HEADQUARTERS

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS

SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

BASIC SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

I. OVERVIEW
Signal Communication is used as the principal means of communication
in all military units. It is most frequently used for maintaining command, control,
contact and direction in contact. Sometime the use of messenger as a means
of communication is preferred over the rest when maps and classified
documents are to be transmitted to other operating units.

II. OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, student should be able to:
1. Familiar with the principle and means of signal communication
2. Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages in using radio as a
means of communication.
3. Write a simple radio message.
4. Participate actively in the discussion of the lesson.

III. LESSON PROPER

A. Definition of terms
● Signal Communication - Transfer of information from one place to
or person except by direct conversation.
● Means of Communication - Means by which information or
message is conveyed from one place to another.
● Facility or Agency of Signal Communication - Is the place that
comprises embraces personal and equipment necessary to provide
signal communication.
B. Principle of Communication
● Superior to Subordinate - Provides that the commander is the one
responsible for installation, operation and maintenance of Signal
Communication to the lower units.
● Supporting to Supported - Provides that the commander is the one
responsible for installation, operation and maintenance of Signal
Communication to the lower units.
● Reinforcing to Reinforced - these principle holds true only for
artillery units for it is only an artillery unit can reinforce the fire of
another artillery unit.
● Lateral Communication - Normally, the responsibility for the
establishment of communication between adjacent units is fixed by
the next higher commander or may be established in the unit's SOP.
● Internal Communication – Signal Communication is command
responsibility. It therefore follows that the commander of a unit,
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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

regardless of its sizes responsible for installation, operation and

maintenance of all signal communication facilities that will be needed
by his command control and command.
● Maintenance of Communication - Effective maintenance requires
the close coordination and joint participation of all units concerned.

C. Means of Signal Communication

● STRESS: Telecommunication means derive from the Greek word
"TELE" meaning Far or Far Off, broadly operating at a distance.

⮚ Electronic
-Radio - the fastest means of Signal Communication but it
is least secured as principal means of communication in
the AFP.
-Wire – common includes use of wire, cable
-Telephone.
-Teletypewriter.
-Television.

⮚ Physical
-Messenger - the oldest and relatively most secured
means of communication.
-Trained Animals - the ability of some animals to find their
way back from relatively extended distance and from
strange places.
-Mail - used by civilians
-Sound - it is supplementary means of communication in
the AFP.
Example: Bugles, horns, gongs, weapons & other noise
making devices.

● Advantages and Disadvantages of a Radio

Advantages Disadvantages
Speed Installation
Subject to atmosphere condition
Flexibility

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

Maintained while troop are mobile Subject to inference (natural or

Use for air to ground communication manmade interference)

Provide communication over impossible

Least secured
terrain

Radio Telephone Procedures

Radio telephone procedures are a set for using a radio or telephone. It speeds
the exchange of message and helps avoid errors, the rules listed below will help you
use transmission times efficiently and avoid violations of communication security:
a) Transmit clear, complete, and concise messages, when possible, write
them out beforehand.
b) Speak clearly, slowly and natural phrases. Enunciate each word if a
receiving operator must write the message, allow time for him to do so.
c) Listen before transmitting to avoid interfering with other transmission.
d) Always assumed that the enemy is listening.

● Fundamentals of tactical radio communication

⮚ Radio Net – A group of several station working together in the same

frequency.
⮚ Call sign – Combination of characters (Letters and numbers) or
Pronounceable.
⮚ Net Call Sign – A call sign that identifies all radio station operating in a
particular net and using the same frequency.
⮚ Call – A method of establishing the communication whereby the station
calling transmit the identity of the station called as well as his own
identity.
⮚ Pro words - Are pronounceable words that have assigned meaning to
facilitate transmission by radio.
⮚ Individual Call sign - this call sign identifies a single call to any station
within the net.
⮚ Collective Call sign - this call sign identifies two or more station in
particular radio net but not all stations in the net.

