Most of the terms and phrases listed below are used by many amateur radio
operators. EMCOMM operators not familiar with them (and the definitions)
may want to print out a copy and keep it handy until it becomes “second
nature”
ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) RADIOTELEPHONY
PROCEDURE WORDS AND PHRASES
Acknowledge: “Let me know that you have received and understood this
message.”
Affirmative: “Yes” or “permission granted.”
Break: “I hereby indicate the separation between portions of the
message.”
(To be used when there is no clear distinction between the text and other
portions of the message.)
Correction: “An error has been made in the transmission (or message
indicated). The correct version is...”
Go Ahead: “Proceed with your message.”
How Do You Read: Unreadable, readable now and then, readable but with
difficulty, readable, perfectly readable.
I Say Again: Self-explanatory.
Negative: “No” or “permission not granted” or “That is not
correct.”
Over: My transmission ended, and I expect a response from you.”
Out: “This conversation is ended and no response is expected.”
Read Back: “Repeat all, or the specified part, of this message back to
me
exactly as received.”
Roger: “I have received all of your last transmission.” (Under
no
circumstances to be used as an affirmative.)
Say Again: “Repeat all, or the following part, of your last
transmission.”
Speak Slower: Self-explanatory
Standby: Self-explanatory
That Is Correct: Self-explanatory
Verify: “Check coding, check text with the originator and send correct
version.”
Wilco: “Your last message (or message indicated), received, understood,
and will be complied with.”
Words twice: (1) As a request: “Communication is difficult.
Please send
every word twice.” (2) As information: “Since communication is
difficult,
every word in this message will be sent twice.”