Radio Protocol & Techniques Prepared by Laura and Mark Sullivan

Radio Protocol & Techniques Radios are crucial instruments important for communication and control during a ski race. Successful use will enhance the event, providing a more productive and secure environment. Misuse can create delays, cause confusion and frustration for all.

Radio Protocol & Techniques There currently is no accepted standard radio protocol for all ski races as there is for aviators and emergency personnel. Each ski resort typically has their own protocol which may deviate slightly or greatly from other ski resorts. Reviewing, discussing and establishing standard radio protocol for the event will enable the event to operate more efficiently and professionally.

Who gets a radio at a ski race? Radios must be provided to all Jury members plus Start and Finish Referees. These radios must function on a single reserved frequency and be free of interference (601.4.8). Communication MUST be available to and from patrol and/or medical personal, often this is by radio. Review with the Jury the exact protocol for requesting medical assistance.

Who gets a radio at a ski race? The Course Crew should have a separate radio channel. Request from the Jury to the Course Crew should be made through the Chief of Race. Others that may benefit the race by having a radio are Spotters (Eyes of the Jury), the Connection Coach, Timing and the Race Administrator.

Radio Protocol & Techniques Before the Event: Review the standard radio protocol with all race officials receiving radios. Clarity of speech and meaning is imperative for the Jury. Distribution of a written protocol is helpful. Practice (Start Stops and Course Clear) sequences so those unfamiliar with these routine radio calls know what to expect.

Radio Protocol & Techniques Before the Event: 3. Perform radio checks; it is your responsibility to ascertain that your radio is operating properly. Check to see if the radio both transmits and receives messages successfully. Is the radio turned on? Does the “PTT” (Push To Talk) button work? Check that the radio is assigned channel. Make sure that radio contact is available to and from medical personal. Check volume

Radio Protocol & Techniques Before the Event: Perform radio checks (cont.) Is antenna attached correctly and operational? Is the battery fully charged? Are there spare batteries? (Especially for the start referee, or if you are in a remote location) Keep spare batteries warm Are there any known “dead” spots on the course or ski resort?

Radio Operating Techniques Hold transmit button down for at least one second before you begin your message, this will insure that the first part of your communication is not cut off. (If the resort uses a repeater system you may have to hold the “PTT” button slightly longer to avoid having the start of your transmission cut off.) Remember to release the “PTT” button after speaking.

Radio Operating Techniques It is good practice to hold the face of the radio at 45 degree angle to your face when speaking. Place radio opening roughly 2-3 inches from your mouth. Volume control; having the volume at the maximum capacity will drain the battery. Battery life can be extended if the radio can be kept warm.

General Rules for Radio Use Do not use obscenities. Never transmit personal or confidential information. Be aware there are many ears listening. Brevity is important! Speak only when you have to and keep chatter to minimum. Five seconds is a good target.

General Rules for Radio Use 3. Brevity is important! (cont.) Gather your thoughts before you speak Use plain language. Speak slowly and give every word equal force to carry through weak or static signals Pause after logical phrases Remember that miscommunication can result in dangerous situations

General Rules for Radio Use Listen Raising your voice in the microphone will not improve the clarity of the transmission on the receiving end. Only one person can speak at a time. Do not try and break in and “step on” another radio user. Stay on your assigned channel

General Rules for Radio Use Identify yourself and who you want to communicate with at the beginning of a transmission. The recipient should respond to the communication. Example: Transmitter - “TD to Chief of Race”. Recipient - “Go for Chief of Race”.   Acknowledge instructions if they are understood with “copy”, “received” or “acknowledge”. If instructions are not understood reply with “repeat”.

General Rules for Radio Use Let the recipients know when you are done with your transmission. “Out” is appropriate. A course hold should only be released by the person who requested the course hold! Volume - Keep volume at level appropriate to hear but to not disturb others. Volume control is especially important at the start area. Radio communication can sometimes present unfair advantages or cause an athlete distress.

Radio Protocol Suggestions If an area does not have an established radio protocol, here are some suggestions:

Radio Protocol Suggestions Start Stop (Slalom event, no yellow flag) TD – “Start Stop”, SR – “ “Copy, Start Stop confirmed, number 33 on course, number 34 at the start”” TD –“ This is the TD, Racer 33 is a DNF, equipment blocking the course” SR – “Copy” TD – “Course clear, Start Start ( or resume Start) Clear to send #34, out” SR –“ Copy, Start Start, racer 34 in gate SR – “Racer 34 on course, Out”

Radio Protocol Suggestions It is not necessary to have the Start Referee announce each bib number in the gate unless the there is a change to the running order such as a re-run insertion. Refer to the USSA Competition Official-Alpine (705.5) Commands - for “Start Stop”, procedures in speed events.

Radio Protocol Suggestions Course Clear TD - “TD to the eyes of the Jury, clear the hill from the bottom up.” FR - “Finish Referee, clear” RF – “Referee on coaches’ knoll, clear” SR - “Start Referee, Clear” TD – “TD to Start and Timing, course is clear, send the first forerunner (or next racer on next interval if this was a long hold). Out” Note: At some resorts a “Course Clear” is controlled by the Chief of Race or Start Referee. This often depends on the officials’ level of experience. A long course hold generally requires a clear from the bottom up; a short one (gate/flag repair) may clear from the “start stop” position.

