1. Radio Communications
V 1.0 Dec 2018

2. Radio
Any member of HASAR can be expected to operate the radio with proficiency and confidence. The Communications role of a Search Team can be filled by any member.
Radios used by HASAR are:
Handheld Search Team radio;
Mobile unit transceiver, for vehicles;
Marine VHF;
Aircraft VHF;
Command Post Radio

3. Anatomy of a radio
Transceiver – This is a radio that consists of 2 parts: 1 that emits a singal and 1 that receives it.
On/Off/Volume – 1 knob for both functions, to be turned clockwise for ON and volume.
Squelch – This setting affects the receiver sensitivity of the radio; turn the knob until you hear the squelch and then back off slowly until the noise is gone.
Note: Modern radios may have an automatic Squelch feature.
Push To Talk (PTT) – Activates the transmitter. Radios cannot talk and listen at the same time.
Doubling – When 2 transmissions occur at the same time. Results in garbled transmission.
Antenna – A short flexible PVC covered antenna used to transmit the signal.

4. Phonetics

5. Numbers # Word Pronunciation 0 Zero ZE ro 1 One Wun 2 Two Too
3 Three Tree
4 Four FOW er
5 Five Fife
6 Six Six
7 Seven SEV en
8 Eight Ait
9 Nine NIN er

6. Examples Words Number Decimal Dash ETA = Echo Tango Alpha
44 – FOW er, FOW er
5318 – Fife Tree Wun Ait
Decimal
DAY-CE-MAL
Dash
Tack

7. Prowords
ACKNOWLEDGE – An instruction to the addressee that the message was acknowledged.
AFFIRMATIVE– Yes
ALL AFTER – The portion of the message to which I have reference is all that which follows ______
ANSWER AFTER – The station called is to answer after call sign ____ when answering transmissions
BREAK – I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the message
BREAK, BREAK, BREAK – Used to interrupt an ongoing conversation when have an urgent transmission only
CALL SIGN – The group that follows is a call sign
CORRECT – You are correct, or what you have transmitted is correct
CORRECTION – An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will continue with the last work correctly transmitted _____

8. Prowards cont’d
DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION – OUT – This transmission is in error. Disregard it
FIGURES – Numerals or numbers to follow
FROM – The originator of this message is indicated by the address designator following
GRID – The portion following is a grid reference
I READ BACK – The following is my response to your instructions to read back
I SAY AGAIN – I am repeating transmission or portion indicated
I SPELL – I shall spell the next word phonetically
I VERIFY – That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated – Used ONLY as a reply to VERIFY
MESSAGE – A message which requires recording is about to follow

9. Prowords Cont’d NEGATIVE – No
NO DUFF – The message that follows is NOT an exercise message. Used for real emergencies
NOTHING HEARD – To be used when no reply is received from a called station
OUT – This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer is required or expected
OVER – This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary
READ BACK – Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as is
RELAY (TO) – Transmit this message to all addressees
RELAY THROUGH – Relay you message through call sign ______
ROGER – I have received your last transmission satisfactorily. Does not mean yes

10. Prowords Cont’d
SAY AGAIN – Repeat all your last transmission. Followed by indentification data means Repeat_____ (Portion indicated). Never say REPEAT on the net
SILENCE, SILENCE, SILENCE – Cease transmissions on this net immediately. Silence will be maintained until lifted
SILENCE LIFTED – Silence is lifted
SPEAK SLOWER – Your transmission is too fast. Reduce speed of transmission
THIS IS – This transmission is from the station whose designator immediately follows
THROUGH ME – Relay your message through me
TIME – That which immediately follows is the time or date-time group of the message
TO – The addressees immediately following are addressed for the action

11. Prowords cont’d
UNKNOWN STATION – The identity of the station with whom I am attempting to establish communication is unknown
VERIFY – Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version
WAIT – I must pause for a few seconds
WAIT OUT – I must pause longer than a few seconds
WILCO – I have received your signal, understand it, and will comply. To be used only with the addressee. Never used ROGER with WILCO, as ROGER is part of the proword WILCO
WORD AFTER – The word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows
WORD BEFORE – The word of the message to which I have reference is that which precedes

12. Urgency signals
SECURITE (SEE CURI TAY) – This International Safety Signal indicates that a station is going to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or send important meteorological warnings that will, or can, affect a person or persons, aircraft or ships. The word is repeated three times, ceasing all traffic.
PAN PAN – This International Urgency Signal indicates the calling station has a very urgent message concerning the safety of a person, aircraft or ship. The words are repeated three times, ceasing all traffic. Once the situation is rectified the frequency will be released for normal usage.
MAYDAY – This International Distress Signal indicates a station is threatened by grave and immediate danger to life and property, and requires immediate assistance. The word is repeated three times and all traffic will cease. Any station in position to render assistance will do so.

13. PROTOCOLS Listen before making a call over the net
Press the PTT button and wait a count or two before speaking
Speak slow, loud and clear
Start with callsign you are trying to reach and then your call sign
Ie “Command post – this is team 1”
Radio Checks
Loud and clear
Weak but clear
Breaking Up
Unreadable

14. Practice
Radio check between Command Post and A team

15. Radio check between Command Post and A team
Practice
Radio check between Command Post and A team
“Command Post, this is Alpha team, over”
“Alpha Team, this is Command Post, over”
“Command Post, Alpha team for radio check, over”
“Alpha Team, Command Post reads you load and clear, over”
Command Post, Alpha team, I read you load and clear, out”

16. Practice
Radio the number 75

17. Practice
Radio the number 75
“Figures seven, fife”

18. Practice
Radio the number 100

19. Practice
Radio the number 100
“Figures one, zero, zero”

20. Practice
Radio a serious injury of a searcher to Command Post as B team

21. Practice
Radio a serious injury of a searcher to Command Post as B team
“MAY DAY, MAY DAY, MAY DAY – Command Post this is Bravo team. We have a searcher with serious injury and require immediate medical evacuation. No Duff.”