At one time or another each of us who have been on a field investigation have used a two way radio, also known as a “walkie talkie.” These small wonders of communication allow us to speak with great clarity over large distances with other members of the investigation team, effectively allowing each person to know what is going on at what location, the whereabouts of other members on the investigation team and so forth –the obvious function of a two way radio. What is less obvious to many investigators – including veteran field researchers – is that there is a certain code of etiquette and ethics that is to be followed that is governed by FCC (Federal Communications Commission – U.S.).

            The following “list” is a generalized compilation of proper procedure when utilizing two-way radios; however, do not take the information in this article to be the final word on two way radio communication procedure. Since the laws governing mobile communication devices changes frequently it is the responsibility of the user to check for updated information pertaining to the specific devices that they are using.        

• When two people are communicating on a frequency, also known as a “channel,” those individuals temporarily “own” that frequency. Although this use equates to temporary ownership of that frequency, FCC regulations state that the users must give others an opportunity to utilize the channel if they will be on that frequency for more than a few minutes – but, the shared use and temporary “ownership” of a specific frequency does not grant the right to an outside party to “take” or “steal” that channel from the users.
   

• Individuals utilizing two way communication devices should also know that proper radio etiquette states that a user should be aware of other transmissions and should take care not to “step on” other communicators – that is, attempting to make a transmission when someone else is communicating at the same time. When utilizing a two way radio or similar communication device the operator should only use their device when there is no one else on that frequency. 
   

• If you are using a channel that is shared between several communication devices, or units, on a site and you hear one unit “break” (stop transmission) for a reply from another unit, or if you believe the communication is complete you should wait a few seconds to be sure that the transmission is actually finished before proceeding with your transmission. To be assured that a transmission is in fact complete many mobile communication users refer to a list of common call signs. These call signs will be presented later in this article. 
   

• If you are using a channel that is being shared between several units you should keep your transmissions short, but if a greater length of time is needed for a brief discussion users may agree to switch to an unused channel: “Break two-two for Nightshade ten-four” The latter statement is essentially a request from Nightshade to the other party to break from the current channel in favor of and unused or less busy frequency.
   

• If someone is speaking to you and he or she gets “stepped on” there are two options: you can tell the person “ten-nine” meaning that you couldn’t receive their transmission because they were interrupted by an outside source or you could say “go ahead break” to find out what the third party has to say. Either way you should eventually recognize the breaker and find out what they have to say.
   

• If there is a transmission that you need to interrupt state “breaker” followed by your name and the channel: “Breaker James C one-four.” At that point if a break is created you will get the go ahead from the other parties to make your statement.
   

• If someone doesn’t recognize your break attempts stop and wait for a couple of minutes and try again later, don’t “step on” anyone.
   

• Finally, before we get into the “codes” of two way radio communication the one thing everyone should know, the one thing that I can not stress enough, is that the FCC can legally monitor any transmission device that has a range of more than two (2) miles that utilizes “public” radio frequencies. What this means is that FCC laws apply to most two way radios and that no profanity, sexual remarks, threats, or anything of the like should be made while utilizing two way radios as the FCC can impose a fine, imprisonment or both depending on the nature of the infraction.   

Call Signs

10-1        Receiving Poorly

10-4        Message Recieved

10-7        Out of service / Going off line

10-8        In service / On line

10-9        Repeat Transmission

10-10      Transmission Complete / Standing By

10-20      My Location is…

10-22      Report to…

10-24      Assignment Complete

10-45      All units in range please report

10-67      All units comply

10-100    Need to go to restroom

10-200    Police needed

            In addition to some of the most commonly used “codes” above there are also “letter codes” that the military and law enforcement use to clarify communications. These letter codes can be an assigned team designation or used to spell out misunderstood words. Below are the commonly accepted letter / term designations.  

A…………………Alpha            N………………November

B…………………Bravo            O…………………Oscar

C…………………Charlie           P………………….Papa

D…………………Delta             Q…………………Quebec

E…………………Echo              R…………………Romeo

F…………………Foxtrot           S…………………Sierra

G………………...Golf               T…………………Tango

H………………...Hotel              U…………………Uniform

I………………….India               V………………...Victor

J…………………Juliet                W………………..Whisky

K………………..Kilo                   X………………..X-Ray

L………………...Lima                 Y………………..Yankee

M………………..Mike                  Z………………..Zulu

            The information presented in this article should make communication on investigation sites a bit easier as well as a bit more compliant with regulatory rules governing mobile two way communication

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