Zed, or is it Zee?

Zed is not only perfectly acceptable, it is a perfectly correct pronunciation of the letter "Z" in the English language. Furthermore, it is far more easily understood on the air than the pronunciation "Zee", which can too easily be heard as c, d, e, g, p, t, or v under even good reception conditions. Zed, however, is an absolutely unique sound. When conditions are bad, the operator will naturally resort to phonetics, using something like "Zulu". 73

Gary, K9 "Zed" MD/7
Seattle, WA

 

If one of the best police dramas ever made were to be shown in the US, would it be known as Zee Cars?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/titles/zcars.shtml

Charlie Barlow would not have been amused;

 

Zulu is a perfectly good Phonetic for the letter Zed or Zee as us Yanks refer to the letter. In most of the rest of the world, the last letter of the alphabet is NAMED Zed not zee.

You will note that on-the-air you will hear (and I still question the use of "Q" prosigns on phone) "Cue Are Zed" not KEHBECK ROEME-OH ZOOLOO

73 DE KAØGKT/7

--Steve

 

Well, here is how I use it.

It is accurate that "zed" is the way most British and British Commenwealth/possessions/former colonies say the letter "z". This is their use when saying the alphabet (like singing the alphabet song). So, if you are not using the phonetic alphabet, then "zed" is acceptable. I use, like many others have said, to not confuse it with c, d, e, g, p, and t, when not using the phonetic alphabet.

When using the phonitic alphabet, one should use "zulu". That is what I do.

When not using the phonetic alphabet, I would say, "this is kay zero cee em zed". When using the phonetic alphabet I would say "this is kilo zero charlie mike zulu".

But when working DX, I often use some of the other terms that make it easier for non-english speaking operators, such as "united, mexico, california," etc.

 

I got sick of saying, "NO, My call isn't UCR, it's U ZEE R". I decided to switch to saying U ZED R. So I am a lifer ZED person. And By The Way, Up here in North East Minnesota, they all say ZED.

 

The character is 'zed' and the phonetics are 'zulu'.

You don't ever say "Queen Romeo Zulu" do you? It's "Q R Zed" - no phonetics involved, but Zed is more recognizable than 'Z'.

I much prefer 'radio' to 'Romeo' and almost anything over 'golf', but in order to set a good example, I usually use 'Romeo Golf Romeo', at least the first time. You can tell I'm working hard to chase DX when it changes to 'radio Germany radio'. The 'radio' gets through every time.