● Characteristics of Communication:

✔ Reliability
✔ Multiple means
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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

✔ Alternate
✔ Reserve equipment
✔ Speed
✔ Security
✔ Flexibility
✔ Appropriate means
✔ Simplicity in operation
✔ Dispersion

● Guidelines for Transmission

✔ Always write your radio message before transmitting.
✔ Always listened before starting to talk so as not to interrupt other
conversation.
✔ Speak distinctly and enunciate each word in normal tone to allow the
receiving operator time for copying.
✔ Releasing the push to talk button immediately after completion of your
transmission otherwise you will not hear other station.

PHONETIC ALPHABET

LETTER WORD PRONUNCIATION

A ALFHA AL FAH
B BRAVO BRAH VOH
C CHARLIE CHAR LEE
D DELTA DELL TAH
E ECHO ECK OH
F FOXTROT FOXS TROT
G GOLF GOLF
H HOTEL HOH TELL
I INDIA IN DEE AH
J JULIET JEW LEE ETT
K KILO KEY LOH
L LIMA LEE MAH

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

M MIKE MIKE
N NOVEMBER NO VEM BER
O OSCAR OSS CAR
P PAPA PAH PAH
Q QUEBEC KEH BECK
R ROMEO ROH ME OH
S SIERRA SEE AIR AH
T TANGO TANG GO
U UNIFORM YOU NEE FORM
V VICTOR VIK TOH
W WHISKY WISS KEY
X XRAY ECKS RAY
Y YANKEE YANG KEY
Z ZULU ZOO LOO
Prowords
o ALL AFTER – Portion of msg to w/c I have ref is all that w/c follows
o ALL BEFORE – Portion of msg to w/c I have ref is all that w/c precedes
o AUTHENTICATE – The Stn called is to reply to the challenge that follows
o AUTHENTICATION IS – The transmission authentication of this msg is
o BREAK – I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the
msg.
o CORRECT – You are correct or what you have transmitted is correct.
o CORRECTION – An error has been made in this transmission (or msg
indicated). The correct version is.
o DISREGARD TRANSMISSION – OUT - The transmission is in error.
Disregard it
o DO NOT ANSWER - Stn called are not to answer this call, receipt for the msg,
when this proword is employed, the, transmission shall be ended with the word
“OUT”.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

o EXEMPT - The address immediately following are exempted from the collective
call.
o FIGURES - Numerals or numbers follow (Optional).
o FLASH - Precedence FLASH Reserved for initial enemy contact reports on
special emergency operational combat traffic originated by specifically
designated high commanders for units directly affected.
o FROM - The originator of this msg is indicated by the address
designated immediately following.
o IMMEDIATE - Precedence Immediate. The precedence reserved for msg
relating to situations w/c gravely affect the security of national/allied forces or
populace, and which require immediate delivery.
o INFO - The addressees immediately following are addressed for information.
o I AUTHENTICATE - The group that follows it is the reply to your challenge to
authentications.
o I READ BACK - The following is my response to your instructions to read back
o I SAY AGAIN - I am repeating transmission or portion indicated.
o I SPELL - I shall spell the next word phonetically.
o I VERIFY - That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated
(used as reply to verify).
o MESSAGE - A message that requires recording is about to follow. (Transmitting
immediately after the call).
o MORE TO FOLLOW - Transmitting station has additional traffic for the receiving
station.
o OUT - This is the end of my transmission to you and no
answer is required or expected. (OVER & OUT
should never to be used together)
o OVER- This is the end of my transmission to you and a response is necessary,
go ahead; Transmit
o PRIORITY - Precedence ‘PRIORITY”. Reserved for important msg that must
have precedence over routine traffic. This is the highest precedence that
normally may be assigned to a message of administrative nature.
o READ BACK - Repeat this entire transmission back to me exactly as received.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

