Radio Protocol

Basic radio operation.

Whilst radios are useful tools, they should not be misused. It can be tempting to have a chat with your friends who are positioned some distance away from you. However, over-use (or “chatter”) can cause other radio users to miss important messages.

Here are some useful tips for using a radio:

• If you are given a radio, perform a quick test to make sure it’s working.
• There can be a delay between when you press the “Push To Talk” (PTT) buton, and the radio actually broadcasting.
  • As such, When you press the button, wait a beat before talking.
• Speak clearly and distinctly
• The position of the microphone on a radio can vary, especially when using other accessories, such as headsets.
  • Avoid covering the mic position, or touching it.
  • Make sure the microphone is pointed towards your mouth, and you are facing it.
  • Keep the mic close to your mouth is possible.

Radio channels & procedures

Radios communicate with each other via discrete channels. However, a channel can only have one signal broadcasting on it at any one time.

To avoid disruption, during missions, the person in charge of monitoring communications will define a “Base Channel”, and then additional “Team Channels” as is required. This is so teams offworld can communicate with each other efficiently, and not have to worry about interfering with the Base Channel.

During normal operations, there will be a designated person at the Base Camp who is the “Communications Officer”, who will be tasked with monitoring and responding to any signals. Mission Team Leaders are responsible for either monitoring communications during their mission, or assigning someone to carry out that task.

If an off-world team needs to communicate with the Base Camp, the usual procedure is for the team to dial the gate, and the Team Leader (or designated person) will switch back to the Base Channel and communicate with the Base Comms Officer. Sometimes, the Base Comms Officer will need to contact an offworld team, in which case, the opposite will occur (with the Base Comms Officer switching to that Team’s Channel.

It should be noted that a Stargate can only have one active connection at any time. So If Team 1 was communicating with Base, then Team 2 would not be able to establish a connection.

Callsigns

Whilst SEF communications are highly encrypted, it is advisable to always follow Operational Security (OpSec), and not reveal the true identities of any parties being referred to. This could be due to someone monitoring radio broadcasts, or even just someone being within earshot of an open radio.

As such, Callsigns are used to identify key individuals during an operation. These callsigns will often be assigned by the Base Comms Officer, or a member of the Command Team as required.

• Offworld Teams, who do not have a pre-defined callsign, will often be given the designation “Romeo” followed by a number. The number will usually relate to the order in which teams are deployed. I.e the first team sent out would be “Romeo One”.
  • The team members will then be referred to by a second number, donating their position in the team’s hierarchy.
  • The Team Leader would be “One”, the2IC would be “Two” and so-on.
  • As such, the Team Leader of the second team to be deployed would be “Romeo Two-One”.
  • Team numerical designations are often recycled once the team has returned. As such, multiple teams might be given the same Romeo designation, but there would never be two Teams with the same designation deployed at the same time.
• Bases and other named locations (such as visiting ships) will also have their own designated callsigns.
  • This can include “Corsham”, “Half-Blood”, “Nevermore”, etc.
  • The Commanding Officer of that callsign (such a ship’s captain) will have a designation of “Actual”.
  • The 1IC of the SEF’s Core Divisions is referred to as “SEF Actual”
  • The Communications Officers of these callsigns will often be given the designation “Zero”.

Conversations

Radio communication is not always a perfect system, due to interference and other factors. As such, it is advisable to keep any messages brief and to the point.

By using standardised words and phrases, it is possible to keep voice transmissions brief and clear. Whole sentences can be replaced by easily pronounced and widely recognisable words that convey a specific meaning

• THIS IS – Tells the receiver who is calling them.
• OVER – This invites the other station to speak
• OUT – This word ends the transmission.
• WILCO – Message received, understood and I will comply.
• ROGER – I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
• SAY AGAIN – Request to repeat last transmission.
• WAIT OUT – Your transmission has been received and a reply will follow shortly.
• MAYDAY – The word indicates that a team is threatened by grave and imminent danger, and requests immediate assistance.

• THERE IS NO SUCH PHRASE AS ‘OVER AND OUT’
• NEVER USE SLANG, JARGON OR FOUL LANGUAGE.
• NEVER USER PERSONAL OR NICKNAMES
• NEVER USE UNAUTHORISED CALL SIGNS.

An example of a good communication:

Remember

• Do not be afraid to use your radio.
• If you are not sure how to use it ask and get someone to teach you.
• If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Communications Officer.

Phonetic Alphabet

Sometimes, radio communication can be unclear, especially for short words or letters. So to help be clear, the phonetic alphabet is often used when spelling out words, or for similar purposes. As a refresher, the phonetic alphabet is listed below: