The calling examples used are sample call signs only.
Before transmitting, listen for a period long enough to ensure that harmful interference to transmissions already in progress is not likely to occur. If such interference seems likely, wait until the transmissions in progress are completed before making your call.
A station having a distress, urgency or safety message to transmit is entitled to interrupt a transmission of lower priority.
Single Station Call
When establishing communications with a specific station, transmit the call sign of the station being called, followed by the call sign of the station making the call, as shown in the following example.
Example
Sea Wolf (said once or if communication conditions are difficult not more than 3 times)
THIS IS
Riding Hood
OVER
Reverse Calling example – This is Riding Hood calling Sea Wolf
Avoid REVERSE calling as this is incorrect procedure.
Remember that the identifier of the station being called is always spoken first, followed by THIS IS and your own station’s identifier.
Replying
When you hear a call directed to your station, reply as soon as possible. Advise the calling station to proceed with the message by means of the words GO AHEAD, or, if you are occupied, by saying STAND BY followed by the estimated number of minutes until your reply. Do not ignore the call. This may result in unnecessary calling, which uses up valuable air time in a crowded environment.
Example
Riding Hood
THIS IS
Sea Wolf
GO AHEAD
OVER
Replying to Calls when Information Is Missing
When you hear a call, but are uncertain the call is intended for your station, do not reply until the call is repeated and understood.
When your station is called but the identity of the calling station is uncertain, you should reply immediately, using the words:
STATION CALLING (your station’s identification)
SAY AGAIN
OVER
Termination of Communications
To terminate communications, simply conclude your transmission with the command OUT (which means “conversation is ended and no response is expected”).
Example
Sea Wolf
THIS IS
Riding Hood
RECEIVED MESSAGE REGARDING DINNER
Riding Hood
OUT
Corrections and Repetitions
Corrections and Repetitions during Transmission
When an error has been made in transmission, the word CORRECTION should be spoken, the last correct word or phrase repeated and the correct version transmitted.
Examples
AT DOCK ALPHA ONE
CORRECTION DOCK ALPHA TWO
Repetitions after Completion
If the receiving operator desires a repetition of a message, the words SAY AGAIN should be transmitted. If repetition of only a portion of a message is required, the receiving operator should use the following appropriate phraseology:
SAY AGAIN ALL BEFORE … (first word satisfactorily received).
SAY AGAIN ALL BETWEEN … (last word correctly received prior to the missing segment) and … (first word
correctly received after the missing segment).
SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER … (last word satisfactorily received).
Examples
Riding Hood
THIS IS
Sea Wolf
SAY AGAIN ALL BEFORE “DOCK”
OVER
Riding Hood
THIS IS
Sea Wolf
SAY AGAIN ALL BETWEEN “PROCEED” AND “TIME”
OVER
Sea Wolf
THIS IS
Riding Hood
SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER “LOCATION”
OVER
Request for repetition of specific items of a message should be made by speaking the words SAY AGAIN followed by the identification of the message desired.
Examples
SAY AGAIN LOCATION
SAY AGAIN TIME
Unsuccessful Call
When a station called does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling station shall cease and not renew the call until after an interval of three minutes. Before renewing the call, the calling station shall attempt to ascertain that the station being called is not in communication with another station.
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