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Prowords & Voice Procedure
23 entriesStandard procedure words that keep voice traffic short and unambiguous, including the international distress hierarchy: MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, SÉCURITÉ.
| Name / Channel | Mode / Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|
| MAYDAY | Distress | Spoken ×3. Grave and imminent danger to life or vessel — requires immediate assistance. Everyone else must stay silent and assist. From the French m'aidez, 'help me'. |
| PAN-PAN | Urgency | Spoken ×3 ('PAHN-PAHN'). Urgent situation NOT immediately life-threatening — medical issue aboard, engine failure near shore. |
| SÉCURITÉ | Safety | Spoken ×3 ('say-cure-ee-TAY'). Safety message follows — navigation hazards, weather warnings. |
| ROGER | Message received and understood. NOT a promise to comply — that's WILCO. | |
| WILCO | 'Will comply.' Never say 'Roger Wilco' — Wilco already includes Roger. | |
| OVER | My transmission is done; I expect a reply. | |
| OUT | Conversation finished, no reply expected. 'Over and out' is a movie-ism — pick one. | |
| COPY | I received/understood your transmission ('good copy'). | |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat your last transmission. Never the word 'repeat' — in military use, that calls for artillery fire again. | |
| I SPELL | The next word comes phonetically: 'I spell: Sierra-Mike-India-Tango-Hotel.' | |
| FIGURES | Numerals follow, digit by digit. | |
| BREAK | Separates message sections; 'BREAK BREAK' interrupts ongoing traffic with something important. | |
| RADIO CHECK | How do you hear me? Reply with readability/strength: 'Loud and clear.' | |
| READ BACK | Repeat my message back to me word-for-word. | |
| CORRECTION | I made an error; the correct version follows. | |
| DISREGARD | Ignore my previous transmission. | |
| STAND BY / WAIT | Pause — I'll get back to you. 'WAIT, OVER' = a few seconds; 'WAIT OUT' = longer. | |
| AFFIRMATIVE / NEGATIVE | Yes / No. Clearer than 'yes'/'no' on a noisy channel. | |
| ACTUAL | The unit leader personally, not their radio operator ('Send me Bravo Actual'). | |
| HOW COPY | Did you receive and understand? Typical answer: 'Good copy.' | |
| CQ | Ham | Calling any station — 'CQ CQ CQ, this is…' The universal ham invitation to talk. |
| 73 | Ham | Best regards — the standard ham sign-off. (88 = hugs & kisses.) |
| ELMER | Ham slang | An experienced ham who mentors newcomers. |