proper procedures are not observed when using two-way radio comms.
The number one rule of talking on the radio is to stay cool and calm, especially in an emergency. Speak normally and don't yell, scream, or rush.
The proper way to communicate via two-way radio is called "voice procedure". Developing good voice procedure is a skill that must be studied and practised, just like any other.
The basics of professional voice procedure are:
DO’s
- Listen out before transmitting;
- Wait until the net is clear before transmitting;
- Know what you are going to say;
- Adhere to radiotelephone vocabulary (see prowords below);
- Keep transmissions to a minimum;
- Keep transmissions short and concise;
- Speak in a normal, calm voice.
- Avoid idle chatter; and
- Be courteous.
DON'T’s
- Speak too loudly;
- Speak too rapidly;
- Whisper;
- Make irritating noise into the microphone;
- Cut in when others are transmitting;
- Hold microphone too close or too far from mouth; and
- Blow in your microphone when testing.
- Interrupt other transmissions that are in progress.
Remember, you are sharing the net with many other users, so be professional at all times!
Addressing / Callsigns
Because thee are many simultaneous users (stations) on a radio net, you need to "address" your transmissions. That is, you need to make it clear not only to the station with whom you wish to speak, but also to all other stations on the net, who the transmission is intended for. Similarly, when responding to a call or message, you need to indicate who is replying. We do this using "callsigns" which are really nothing more than a short name or nickname that identifies who you are. For example, our racecar callsign is "Car69". Our main pit crew's callsign is "JFR Ops" (ops is short for "operations"). Our roving pit crew's callsign is "JFR Mobile". Depending on what net you are using, it is possible to use abbreviated callsigns too. For example, if I'm on the main race channel, and need to talk to my pit crew I would use their full callsign: "JFR Ops" so there is no confusion about to whom I am speaking. However, if I'm on our team frequency which we may have to ourselves or share with only one or two other teams, I I may shorten the callsign and just call them "Ops".
By convention, the station being called is always stated first, followed by the procedural word (proword) "this is", and then the station calling identifies themself by callsign. For example:
"Car69, this JFR Ops, over".
If you hear your callsign being called, but didn't hear who was calling you, the correct response is to reply using the proword "Station calling", as in:
"Station calling, this is Car69, send, over"
If you need to broadcast a message to everyone on the net, use the callsign "All stations", normally repeated three times, as in:
"All stations, all stations, all stations, this is race control, be advised maximum speed in pit lane reduce to one-zero miles per hour"
Common Calls
The three most common radio calls are the preliminary call, the call answer, and the radio check.
PRELIMINARY CALL
The preliminary call is simply the first or initial call made by a station to initiate a conversation with another station.
The preliminary call is nothing more than the callsign of the called station, proword "this is", callsign of the station calling, and the proword "over". For example,
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, over"
The amount of traffic on the net and the quality of the comms on the net determine how often a preliminary call needs to be used. For example, if you are on a main net with many users, you would always initiate any exchange with a preliminary call.
However, if you are on your private net, and comms are good quality, you may forgo the preliminary call and just get straight to the message, for example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, headed for pit 3, over"
That said, even if you and the station you are calling are the only two users on the net, if comms quality is poor (communications are difficult, broken, etc.) then it is appropriate to begin each exchange with a preliminary call to make sure the station you are calling is ready to receive your message. This is particularly true if you need to send a long message they will have to write down.
CALL ANSWER
The call answer is simply the initial response by a called station to a preliminary call addressed to them.
When you are called by another station you will hear their preliminary call, your response is the call answer which is simply: the callsign of the station calling, proword "this is", callsign of the station being called, and the proword "over". For example:
Preliminary Call - "JFR Ops, this is Car69, over"
Call Answer - "Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
Before transmitting a call answer, make sure you are ready to receive (copy) the caller's transmission.
If you are not ready, or are otherwise occupied, immediately answer and tell the calling station to wait or standby (see applicable prowords and voice procedures below).
RADIO CHECKS
Performing a radio check before launching on a mission...errm, I mean starting a race or pre-running session is critical. Do not skip it. The radio check serves to:
Determine the serviceability of your equipment
Determining the circuit conditions.
