October 6, 2026
The procedure is the same for unlicensed, CB, and amateur radio.
Step by step
- Listen before speaking. A few seconds are enough to avoid cutting across another transmission.
- Press, wait, speak. Press the PTT , wait about a second, and speak with the radio about 5 cm from your mouth, without shouting.
- Announce priority. When there is risk to life, say “break break” or “emergency.” Anyone listening should clear the channel.
- Follow the message order. Who is calling → where they are → what happened → how many people → what is needed.
- Spell out what is hard to understand. Names and addresses, using the phonetic alphabet (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie…).
- Confirm and log. The Base records the time, who called, their position, and the situation for each contact.
Example
“Base, this is Field Post 1. X Street, near the school. House stranded, three people, one elderly. We need a boat. Over.”
Precautions that increase range and autonomy
- Height matters more than power. Climbing a few meters — a rooftop, a hill, a mast — pays off more than doubling the watts.
- Low power whenever possible. It saves battery and reduces interference.
- Scheduled check-ins. The Base calls at fixed intervals; if there is no response, the operation moves to the next layer of the PACE plan.
Why following the procedure matters
Operating correctly avoids interference with other services, enforcement action for irregular operation, and risk for the operator and for the amateur radio community. In an emergency, an irregular transmission can knock out the very channel someone is using to call for help.
See also
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