More information on NATO's codes, signals and standards can be found on the NATO Standardization Office (NSO) website: http://nso.nato.int/nso/ – More on the history of the NATO phonetic alphabet: http://www.nato.int/declassified/
This poster can be downloaded at http://www.nato.int/alphabet
Created by Communications Services, Public Diplomacy Division, NATO HQ, Brussels, Belgium – NATO 2018
Phonetic transcription is based on English pronunciation.
KIT & GEAR
AIRSOFT COMMS
you want to use the NATO alphabet, there’s a great chart
available. Unfortunately, the only way to learn it is through
memorization. You could try reading local vehicle license
plates using the Phonetic Alphabet for practice.
NATO
phonetic alphabet,
codes & signals
The ability to communicate and make yourself
understood can make a difference in lifethreatening
situations – imagine for example
that you are trying to alert a search and
rescue helicopter of the position of a downed
pilot. To ensure clear communication, NATO
uses a number of well-known formats which
are in general use. NATO standardization
agreements enable forces from many nations
to communicate in a way that is understood
by all.
Some standards can be found in everyday
civilian and military life. “Bravo Zulu”, typically
signalled with naval flags on ships at sea and
meaning “well done”, is also commonly used
in written communication by the military, for
example by replying “BZ” to an email.
Numbers
1 One
(wun)
1
2 Two
(too)
2
3 Three
(tree)
4 Four
(fow-er)
3
4
5 Five
(fife)
5
6 Six
(six)
6
7 Seven
(sev-en)
7
8 Eight
(ait)
9 Nine
(nin-er)
8
9
0 Zero
(zee-ro)
0
Phonetic alphabet
The NATO alphabet became effective in 1956 and, a few years later, turned into the
established universal phonetic alphabet for all military, civilian and amateur radio
communications.
International Morse Code
Morse code transmits text through on-off tones, light-flashes or clicks. It was widely used
in the 1890s for early radio communication, before it was possible to transmit voice.
Flaghoist communication
Ships use flags as signals to send out messages to each other. The use of flags, known
as flaghoist communication, is a fast and accurate way to send information in daylight.
Bravo
B (brah-voh)
b
Golf
G (golf)
g
Lima
L (lee-mah)
l
Quebec
Q (keh-beck)
q
Victor
V (vic-tah)
v
Charlie
C (char-lee)
c
Hotel
H (hoh-tel)
Mike
M (mike)
m
Romeo
R (row-me-oh)
r
Whiskey
W (wiss-key)
w
Alfa
A (al-fah)
a
“Over” and “Out” are called “Procedure Words”, or
“Prowords” for short. These are standard words that
reduce the amount of speaking required and clarify what is
being communicated. While these too vary by country and
language, here are a few of the basic ones used in Canada
and the United States.
“Over” - My transmission is over and a response is
necessary. Send your message now.
“Out” - My transmission is over and no response is
required or expected.
“Roger” - I have understood your message.
“Say Again” - I did not understand your message.
Repeat your last message.
“Read Back” - Repeat my message back to me so I can
confirm you received it correctly
“Affirmative” - Yes
“Negative” - No
While there are many more prowords to learn,
this is a great start for someone unfamiliar with radio
communications.
D
d
Delta
(dell-tah)
India
I (in-dee-ah)
i
November
N (no-vem-ber)
n
Sierra
S (see-air-rah)
s
Xray
X (ecks-ray)
x
E
e
Echo
(eck-oh)
Juliett
J (jew-lee-ett)
Oscar
O (oss-cah)
o
Tango
T (tang-go)
t
Semaphore
Semaphore is a system in which a person sends information at a distance using
hand-held flags – depending on the position of the flags, the message will vary. The
signaller holds the flag in different positions that represent letters or numbers.
Panel signalling
Panels are visual signals for sending simple messages to an aircraft. Using a limited
code, ground forces can send messages to pilots, for example to request medical
supplies.
Yankee
Y (yang-key)
y
Foxtrot
F (foks-trot)
f
Kilo
K (key-loh)
k
Papa
P (pah-pah)
p
Uniform
U (you-nee-form)
u
Zulu
Z (zoo-loo)
z
2. KNOW YOUR GEAR
This self-study area goes way beyond knowing what
radio model you’re using. It’s a formal challenge for you
to understand your equipment’s placement, function and
capabilities.
Where your comms gear is placed makes a big
difference in how effective it is. For example, one of the
most common causes of “hot mics” (the accidental radio
transmissions that block the channel for everyone else) is
poorly placed gear. If your “push to talk” button is in a
place where it’s hit every time you go prone or shoulder
your rifle, you’ll be effectively jamming the frequency for
your friends. Poor placement can cause other malfunctions
like snagged cables, bent antennas and dials being turned
when you absolutely need to communicate without fail.
To address this, suit up in your gear and go prone, roll
around, shoulder your weapon, bend side to side. Move
as you would in a game to see if you trigger your radio.
Look at your cables to ensure they’re weaved into your
gear so they can’t be pulled out or snagged. Double-check
to see that your radio is covered well and protected from
accidental contact.
Placement and function go together as well. Antenna
relocation kits that get your antenna away from a pouch
and up to the highest point on your body aren’t for show.
Antennas for UHF frequencies get better reception if they’re
higher up. Sometimes that will apply to you too. You may
have to find higher ground in order to get your message
out. Understanding how the frequencies you’re using are
impacted by the environment will help you troubleshoot
poor transmission or reception issues. There are functional
aspects of your radio you’re going to have to understand
too. Do you know how to program frequencies into the
device? Do you know what antennas work best? What
about how far you can transmit? These are some basic
knowledge skills you should have for your radio before you
hit the field.
A great way to deal with these equipment challenges is
to build yourself a pre-operation checklist. Start with some
basics and add to it as you encounter problems during
events so you can deal with them before they come up.
Some basic pre-operation checks may include:
[ ] - Radio tests completed and radio is operational
[ ] - Volume is set
[ ] - Primary battery is charged
[ ] - Secondary batteries are charged and packed
[ ] - Cables are attached and secured
[ ] - Microphones, headsets and PTTs are connected and
functional
[ ] - Radio is secured and protected
3. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
You’ve got your format down. You know the phonetic
alphabet. You’ve gone through your pre-operation checklist
three times. You’re ready for the largest challenge…
actually forming a message!
Often, those who are new to using radios squeeze down
on the push to talk button and begin sending a stream of
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