A plain-language radio check is the means of requesting and giving a signal strength and readability report for radiotelephony (voice) communications, and is the direct equivalent to the
QSA and QRK code
The QSA code and QRK code are interrelated and complementary signal reporting codes for use in wireless telegraphy ( Morse code). An enhanced format, SINPO code, was published in the ITU Radio Regulations, Geneva, 1959, but is longer and unwieldy f ...
used to give the same report in radiotelegraph (
Morse code
Morse code is a method used in telecommunication to encode text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called ''dots'' and ''dashes'', or ''dits'' and ''dahs''. Morse code is named after Samuel Morse, one of ...
) communications.
SINPEMFO code is the voice signal reporting format developed by the ITU in 1959, but sees little use outside of shortwave listeners.
Allied Communications Procedure 125(F), Communication Instructions Radiotelephone Procedure,
published by the Combined Communication Electronics Board, defines radiotelephone procedures, and contains the original definitions for many common radio communications procedures, including
Procedure Words, radio net operations, etc. Section 611 of ACP 125(F) details how to conduct radio checks using plain language.
Radio check procedure
The prowords listed below are for use when initiating and answering queries concerning signal strength and readability.
Signal strength prowords
Readability prowords
Examples of usage
One of these reports, "LOUD AND CLEAR", is commonly used in television shows, movies, literature, and by radio operators, commonly without knowing the source or the rest of the standard reports (hence the much-reduced frequency with which the other combinations are used). For example:
*LOUD AND CLEAR means Excellent copy with no noise
*LOUD BUT DISTORTED means the signal strength is very strong but the audio is distorted.
*GOOD AND READABLE means Good copy with slight noise
*FAIR BUT READABLE means Fair copy, occasional fills are needed
*WEAK BUT READABLE means Weak copy, frequent fills are needed
*WEAK WITH INTERFERENCE means the signal strength is weak and there is also interference from another signal.
*WEAK AND UNREADABLE means Unable to copy, a relay is required
The omission of comment on signal strength and readability, by responding only with the proword ROGER, is understood to mean that reception is LOUD AND CLEAR. If reception is other than loud and clear, it must be described with the appropriate prowords.
Reports such as "five by five", "four by four", etc., will not be used to indicate strength and quality of reception.
References
{{reflist
See also
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QSA and QRK code
The QSA code and QRK code are interrelated and complementary signal reporting codes for use in wireless telegraphy ( Morse code). An enhanced format, SINPO code, was published in the ITU Radio Regulations, Geneva, 1959, but is longer and unwieldy f ...
(for Morse code only)
*
R-S-T system
The R-S-T system is used by amateur radio operators, shortwave listening, shortwave listeners, and other radio hobbyists to exchange information about the quality of a radio signal being received. The code is a three digit number, with one digit ...
(for Amateur radio only)
*
SINPO code
SINPO, an acronym for Signal, Interference, Noise, Propagation, and Overall, is a Signal Reporting Code used to describe the quality of broadcast and radiotelegraph transmissions. SINPFEMO, an acronym for Signal, Interference, Noise, Propagation ...
*
Signal strength and readability report
A signal strength and readability report is a standardized format for reporting the strength of the radio signal and the readability (quality) of the radiotelephone (voice) or radiotelegraph (Morse code) signal transmitted by another station as re ...
*
Circuit Merit
The Circuit Merit system is a measurement process designed to assess the voice-to-noise ratio in wired and wireless telephone circuits, especially the Advanced Mobile Phone System, AMPS system, and although its reporting scale is sometimes used as ...
(for wired and wireless telephone circuits only, not radiotelephony)
*
Procedure Words
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Allied Communication Procedures
Allied Communication Procedures is the set of manuals and supplements published by the Combined Communications Electronics Board that prescribe the methods and standards to be used while conducting visual, audible, radiotelegraph, and radiotelephon ...
Operating signals