The idea behind this post is to provide a reminder/reference to all as to what is expected when it comes radio communication in game. Remember that during a firefight, or even during down time, comms should be kept as clear as possible. If you want to chat to other section members, use direct chat, the section net should be used only for important information, e.g contact reports/sightings. Don't shout, its not necessary and can be distracting/break peoples immersion. When spelling words or referencing points on the map, use phonetics not letters (i.e. “Bravo”, not “B”). Speak all numbers as digits (i.e. “two-one”, not “twenty one”). Do not interrupt other peoples transmissions unless it is absolutely imperative to do so, It's rude and can be incredibly infuriating for others.
“Recipient this is sender,”
1-0 this is 1-1, Over.
“Sender, Send message, Over.
1-1, Send Message, Over.
If you hear no response when attempting a message, you should make it clear over the net you have not heard a response and are ending your transmission. Do not spam the net, if you hear no response after between 10-20 seconds, try once more, if you hear no response on the second attempt, proceed with a no response message as shown below.
“Recipient, Nothing heard, Out”
1-0, Nothing heard, Out.
Once this has been sent, wait around 2-5 minutes and try to send the message again.
If you are engaged, or begin to engage, this should always be communicated with your commanding element, this is essential in allowing a commander to keep an up to date picture of the developing battlefield. This should also signify to other users of that net, that you're are in contact, which means they need to keep comms discipline tight to allow quick and concise information to flow between the troops in contact and their commander.
“Recipient this is sender, Contact wait out.”
1-0 this is 1-1, Contact wait out.
Once this contact call has been put out, you can continue with your engagement and at a sensible time, appraise troop as to the size, location and status of the contact.
Break Break is used to clear the net so an urgent message can be sent. Therefore, when hearing a break break, all other users of the net should cease transmissions immediately to allow the message to be sent.
“Break Break, Recipient this is sender, Over.”
Break Break, 1-0 this is 1-1, Over.
This is a collective call, used to address all the callsigns on the net its transmitted on. As an example, this could be used by 1-0 to address all the sections under his command, or for an FAC to issue a warning order regarding an incoming CAS mission.
“All Callsigns, this is sender, Message to follow.”
All Callsigns, This is 1-0, Message to Follow.
Once this call has been made, the sender should pause for a short moment to allow the elements being addressed to be ready to receive, once this has been done the message can be sent.
This mostly applies to an “All Callsigns” call, but also applies to any other messager sent to multiple callsigns simultaneously. Once a message has been sent to multiple callsigns, it needs to be acknowledged in the same way any other message would be, to ensure that the net stays as clear and understandable as possible, this should be done in numerical order, for example:
**1-1: **1-1 Roger.** 1-2: **1-2 Roger.** 1-3: **1-3 Roger.
If for any reason, a section does not acknowledge, it is down to 1-0 to pass over them to the next section. For example:
1-1: 1-1 Roger. … 1-0: 1-2, no response heard, out to you. 1-3 Acknowledge my last" 1-3: 1-3 Roger.