TGSACU BASIC RATEL Lesson created 21116 Spoken by

TGSACU – BASIC RATEL Lesson created 2/11/16 Spoken by LCPL James Bednaic, Approved by TO Josh Mitchel

Lesson Concepts • Ratel Principles • Understanding Basic Ratel communication • How to use the standard TGSACU radio’s • How to speak clearly • Radio discipline • The Phonetic Alphabet • Radio appointment titles

Ratel Principles There are 3 principles that must be followed whenever using RATEL and making transmissions. • • • Security, Accuracy, and Discipline. • The principles of security, accuracy and discipline can be remembered by the mnemonic SAD.

RATEL Communication How to complete a basic conversation (via RATEL) 1. Indicate both the call sign of the person your calling, along with your own call sign “ 0 Alpha, this is Alpha 1, over” 2. Don’t forget to conclude every message with “Over” , “Out” , “Wait out” e. t. c 3. Await for response from opposite call sign +“Alpha 1, this is 0 Alpha, over 4. Relay the message to the call sign “ 0 Alpha this is Alpha 1, requesting time check, over” 5. Await response from opposite call sign +“Alpha 1 this is 0 Alpha, the time is 0900, over”

RATEL Communication (continued) 5. Acknowledge and conclude conversation, “ 0 Alpha this is Alpha 1, acknowledged, out” Remember 1. Identify Receiving Callsign 2. Identify Sending Callsign 3. Await response 4. Relay Message 5. Await Response 6. Acknowledge, make remarks and/or conclude

How to Speak Clearly To avoid wasting time on repetitions and corrections, ratel messages must be sent clearly. Operators and users must remember the following points: • Hold the microphone close to the mouth when transmitting. • Transmit the information that is relevant, DON’T MUMBLE • Use the correct manner of rhythm, speed, volume and pitch (RSVP)

How to Speak Clearly - RSVP • Rhythm. Keep a natural rhythm. Divide the message into sensible phrases. • Speed. Speech should be slightly slower than for normal conversation. • Volume. Speak only as loudly as in normal conversation. Shouting results in a distorted signal. • Pitch. The voice should be pitched slightly higher than usual.

Radio Discipline is essential for the efficient working of radio nets. The operator, irrespective of rank, is in charge of the net and is responsible for radio discipline. Radio discipline includes: • correct use of ratel procedure, • use of the correct frequency, and • constant radio watch by all stations on the net.

Radio Discipline • Only one station may transmit at a time. To prevent confusion, the following rules must be obeyed: • Before speaking, listen to ensure that the frequency is clear to avoid cutting in on other transmissions. • Leave a short pause at the end of a conversation. • Answer all calls immediately and in the correct order.

Questions • What do the letters R. S. V. P. stand for? • What are some of the elements of radio discipline? • What is the correct order of a basic radio transmission?

The Phonetic Alphabet • When it is necessary to identify any letter of the alphabet, the authorised phonetic alphabet to be used. • Is essential when communicating challenging or problematic words or phrases.

The Phonetic Alphabet A Alpha F Foxtrot B Bravo G Golf C Charlie H Hotel D Delta I India E Echo J Juliet

The Phonetic Alphabet K Kilo P Papa L Lima Q Quebec M Mike S Sierra N November T Tango O Oscar U Uniform

The Phonetic Alphabet V Victor W Whisky X X Ray Y Yankee z Zulu

Questions • Spell Trinity in the phonetic alphabet. • Spell your first name in the phonetic alphabet.

Radio Appointment Titles • Radio titles are used in the AAC to identify a special unit or person. These titles allow for easy communication between points. • Radio titles also allow for greater security in RATEL.

Radio Appointment Titles Commander SUNRAY Second-in-command SUNRAY MINOR Adjutant SEAGULL Quartermaster MOLAR Signals PRONTO Transport PLAYTIME Medical STARLIGHT

Questions • Why are radio appointment titles used? • What does sunray mean? • What does starlight mean? • What does pronto mean? • What does playtime mean?