Radio Protocol Suggestions The following suggestions were prepared by Ted Savage FID TD (CAN) #473   Suggested Radio Terminology There is a big difference in the meaning of “GO” and “NO” but not much of a phonetic difference. Your choice of words could be confusing and cause a problem. Here are a few suggestions in terminology that will help avoid misunderstanding.

Radio Protocol Suggestions WORD or PHRASES INSTEAD OF MEANING NEGATIVE Nope NO THAT IS CORRECT Yup Yes, Confirm AFFIRMATIVE As above ROGER ACKNOWLEDGE Eh? (CAN) Confirm you understand SAY AGAIN Hunh? (USA) Repeat last message GO AHEAD Yeah what Listen, proceed w/message CORRECTION Oops….. I made a mistake-correct version DO YOU READ Are ya there? Called you once or more, reply STAND-BY Wait a sec will ya Busy, please pause for a moment

Radio Protocol Suggestions WORD or PHRASES INSTEAD OF MEANING HOLD Oh GOD…stop… Hold further racers at start CLEAR TO SEND Let ‘em rip Start or Restart the race WILCO Okey Dokey Message understood, please comply OUT Message ended, no reply expected OVER Huh, Eh Message completed, reply expected CHECK Got it Understood CONTACT I see ‘em Visual contact at this position CONFIRM Is that right eh? My version…It that correct? VERIFY Who Says? Check info with the source READ BACK Get it? Repeat this message back to me WORKS TWICE …….. Send every phrase twice Ah, Ummmmmm I have nothing of value to say

Start Stop Examples (Provided by Members of the USSA TD working Group) The following protocol is intended for review and use as a working document to be enhanced and revised in an effort to promote the clearest, most expedited communication for races. Further, the TD should communicate with the OC on who is ‘leading’ calls, or if they want the TD to lead. Start Stop-Simple Start-Stop – Complex Start Stop Yellow Flag .

Start Stop Examples (Provided by Members of the USSA TD working Group) Start Stop – Simple: All activity contained in one section of the course in view of the Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – “Start Stop! Start Stop!” Start Referee – “Start is stopped. Racer 32 on course, holding 33 in the gate.” Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – Identifies the issue for the stop (Example: “Racer 31 lost his ski pole in the track of the Roundhouse Turn. Course crew has retrieved it.”) Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – “(Location) is clear. Resume Start.” Start Referee – “Start is clear, resuming with racer 33 on next interval.

Start Stop Examples (Provided by Members of the USSA TD working Group) 2. Start Stop – Complex: Activity at more than one section of the course Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – “Start Stop! Start Stop!” Start Referee –“Start is stopped. Racer 10 on course, holding 6 in the gate.” Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – “Athlete lost a ski and went into the net in the Roundhouse Turn. We will need course repair including (# needed) B-net poles after racer 10 passes. ” Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – “Repair is complete. (Location) is clear. Resume start.” Start Referee – “Confirm (location) is clear. Please clear from the finish up. Timing?” (Each Jury member, Eyes of the Jury or Jury Advisor clears their section moving up the hill). Start Referee – “Start is clear, resuming with racer 6 on next interval.”

Start Stop Examples (Provided by Members of the USSA TD working Group) 2. Start Stop – Yellow Flag: Yellow Flag Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor– “Start Stop, Start Stop, Yellow Flag!” Start Referee – “Start is stopped. Racer 56 on course, holding 57. Yellow flag 56!” Yellow Flag Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor “Yellow flag out, 56 is stopped and will return for a rerun.” If medical is required – “Medical required at (location).” Start Referee – “Medical notified; in route to (location).” Yellow Flag Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor – (After athlete is transported and repairs are complete) “Athlete being transported. Repair is complete. (Location) is clear. Resume start.” Start Referee – “Confirm (location) is clear. Finish (or nearest exit location) please notify when medical exits the course.” - Finish Referee (or nearest exit location) – “Medical is clear.”

Start Stop Examples (Provided by the Members of the USSA TD working Group) Start Stop – Yellow Flag: continued Start Referee – “Confirm (location) is clear. Finish (or nearest exit location) please notify when medical exits the course.” - Finish Referee (or nearest exit location) – “Medical is clear Start Referee – “Confirm course is clear. Please clear from the finish up. Timing?” (Each Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor clears their section moving up the hill). Start Referee – “Start is clear, resuming with racer 57 on next interval.”

Radio Protocol Suggestions Strict radio procedure is only a necessity when transmission conditions are difficult. In most cases when contact is established and you have developed a rapport with your Jury member, you can dispense with the “over’s” and “do you read’s”. It is however prudent to use specific, and pre- determined terminology in order to avoid any misunderstanding and to end all contacts with “out” so that others on the channel know you are finished.

Radio Protocol & Techniques “Thank you, OUT”