Level 1 · Lesson 1.4

Call signs and the phonetic alphabet

Jimmy Bob, a friendly cartoon mountain man in a trucker cap and overalls

“Your call sign is your name on the air. Say it proud and say it clear.”

You'll be able to

read a call sign, identify correctly, spell with the phonetic alphabet.

Every licensed station has a unique . US call signs start with A, K, N, or W, followed by a digit and more letters. Rules require you to give your call sign at least every 10 minutes during a conversation and at the end of it. The NATO (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, through Zulu) keeps letters clear through noise, so JB8HOL is "Juliett Bravo Eight Hotel Oscar Lima".

Tap an underlined word for its meaning.

Try it

Phonetic spelling game

Quick check

Get 2 of 3 right to complete the lesson.

1. How often must you identify during a conversation?
2. US call signs start with A, K, N, or…
3. The phonetic word for the letter H is…

Call signs and the phonetic alphabet

You'll be able to

Try it

Quick check

Words from this lesson