Looking for ways to improve the effectiveness of two-way radio communication? Using the phonetic alphabet is a common trick that two-way radio users employ to improve communication and prevent miscommunication that results in an error or technical issue.

Have you ever found yourself talking over your two-way radio, and constantly repeating what you’re trying to say? “Did you say Victor’s near?” “No! Nick’s here.”

Instead of going back and forth all day, the phonetic alphabet comes in handy by employing code words that signify each letter of the English alphabet. Some words are just easier to understand when spelled using the phonetic alphabet. As a result, you can ensure that messages make it clear across the line and appropriate action is taken.

The key to using the phonetic alphabet with complete accuracy is to use the same word to represent each letter of the alphabet every time you communicate in this manner. There is a standard phonetic alphabet that employs the easiest to understand words to represent each letter of the alphabet.

If you change up the words you use to represent each letter, things can get a little complicated and people may think you are referencing a different letter – which completely defeats the purpose of this system.

The Phonetic Alphabet

1. Alpha
2. Bravo
3. Charlie
4. Delta
5. Echo
6. Foxtrot
7. Golf
8. Hotel
9. India
10. Juliet
11. Kilo
12. Lima
13. Mike
14. November
15. Oscar
16. Papa
17. Quebec
18. Romeo
19. Sierra
20. Tango
21. Uniform
22. Victor
23. Whisky
24. X-Ray
25. Yankee
26. Zulu

So, let’s say you’re trying to communicate the name “Nick” across your two-way radio – you would say N (as in November), I (as in India), C (as in Charlie), K (as in Kilo).

The Benefits of Using the Phonetic Alphabet to Communicate

Using the phonetic alphabet comes in handy in so many different scenarios, from talking to tech support to giving orders in an emergency situation. This system is so effective that it is used among medical professionals when communicating the appropriate message across the line is a matter of life and death.

Learning the phonetic alphabet is very useful, but the most important thing of all is to recall how each letter is represented. This concept is useful when working with people who use different forms of the phonetic alphabet, such as NATO or the LAPD radio alphabet. That’s because almost all of the alphabets rely on the same principle.

The NATO alphabet is the universal standard for phonetic alphabets around the world, that means that you’ll encounter it in many professional settings. Each word in the alphabet was chosen based on a host of tests that prove each word is understandable between speakers from unique linguistic backgrounds, and that each word is easy to pronounce and recognize.

Phonetic Alphabet for Numbers

There is a specific way to pronounce each number in instances where the message is not getting across clearly; it goes as follows:

1. Zee-ro
2. Wun
3. Too
4. Tree
5. Fow-er
6. Fife
7. Six
8. Sev-even
9. Ait
10. Nin-er

1. Hun-dred

1,000- Tou-sand

Communicating Punctuation

In most cases, punctuation marks are referred to using their standard terms, but there are several exceptions.

Hyphen (-) – dash

Period (.) – stop

Decimal point – point or a decimal

Tips for Effectively Using the NATO Alphabet

• Sometimes it helps to say the entire word you are spelling out before you spell it out, this helps the person on the other end of the line figure out what you are trying to communicate.
• Make it clear that you are using the phonetic alphabet before you begin using it just so that everyone is on the same page. Some people will say, “O as in Oscar, R as in Romeo,” which makes it pretty clear that you are using the phonetic alphabet.
• Have your team practice it – it shouldn’t take too much practice to get it down.

Intrinsically Safe radios are the standard for many industries and applications, although over the past few years there has been a transition from FM to UL compliance testing. Intrinsically safe radios remain capable of withstanding high heat, water submersion, and heavy levels of dust. They remain operable in proximity to flammable or explosive gases and vapors. Since two-way radios are often the go-to line of communication during an emergency, it’s easy to understand why this is so important.

If you operate in an environment that is exposed to explosive or flammable gases, as well as vapors or heavy levels of dust, you’re likely considering the need for equipment that is certified for use in Hazardous Location – also known as “HazLoc”.

