It is important to understand the two way radio lingo or the language that you may hear over a radio. One of the many two way radio faqs is regarding the correct way to speak on a radio. By learning the lingo you will become a more efficient two way radio operator. It will also allow you to comprehend what is being said and allow you to respond and be understood.

Two Way Radio Lingo Overview

While you can have ‘normal’ conversations over a radio, using short-hand expressions and codes can be very useful. Transferring information quickly over two way radios helps keep the channels free for other users and improves efficiency. Lingo is used across licence free and licenced radios or walkie talkies as they are also know.

Before we look at two way radio lingo specifics, some checklists should be undertaken so that each user is comfortable with using the radios and that they too understand the etiquette required.

Two Way Radio Lingo Starting Checklist

The international radio language is English.
Two way radios are simplex, in other words, you cannot speak and listen at the same time, like a mobile phone.
Don't interrupt an existing conversation unless you have an emergency.
If you have a callsign, Wait until you hear it before responding. Do not interrupt.
The channels are often ‘open’ channels so disclosing private or sensitive information is not advised.
Ensure your radio is in good working condition and perform a radio check at the beginning of the day.
Make sure the battery is charged and the power is on.
Check the volume is high enough to hear calls.
Perform radio checks periodically to ensure you are still in range to receive signals.
Make your conversations as concise, precise, and clear as possible.
Only use abbreviations if they are going to be understood by your group.

Shorthand Two Way Radio Lingo

Roger that: “Message received and understood”
Roger so far: Confirming part way through a long message that you’ve understood the message so far
Stand By: I’m busy at the moment, I’ll call you asap
Affirmative: Yes
Negative: No
Come in: Asking another user to acknowledge they can hear you
Go ahead: I am ready for your message
Say again: Repeat all of your last messages
Say all before/after: Repeat all before/after a certain phrase or word if you didn’t catch part of the message
Disregard: Ignore the previous transmission
Copy: Message understood
Over: I’ve finished my part of the transmission ready for your reply
Out: Conversation is finished, no answer is required or expected
Radio check: What’s my signal strength? Can you hear me?
Do You Copy?: Can you hear me?:
Loud and Clear: Your radio is working
Mic Check or Radio Check: Is my radio working?
Say Again or Go Again: Retransmit your message
Read you loud and clear: Your transmission signal is good, I can hear you fine
Wilco: Abbreviation of “I will comply”, means the speaker will complete the task that’s been asked of them
On it: I’m in the process of doing what you asked
Eyes On: I can see what we’re talking about
Break, break: Interruption to transmission to communicate urgently
Emergency, emergency: Distress call, only to be used when there is an imminent danger to life and 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 I expected, I will get back to you as soon as possible
What’s Your 20?: Where are you?
I spell: The next word will be spelled out using the phonetic alphabet

Phonetic Alphabet Used with Two Way Radio Lingo

A: Alpha
B: Bravo
C: Charlie
D: Delta
E: Echo
F: Foxtrot
G: Golf
H: Hotel
I: India
J: Juliet
K: Kilo
L: Lima
M: Mike
N: November
O: Oscar
P: Papa
Q: Quebec
R: Romeo
S: Sierra
T: Tango
U: Uniform
V: Victor
W: Whiskey
X: X-ray
Y: Yankee
Z: Zulu

Using Two Way Radio Lingo Effectively

Starting Your Transmission

Starting a transmission is important. If you have many users in your group, the following lingo will help you communicate with the right person:

Come in Bill: Are you there Bill?
Go ahead: Transmit your message
Go ahead Bill: Acknowledge “Bill” wants to contact me and I’m ready to listen
Jane Calling Bill: I, Jane, want to talk with Bill
Bill, Come In: Are you there Bill?

During Your Conversation

During your conversation you can start to introduce some more shorthand two-way radio lingo:

Affirmative: Yes
Copy: Message understood
Disregard: Ignore the previous transmission
Eyes on: I can see what we’re talking about
Negative: No
On It: I’m in the process of doing what you asked
Roger or Roger That: Message understood
Stand By: I’m busy at the moment, I’ll call you asap
What’s Your 20?: Where are you?

Radio Check Issues

On occasion, you may have issues with your two-way radios. Instead of just shouting, try these:

Do You Copy?: Can you hear me?
Loud and Clear: Your radio is working
Mic Check or Radio Check: Is my radio working?
Say Again or Go Again: Retransmit your message

Ending Your Conversation

Using two-way radio lingo to end your conversation, lets everyone know that the conversation is finished.

Out: Conversation is finished, no answer is required or expected
Over: I’ve finished my part of the transmission ready for your reply

Our Thoughts

We would always recommend reading through this two way radio lingo guide. If you cannot remember all of the information, create a cheat sheet and stick to the basics so your communication becomes more effective.

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