BASIC SIGNAL COMMUNICATION

SIGNALS

➢ are used to transmit commands or information when radio and other means of communication
are not available or during instances when silence must be maintained.
➢ use of signals is particularly useful during conduct of patrols or during the thick of firefight
where verbal commands are difficult to understand.
➢ generally embodied in a unit’s Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) and all members are
expected to know them by heart.

FIVE (5) MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

1. Whistle

➢ The whistle is an excellent signal devise used by small unit leaders. It has, however, some
disadvantages.
➢ The sound of whistles from adjacent units may confuse the men and its affectivity as a means of
communication may be adversely affected by normal noise that exists in the battle field.
➢ The whistle may be an effective means of transmitting instant messages to a large group of
men. Remember when you intend to use a whistle as a signal, be sure that it is pre-arranged and
that all the men understand what every whistle sound means.

I
2. Semaphore

➢ Semaphore flag signaling is rarely used today except in the Navy where such method of
communication is still being used as a back-up communication means between ships at sea.
3. Morse Code

➢ Morse Code is an internationally known communication code used as an alternate to voice-radio

communication.
➢ Message transmission is much slower than through voice-radio communication, but it is as
reliable.
➢ Morse code messages may be relayed through dots and dashes on the telephone or through
short and long flashes on signal lights.

A._ N_. 1.____

B _ ... O___ 2 .. _ _ _

C_._. P.__ 3 ... _ _

D _ .. Q__. 4 .... _

E. R._. 5 .....

F .. _ . S ... 6 _ ....

G__ T_ 7 _ _ ...

H .... U .. _ 8 _ _ _ ..

I .. V ... _ 9____.

J.___ W.__ 0___

K_._ X _ .. _ (Period) . _ . _ . _

L . _ .. Y_.__ ? .. _ _ ..

M__ Z _ _ .. (Comma) _ _ .. _ _
4. Special Signals

➢ Special signals consist of all special methods and devices used to transmit commands or
information.
➢ These may take the form of taps on the helmet or rifle stock to signal “halt”, “danger”, “move
forward” or “assemble here”.
➢ Various pyrotechnic and smoke signals may also be effective to signal the time to attack, to
withdraw or to commence performing a specific task, such as to cease or shift supporting fires.

➢ They may also be used to mark the limits of front lines and indicate targets. Before you make use
of a special signal for your unit, be sure to check it with other leaders to ensure that they are not
using the same signal which may have different set of meanings.

5. Arms and Hand Signals

➢ Arm and hand signal are often made a part of a unit’s SOP and it may vary from one unit to
another.
➢ This silent means of relaying commands to the men are usually used during patrols or infiltration
missions when silence is extremely important.

Following are the standard arm and hand signals. However, you may device your own for your unit, but
be sure your men understand their meanings before you use them.
a. Decrease Speed
• Extend your arm horizontally sideward with your palm to the front. Then wave
your arm downward several times keeping your arm straight. Do not move your
arm above the horizontal.

b. Increase Speed or Double Time

• Carry your hand to your shoulder with your fist closed. Rapidly thrust your fist
upward vertically to the full extent of your arm and back to your shoulder for
several times.
c. Change Direction or Column (Right or Left)
• Extend your left or right arm horizontally to the side with palm facing to the front.

d. Enemy in Sight
• Hold your rifle horizontally with the butt in your shoulder and the muzzle pointing
in the direction of the enemy.
e. Commence Firing
• Extend your arm in front of your body, hip high with your palm down. Move it
through a wide horizontal arc several times.

f. Fire Faster
• Execute rapidly the signal “Commence Firing”. For the machine gunner, this signal
means change to a higher rate of fire.
g. Fire Slower
• Execute slowly the signal “Commence Firing”. For the machine gunner, this signal
means to slow-down rate of fire.

h. Cease Firing
• Raise your hand in front of the forehead with your palm facing to the front. Then
swing your hand and forearm up and down several times in front of your face.
i. Assemble
• Raise your hand vertically to the full extent of your arm with your fingers
extended and joined with palm facing to the front. Then wave in large horizontal
circles with your arm and hand.

j. Form into Column

• Raise either of your arm to the vertical position. Drop your arm to the rear,
describing complete circles in a vertical plane, parallel to your body. This signal
may be used to form troop or vehicular columns.
k. Form into Echelon (Right or Left)
• Face the unit being signaled and extend one arm 45 degrees above and your other
arm 45 degrees below the horizontal with your palm facing to the front. Your
lower arm shall indicate the direction of the echelon. Supplementary commands
may be given to ensure prompt and proper execution.

l. Form into Skirmishers (Fire Team)

• Raise your both arms laterally until they are horizontal. Keep your arms and hands
extended with the palms down. If it is necessary to indicate a direction, move in
the desired direction at the same time you execute the signal. This signal is also
used to command a squad to form into a line formation.
m. Form into Wedge
• Extend your both arms downward and to your side at an angle of 45 degrees
below the horizontal with your palms facing to the front.

n. Form into Vee

• Extend your arms at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal and form the
letter “V” with your arms and torso.
o. Platoon
• Extend both arms forward with your palms down towards the leader or the unit
whom your signal is intended. Then describe large vertical circles with your hands.

p. Squad
• Extend your hand and arm with your palm down, towards the squad leader of the
squad you are addressing. Then distinctly move your hand up and down several
times from the wrist, keeping your arm steady.
q. Fire Team
• Bring your right arm diagonally across your chest.

r. Close Up
• Start your signal with your both arms extended sideward and palms forward.
Then bring your palms together in front of your body momentarily. When
repetition of this signal is necessary, bring your arms back to the starting position
by a movement along the front of your body.
s. Open Up or Extend
• Start your signal with your arms extended in front of your body and palms
together. Then bring arms to the horizontal position of your sides with palms
facing forward. When repetition of this signal is necessary, return your arms along
the front of your body as in the starting position. You may repeat the signal until
you are understood.

t. Disperse
• Extend your either arm vertically overhead. Wave the hand and arm to the front,
left, right and rear with your palm facing towards the direction of each
movement.
u. Forward, Advance to the Right (Left)
• This signal is always used when starting from a halt. Face and move in the desired
direction of the march and at the same time extend your arm horizontally to the
rear. Then swing it overhead and forward in the direction of the movement until
it is horizontal with your palms down.

v. Halt
• Carry your hand to your shoulder with your palm facing to the front. Then thrust
the hand upward vertically to the full extent of your arm and hold it in that
position until the signal is understood.
w. Freeze
• Make the signal for “halt” and clinch your hand into a fist.

x. Down and Take Cover

• Extend your arm sideward at an angle of 45 degrees above the horizontal with
your palm down. Then lower your hand to your side. You may use both arms in
giving this signal. Repeat the signal until understood.
y. Hasty Ambush Right (Left)
• Raise your fist to your shoulder level and thrust it several times in the desired
direction.

z. Rally Point
• Touch your belt with one hand and point to desired spot on the ground you want
to designate as your unit’s rally point.
 FAMILIARIZATION OF DIFFERENT RADIO EQUIPMENT, CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

RADIO

➢ Widely used in all the operating units of the Navy.

➢ It is flexible and quite transportable
➢ It provides the fastest means of communication that is adaptable to the varying field conditions.

Major disadvantage:
• It is least secured means of communication.
o Since the radio operates on the principle of transmitting electromagnetic
waves, the enemy with his own radio set and a little knowledge of the
types of radio government forces use, could easily intercept our
transmissions. It is on this regard that you should observe radio discipline
at all times. You should therefore, always assume that the enemy is
listening whenever you use the radio.