The former is obvious, but the latter is also important as it determines "message transmission speed" (i.e. how fast you can speak on the net), along with how strict your voice procedures need to be, how long or formal your callsigns need to be, etc. While I always advocate for strict voice procedures and utmost professionalism at all times on any net, I recognize that not everyone shares my passion for procedure. However, if the net is congested, noisy, or otherwise poor quality, it is to your utmost advantage to be strict with your voice procedures as this will enable you to communicate as clearly and effectively as possible with as little repetition as possible. Remember, this is very important because the net is not yours - it is a shared resource. Good procedures will help you avoid "stepping on" other people's transmissions, clogging the net with garbage talk, and otherwise pissing off your fellow racers who are also trying to communicate in challenging conditions.
So do your radio checks, mmmkay.
Now, "Hey Bubba, you got ya ears on?" is NOT a proper radio check!
A radio check is initiated by one station as follows: station being called, proword "this is", callsign of the station calling, proword "radio check", and the proword "over". For example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, radio check, over"
The correct response to a radio check is a report of strength and readability, as follows:
Report Of Signal Strength
Fading - At times, your signal strength fades to such extent that continuous reception cannot be relied upon
Very Weak - I can hear you only with great difficulty
Weak - I can hear you only with difficulty
Good - Your signal is good.
Loud - Your signal is strong. Interference will not bother my copying
Report Of Signal Readability (clarity)
Unreadable - Quality bad, I can’t read you
With interference - I have trouble reading you due to interference
Intermittent - I have trouble reading you because your signal is intermittent
Readable - Quality good, I can read you
Clear - Excellent quality
Therefore, a complete radio check would be:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, radio check, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, loud and clear, how me?, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, loud and clear, out"
Technically, signal strength and readability can be reported in any combination (but always in the order strength then readability), but obviously certain combinations don't make sense. For example, you're unlikely to hear "very weak and clear".
Note that both scales are numbered from one to five, where one is the worst and five is the best. It is therefore possible to report a radio check by number instead of prowords, in which case the numbers are separated with the word "by". For example "Five by five" is the numerical equivalent of "loud and clear".
Personally, I don't favour this method, as the numbers don't immediately convey the information required and you have translate them into the words in your head to understand something meaningful. For example, 3 x 2 doesn't mean a lot to me intuitively, but "weak with interference" does.
Finally, it is perfectly acceptable to simply substitute the proword "roger" for "loud and clear", in which case the above full radio check can be abbreviated to:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, radio check, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Ops ,roger, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, roger, out"
Prowords
The foundation for developing professional voice procedure is the use of certain special words or phrases, called "prowords". This is the "radiotelephone vocabulary" referred to in the previous list of "DO's". Use these prowords to communicate clearly, effectively, and quickly.
Basic Prowords
Word Meaning Used
Over I have finished my transmission and am awaiting your reply At the end of every transmission when you are expecting the other party to reply. See example below.
Out I have finished my transmission and do not expect you to reply At the end of a transmission when you are not expecting or wanting the other party to reply. (note that "over" and "out" mean opposite things and should NEVER be used together,, despite what Hollywood would have you believe. NEVER EVER say "Over and out" - it's ludicrous!
Roger I have heard and understood your transmission.
To acknowledge receipt of a transmission, or to report "loud and clear" for a radio check. Example:
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, pit crew is enroute to remote pit 1, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, Roger, out."
Wilco I have heard and understood your instruction and will comply with it.
To acknowledge receipt of an instruction and inform that you will carry it out. Example:
"Car69, this is race control, stop at next checkpoint, over"
"Race Control, this is Car69, WILCO, out"
Send Go ahead with your transmission or message When you are ready to copy the other party's transmission. Preferred to the slang "go ahead". See example below.
Standby I am temporarily unable to respond, please wait a moment.
When you are unable to talk for a short moment, ask the other party to "standby".
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
"JFR Ops, this is car69, standby"
... a moment later...
""JFR Ops, this is car69, send, over"
Wait I am unable to respond at this time, I will get back to you when able.
When you are unable to talk for a longer period than "standby", ask the other party to "wait". Often followed immediately by the proword "out". Example:
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
"Ops, this is Car69, wait, out"
Kick Change frequency to indicated
When you want to switch to a different channel or frequency. Example:
"Ops, this is car 69, Kick 'relay control', over"
Say Again I didn't hear or understand your last transmission, please repeat it.
To get the other party to repeat what they said. For brevity, can be combined with the words "all before" or "all after" to indicate the exact portion of the transmission that was not heard and therefore limit the amount that must be repeated. Example:
"Car69m this is Race Control, After next checkpoint, turn left ....(garbled transmission)"
"Race Control, this is Car69, Say again all after 'left', over"
"Car69, this is Race Control, roger, I say again, turn left after the big pointy rock, over"
"Race Control, this is Car69, WILCO, out."
