How clear is your radio communication?

Clear, crisp radio communication. That’s what we all want, isn’t it?

Recently, digital two way radio noise cancellation technology has improved transmit audio quality almost beyond belief.
A radio user can be stood in the middle of a nightclub dance floor with deafening music all around and still be heard clearly on another radio elsewhere.

In fact technology has improved so much, that the weak link in radio communications now tends to be us, the users.

THE RADIO FACTOR

Noise cancellation is useful in many places like machine workshops, sports stadiums and night clubs. These types of location can get extremely noisy, and clear radio communication can be the difference between a safe operation or a nightmare situation.

Crane operators are often asked move items around totally blind, following the instructions of a banks-man, using two way radio. Building sites can be very noisy places, so mis-communication is an ever present danger.
In situations like this, the noise cancellation abilities of digital two way radio can help to prevent a total disaster.

In stadiums the noise from a crowd is uncontrollable, but no matter how loud it gets, important and emergency calls can still get through.

When radio conversations occur in emergency scenarios, there’s no room for error. Read a good article on the use of two way radio in emergency scenarios here.
Mis-hearing a message can waste precious time, create safety issues, cause injury or even death.
Communication needs to be clear.

For a demonstration of the noise cancelling abilities of digital two way radio just get in touch.

So the technology is there to help us, but do we help ourselves?..

THE HUMAN FACTOR

You’ve probably all seen it…
The taxi driver who hangs his microphone from his rear view mirror and uses it at arms length.
Then wonders why he keeps getting asked to repeat his last message, or is simply not heard!

Although modern digital two way radios are good, they can’t perform miracles, so here’s a few tips on how to get your message across clearly.

Use it Properly!

Most manufacturers advise that the microphone (mobile or portable) should be held about 2″ (5 cm) from the mouth and to speak directly into the microphone, in a normal conversational manner.

Speak Clearly.

This may sound a little obvious, but bear in mind that using your “telephone voice” is a well known phenomenon.
Without realising it, you may be speaking quietly, or rushing your words.
Simply do a test call and ask how you sound.

Say – What?

Before You Speak… Think.
Just take a moment to frame in your head what your message is and how you can say it simply and concisely.
Don’t give complicated instructions all at once… break them up into different “overs”.

Don’t Gabble.

There may be times when you are under pressure using radio communications.
Try to use the same conversational manner during emergencies, etc.
Remember that your listeners can’t see you, they will have no visual clues or prompts.
They are totally reliant on what you convey verbally.
You MUST stay calm.

Understood?

Don’t assume that your message has been understood… Ask.
At the end of your message simply say “okay?” or “over?” (accent the question).

Use Radio Protocol.

With the majority of two way radios, only one user can speak at a time, yet so much time is wasted repeating messages, simply because of a lack of protocol…
Always use call-signs. See Ofcom
Establish contact, identify who you want to speak to and who you are…
“Blue Base, this is Blue 15, OVER”. (Called party first, calling party second).
Use of the word “over” is vastly underrated when using two way radio.
It clearly conveys the message “I have finished speaking, please reply”.
It avoids the problem of users constantly talking over each other and needing to repeat messages.

Using some form of radio protocol keeps things short, to the point and could be a lifesaver during an emergency.

Just make sure you use phrases or lingo that your team have agreed on.

To get your two way radio message across clearly, contact us now.

Radphone