Episode 6, Radio Communication in Airsoft
Alright first off.. I’d like to apologize for the long pause between episodes. BUT we finally have a better mic system so no more annoying popping noises or anything else of that nature. Sound should be a whole lot better. With that I’d like to say thanks for hanging in there and WERE BACK!
This episode we talk about the all important Communication on the field. We go into what are FRS and GMRS Radio’s and in the technical in’s and outs of them as far as what channels are what and which one needs a license to use.
As always we are open to suggestions, comments and questions on any subject relating to training and airsoft. So please fire away! But remember, we are by no way shape or form an expert but we sure do love to learn!
Again thanks and enjoy!
Semper Fi and Carry on! Art
Show Notes: Phonetic Alphabet
The phonetic language is used by professional communicators, especially police, military and other emergency and armed forces, to identify letters precisely, either when communicating initials, abbreviations or spellings of words. The phonetic alphabet is a useful reference for language and communications study and training. Different variations of the phonetic language exist - this one seems to be the original and still most widely used.
Military
Alpha - A Bravo - B Charlie - C Delta – D Echo - E Foxtrot - F Golf - G Hotel - H India - I Juliet - J Kilo - K Lima - L Mike - M November - N Oscar – O Papa - P Quebec - Q Romeo - R Sierra - S Tango - T Uniform - U Victor - V Whiskey - W X-ray - X Yankee - Y Zulu - Z
Law Enforcement/ParaMedics
Adam - A Boy- B Charles - C David – D Edward - E Frank - F George - G Henry - H Ida - I John - J King - K Lincoln - L Mary - M Nora - N Ocean – O Paul - P Queen - Q Robert - R Sam - S Tom - T Union - U Victor - V William - W X-ray - X Young - Y Zebra - Z
Police Examples: a police unit requesting a vehicle license plate check on a California license plate of “KDL837A” would say:
“10-28/29, California, King-David-Lincoln-8-3-7-Adam”
Military Example: Echo Four Echo Four this is Echo Five, enemy in the open at Zulu Yankee 856874, 1 round adjust Whiskey Papa, How copy over.
In each example you can see how the alphabet is used to shorten and break up the alphabet so that it is not confused with another letter when broadcast.
Call signs:
They can be extremely difficult or easy to understand depending Breaking down calls signs are simple depending on how you have yours set up. Most use their name and nothing wrong with that. But if you want to organize your fire team and want something swift and easy try the following.
A Call sign is made up of two things, 1. Unit designator 2. Position of person within the unit. Your Captain will be the Actual so if you are Part of the BlueBerry Muffin Brigade Your call sign could be “Bravo Bravo Mike Actual”. Now each member of the blue berry muffin Brigade Can either have a Number or letter depicting their position within the Fire team. Most common its a number and goes 1-10 accordingly or higher if more members and pertaining to their rank. So Your second in command would be ” Bravo Bravo Mike 1″.
Transmissions:
A transmission is always begun with who you are looking to talk to, and then who you are. (eg. “Razor One One this is Lighthouse, over.” if Lighthouse was calling Razor One One.)
When ending a single transmission, the word is “over”. (eg. “This is Razor One One, Send your traffic, over”)
When you are finished talking to someone (for the time being) you say your callsign, followed by “Out”. “Out” is generally only said by the party that initiated the transmission. (eg. “Roger, Lighthouse Out”)
You never say “Over and Out” because “Over” means you expect a response, and “Out” means you are done. Phrases like “Ten Four” are police codes, not military.
Responses:
Responses can vary. “Roger” generally means understood and acknowledged. “Affirmative” can be used as a positive response, as can “Negative” be used for the opposite. An initial response can vary too. Phrases like “Go”, “Send it”, “Go ahead” etc are generally acceptable, though not technically correct. These responses are not usually followed by “over”. Like I said, this is technically sloppy, but not unheard of. (eg. “Razor One One, this is Lighthouse, over.” “This is Razor One One, Go.”/”This is Razor One One, go ahead Lighthouse.”)
“Repeat” is not used, the phrase “Say again” is used instead. It is always followed with what you want said again. “Say again all/last” Also “Say again after (part of transmission you did not hear/understand)” “All” refers to a long transmission, “last” would be the last thing said, though not an entire transmission if part of a longer one. Also, specifics can be requested. Remember, you’re trying to be efficient. (eg. “Say again coordinates, over.”).
“No joy” means you cannot contact someone and you need to tell someone else you cannot reach them. No radio contact = “No joy (whoever you cannot reach).”
If you are simply looking for someone to confirm you have radio contact, you can call for a radio check. If you are looking for someone specific, address the transmission to them, or use the phrasing “Any station this net, radio check, over” if all you are looking for is confirmation that somebody on the net can hear you (and thus assuming everyone on the net hears you until otherwise discovered). The response is always kept short and sweet. “Roger, over” is all that is needed. Saying stuff like “I read you loud and clear (Lima Charlie, whatever)” is unnecessary. Response is “Roger, out” acknowledging the acknowledgement, callsign can be included, or omitted. (eg. “Razor One One, this is Lighthouse, radio check, over.” “This is Razor One One, roger, over.” “Roger, Lighthouse out.” or simpler “Any station this net, this is Lighthouse, radio check, over.” “Roger, over” “Roger, out.” )
Also a New Online Order has popped up. The Fraternal Order of the Combat Spoon., Check it out and see if you qualify to become a member of the Fraternal Order of the Combat Spoon!
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Semper Fi and Carry on! Lex
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Yea! I thought for a while that your podcast had died. And that would have made me sad. Because this one, by far, is the best airsoft training (if not the only) podcast EVER! I’m glad the new microphone is working for you. It sounds 100% better, thanks. Can’t wait for episode 7! GREAT STUFF!
(On a side note, you might want to take a look at your “show notes: phonetic alphabet” list. It’s kinda jumbled.)
Pockets said this on March 30th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Love your podcast. The amount of dedication and work you put into each show is astounding. And the length is just perfect (most other airsoft-related podcasts last for hours, with a whole lot of senseless babble in between, as I’m sure you’ve probably noticed). I’ve been pointing my airsoft buddies this way for some time now and their skills have skyrocketed.
Are you planning on recording more shows? Excellent work!
Snypes said this on September 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I’ll defiantly be doing another podcast here soon. Its a bit tough with work and family, trying to get one out a month, I’m going to try to get more diligent on this. Comments like these and information and questions from listeners are what drive me to be more active in this manner.
The next podcast I’m going to put out is going to go into depth about movement on the field and just movement during operations / skirmish and breaking the “PaintSoft” mentality. Thanks again and tune in soon!
Semper Fi and Carry on! Lex Airsoft Milsim Training.
airsoftmilsim said this on September 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm