Hey so I'm new here and all but I've got real life radio and dispatch experience of just shy of 3 years (civilian based) as well as experience in Arma 3 along the same lines. I would like to help the unit in some way and I thought this would be a good way to help some people out.
Cutting to the chase today at the fun OP one of the leadership asked for CRs with RTO experience to step forward, as far as I saw there was only myself and another. It's a deceptively easy task to accomplish if you're in the right mindset. So I would like to put this out there as sort of a beginner's guide to radio operation.
Briefly . . .
1. You have a responsibility to multitask, that is your reason for having that radio on your back so don't forget to listen. It can be complicated for some to listen to multiple transmissions from prox, short-range, and long range chat but don't worry it gets easier with practice. I suggest, if you have an interest, to go onto YouTube and load up a few videos at once. At random pick a conversation in a video and listen in on it for the longest possible time that you can still make sense of the conversation at hand. This will train your brain to filter out "Chatter".
2. Listen, Transmit, Reply. Each of these phases should take as little as time as possible while maintaining a fluid flow of radio communication.
2a. Listen: In the long range radio communication, who is currently transmitting? If the situation being transmitted is of higher priority than your own transmission wait. This can be determined in the following order: Command (platoon level) Casualties, Squad Lead Casualties, Imminent Defeat, Reinforcement Requests, CAS/Arty Support Call Outs or Requests, Movement Orders, Objective Re-Definitions (You forgot what you're doing). If you must interrupt a transmission of lower priority to transmit your own of a superior priority declare "Break, Break, Break!" in a clear and calm manner. Do not transmit until you can count 1 full second of radio silence to ensure that you only need to give your message once.
2b. Transmit: This is the part where you declare you message. Make sure to use a steady tone and no matter what the circumstances you are under remember not to yell. A normal transmission should take the least amount of time possible for the reason that it clears the network quicker and that it gives Command/Squad Leads an appropriate amount of time to plan an adequate response or get in touch with the correct elements to define a response should they not have the answer to your question or request at the present. Normal transmission from the RTO or Squad Lead to Command or another Element will often go along these lines "
(Continued) Callsign is yourself
"Callsign to Recipient Callsign."
"Recipient Callsign to Callsign, go ahead."
"Callsign requesting reinforcement at grid coordinates One-Zero-One, Two-Three-Two. I say again, One-Zero-One, Two-Three-Two, how copy Recipient Callsign?"
"Recipient Callsign copies all, grid coordinates One-Zero-One, Two-Three-Two. Recipient Callsign Out."
3. Reply: This one doesn't always happen but if your transmission is put into question (needs clarification) try to make the clarification as accurate and detailed in the least amount of words used.
Lastly, do not beat yourself up over mistakes.
If you're new to it, then you're going to screw up. The tiny things will seem large to you but as long as you keep it in mind and try not to repeat it you're not bound to do it again or if you do it will be much less severe. You've got a lot going on as an RTO at times but don't let it get to you. Not every eagle's first flight is graceful (poetic right?)
Keep in mind this is just a guide and not a replacement for training of any sort. I've done this to give back for the several hours of fun I've had in the 501st.
Forgot to put who this was, my Steam isn't my TS/501st Name.
CR Spaz
I had to favorite this because it helped out so much, I will now be using this anytime I am honored with a Long Range Radio.