The New Standard for Intrinsically Safe Radios

Back in 2012, the established Factory Mutual standard FM3610_88 expired. By 2015, all radios certified to this standard were phased out of production. At this time, Motorola adapted a new TIA-4950 two-way radio standard for Hazardous Location certification. This is comparable to the FM3610_88 standard, but it differs in several fundamental ways.

Compliance testing was conducted by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Prior to this, the certification lab listed on radios was FM Approval (FM).

Since 2015, ASTRO 25^TM and MOTOTRBO^TM radios have been available for purchase. These radios include clear labels that distinguish them via UL markings.

What Action Must You Take?

It is paramount that your facility documents and defines Hazardous Location requirements in regard to Division, Group and Class, as opposed to the old standard of simply “FM Approved” or “Intrinsically Safe”.

There are different classes of Hazardous Locations and it is important to know these differences and in what category you fall within to ensure you have the proper radios that are approved for use in your environment.

Hazardous locations are defined as a variety of industries including fuel storage plants, chemical plants, plastics processing plants, and refineries. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC) NFPA there are 70 unique hazardous locations “where fire or explosive hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.”

It is not up to equipment manufacturers to decide if they require “HazLoc” radios. It is also not their duty to assess the environment in which radios are to be used. Instead, the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) determine the Hazardous Location classification of a given facility. Examples include the fire marshal, facility safety expert, and insurance provider.

What Are the Different Classifications?

There are three different classes:

Class I: Flammable gases, liquids, or vapors

Class II: Combustible dust

Class III: Ignitable fibers and flyings

There are 2 different divisions or area classifications

Division 1: Any location where there are ignitable gases, vapors, liquids or dust present some of the time or all of the time during normal operating circumstances.

Division 2: This classifies a location where under normal operating circumstances it is not likely for any ignitable gas, vapor, liquid or dust to exist in the area.

Class 1 Groups of Gasses

Group A: Acetylene and corresponding gas groups

Group B: Hydrogen and corresponding gas groups

Group C: Ethylene and corresponding gas groups

Group D: Methane and corresponding gas groups

Class II Groups of Dust

Group E: Conductive dust, produced via mechanical means such as in factories or through the recycling process

Group F: Combustible carbon dust, this applies to above-ground applications only and examples include coke dust and charcoal

Group G: Grain dust

There are no sub-groups listed for Class III fibers.

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At Highland Wireless, we offer the latest two-way radio equipment for rent and sale. Need help determining requirements for your specific industry? We are more than happy to help. Contact us today to learn more.

Widely used across many industries, two-way radios are the most effective form of job-site communication for countless reasons. They are incredibly durable, cost effective and reliable – just to name a few.

9 Reasons Two-Way Radios Are Highly Effective for Job-Site Communications

#1. Incredibly Durable

Think about a construction site – it’s full of dirt, dust and water, plus there’s a high likelihood that radios will get dropped or stepped on. This is one of the main reasons that two-way radios are commonly used at construction sites.

Quality two-way radios are built to withstand all of this wear and tear. It’s not just construction industries, a variety of other job-sites, from military to public safety and first responders, require a tough form of communication that can withstand a lot more than a smartphone – which is known to crack and break after a single fall.

#2. Cost Effective

Cell phone plans are expensive and if you need a fleet of them, get ready to pay an arm and a leg! Radios are incredibly affordable and come with no term commitments, as well as the option to rent them as needed. Plus, you aren’t limited by minutes or usage time.

#3. Fewer Distractions

While radios often come equipped with GPS and other valuable features, they do not have all of the distractions that a cell phone offers – like social media feeds or the option to browse the Internet. As a result, employees are more likely to stay on task and productivity increases.

#4. Reliable Communication

Modern two-way radios, in particular digital radios, offer crisp and clear signals. There are ways to reduce static and crackling, as well as increase the range of radios so that team members can clearly communicate across vaster distances.

