RADIO S.O.P

There's plenty of ways to talk on radio. Some more formal than others but all follow some type of SOP. Callsign on HAM or GMRS are assigned to the station and must be used in peace time in order to prevent legal issues. CB, FRS, and MURS unlicensed services do not use issued callsigns and Bob and Diane in the campground don't care they just want to make sure Tommy is with Sally at the pool.

It is important though that with or without callsigns there's still a common S.O.P. tune to the frequency or channel you want to use. Listen for 1 or two minutes, you might only be able to hear half of a conversation. Ask if this channel is in use. If it is, you'll be told.

Call the station you want...

Prowords are fairly common.

Roger- I have received your transmission and understand

Over- I'm done talking and am expecting a reply

Will-co- I will do as requested

Out- I'm done talking.

Keeping transmit time to the minimum saves power, limits the ability to gain an azmith to your location and allows more users to utilize the channel. Try to avoid um and ah or holding the transmitter open while you think of your reply. A transmission of three minutes is a LONG TIME. In seriousness a radio hunter team can pin point you location to the proverbial nats ass in that amount of time from 20 miles away.

Before you push the tranmit button know exactly what you mean to say. If it's a longer message, use the word break. "My location is 45689032 BREAK eta to point echo is 2 hours, BREAK team Five out." After each break let go of the button.

For security maybe your group jumps channels on BREAK. Up or Down two channels. Start on ch1 break continue on ch3 break finish on ch5... SOP is there to get everyone on the radio to know the procedure for the group. Someone not conforming with sop can be treated as suspect foe until verified friend/foe.

This is just a start, any questions?