Radio Terminology
Overview
This section deals with the radio terminology that Black Watch International typically uses. Please be aware that this list is in no way exhaustive and that examples will vary depending on situation.
While we do not expect our members to know all of this terminology, we do expect members to make a good effort to keep communications clear and concise, especially when using the Longwave Radio.
Basic
This basic terminology may be used by units regardless of role or radio device.
| Terminology | Explaination | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Message was understood. | “Contact to the west.” “Copy that.” |
| Roger | Message was understood and is being actioned. | “Fireteam, assault the blue house.” “Roger.” |
| Over | Message completed, but the conversation is ongoing. | “Fireteam 1 needs a MEDEVAC. Over.” “What’s your position Fireteam 1? Over.” “We’re located at grid 020131. Over” “Solid copy. Medic out.” |
| Out | Message completed, and end of conversation. No reply required. | |
| Affirmative | Answering a question with yes. | “Is the red car hostile?” “Affirmative.” |
| Negative | Answering a question with no. | “Is the red car friendly?” “Negative.” |
| Break | Pausing the transmission temporarily, usually while gathering required information. | “We’re located at grid… break.” <silence> “Grid 015969. Over.” |
| Break, break, break | Cease radio communication, there is a critical or urgent message. | “So then the kangaroo walks into the bar and says to the magpie…” “Break break, break. Contact, T-72, 200m bearing 090.” |
| Wilco | Abbreviation for "Will Comply". | "Shift fire 50m south west." "Roger that, wilco." |
Basic Longwave
This terminology is typically used by Radio Transmitter Operators for additional clarity.
| Terminology | Explaination | Example |
|---|---|---|
| RECIPIENT this is SENDER. | Prefix to longwave radio communications. Starts with who the message is intended for and ends with who it is from. | “Jackal, this is Templar.” “Send it Templar.” “We require you to move into the town and cover the road to the east. How copy?” “Solid copy.” |
| Send it SENDER. | Following the above, the intended recipient must inform the sender they are ready to receive the message. | |
| How copy? | Want to make sure that the message was understood. Useful for long communications. | “Command, the compound at grid reference 989023 has been secured and cleared. One hostage recovered, appears to be a flyboy. No signs of other hostages. How copy?” “Solid copy.” |
| Solid copy. | Message was clearly understood. |
Knowledge of the phonetic alphabet and numbers can be useful when operating the Longwave Radio.
Avoid using the word “repeat”, especially when operating with artillery units in the area.
Fire Mission
The terminology below is to be used when requesting fire support, regardless of radio device. Be aware that this table breaks single transmissions down into their individual steps.
| Terminology | Explaination | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fire mission. | Alerts the recipient that they are about to receive a fire mission. | “Bombardier, this is Alpha.” “Bombardier. Send it.” “Fire mission. 3 rounds, high explosive. Grid reference 127040, I say again, grid 127040. 5 meter spacing, north west sector. How copy?” “Solid copy.” |
| X rounds, TYPE. | Specifies the number and type of rounds (e.g. HE or smoke). | |
| Grid reference GRID, I say again, grid reference GRID. | Give the grid reference and repeat it. The phrase “I say again” is used instead of “repeat” (see below). | |
| X meter spacing, SECTOR. | Define the spacing on rounds and sector within the grid to hit, typically a compass direction referencing a sector within the grid. | |
| Rounds away. | Used to inform the requesting party that the fire mission has begun. | “Alpha. Rounds away.” |
| Splash | Called when the first round is 5 seconds out. | "Alpha. Splash.” |
| Rounds complete. | Informs the requesting party that all rounds have been fired. May be called before “Splash”. | “Alpha. Rounds complete. ” |
| Good/Bad effect on target. | Tells fire support whether the mission was successful or not. | “Bombardier, bad effect on target.” “Solid copy Alpha.” “Repeat fire mission. Adjust fire 20 meters west. 2 rounds, 10 meter spacing. How copy?” “Solid copy.” |
| Repeat fire mission. | Asks for the last fire mission to be repeated. Any information not specified again will be used again. | |
| Adjust fire X meters DIRECTION. | Gives an adjustment based on the last fire mission. |