Specifications

Phonetic Alphabet
On voice communication circuits it is often necessary to spell out an unfamiliar or
difficult to pronounce words.
Example: ETA should be spoken as - Echo Tango Alpha.
Since many letters sound the same, phonetic alphabets have been developed to allow
communicators to spell without confusion. The phonetic alphabet used by the UN is
the same as used by the military services, aircraft, aviation facilities and mariners
worldwide.
Phonetic Spoken As Phonetic Spoken As
A
Alpha AL FAH
N
November NO VEM BER
B Bravo BRAH VOH O Oscar OSS CAH
C Charlie CHAR LEE P Papa PAH PAH
D Delta DELL TAH Q Quebec KEH BECK
E Echo ECK OH R Romeo ROW ME OH
F Foxtrot FOXS TROT S Sierra SEE AIR RAH
G Golf GOLF T Tango TANG GO
H Hotel HOH TELL U Uniform YOU NEE FORM
I India IN DEE AH V Victor VIC TAH
J Juliet JEW LEE ETT W Whiskey WISS KEY
K Kilo KEY LOH X X-ray ECKS RAY
L Lima LEE MAH Y Yankee YANK KEY
M Mike MIKE Z Zulu ZOO LOO
In some countries letters like India, Yankee & Whiskey are considered to be
unsuitable; therefore substitutes should be found and used from other variations of
the phonetic alphabet (e.g., Italy for India, William for Whiskey and Yellow instead
of Yankee).
Radio Operators Training Manual Version 27/11/2007 40