The Phonetic Alphabet

February 19, 2015

The phonetic alphabet is one of the “basics” of communications.  It is my understanding that it came about in the 1950’s. Its purpose is minimize potential misunderstandings in communication due to mispronounced leters.  The words assigned to each letter were selected based on thousands of tests involving 31 different nationalities and accounts for the differences in linguistics of those nationalities.

Here are the letters of the alphabet and their associated code words:

some operators use these codes flaflawlessly… Others – not so much! The question in my mind is this…  when, we as licensed amateur radio operators invest so much time in learning the things that we must in order to get our licenses and operate our equipment… when we invest so much money in the equipment that we need to transmit good quality signals, and when our communications may, in certain circumstances save a lives…  Why do so many of us disregard the use of this tool?  I frequently hear the use of “Japan” instead of Juliett…  I frequently hear other ad-hoc words used for various letters, another frequent one however not as bad as many is “Kilowatt” for Kilo… close – but no cigar.  Some have said to me “Well – I’m just that way when I’m rag-chewing but otherwise I use the correct phrases”…  My response is – if you use it casually you will use it that way when its important.  This post isn’t a condemnation on anyone – please don’t take it that way…  just hopefully a “spark” that will make a difference…

On that note – 73’s
KE7TVZ Out