Stepped On Your transmission was interrupted by somebody else transmitting while you were. Often follows "say again" to explain why you didn't hear what the transmitting station said, as in: "Say again Car 69, you were stepped on"
Affirmative Yes Yes
Negative No No
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
Abbreviation used to communicate the time at which you expect to arrive in a specific location. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, ETA main pits 15:30, over"
In the blind I am making this transmission although I cannot currently hear you
Used when you need to send a message, but you have not been able establish that the receiving station can hear you. Equivalent to saying "I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I'm going to say this anyway". Often used at extremes of range, particularly when one antenna is higher than another. For example, when a long way from base I may not be able to hear my crew, but I still transmit a position report as follows:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69 in the blind, ETA next pit stop 15:30 Hours, out."
With Request I have something to ask of you.
Used to indicate that you are about to transmit a message that includes a request for the receiving station to take some action. Often used in conjunction with "relay". See example below.
Relay Please send this transmission onwards to the station indicated.
Used when the station you wish to communicate with is not within range, but there is a third-party station (sometimes a dedicated relay station) between the two of you who can hear you both. In this case, you request relay, send the message to the relaying station, and they in turn pass it on to your intended recipient. Example:
"Weatherman, this Car 69,with request, over"
"Car 69, this is Weatherman, send, over"
"Weatherman, this is Car69, Relay to JFR Ops, ETA Main Pits 15:30, over"
Break
Used when sending more than one message in a single transmission - especially when addressing multiple stations at one. Example:
"JFR Ops, JFR Mobile, this is Car 69, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Ops, over"
"Car69, this is JFR Mobile, over:
"Ops, get spare transmission ready - BREAK - Mobile, return to main pit and pick up spare transmission, over".
"Car69, this is Ops, roger, out"
"Car69, this is Mobile, roger, out."
Note: When two or more stations are called using individual c/s, they are to answer in the order in which they were called.
Sitrep Situation report
A "situation report" is a report of the current situation - i.e. a verbal report of what is going on. Example:
"Car 69, this is JFR ops, send sitrep, over"
Readback Please repeat the message word for word to confirm that you received it
Used when the precise understanding is so critical that the receiving station must repeat every word exactly to confirm receipt of the exact message. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, Request 8 gallons fuel next pit stop, readback, over"
"Car 69, this is JFR Ops, I readback, 8 gallons fuel next pit stop, over"
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, readback correct, out"
Ops Normal Operations are normal, everything is OK.
Used as a standard call, an abbreviated sitrep, when everything is as it should be with nothing out of the ordinary to report. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car 69, Ops Normal, race mile 6, out."
Disregard Pay no attention to / forget that I said
During the transmission of a message and prior to the transmission of the ending proword "over" or "out," the transmission may be cancelled by use of the proword "disregard this transmission, out".
This is particularly useful if you get all tongue tied during a transmission and are tripping over yourself. In this case, the best thing to do is say "disregard", stop, collect your thoughts, and try again. Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, we've got a problem with the umm, the thing in the end of the , the errr, you know...disregard this transmission, out"
followed by
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, transfer case rear output broken. Request you make ready to replace at pit 3, over"
My Last The last thing I just said / transmitted
Can be used in combination with "disregard" to tell the receiving station to ignore your entire last transmission after you have completed it. This is frequently easier and more clear than trying to amend or update the bit you got wrong. can also be used in conjunction with "correction" (see below). Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, disregard my last, out"
followed by:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, Front transfer case output broken, I say again, FRONT output broken. Request you make ready to replace at pit 3, over"
I say again I am repeating important information Used to preface the repetition of important information in order to ensure that it was clearly received and understood. See example above.
I spell Indicates that the operator is about to spell a word out.
Difficult words or groups within the text of plain text messages may be spelled using the phonetic alphabet and preceded by the proword "I Spell."
If the operator can pronounce the word to be spelled, he will do so before and after the spelling to identify the word. Example:
"Ops this is Car69, broken down beside Lake Seaguard, I Spell Sierra Echo Alpha Golf Uniform Alpha Romeo Delta - Seaguard, over"
Correction I made a mistake
When an error is made during a transmission, the proword "CORRECTION" will be transmitted followed by the last word, group, proword, or phrase correctly transmitted. Transmission then continues. For example, if I send an ETA for Checkpoint 3 of 15:30 when I meant to say 16:30 Hrs, if i catch my mistake before ending my transmission it would sound like:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, ETA checkpoint 3 - 15:30 Hrs - correction, ETA Checkpoint 3 - 16:30 Hrs, over"
And if I don't realize my mistake until after I have ended my transmission it would sound like:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69, correction my last, ETA Checkpoint 3 - 16:30 Hrs, over"
Radio Check What is my strength and readability of my transmission? Used to assess the serviceability of communication equipment and to determine the circuit conditions.
