1. Basic Radio Communications
Uncontrolled copy not subject to amendment
Basic Radio Communications
Learning Outcome 2
Operating Exercise
Version 2.10 OCT 2014

2. Introduction This operating exercise will help you to:
Build your confidence in using radios
Improve your sending skills
Improve your receiving skills
It can be practiced with or without radios
Introduction
1. This is a simple exercise designed to build confidence and improve sending and receiving skills using “Full and abbreviated callsign” procedures as described earlier. The exercise can be conducted on your Unit Headquarters using hand held Radios with Cadets positioned in separate rooms. Should you not have any suitable equipment available the exercise can be conducted by cadets speaking to each other across the room using correct radio procedures.

3. Aims Practice simple message sending Gain experience using Prowords
2. To familiarise operators with simple message sending and give experience with using prowords

4. Teams You should: Work in teams of two
If using radios, you must use two separate rooms
Use Landranger maps (or the map at Annex C of the Instructor Guide)
Teams
3. It is suggested that cadets work in teams of two, and they are paired with another team of two. Each team should have a radio if available and a Landranger Ordnance Survey map which should be the same sheet number and edition. Alternatively the map at Annex C to this chapter could be used

5. Instructions Take turns sending and answering
Select a place name or feature
Make a note of its Grid Reference
Include the 2 letter 100km Grid Square Identifier
Click to see example
Now send a message
Instructions
4. Stations should take turns in sending information to each other and this information should be taken from the map they have been given. The sending station should select from a map the name of a town or place, road number etc. They should then calculate the six-figure grid reference which should include the 100 km square designator (the two letters before the figures) e.g. TQ This map reference should then be sent to the receiving station using the appropriate procedures; the receiving station records the message and finds the grid reference on their map. They then send the details, name of town etc., back to the other station using the correct prowords and procedures.

6. Example using full Callsign
MRA 90B - this is - MRA 90C - message - over
MRA 90C - this is - MRA 90B - send your message - over
MRA 90B - this is - MRA 90C - name of place at grid - TQ 292 992 - over
MRA 90C - this is - MR A90C - wait out
EXAMPLE
Full callsign procedure
MRA 90B THIS IS MRA 90C MESSAGE OVER
MRA 90C THIS IS MRA 90B SEND YOUR MESSAGE OVER
MRA 90B THIS IS MRA 90C NAME OF PLACE AT GRID TQ 292 992 OVER
MRA 90C THIS IS MR A90C WAIT OUT

7. Example using full Callsign
The receiving station looks up the Grid Reference and replies as follows:
MRA90B - this is - MRA90C - place at grid - TQ is Botany Bay - over
MRA 90C should now look up the grid reference and prepare a message with the answer and replies as follows:
MR A90B THIS IS MR A90C PLACE AT GRID TQ 292 992 IS BOTANY BAY OVER
MRA 90C THIS IS MRA 90B CORRECT OUT
Note:
If there are more than two stations using the same frequency, it will be necessary for the station with the Answer to call the Station (and await a response ) for whom the message is for.
Example:
MRA90B THIS IS MRA90C - MESSAGE - OVER
MRA90C THIS IS MRA90B - SEND YOUR MESSAGE - OVER
MRA90B THIS IS MRA90C – PLACE AT GRID - TQ – IS BOTANY BAY – OVER
MRA 90C - THIS IS - MRA 90B - CORRECT - OUT

8. Example using full Callsign
If this is correct, the reply will be:
MRA 90C - this is - MRA 90B - correct - out
If this is incorrect, the reply will be:
MRA 90C - this is - MRA 90B - wrong - verify your answer - over
The answer should be checked and the message resent
If the incorrect answer is given the reply will be “wrong, verify your answer”, the other station should then check their answer and send it again.

9. Example using abbreviated Callsign
A 90B - this is - A 90C - message - over
A 90C - this is - A 90B - send your message - over
A 90B - this is - A 90C - name of place at grid - TQ 292 992 - over
A 90C - this is - A90C - wait out
5. Once Stations are familiar with using “full callsign ” procedures they should then practice “Abbreviated Call” procedures. An abbreviated call is when the first 2 characters of the Callsign are dropped. Therefore MRA 90 would be A90 and MRA90B would be A 90B.
EXAMPLE
Abbreviated Call
A 90B THIS IS A 90C MESSAGE OVER
A 90C THIS IS A 90B SEND YOUR MESSAGE OVER
A 90B THIS IS A 90C NAME OF PLACE AT GRID TQ 292 992 OVER
A 90C THIS IS A 90B WAIT OUT

10. Example using abbreviated Callsign
If this is correct, the reply will be:
A 90C - this is - A 90B - correct - out
If this is incorrect, the reply will be:
A 90C - this is - A 90B - wrong - verify your answer - over
The answer should be checked and the message resent
A 90B should now look up the grid reference and prepare a message with the answer and replies as follows:
A 90C THIS IS A90B PLACE AT GRID TQ 292 992 IS BOTANY BAY OVER
A 90B THIS IS A 90C CORRECT OUT
If the incorrect answer is given reply will be “wrong verify answer”, the other station should then check their answer and send it again.
Note:
If there are more than two stations using the same frequency, it will be necessary for the station with the Answer to call the Station (and await a response ) for whom the message is for.

11. Summary Practice using the Prowords: Say again I spell Figures
Use a combination of:
Town names
Mountain names
Road numbers
Conventional signs
Summary
6. Stations should also practice the use of other prowords such as Say Again, I Spell, Figures, Correct, Wrong etc.
7. When choosing places on the map use a selection of Town, Village, Mountain and River names in addition Road Numbers, conventional signs can be used.
8. Using this simple exercise will help build confidence and proficiency in using radio procedures.

12. Help with Prowords
A 90C - this is - A 90B - say again word after name - over
A 90C - this is - A 90B - name of town is - I spell - Lima Lima Alpha November Foxtrot Alpha India Romeo - over
A 90C - this is - A 90B - height of mountain is - figures - Wun Fife Nin-er - metres - over

13. Any questions?

14. TQ
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