o RELAY (TO) - Transmit this msg to all addresses (or addresses immediately
following this proword). The addresses component is mandatory when this
proword is used.
o ROGER - I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
o ROUTINE - Precedence “ROUTINE”. Reserved for all types of messages w/c
are not of sufficient urgency to justify a higher precedence, but must have been
delivered to the addressee without delay.
o SAY AGAIN – Repeat all of your last transmission. (Followed by identification
data means “Repeat __ (portion indication)”)
o SERVICE – The message that follows is a service message.
o SILENCE - “Cease Transmission Immediately” Silence will be maintained
until lifted. (Transmission imposing silence must be authenticated).
o SILENCE LIFTED – Silence is lifted. (When an authentication system is to be
authenticated.
o SPEAK SLOWER - Your transmission is from the station whose designator
immediately follows.
o THIS IS - This transmission is too fast a speed. Reduce speed of
transmission.
o TIME - That which immediately follows is the time or date/time group of the
message.
o TO- The addressee’(s) immediately following is (are) addressed for action.
o UNKNOWN STATION – The identity of the station with which I am attempting
to establish communication is unknown.
o VERIFY – Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and
send correct version (To be used only at the discretion of the addressee to
which the questioned message was directed.
o WAIT - I must pause for a few seconds.
o WILCO - I have received your signal, understand it, and will comply. (To be
used only by the addressee. Since the meaning of ROGER is included in
that of WILCO, the two prowords are never used together.
o WORD AFTER – The word of the message to which I have reference is that
which follows....

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

o WORD BEFORE – The word of the message to which I have reference is that
which precedes.
o WORD TWICE – Communication is difficult. Transmit (ring) each phrase (or
each code group) twice. This proword may be used as an order, request, or as
information.
o WRONG - Your last transmission is incorrect. The correct version is.
Usage

✔ To identify individual hours of the alphabet in a mess

✔ To spell out difficult or foreign words within a plain text message

✔ Preceded by the proword I SPELL

✔ To transmit each character in encrypted groups, this will be done even if

occasional groups in the encrypted text are pronounceable, it need not be
preceded by proword I SPELL.

✔ Personal initials will be spoken phonetically preceded by the proword “INITIAL

RB Montes will be spoken as INITIALS ROMEO BRAVO Montes.

PHONETIC NUMERALS
NUMERALS SPOKEN
0 ZE RO
1 WUN
2 TOO
3 THU REE
4 FOW ER
5 FI YEV
6 SIX
7 SEV-EN
8 AIT
9 NIN ER

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

Types of Tactical Radio Sets and its Characteristics

1. URC – 773M
a) Frequency Modulated (FM)
b) Transmission Range – 10 kms. (LOS)
c) Whip Antenna
d) Man Pack
e) Power Source – 12 VDC, 24 pcs BA – 30 12V Wet Cell Battery
f) Press to talk (Hand Set)
2. PRC – 77
a) Frequency Modulated (FM)
b) Transmission Range – 8 kms. (LOS)
c) Man Pack
d) Whip Antenna
e) Press to talk (Hand Set)
f) Power Source – 12 VDC, 20 pcs BA – 30 and 12V Wet Cell Battery
3. URC – 601
a) Handheld d) Transmission Range
b) Press to talk e) 8 pcs BA – 30
c) Whip Antenna
4. URC – 187
a) Amplitude Modulated (AM)
b) Transmission Range – 40 kms. (sky wave propagation0
c) Dipole Antenna
d) Press to talk (Hand Set)
e) Power Source – 36 pcs BA -30, 12 – 24V Wet Cell
5. RF - 5800H MAN PACK
a) Frequency Modulated (FM)
b) Frequency Range - 2 MHZ – 30
MHZ (HF)
c) Power Input – 23 – 30 VDC
**NOTE** Radio shutdown at 21
VDC
d) Power Output – (HF) 1, 5, 20 watts /
(FM) 1, 5, 10 watts
e) Modes of Operation – 3G
f) Press to talk (Hand Set)
g) Whip Antenna
h) Wet Cell Battery
i) Press to talk (Hand Set)
j) Power Source – 12 VDC, 24 pcs BA – 30 12V