No matter the weather or conditions at hand, radios offer a reliable way to communicate. Many radios are designed to withstand high winds, extreme temperatures, wet conditions, and more.

#5. Lightweight & Out of the Way

The latest two-way radios are designed to be lightweight so that they remain unobtrusive and out of the way, allowing team members to get things done and communicate as needed. Different models are available sporting unique features, some are more lightweight and basic than others.

#6. Works in an Emergency

It is common for cell phone towers to go down in an emergency, cutting off communication. Two-way radios are designed to beat this fatal flaw and continue to work even in an emergency. That way, your team can communicate when it matters most.

#7. Contact Everyone at Once

The ability to contact all workers at the same time, as opposed to dialing each person on a unique number, saves time and makes team work much more convenient.

#8. Easy to Use

No need to hold an in-depth training seminar, two-way radios are incredibly easy to operate. They feature a push-to-talk button, and some even come with a voice-to-talk feature so you can use them completely hands free – this is highly beneficial in certain job environments.

#9. Track Employees Through GPS

Some radios come with the added feature of GPS tracking, allowing you to see where all radios are in real time. This can help improve productivity and grant better oversight to management. In addition, it keeps track of all team members in the instance of an emergency, which could prove to be lifesaving.

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Radio jargon is a real thing and anyone who spends time communicating across two-way radios should know the meaning behind these terms. In this blog, we are going to run through the most common two-way radio terms so that you can radio like a pro.

Two-Way Radio Terminology

Analog (conventional): Analog radio is considered the traditional type of radio technology. Most of today’s radio systems still operate on analog mode, although more professionals switch to digital radio every day.

Traditional analog two-way radios offer all the basics like push-to-talk, scanning, one-on-one group conversations, and limited encryption options. Signal strength is going to continually decrease as you get farther away from the transmitter. Once you get near the maximum range of the radio, all you will hear is white noise. On the other hand, digital radios maintain more consistent sound quality.

Digital: Digital radios are the latest form of radio communication, offering advanced communication capabilities, a greater call range, high quality voice signal, more reliable coverage, and advanced software availability. Plus, digital radios come with a 30-50% increase in battery life when compared to analog radios thanks to the fact that the digital radio transmitter does not operate 24/7.

Learn more about the difference between analog and digital radios

Intrinsically Safe (IS): Intrinsically safe radios are mandated in certain scenarios, such as onboard marine vessels or where explosive gases are potentially present. These radios are specially designed to produce a low electrical energy so that they do not ignite explosive gases. They are also able to remain usable in very high heat, and after exposure to dust and water. In other words, these are the strongest radios you can get your hands on. Manufacturers are required to meet strict production standards in order for a radio to be considered ‘Intrinsically Safe’, or ‘FM Approved’.

Channel: This is the frequency that a two-way radio uses to communicate through. Different channels are used based upon the radio’s capability, as well as the make and model of the radio.

Frequency: This is what each channel operates on and relates to the frequency of repeating events per unit time. There are different frequencies: High Frequency, Ultra-High Frequency, and Very High Frequency.

High Frequency (HF): Ranges between 3 and 30 megahertz

Ultra-high Frequency (UHF): Electromagnetic waves range between 300 MHz and GHz (3,000 MHz)

Very High Frequency (VHF): Electromagnetic waves range between 30 MHz to 300 MHz

Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA): This is what gives radio users access to individual channel distribution.

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA): The sharing of a single frequency amongst multiple radio users.

Land Mobile Radio (LMR): This is typically a private system that allows users to communication from a base across several mobile radios. It some cases a single frequency is shared, in other cases multiple frequencies are relied upon.

Portable: A short-hand word for walkie-talkie or hand-held radio

Mobile: Any type of wireless communication that relies on radio frequencies in which the path of communication is transportable on either end. It is typically mounted to a vehicle.

