Throughout the years, radio lingo and communication codes have changed very little for one simple reason: clarity is crucial. Whether you’re on a construction site coordinating people and equipment or a first responder in a life-threatening emergency situation, the speed and clarity of your two-way radio communication means everything. Using the right lingo cuts through the noise and confusion and gets the point across when every second counts. 

Shared Terminology for Reliable Radio Communication

When you’re using two-way radio equipment, reliable communication means everyone must be on the same page with the terminology. Short-hand expressions and codes are used to convey information quickly without lengthy explanations. But for that to work, everyone needs to know those codes. This is why most people use the standard codes below, unless you’re working with industry-specific codes.

Build a Quick Reference: The Core Radio Code Glossary

Use this reference to learn the core terms, standard phrases, 10-codes, and phonetic alphabet, all of which are used by radio users.

Core Terminology

Roger or Roger that	Message received and understood.
Roger so far	Confirming partway through a long message that you’ve understood so far.
Affirmative	Yes.
Negative	No.
Come in	Asking the other party to confirm they are hearing you.
Go ahead	I’m ready for your message.
Say again	Repeat all of the last message.
Say all before/after	Repeat all before or after a certain word or phrase.
Over	Message complete; an invitation for others to respond.
Out	Conversation is complete, no response needed/expected.
Stand by	Wait a short time, and I will get back to you.
Wait out	The wait is longer than expected, and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible.
Radio check	What’s my signal strength, or can you hear me?
Read you loud and clear	Your signal is good; I can hear you.
Wilco	Short for “I will comply,” meaning they will do what was asked.
Break, break	Interrupting a transmission for an urgent communication.
Emergency, emergency	A distress call; only used when a life is in danger, and immediate assistance is required.
I spell	The next word will be spelled out using the phonetic alphabet.

10-Codes for Radio 

Police routinely use 10-codes to convey information clearly and quickly, but the specific codes used vary by location and department. Other emergency responders and CB users may use their own jargon, which may or may not overlap with standard 10-codes. So, always confirm your local variations if you plan to use them in a professional context. Otherwise, stick to the standard 10-codes below used for walkie-talkies, which will be most widely understood. 

Code	Meaning
10-1	Transmission unreadable / receiving poorly.
10-2	Signal good.
10-3	Abort transmission.
10-4	Message received, understood.
10-5	Relay message.
10-6	Busy, stand by.
10-7	Out of service.
10-8	In service.
10-9	Repeat message.
10-10	Transmission complete.
10-20	What’s your location?
10-33	Emergency, urgent assistance needed.

Phonetic Alphabet 

When you need to spell out names or other critical terms, use the NATO phonetic alphabet below rather than letters. Letters alone can easily be misheard, causing confusion at a time when clarity is critical. 

• A – Alfa
• B – Bravo
• C – Charlie
• D – Delta
• E – Echo
• F – Foxtrot
• G – Golf
• H – Hotel
• I – India
• J – Juliet
• K – Kilo
• L – Lima
• M – Mike
• N – November
• O – Oscar
• P – Papa
• Q – Quebec
• R – Romeo
• S – Sierra
• T – Tango
• U – Uniform
• V – Victor
• W – Whiskey
• X – X-ray
• Y – Yankee
• Z – Zulu

For example, if you had to spell out the word “apple,” you would say “I spell (short pause) alfa-papa-papa-lima-echo.”

Master Linguistic Clarity: Phrases, Etiquette, and Clear Speaking

Here are some two-way radio best practices to ensure your communication is clear and understood: 

• Remember the 5 C’s of radio communication: Concise, Clear, Confident, Controlled, and Capable to ensure clarity. 
• Monitor your channel for traffic before speaking. 
• Think before you start talking so you know exactly what you’ll say before you hit the button to help keep the channel clear and avoid confusion. 
• Keep it short and simple, and use walkie-talkie codes whenever possible.
• Speak very clearly and pause between key words.
• Wait a second after pressing before you speak, and hold a second after finishing talking before letting go. 
• Acknowledge each message with a “Roger” or “Wilco” to confirm you received the message. 

Say Again and Pause: Clarity Through Repetition

If you’re not 100% clear on what the previous message was, use the phrase “say again” to have the other party repeat the message to ensure you’re both on the same page. When in doubt, always repeat. 

On the other hand, if you want to know you were heard, you could say “radio check” or try “go ahead” to invite a response.

Another factor that improves clarity is pausing after pressing the talk button, but before you start speaking. If you speak too soon, it can ‘clip’ the message, reducing clarity. Always pause immediately before speaking, and again after finishing, before releasing the button. But don’t worry if you forget, even pros occasionally make this mistake.

Emergency Codes and Privacy: Safety and Interference Management

Understanding your local emergency codes for first responders (police, ambulance, fire, etc.) is critical if you plan to use them professionally. Since these vary with location and department, you must look up your local emergency responder codes. Otherwise, just stick to the standard lingo above when communicating in emergency situations, since at least they're well-known. 

Privacy is also important, so monitor the channel before speaking and never interfere in an ongoing call unless it's an emergency (then use “emergency, emergency”). If you need privacy yourself, you can use sub-channels or digital walkie-talkie privacy codes.

Real-World Scenarios Across Industries

A number of industries use two-way radios instead of cellphones, especially in security and emergency response, where reliability and rapid communication can literally mean the difference between life and death. 

Those working in the security sector may use “cyclone” or “code red” to denote a violent situation or “tanto” to request immediate assistance. Security professionals also frequently use 10-codes for rapid status updates.

Emergency responders often have their own very structured lingo that varies by department. They tend to be more strict, like no slang or chatter, and they rely heavily on their own unique 10-code variations for clarity and speed.

The hospitality industry often uses color codes like “code yellow” for a non-emergency incident, or discreet codes like “code 2” for maintenance issues, so they don’t alarm guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Code Words Used in Radio Communications?

Radio communications use common phrases like “Roger” (understood) and “affirmative” (yes), or “Mayday,” to indicate a life-threatening situation. They also use police-style 10-codes and the NATO phonetic alphabet (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) to spell words.

What Are the 5 C’s of Radio Communication?

The 5 C’s of radio communication are: Concise, Clear, Confident, Controlled, and Capable. They describe effective two-way radio use, emphasizing short, clear sentences and a calm, confident voice that prevents confusion and helps messages get through quickly. 

What Are the 10 Codes for Radio?

10-codes are used for radio communication by police, emergency responders, truck drivers, and others to convey important messages quickly and clearly. For instance, 10-4 is often used to say “message received,” and 10-20 is used to request a location update.

Discover How Atlantic Radio Corp Can Enhance Your Communications

Clear radio communication is about learning the lingo and which codes to use in different industries and circumstances, with special attention to local emergency lingo. Fortunately, the standard codes we use don’t change often, so the reference above will be understood by most users. And don’t forget to follow radio etiquette to enhance clarity and reduce confusion. Then, all you need is dependable two-way radio equipment and accessories from Atlantic Radio Corp, and you can put your new skills into practice.

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