Phonetic Alphabet

The words of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) phonetic

alphabet should be learned thoroughly. Whenever isolated letters or groups

of letters are pronounced separately, or when communication is difficult,

the alphabet can be easily used. The phonetic alphabet should always be

used when transmitting call signs.

When it is necessary to spell out call signs or words, the following table

should be used. The syllables to be emphasized are shown in bold type.

Phonetic Alphabet and Figure Code

(See https://life.itu.ch/radioclub/rr/ap14.htm)

1. When it is necessary to spell out call signs, service abbreviations and words, the following letter spelling table shall be used:

* The syllables to be emphasized are underlined.

2. When it is necessary to spell out figures or marks, the following table shall be used:

Example:

If the vessel MOLAT H3211 is asked to spell its name and call sign

phonetically it will do so as follows:

MIKE, OSCAR, LIMA, ALFA, TANGO, HOTEL three, two, one, one.

Numbers

Numbers are expressed in words as follows:

** Each syllable should be equally emphasized.

All numbers except whole thousands should be transmitted by pronouncing each

digit separately. Whole thousands should be transmitted by pronouncing each

digit in the number of thousands followed by the word THOUSAND (pronounced /’tauz @nd/).

30 becomes THREE ZERO

25 becomes TWO FIVE

100 becomes ONE ZERO ZERO

6, 700 becomes SIX SEVEN ZERO ZERO

11, 000 becomes ONE ONE THOUSAND

38, 006 becomes THREE EIGHT ZERO ZERO SIX

Numbers continuing a decimal point should be transmitted as above, with the

decimal point indicated by the word DECIMAL.

156.8 becomes ONE FIVE SIX DECIMAL EIGHT