Signalman 1 & C - Historic Naval Ships Association

light differs from that laid down for the directionalflashing light, as follows:1. The call consists of a collective call sign or anumber of call signs repeated until answered by allreceiving stations.2. Each receiving station answers by transmittinga continuous series of Ks until the calling station, seeingthat all the receiving stations have answered, stopscalling, waits a short time, then starts transmitting themessage. When practicable, receiving stations shoulduse a directional light of minimum brilliance.3. Where repeating ships are used, they will repeatthe originator's transmission word by word as received.4. During transmission of the message, allreceiving stations keep their signal lights out. Should areceiving station miss a portion of the message, thatstation is to request a repetition in the normal mannerupon completion of the transmission. A station that isrepeating the message as received but misses a portionmay substitute the operating signal ZEP for the missingportion and proceed with the transmission. When themissing portion is obtained, it is transmitted in the formof a correction.ZEP means this portion (or message) wasincompletely received. Each word or group missed,which is indicated by the position of ZEP in themessage, will be forwarded as soon as obtained.5. Receiving stations, after checking, receipt forthe message by making RRRR.6. When the prosign F is used in the nondirectionalprocedure, no ship is to make any responseto this call or to receipt for the message. Ships that missthe transmission or any portions thereof may requestrepetitions by directional flashing light from adjacentships. In requesting such repetitions, ships should bearin mind the danger of disclosing the tacticalcomposition of the formation.7. The separative sign is used between codedgroups.Where a special non-directional daylightsignaling lantern (DSL) is fitted, the procedure to beused by the transmitting station is the same asprescribed for the non-directional procedure.Receiving stations answer by hoisting DESIG.Repetitions are obtained in the same manner as for thenondirectional procedure. The message is receiptedfor by hauling down DESIG.CALLINGWhen calling another station, you are responsiblefor certain details. In visual communications, theidentity of the calling station is usually apparent, andit is necessary only to gain the attention of the stationbeing called. Normally this is done by directing thesignal light at the station and making the receivingstation's call sign until answered When it is desirableto identity the calling station, use the full call. Thisconsists of the call sign of the station called, and whenanswered, the prosign DE and the call sign of thecalling station. On occasion, when using theno-response procedure, it may be necessary for you totransmit the full call before or without being answeredExamples: Abbreviated call—D15 (untilanswered)Full call—D15 (until answered) DEA22 or D15 DE A22Collective or multiple calls may be used asrequired. A collective call sign consists of a single callsign representing more than one station: C Squad 2. Amultiple call may consist of two or more individual orcollective calls: C Squad 2 C40. Both collective andmultiple calls may be followed by the prosign DE andthe call sign of the calling station.Call signs and address groups that may be used inthe heading and/or ending are visual call signs fromACP 129, call signs from ACP 113, and addressgroups from ACP 100.The call may serve as the address. Whenabbreviated calls are used, it is assumed that themessage is addressed from and to the senior officerembarked. When this is not the case, use a full call orthe address component.ANSWERING AND RECEIPTINGThe answer normally consists of the prosign K.The calling station may flash for the series of Ks fromeach unit until all units have responded. If necessaryto distinguish which of several stations is beinganswered, the prosign K should be preceded by the callsign of the station answered.Where more than one station is being called in thesame direction or during low visibility, the answeringstation may need to indicate its own identity whenanswering. This is done by transmitting the prosignDE followed by own call sign and prosign K.4-5