Don’t be”Alpha Delta 1 Charlie Kilo”
I was in #amateur_radio on EFNet last night and John, KX5JT sent me a link for an upcoming article he wrote for eHam.net discussing the correct use of the phonetic alphabet when communicating with other hams on the air. This topic seems to reappear weekly on sites like eHam and QRZ.
Having never used a CB radio or have a “handle” I feel I have good operating procedures as it relates to the ICAO phonetics. Part of this goes back to my flight training, where there was one way to do and that was using the ICAO phonetics. A few exceptions as it relates to ham radio, the use of “tree” for the number three and “niner” for nine.
I do recall listening to my father, now N6SV who would substitute the word “sugar” for “sierra” when saying his call sign phonetically. Of course he used both on a regular basis. As for my call sign (formerly my father’s), W6ONV, I end up using both the ICAO and the DX phonetics. If there is a contest I will use “Ocean Norway Victor (or Victoria)” as opposed to “Oscar November Victor.”
Sure some hams have “cute” sayings for their suffix, but are they really necessary in ham radio? Common sense says no, but we know just how common, common sense is, right? So don’t be an “Alpha Delta 1 Charlie Kilo” use the correct phonetics when communicating with other hams. Look for John’s article on eHam.net or KX5JT.net.