Nothing Heard I do not know if you replied, but if you did, I did not hear it.
When you are expecting a reply, but don't get one, you should indicate that you didn't hear a reply by stating :nothing heard". This is often followed by "transmitting in the blind". Example:
"JFR Ops, this is Car69 with sitrep, over"
<silence>
"JFR Ops, this is Car69 with sitrep, over"
<silence>
""JFR Ops, this is Car69, nothing heard. Transmitting in the blind: Sitrep, ops normal, mile marker 77, over"
Mayday I have an urgent life-threatening emergency and require immediate assistance Used to call for help in serious emergencies. Never transmitted in jest or for practice. Repeated three times, as in "Mayday, mayday, mayday..."
Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic alphabet is used to spell words using a unique, easily distinguished word to represent each letter of the alphabet. This is done to reduce the chance for misunderstanding and reduce the need to repeat things since audio quality may be poor and many letters can easily be confused with others.
The phonetic alphabet is as follows:
Relaxations
Depending on the net in use, the number of stations on the net, the quality of the circuit, and the tactical situation (how quickly you need to transmit and receive, it is possible to relax from full formal voice procedures. For example, if the net is very busy, brevity and speed are usually the chief concerns and some risk of loss of clarity can be accepted. If, on the other hand, the net is not busy but ranges are long, quality poor, and information critical, then more formal procedures are called for.
The following examples demonstrate three different levels of formality used in sending the same message, which is the pit crew asking what time the car will be at pit stop two and the car replying.
Formal:
Car69 this is JFR ops, over.
JFR Ops this is Car69, send, over
Car69 this is JFR ops, interrogative, say ETA Pit 2, over.
JFR Ops this is Car69, ETA Pit 2, 12:15 hrs, over
Car69 this is JFR ops, ROGER, OUT.
Relaxed:
Car69 this is JFR ops, over.
69, go ahead
69 send ETA Pit 2, over.
Ops, ETA Pit 2, 12:15 hrs, over
69, copy that.
Super relaxed:
69, ops
Ops, 69, go
69 say ETA Pit 2, over.
Ops, ETA 12:15, over
Ops copies
USING MAYDAY TO TRANSMIT A DISTRESS CALL
Aircraft and ships use a standardized method of transmitting a distress message that enables the maximum amount of information to be conveyed in the shortest time possible. It also enables distant stations to receive and understand the information, even when clarity is low. Now, in the case of aircraft and ships at sea, this is extremely important as it may be the last anybody hears from them until (if) a search and rescue party is able to locate them.
Things are probably not so critical in offroad racing, but then again, if you're lost and alone in the desert, it's probably a good idea to communicate in a proven, professional manner. Using procedure also helps to keep you calm in stressful situations so you don't end up yelling or rambling incoherently into the mic and not helping yourself.
The distress call consists of:
The distress signal "MAYDAY" spoken three times;
The proword "THIS IS";
The identification (callsign) of the station in distress spoken three times.
Position (or estimated)
Time;
Nature of emergency; and
Your intentions (remain with vehicle, walk towards camp, etc.)
Over
Example:
"Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is Car69, Car69, Car 69. Position race mile 63, Time 15:30 local, Car overturned and on fire, minor injuries to crew, remaining with car, over"
OK, I could go on and on forever about comms and comms procedures, but before I start quoting classified tactical radio comms procedures and going on about tropospheric ducting of signals, we'd better call it a day.
Once you have your kit installed and your voice procedure down, that's not the end. The smart tactical racers and their crews will develop their own comms plan which may include things like:
How they plan to transmit sitreps / position reports
Using a relay station
Lost-comms procedures (what to do when you can't reach each other - switching to different channels, using a relay, etc.)
Scanning and multi- radio ops (monitoring more than one net simultaneously)
Sniping intel on other teams and race stats from other nets and transmitting it to the car
etc.
Perhaps that might be the subject for another article one day!
Conclusion
Comms are a force multiplier. You gotta have them. Rugged Radios are the place to get them. When you have the kit, study and practice professional voice procedures - look professional, sound professional, be professional! I'll be listening![/i][/color]
