Learned the NATO alphabet as a kid in the air cadets. I was surprised to hear my Mrs using it on the telephone the other day, -which she has learned just by hearing me using it! But maybe it's time for a change....this one's a lot more fun!
This article is spot on. This is a huge problem in our hobby. As a Flight Instructor it is embarrassing when I demonstrate amateur radio to my students and they hear "sugar" instead of "sierra". Also, as a 9/11 Ground Zero first responder volunteering 20 hour shifts, after a while when people use these incorrect phonetics the receiving station can be so fatigued that he simply does not hear the transmission. We have to come together and be standardized as the author suggests. We also have to educate the improper operators and request that they refrain from demonstrating poor operating these techniques.
There are no improper operators and there is no "standard" phonetics as it relates to the use of phonetics in ham radio. There ARE those apparently not familiar with Part 97 of the FCC rules and regulations. § 97.119 - Station identification. (in part says) (2) By a phone emission in the English language. Use of a phonetic alphabet as an aid for correct station identification is encouraged; "a phonetic alphabet" is not THE phonetic alphabet.
Embarrassed? Sounds like unrealistic expectations to me - why expect hobbyists to have the same strict professionalism as in ATC communications? Poor operating? Some of the best contesters and DXers I hear on the bands use some non-standard phonetics occasionally. There is a reason they do it. Amateur radio is NOT aviation, it is NOT law enforcement, and it is NOT first responders.
Maybe some history will explain why "sugar" Remember - there are people, who got license long time ago, when other standards were in use... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet
"and it is NOT first responders." Actually, we are. The FCC does NOT define us as a hobby. We are in fact defined as a public asset to provide communications to served agencies. If you think we are a hobby then we mine as well sign off all of out spectrum yesterday. I think you do not realize why we exist.
I hope I do not work an event with you, as I will be too fatigued to understand you. Welcome to Ground Zero.
Phonetic alphabet is not THE phonetic alphabet, because THE phonetic alphabet is something entirely different: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet But there is a standard which is a recomendation because that what standards are. No one is going to put you in prison if you start selling 1/27 smoot screws (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot), but that desn't mean it is a good idea. The standard is what ITU, IARU and indeed ARRL recommend. It is only one, it has it's purpose and you don't want to use it just because your lazy ass doesn't have to.
Apparently, you have a problem with stations when they comply with the rules and regulations of their country and it's just that...your problem. Best to learn to deal with it.
Save the hype for another time. Worked for over 30 years in a service where radio was used many times daily and required a standard phonetic alphabet and 7 years in military service as a radio operator that required a specific phonetic alphabet with no problem. Now approaching 60 years in ham radio a service that does not require a standard phonetic alphabet by regulation. You should do what suits you, I do.
This is the hilarious and ironic thing about this whole thread. In fact, as an experimental service, we are perhaps the only one which is fully authorized to try alternatives if the international phonetics are not working... Exactly the same as we are authorized to use, make, and modify any equipment we like as long as it meets standards.
Oh boy. Here we go with the "hams are first responders" myth (flashing lights too?) It's made very clear in ARES that hams are NOT first responders and do not deploy without being officially requested by the served agency according to a memorandum of understanding. Around here, showing up without authorization at an emergency will get you escorted away and likely dismissed from ARES. Amateur radio most certainly is a hobby - and a service. It's both. Have you actually read all of 47 CFR 97.1, Basis and Purpose? 99% of the time, one is naturally learning the radio art, promoting international good will, and most of the other things listed in 97.1 while enjoying operating and building projects, obviously as a hobby. The other 1% of the time, one might do voluntary public service communication of some kind, and most hams probably do much less than 1%. Many never do any public service communications at all! Should they lose their licenses because they aren't professional enough for the service under 97.1?
