Basic Radio

Communications
August 2011
 Objectives:
Describe the different types of radio equipment
used in the ATC
Describe how radio equipments operational
frequency can limit its use
Outline the link between aerials and the range of
radio transmissions
Describe the features of an Air Cadet radio network
that enable sending messages
Use the phonetic alphabet to spell words and
convey figures in radio messages
Use Radio Procedures to make radio checks
Explain the safe care and handling of radio batteries
Show correct safety procedures when using radio
eqipment
 Base Station

Mains Powered
Usually fixed at local HQ
Range typically over 50 km
External aerial usually raised
above a building
 Mobile Radio

Powered from the vehicles

battery
Range typically 25km +
Uses external antenna fitted to
vehicle body
Portable Radio

Range typically 5km+

Has replaceable
rechargeable battery
Fitted with its own
antenna
 Frequency Bands
Typically the Air Cadet Organisation
uses 3 bands of equipment, which
are part of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
They are:
UHF (Ultra High Frequency)
VHF (Very High Frequency
HF (High Frequency
 Air Cadet radios operate on different
frequencies of electromagnetic
radiation.
Generally, the higher the operating
frequency, the lower the range of the
transmission
Higher frequencies have the benefit
of shorter range but better readability
Lower frequencies have greater
ranger but are more subject to
interference
The Electromagnetic (radio wave)
Spectrum ATC
 Directional Aerials

A BEAM aerial used for concentrating

transmission and reception of radio signals in a
particular direction giving potentially greater
range
You will sometimes see these on the roofs of
homes from when they were used to receive
Omni-directional Aerials
Radiate and receive Radio Frequency radiation
equally in all directions
Usually fitted to portable and mobile radio
installations
 Ideally an aerial or Antenna- should
be matched to the operating
frequency of the equipment being used.
The higher the frequency in use, the
smaller the aerial

UHF Handheld radio

HF Base Station
 Directed Network

A directed net is always

Network
CONTROLLED by a
Control Station (NCS).
 Directed Network
Level of control depends on:

The level of radio discipline being

observed by those using the
network.
Using proper procedures.
The type of network being
operated.
 Directed Network
Only one station
can be the NCS.
MRW51
The NCS is
usually a fixed
base station,
located in a
MRW48
room specifically
for radio
communications. MRW34 MRW37
 Free Network
On a Free Network
all stations are MRW51
allowed to
communicate with
each other without
requiring MRW48
permission from a
NCS MRW34 MRW37
 The Phonetic Alphabet
Alpha Beta Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf
Hotel India Juliet Kilo Lima Mike Novemb
er
Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Uniform
Victor Whisky X-Ray Yankee Zulu

You should be able to spell your name and classification

using the phonetic alphabet
For example:

John Smith would be spoken as:

Juliet Oscar Hotel November SPACE Sierra Mike India Tango

Hotel
 Signal Strength
The strength of a signal is divided
into five levels or degrees. They are:
Loud (the strongest)
Good
Weak
Very weak
Fading (the weakest)
 Readability
Readability is the capacity of
understanding.
There are six grades or degrees of
readability:
Clear
Readable
Unreadable
Distorted
Intermittent
Interference
 Radio Checks
Radio checks are made to establish comms
with another station before passing a
message. A typical Radio Check is made as
follows:
Hello MRT 65, this is MRK95. Radio check,
Over
MRK95 this is MRT65, you are loud clear,
Over.
MRT65 this is MRK95, Loud Readable, OUT.
So a response to a radio check could
comprise combinations of strength and
readability.
For example:

Loud Clear
Loud Readable
Weak Clear
Very weak Distorted
Demonstrate the safe care and
handling of radio batteries
Never

Carry loose batteries in pockets or bags

Short (directly connect) the terminals together
Always
Cover battery terminals when in transit or not in
use
Charge with the correct type of charger (if in
doubt, ASK).
Show correct safety procedures
when using portable radio
equipment
Never use a handheld portable radio when
driving, riding a bicycle or climbing a tree.
Keep the conversation as short as
possible.
Keep the radio antenna away from the
face as far as possible.
Ensure that batteries are correctly
inserted.
Switch off after use.