FAQ VAQP Phonetic Alphabet
Question:
Last question — I read your post regarding the use of phonetic callsigns . . . do most VHF’ers use those or not? Again, I’ll prep my son as needed either way.
Answer:
Yes you should use the phonetic alphabet for all voice communications that are not otherwise crystal clear. It is true when we use our repeater we just say letters, but this is due to the high clarity our repeater affords our communications. As you listen around for simplex (no repeater) signals during the QSO Party you will hear some very loud FM stations calling CQ. Others will be quite weak. The use of the phonetics always will ensure your call gets understood and answered.
Also don’t assume when you can hear a station very clearly that he/she will be able to hear you very well or at all. Some folks are running lots of power when makes the QSO lopsided. I had this happen as I was heading West on I-64 over Afton Mountain. I heard the Central Virginia Contest Group like they were next door, but I never ever got them to hear me. It happens. No big deal.
By the way, during last year’s Virginia QSO Party there were several folks on the HF bands using SSB saying just their letters. Every call was one of the KI4xxx variety suggesting these were Technicians who just upgraded to a no code General and had little clue the phonetic alphabet is essential. One operator was particularly adamant about not using kilo-india-4… I said fine and moved on without giving him a QSO since I could not ever quite hear what his call was. Oh well it happens. Their loss.