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

6. HARRIS RF 5800V-HH VHF Handheld Radio

a) Frequency Modulated (FM)
b) Frequency Range – 30.0 MHZ to
107.99999 MHZ
c) Power Input – Battery
d) Transmitter Power Output –
Operator Selectable 0.25, 2, 5 watts
e) Operating Temperature Range -
20°C to +60°C (including battery)
f) Transmission Range – 5 to 7 kms
(LOS)
g) Weight – 1 kg including battery and
short antenna
h) SIZE (with battery): 2.85 W x 9.1 H x 1.6 D in. (7.2 W x 25.0 H x
4.1 D cm.)

RADIO NET DIAGRAM

OPEN NET
70IB HQS
NCS
“LIBRA”

“TIGER”
P:___ Mhz
A:___ Mhz

ALFA CHARLIE COY

BRAVO COY
“VIRGO”
COY “GEMINI”
“CANCER”

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

RADIO NET DIAGRAM

DIRECTED NET

70IB
“LIBRA”
HQS

NCS
“TIGER”

P:___ Mhz
A:___ Mhz

ALFA BRAVO COY CHARLIE COY

“VIRGO”
COY “CANCER” “GEMINI”

● Function of Net Control Station (NCS)

-Prevent unofficial conversation between radio operator.
-Monitor All transmission to ensure that correct procedures are used.
-Carry out commander’s order.
-Order frequency change if needed.
Communication Security
- Is the protection resulting from all measures designed to deny unauthorized
person in their interpretation of the result of such study.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

AUTHENTICATION
● Two kinds of Authentication:
1. Station (Identification) authentication
2. Message authentication
● Factors to consider that affect Radio Transceiver:
a) Location.
b) Weather and Terrain.
c) Antenna Height.
d) Power Output.
e) Distance Range.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

Parts of message
● Addressee - activity of person to when a message is sent.
-Action Addressee - the individual that will take action in the message.
-Information Addressee - for informative purposes but not to take
action.
-Exempted Addressee
● Body or Text
-Originator - The authority in whose name a message is sent. The
originator of a message is always the commander of the unit that
originates it.
-Drafter or Writer - The person actually composes a message. This may
be the commander himself or other personnel that has been delegated
with the responsibility of preparing the message.
Suspended Vertical Antenna
● Vertical field expedient antennas improve radio set performance by virtue of the
height above the ground. The most effective height above the ground is equal
to a minimum of ¼ wavelength of the operating frequency in meters. Elevation
above this height requires ground plane elements.
● Jungle Antenna or Expedient 292
a. Cut all four wires for a ¼ wavelength antenna. Connect them as in the
illustration.
b. Connect two insulators, one at each end of the vertical element. Attach
a rope with a rock tied to it to throw the rope over a tree limb.
c. Connect the WD-1 as shown before pulling the antenna up in the air
d. At the radio, connect the vertical element wire of WD-1 to the antenna
connector and the ground plane wire to the radio set chassis.

IV.EVALUATION
Test I. Match Column B to Column A

The address immediately following are

___1. Break a.
exempted from the collective call.

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 HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

This is the end of my transmission to you and

___2. Correct – b.
a response is necessary, Go ahead; Transmit
I have received your last transmission
___3. Correction c.
satisfactorily.
I am repeating transmission or portion
___4. I read back d.
indicated.
I am repeating transmission or portion
___5. I say again e.
indicated.
___6. I spell f. I shall spell the next word phonetically.
The following is my response to your
___7. I authenticate g.
instructions to read back
An error has been made in this transmission
___8. Exempt h.
(or msg indicated). The correct version is.
You are correct or what you have transmitted
___9. Roger i.
is correct.
I hereby indicate the separation of the text
___10 Over j.
from other portions of the msg.

B. Write simple radio message using the given parts. (10 points)

V.REFERENCES:
ROTC Manual/Workbook by ARESCOM

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