Signalling & Radio

[Dalle]

This one is about general voice procedure for Comms.

So, as said previously the realm of Communications is one massive line with a Command at the top, Battalion or Company, then reaching down to smaller units such as Platoons and Batteries, Squadrons etc.

So, a standard message where you just want to tell someone something would look like

"Anders 1-0, Visit 1-0, message, over."

let's break it down:

"Anders 1-0", this is the callsign of the person you want. IN this case the 1-0 would be the Platoon Leader, which is infact his Platoon Signaller (Plot twist)

"Visit 1-0" - That's you. Platoon Communicator, the chances are the PL has asked you to send a message.

"Message" that tells your buddy over in Anders Company, 1st Platoon that you want to send him a message.

"Over" That tells him you want him to respond.

Now the callsigns, 1-0, they are Platoon Callsigns. Should you wish to speak to a platoon you always use the 1-0 callsign, because you aren't speaking to a squad leader, you want the Platoon leader. You are not in the other platoon, so you don't need to speak to that platoons 1-1, also known as First Squad Leader. But always understand you will get the RADIO OPERATOR as the chances the LT carries a radio is slim to nil.

He will then reply:

"Visit 1-0, Anders 1-0, go ahead/say again, over."

So once more we have the Callsigns of the two Platoons Radio Operators.

"go ahead" he will say this should he read you perfectly and you can go ahead with your message now
"Say again" he will say this when he can't hear that well or he doesn't understand. Once more a Over, HE WANTS A REPLY

"Anders 1-0, this is a cool message, over/out."

So, you may notice we are down to once callsign. That is because saying all callsigns all the time is long, and takes time. So once we have passed the initial hail, we use the call sigh of the person we are TALKING TO

then you send your message, and then if you want a response, you say over, if you don't you say out. This goes back and fourth until someone says the out.

Alright so next we have the Radio Check:

"Control, Visit 1-0, radio check, over."

alright, so as you notice there is this calling, "Control". Control is the Communications Station for the Battalion/Regiment, the heart of Communications you could say.

So the purpose of the Radio check, in your mission briefing you will be given a set interval between when you need to check in with Control/HQ so they know your still alive basically. This might be as much as hourly or as little as every 24 hours.

"Visit 1-0, loud and clear/difficult, over."

ok so "loud and clear" states that control can read you fine, smooth transition, all is kewl, your alive and kicking, we love you guys.
"Difficult." means there is static, but hey, your still alive.

"Control, loud and clear/difficult, out."
This is in effect the same thing, just we are saying if we can hear them. And then that's it one harmless routine radio check done.

Next we have a unresponsive station:

"Anders 1-0, Visit 1-0, message, over."
-No response-
"Anders 1-0, Visit 1-0, do you read, over."
so, we have changed the first request now for a do you read? Are you with me bro, where are you, acknlowledge me, pls don't be dead in sense.
-No response-
"Anders 1-0, Visit 1-0, do you read, over."
Rule of 3, you always try to contact a station 3 times, no less, no more
-No response-
"Anders 1-0, Visit 1-0, no response, out."
You would then note the time, last known location of Anders 1-0 and report it to Control who will further assess the situation.

Lastly, long messages

"Anders 1-0, Visit 1-0, message, over."
"Visit 1-0, Anders 1-0, go ahead, over."
"Anders 1-0, this is a really really really really really really really really long messahe break;
"and i'm still going with my really long message, over/out."

in essence what you did by breaking is give him some time to process the first part of your message and you a second to take a breath before saying the second part. There is no rule on how many breaks there can be, but uh, keep it to maybe 1-2 sentences or more before a break.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS
Thou can now Signals/JTAC/EWS should you so wish. I also hope it helps clear up some things with those regular squaddies.

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Massive thanks to [user]4379216[/user] for writing the original guide