West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

APPENDIX R
Since most radio communication is only one way at a time, these words can be invaluable for
signaling your intentions to the receiving station. Make sure to speak directly into the
microphone; speaking loudly, slowly, and distinctly—but not shouting—can significantly
improve the legibility of radio broadcasts. The use of profanity on the public airwaves is
strictly forbidden.
5) Upon completing a transmission, you must sign off by identifying your station and using the
words “clear” or “out” (or, if you expect to soon resume contact with the same station, by
using the phrase “standing by”).
Radios are different from telephones in that they cannot transmit and receive simultaneously.
Therefore when you have temporarily finished talking and are ready to listen, say “over,” and release
the button on your microphone. When the other party is ready to listen they will say “over.” At the
end of your entire message, say “out” rather than “over.” Keep in mind that people on other ships
can overhear your conversation, so watch what you say.
Sounds are easily garbled on marine radios so the phonetic alphabet is used when sailors want to
spell something. Here are the words that the Coast Guard will recognize as letters:
A – alpha I - indigo Q - quebec Y- yankee
B - bravo J - juliet R - romeo Z - zulu
C - charlie K - kilo (keeloes) S - sierra
D - delta L - lima (Leema) T - tango
E - echo M - mike U - uniform
F - foxtrot N - november V - victor
G - gulf O - oscar W - whiskey
H - hotel P - papa X - x-ray
Every ship and all Coast Guard stations continually listen to the emergency frequencies. Therefore
when you want to talk to someone, call on an emergency frequency. As soon as you contact them,
arrange to switch to another channel. It is illegal, impolite, unfair, and dangerous to talk on
emergency channels. Sometimes atmospheric conditions are such that the emergency frequencies are
the only ones that work. At those times you simply cannot communicate via radio except to report
emergencies.
Emergency frequencies are:
• FM Channel 16, international distress
• FM Channel 13, for ships to use to avoid collisions. You can contact other ships on 13, but
not Coast Guard shore stations.
• AM 2182, international distress (Almost certainly as an observer you will only be using FM
frequencies.)
• When you initially contact another station make sure you state what channel you are
broadcasting on, since all ships and stations constantly listen to several.
• Speak in normal tones, using normal conversational pauses and emphasis.
• Ensure that your messages are brief and businesslike. No chatter.
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