Push-to-Talk (PTT): All two-way radios are equipped with a PTT button, that means you can transmit a message across the channel with the push of a button.

Voice Operated Switch (VOX): Some radios are also outfitted with a voice operated switch so that you don’t even have to press a button to transmit across the channel.

Repeater: This is the combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that can take in a low-level signal and repeat it at a higher power so that the signal transfers over a longer distance without losing sound quality.

Relay Delay: Allows users in a group to communicate without any delays because it stops the repeater from continually re-activating by keeping the repeater transmitter open for a short time after the PTT switch is released.

Range: The distance in miles that a two-way radio can communicate. A variety of factors can influence the range you actually get, including the presence of mountains, vehicles, buildings, trees, and so forth.

Trunking: Standard radios are assigned one frequency per channel, in order to change this you must re-program the channel. In a trunked system it’s a little different, as all of the frequencies are in a group that is managed by another device. That way, frequencies can be allotted to a radio’s channel as needed.

Squelch: A mechanism that shuts off the speaker or headphone when there is no signal present. This prevents a hiss or crackle from coming across the line.

Project 25 (P25): A technology standard that allows public safety officials to communicate across different agencies in the event of an emergency.

Marine communication involves ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. Over the years, the ways in which seamen communicate has changed drastically.

Back in the day, semaphores and flags were a primary form of communication for ships out at sea. Radio brought about drastic changes in marine communication, and greatly improved the safety of everyone involved.

In the early half of the last century, ships began outfitting vessels with radios that could communicate distress signals between other ships, as well as to those on shore. In the early half of the twentieth century, Morse code was utilized for marine communication.

By the time the seventies rolled around, a greater deal of research and thought had gone into it. After assessing the International Telecommunication Union studies, IMO developed ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. At this point, a radio officer was no longer necessary to keep watch at all hours of the day and night.

Marine communication was addressed through the use of onboard systems via shore stations and satellites. VHF radio made ship-to-ship communication a reality, and shortly thereafter Digital Selective Calling (DSC) allowed for greater communication capabilities including remote control commands that could transmit and receive distress signals, place urgent safety calls, and put out routine messages. Today, DSC controllers are often integrated with the VHF radio in line with updates regarding SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements. 

A1, A2, A3, and A4 – What are the Differences?

There are a variety of radio communication systems that must be carried on board ships, the exact requirements vary based upon the area a ship is navigating.

A1: This represents ships that are around 20 to 30 nautical miles from the coast and are therefore covered by at least one VHF coast radio station, thus allowing for constant DSC alerting. The equipment used in this area includes a VHF and a DSC along with a NAVTEX receiver.

A2: This represents any area that is over 400 nautical miles away from the shore. In practice, it also reaches 100 nautical miles off shore but does not include A1 areas. The equipment used in this area includes a DSC, along with a radio telephone (MF radio range), as well as the equipment needed for A1 areas.

A3: This area excludes A1 and A2 areas, but is within INMARSAT geostationary range, and falls within 70 degrees north and 70 degrees south latitude, this area allows for continuous alerting. The equipment used in this area includes a high frequency radio and/or INMARSAT, along with all equipment required for A1 and A2 areas.

A4: This accounts for all areas located outside of A1-A3. Generally speaking, this includes the Polar Region North and South of 70 degree of latitude. The equipment used in this area includes all of the previously mentioned equipment along with HF radio service.

All of our world’s oceans are covered by HF marine communication services. It is required by the IMO that there are two coast stations per ocean region. Most ships are equipped with satellite terminal for Ship Security Alerts System (SSAS), as well as for tracking and long-range identification.

The marine navigation tools mentioned above are there to assist with Search and Rescue operations from Maritime Rescue Co-ordination centers. The goal is always to keep those out at sea as safe as possible.

Let Us Outfit Your Vessel with Top-notch Communication

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