Radio-Telephone Procedures (1943)

The following is excerpted from a pocket card prepared for unit signallers. It provided tips for the preparation of messages and the use of radios by units of the Canadian Army in the Second World War.

DOs and DON'Ts
Message Writing and RT

March 1943

Code names for Appointments

Commander – SUNRAY
G (Ops) Staff – SEAGULL
I Staff – ACORN
AQ Staff – MOLAR
Signals – PRONTO

The deputy of an officer designated by a codename is referred to as MINOR, e.g., SUNRAY MINOR for 2IC.

Procedure Phrases

Over	"End of transmission—a reply is expected."
Off	"End of transmission—no reply is expected."
Off to You	"I have finished with you and going to call someone else."
O.K.	"Pass our message" or "Message received" or "Understood" or "Reception is satisfactory."
Say Again	"Repeat whole message."
Say Again From … To …	"Repeat from … to …"
All After (or All Before)	"Repeat all after (or all before) …"
Word After (or All Before)	"Repeat word after (or word before) …"
As You Were	"Cancel last phrase sent."
Wait	"I have finished for the time being and will call you again later" Can be used to end a transmission instead of OVER or OFF. (The sender must switch to RECEIVE.)

Phonetic Alphabet		Figures
A — ABLE	N — NAN	0 — ZERO (OWE in some fire control orders)
B — BAKER	O — OBOE	1 — WUN
C — CHARLIE	P — PETER	2 — TOO
D — DOG	Q — QUEEN	3 — THUH - REE
E — EASY	R — ROGER	4 — FO - WER
F — FOX	S — SUGAR	5 — FI - YIV
G — GEORGE	T — TARE	6 — SIX
H — HOW	U — UNCLE	7 — SEVEN
I — ITEM	V — VICTOR	8 — ATE
J — JIG	W — WILLIAM	9 — NINER
K — KING	X — X-RAY	10 — WUN ZERO
L — LOVE	Y — YOKE	11 — WUN - WUN
M — MIKE	Z — ZEBRA	12 — WUN - TOO

Radio-Telephone (RT) Procedure

DOs

DO learn RT procedure. Ask Sigs if you are not sure.
DO resort to RT only when the urgency of your message will brook no delay.
DO write down what you are going to say.
DO disguise the contents of your message by use of authorized RT and other codes.
DO provide yourself with codes, maps, etc., before starting conversation.
DO THINK. What is YOUR transmission going to tell the enemy? He is sure to be listening.
DO remember indiscretion may cost lives and material.
DO keep cool; speak slowly and distinctly.
DO employ "key conversation" if atmospheric conditions are bad.
DO say "WAIT" if faced with an unexpected question and not plunge into a badly framed indirect reply.
DO use your common sense with regard to security.
DO repeat important or difficult words, phrases and map references.
DO use the phonetic alphabet correctly when spelling words, code-signs, or coded map references.

DON'Ts

DON'T use RT for messages related to future intentions and plans.
DON'T use names of officers or their nicknames. The enemy will soon know them.
DON'T make "asides" when your set is at "SEND," without first covering the mouthpiece of the "mike" with your hand.
DON'T shout.
DON'T use long and difficult words unless you must; keep them short and simple.
DON'T say "OVER" when you really mean "OFF."
DON'T forget to switch your set to "RECEIVE" when you have finished your conversation.
DON'T use unauthorized codes.
DON'T rely on using Urdu, French, Gaelic, Spanish or other foreign language to give security.

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