1. Guidelines For Radio Transmission.

Follow these guidelines when making radio transmissions:
a. Always plan or write down your message before transmitting.
b. Always listen before starting to talk so as not to interrupt other conversations.
When about to talk, press down the button on the side of the hand set and do
not talk until the hissing sound ceases. Talk directly into the microphone.
c. Speak distinctly and enunciate each word in normal tone. If the receiving
operator must write down your transmission, allow him time for copying.
d. Follow the standard voice-radio procedures when transmitting.
e. Release the push-to-talk button immediately after the completion of your
transmission; otherwise you will not hear the other station.
f. Camouflage your radio set when carrying it on you back. Bend the whip
antennae slightly downward and to the rear to make it inconspicuous to the
enemy. Several radio men became casualties because they failed to take this
measure.

2. Radio Telephone Procedures

➢ Refer to the system of transmission through the use of voice and formalized language to
simplify radio communications.
➢ Included in this system are a call signs authorized to be used by radio stations and short
procedure words (prowords) and phrases that a radio operator uses to establish
communication with another station.
➢ The rationale behind the use of prowords is to prevent misunderstanding between radio
operators and repetition of transmissions. By using short phrases in transmission, the time is
substantially cut down.
➢ To preclude the possibility of committing errors in the transmission of messages thereby
giving rise to confusion between radio operators, the phonetic alphabet, which is of universal
 applications is used. Since words have similar sounds, confusion may develop and this can be
eliminated by the use of the phonetic alphabet.

This brings us to the purposes behind the use of phonetic alphabet which are as follows:

a. To prevent the radio operator from getting confused when confronted with words having
similar sounds.
b. To spell out words that is difficult to pronounce.

Call signs are used to identify each station within a radio net. This is one security aspect of radio
communication that prevents the entry of an unauthorized entity into the net. The improper use of call
signs may signify that a violation is already committed.

Procedure words or phrases that have been assigned meanings are used as substitutes for long
sentences for the purpose of expediting message handling. This is one way of keeping voice transmission
as short and clear as possible.

The following are the most commonly used words and phrases in radio transmission and their
corresponding meaning:

PROWORDS EXPLANATION/MEANING
OVER My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you

OUT My transmission is ended and I expect no response from you (I will turn off the
radio set)
ROGER I have received your last transmission satisfactorily
WILCO I will comply to your instruction
QUERRY/ (These are prowords used before a question)
INTERROGATIVE Example: INTERROGATIVE MY SIGNAL–How do you receive my transmission?
SAY AGAIN I did not understand your transmission. Request repeat your transmission
I SAY AGAIN I am repeating the transmission or portion thereof as indicated
REPEAT ALL AFTER Request repeat all your transmission after the word.
WAIT ONE Request that you wait for about one minute.
BREAK . . BREAK Emergency, stop your conversation and allow me to use this net for a very
urgent transmission.
3. The Phonetic Alphabet

➢ To avoid misunderstanding by the receiving operator, the message sender should use the
phonetic alphabet to spell out words which might be misunderstood.

Following are the letters of the alphabet and their equivalent phonetics:

LETTER PHONETIC

A Alpha
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 Victory
W Whiskey
X X-ray
Y Yankee
Z Zulu
4. Numeral Pronunciation
➢ Pronunciation of numbers over the radio and the telephone should be exaggerated to avoid being
misunderstood by the receiving party. Each digit of large numbers is pronounced separately except in the
case of even “hundreds” and “thousands” Here are the numerals and their corresponding pronunciation:

NUMBER PRONUNCIATION
0 Zero
1 Wun
2 Too
3 Thu-ree
4 Fo-wer
5 Fi-yiv
6 Six
7 Seven
8 Ate
9 Niner
10 Wun-Zero
18 Wun Ate
56 Fi-yiv Six
96 Niner Six
1234 Wun Thu-ree Fo-wer
800 Ate Hundred
805 Ate Zero Fi-yiv
17,000 Wun Seven Thousand
17,500 Wun Seven Thousand Fi-yiv Hundred
References:
ROTC Military Science 1 Hand Book Quirino S Calonzo 2007

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