17th Pathfinders Comms Cheat Sheet
Before anything else, remember the 3 Cs of comms: Clear, Concise, Correct.
If your call doesn't tick these boxes it's likely to require clarification/callback which slows things down. You can meet all 3 of these criteria by stopping to think about your message before you send it. It's better to take 30 seconds to compose a transmission and send it correctly once.
Clear: Enunciate and speak at a measured pace. Ensure you can be understood.
Concise: Use only the words you need to. Do your best to avoid ums, ahs and dead air on the radio.
Correct: Make sure you're sending accurate info. This is doubly important if sending coordinates. If you need to ask your lead to say again, it's better to do that than sending conflicting info over net.
Basic format (with example):
, , , over.
Recipient Caller Message
"Steel Rain, Hitman 1-Romeo, stand by to copy fire mission, over."
Almost all transmissions can follow this format.
Common suffixes/terminology
C/S-Actual: leader of C/S
Also: C/S-Sunray
C/S-Minor: 2nd in command of C/S
C/S-Victor: vehicle attached to C/S
C/S-Romeo: RTO attached to C/S
Relay: used to indicate a message being passed from a third party to recipient
Say again: I did not copy your last transmission, send again
Copy: I heard and understand your entire previous message
Wilco: will comply
Oscar-Mike: On the move
Interrogative: I am about to ask you a question requiring response
Fire mission: request for artillery/air strike
Repeat: execute previous mission/action
Break: pause in message, more to follow
BREAK-BREAK-BREAK: urgency call, all stations this net cease comms
Stand-by: Wait a short interval for more information/action
Judy: (Air asset) Currently executing task, hold comms
Common errors
- Repeat vs say again: be familiar with above definitions – they are not the same
- Over vs out: Over indicates current message finish, Out indicates conversation is finished. Out should only be called by the initiator of conversation.
- Affirm: should only be used to confirm a previous transmission. "Aff" should not be used.
Tips
- Intonation matters – if something is urgent, make sure your voice reflects that. With that said, never shout/panic on the radio.
- A notepad can be a handy resource as a radio operator. Jot down callsigns, channels and coordinates. A pause to get something written down for reference is better than an incorrect detail given later.
- If you're unsure of command intent, most radio backpacks have a handset function. Have your CO take the call if more detail is required between elements.
17th Pathfinders Comms Cheat Sheet
