Acceptable Procedure Words:
Acknowledge
The person you’re addressing must acknowledge receipt on the message.
Affirmative
Yes, or that is correct
Break-Break
You have an urgent message and need to interrupt the current conversation
Correction
An error has been made and the correct information follows
Disregard this transmission
This transmission is in error. Disregard it
Figures
Numerals or numbers follow
I Read Back
I read back your message to me exactly so you can validate that it is correct.
I Say Again
I will re-transmit the message or part of the message
I Spell
The word will be spelled using the phonetic alphabet
Message
Message which requires recording is about to follow
More to Follow
Transmitting station has additional traffic for the receiving station
Negative
No, or that is not correct
Over
End of my transmission and I DO EXPECT a reply
Out
End of my transmission and NO REPLY is expected. (Never say over and out)
Radio Check
I want to know my signal strength and readability is strong
Relay To
Transmit this message to the addressee indicated
Roger
Message received and understood
Say Again
Please repeat your last transmission
Speak Slower
Your transmission is at too fast of a speed. Reduce speed of transmission
This Is
The calling stations identification follows
Wait
A pause for a few seconds will follow
Wilco
I will comply with your message (Never say roger wilco)
Procedural Phrases *
MAYDAY (repeated three times)
Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice-procedure radio communications. It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by aviators and mariners,
PAN-PAN (repeated three times)
PAN-PAN is the international standard urgency signal that someone aboard a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle uses to declare that they have a situation that is urgent, but for the time being, does not pose an immediate danger to anyone’s life or to the vessel itself. This is referred to as a state of “urgency”.
Securite (repeated three times)
Marine safety alert
*Source: definitions.net
September 2025
