Communications 101: A Quick Guide to Radio Lingo

Short-hand radio expressions have been around for decades. Back in 1937, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) developed the so called ‘ten-codes’. Historically used by law enforcement officers in North America, these brevity codes were used to represent commonly used phrases.

Since then, many industries have evolved standardised terms that are used as 2-way radio communication short cuts. The aim of these ‘dispatch signals’ is to boost communication response rates and collaboration between teams – and even different agencies.

But this only works if everyone uses the same agreed terminology. Which means your organisation needs to define which terms will be used during message transmissions – or whether you are going to stick to plain English only.

To get you started, we’ve put together a list of some commonly used radio communication phrases, traditionally used in public safety and complex security environments, such as industrial settings or sports stadiums.

While some of this terminology has fallen into disuse in this day and age for many two-way radio users, you may find that reviving some of these tried and tested phrases helps improve your teams communication.

Roger That
Message received and understood – similar to Ten Four or Copy That

Roger so far
Confirm parts of long message before continuing with rest of message

Affirmative
Normally used when a question is asked and the reply is YES

Negative
Normally used when a question is asked and the reply is NO

Come in
Asking another party to acknowledge they can hear you

Go Ahead
I am ready for your message

Say Again
Repeat all your last transmission

Say all after/before
Repeat all after/before a certain key word or phrase

Over
Your message is finished – invitation for others to respond/transmit

Out
All conversation is finished – no answer is required or expected

Radio Check
What’s my signal strength? Can you hear me?

Read You Loud & Clear
Your transmission signal is good

Wilco
I will comply

Break, Break
Interruption to a transmission to communicate urgently

Emergency emergency
Distress call – used when there is grave or imminent danger to life – immediate assistance is required

Stand By
Wait for a short period and I will get back to you

Wait Out
The waiting period is longer than expected – I will call you as soon as possible

I spell
The next word will be spelt out using the phonetic alphabet

Your organisation may also utilise code words like ‘Code Blue’ – to indicate a non crucial incident, ‘Code Yellow’ – for an incident requiring immediate response but is not yet dangerous, and ‘Code Red’ – for a serious incident.

If you work in the security sector, then you may employ terms like ‘Cyclone’ to indicate a violent situation or ‘Tanto’ to request immediate back up. Similarly, if you operate in the marine or aviation industries, then you may use specific terms like ‘MayDay’ or ‘Pan-Pan’ to indicate urgent help is needed.

Whatever sector you work in, make sure everyone is familiar with the call signs used in your workplace. Because when everyone uses the same radio communications etiquette, it helps to ensure every message is heard loud and clear.