Radio Communication

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Telecommunication by means of radio

  • Radio communication requires the use of both transmitting and receiving equipment.
  • The transmitting equipment, which includes a radio transmitter and a transmitting antenna, is installed at the point from which messages are transmitted.

What are uses of radio?

  • The prime purpose of radio is to convey information from one place to another through the intervening media (i.e., air, space, nonconducting materials) without wires. Besides being used for transmitting sound and television signals, radio is used for the transmission of data in coded form.
  • There are 3 types of radio communications devices:
    • Base station
    • Two-way mobile radio
    • Portable receiver radio.

Base station radio

  • Base station is a two-way radio at a fixed site such as a hospital or dispatch centre.
  • The base station can serve as a dispatch and co-ordination hub and ideally is in contact with all other agencies

Two way radio

  • A two-way radio is a radio fixed in a response vehicle that can do both transmit and receive a signal unlike a broadcast receiver which only receives content.
  • A two-way radio allows the operator to have a conversation with other similar radios operating on the same radio frequency (channel)

Radio communication principles

  • Listen before talking.
  • Press and hold “Push To Talk” (PTT) button one second before speaking
  • Speak at close range, slowly and clearly
  • Release “push to talk” button after talking to allow the other party to respond
  • Avoid emotion
  • Be brief and do not waste air time
  • Avoid slang, profanity, use standard formats
  • Repeat (‘read-back’) all orders or critical information, confirm message received.
  • Do not give a patient's name or detailed clinical information over the radio. Consider using land line or cell phone for privacy
  • Provide objective information.
  • “Radio silence”, is used when priority radio communication is required, as in a mass casualty incident.

EMS Communication Terminology

Phonetic Alphabet

  • The phonetic (pronounced foon-etic) alphabet is used when spelling something over the radio so that there is clarity on the letter.
  • All radio users must memorize this alphabet and be able to use it at the same speed as the usual alphabet.