RADIO PROTOCOL

Carrier Air Wing 15 uses Ventrilo version 2.2.0 to communicate during game play. It can be downloaded from CAW15 website. “Com’s” lift the burden of typing while flying in a game. Radio protocol is very important during missions. Improper radio usage can result in disorganization, confusion, and most likely lead to unnecessary deaths.

Radio Terminology:

Affirmative: Yes

Negative: No

Bogies: unidentified aircraft sighting,

Bandit: Enemy aircraft sighting.

Copy: Information received. Does not require "OVER."

Out: Message acknowledged, no reply necessary.

Over: Message sent, awaiting reply.

Roger: Message acknowledged. Does not require "OVER".

Say Again: Please repeat your last transmission.

Wilco: I understand and will comply. Nothing follows.

Pushing: I’m firing on a bandits six

            Pulling: I’ve got one on my six

            I’m going in: I’m crashing my plane.

            I’m in fresh: I just respawned.

            Com Check: Please acknowledge if you can hear me

            Angels: Altitude  (Example: Angels 16 = altitude 16,000ft)

Radio Protocol. Examples : 

          Poor protocol

          Red 1: red wing form up on me.

          Red 2: Red 1 what is your heading?

          Red 1: Red 2 heading is 170

          Red 2: :::silence::: <acknowledgement required here>

          Red 1: Red 2 do you copy my heading?

          Red 2: :::silence:::

          Red 2: I’m not used to this plane

          Red 1: Red 2, acknowledge heading copied

          Red 2: I can’t see you. <still no indication that he received heading> .

          Red 1: Red 2 You requested heading , did you copy?

          Red 2: yes, 170                                                 

          Proper protocol

          Red 1: red wing form up on me.

          Red 2: Red 1 what is your heading?

          Red1: Red2 heading is 170

          Red 2: Copy, Red1 heading is 170

          Red 1: over

Compare the lengths of the two transmissions. The second one is short but all the required information is there.  The first one ties up the radio and is confusing. The radio needs to be available for more important information. If Red 3 were to spot bandits he may not have been able to get a message through clearly and in time.  It is important to respond when spoken to or the speaker assumes you did not hear. 1). Stay alert and pay attention to what is said. 2). Use the proper terminology. 3). Acknowledge

Example of a combat transmission:

Good Protocol

Red 1: I’m pushing [enemy AAA]!

Red3: Roger  Red 1, [enemy BBB] is closing on you break left

Red1: copy breaking left

Red 2: I’m going in

Red 3: I’m at angels 4 pulling two

Red 1: Roger Red 3 I’m coming.

Red 2: Coming in fresh, I’m close by, Red 3

Poor protocol

Red 1: I’m pushing [enemy AAA]!

Red 3: Roger Red 1, [enemy BBB] is closing on you go left I think I can get him,

Red1: ::::silence:::: <no acknowledgement>

Red 2: I’m  pulling :::::::: [interruption] ::::::

Red 3: OH MAN DID YOU SEE THAT?!?! HIS WING CAME OFF I GOT HIM OFF YOU RED 1!!!

Red 2 :::::::some help::::: [interruption] ::::

Red 1: Way to go Red 3 I was in big trouble, was able to finish off [enemy AAA] good going

Red 4: Red 2 I couldn’t hear you

Red 2: Its too late I’m down.

Red 4: Oh I love this song :::listening to a song on the radio that no one else can hear::::

RED 1: What are you talking about, who said that?

It’s pretty easy to compare these two. In their excitement Red 1 & 3 by transmitting unnecessary information, block out a call for help by Red 2. Red 4 picks up on it and tries to help but then goes off on a tangent unrelated to the mission. No one is using the correct terminology therefore they are left open to misunderstandings.

TIPS: Make sure only your team is in the Communication "room" before discussing tactics. Don’t compromise your mission. 

  Don’t talk with your mouth full! Be clear and concise when you speak, Ventrilo is not perfect the easier you are to understand the less radio time you use up.

  Think about what your going to say. How important is it? How should it be phrased? On the other hand don’t hesitate either.

  Establish a flight leader to make critical decisions on the “fly” and direct the flight.

  If you have radio, computer, or airplane problems let your leader know about it as soon as possible.

Push button activation can take some getting used too but, it prevents the choppy incoherent broadcasts voice activation can cause. Not to mention the embarrassment of the squad hearing your wife chew you out!

When flying as a team, use the radio to:

-         Give your location or intentions

-         Ask for help

-         Alert team to a wounded enemy

-         Set up your opponent

  When used properly there is nothing like verbal communication in a match. If you fly a match with a team that is not using it you can see the difference. It allows you to talk only to your team (a great disadvantage of game chat) and erases the awkward and difficult task of typing while flying. Overall, this puts you at a great advantage and increases your ability to become a better simulator pilot and team member.

PHONETIC ALPHABET: Word Notepad