Radio Communication Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Radios in security work

Most security radios are push-to-talk: you press a button to speak and release it to listen. On most channels only one person can talk at a time. If two people press at once, neither message gets through.

In Canada, radio equipment needs a radio authorization under the Radiocommunication Act unless it is exempt. Certified Family Radio Service handhelds are one example of licence-exempt radios. Business radio systems are normally licensed by the employer, and guards use the channels they are assigned.

A typical site system has handheld radios carried by guards, a base station at the control room or main desk, and sometimes a repeater that extends the range across a large site. Control, sometimes called dispatch, keeps track of where every guard is and sends help when needed. Your radio is your lifeline when you work alone, so treat it as safety equipment, not a phone.

Start-of-shift checklist

Battery charged, and a spare if your shift is long.
Correct channel and volume set.
Earpiece working, if you use one.
A radio check with control before you need the radio.

Lesson 2: Making a clear call

Listen first to make sure no one is talking.
Think about what you will say.
Press the button and wait a moment so your first words are not cut off.
Say who you are calling, then who you are: “Control, this is Patrol 2.”
Wait for “go ahead”, then give your message.
Release the button and listen for the reply.

Speak at a normal volume and steady pace. Do not shout.
Hold the microphone a few centimetres from your mouth.
Avoid filler sounds like “um” and “er”.
Keep messages short. Long calls block the channel for others.
Use plain language. 10-codes differ between sites and can confuse people.

Lesson 3: Procedure words

Procedure words are short, standard phrases with one meaning. Federal radio operator guidance uses these:

Say	Meaning
Over	I have finished speaking and expect a reply.
Out	The conversation is finished. No reply is needed.
Go ahead	Start your message, I am listening.
Stand by	Wait. I will get back to you.
Roger	I received your message.
Say again	Please repeat your message.
Correction	I made a mistake. The right word follows.
Station calling	I do not know who is calling me.

The same guidance says slang such as “OK”, “repeat”, “ten-four” and “over and out” should not be used. “Over” asks for a reply and “out” ends the call, so saying both makes no sense.

Lesson 4: The phonetic alphabet and numbers

Letters like B, D, P and T sound alike on a radio. Use the phonetic alphabet to spell names, plates and unit numbers.

Letter	Word	Letter	Word
A	Alfa	N	November
B	Bravo	O	Oscar
C	Charlie	P	Papa
D	Delta	Q	Quebec
E	Echo	R	Romeo
F	Foxtrot	S	Sierra
G	Golf	T	Tango
H	Hotel	U	Uniform
I	India	V	Victor
J	Juliett	W	Whiskey
K	Kilo	X	X-ray
L	Lima	Y	Yankee
M	Mike	Z	Zulu

Say numbers digit by digit: 153 is “one five three”. Standard radio practice says some digits in a special way so they are not misheard, such as “tree” for 3, “fife” for 5 and “niner” for 9.

Digit	Say
0	Zero
3	Tree
4	Fow-er
5	Fife
9	Niner

Give times in the 24-hour clock: 4:30 p.m. is 16:30. Whole thousands are an exception to digit-by-digit: 3000 can be said as “tree thousand”.

Lesson 5: Emergencies, privacy and driving

An emergency message, such as a fire or someone hurt, may interrupt other radio traffic. Everyone else should stay off the channel until control clears it.

Order of an emergency message

Who you are calling and who you are.
What is happening.
Where: the exact location.
Who is hurt and how badly, if anyone.
What help you need: police, fire, ambulance, more guards.

Privacy

Radio channels are shared, and other people may hear. Keep names, health details and other personal information off the open channel when you can. Use a phone or speak in person instead.

Radios and driving

Distracted driving laws differ by province. Alberta, for example, allows two-way radio use while driving only in some listed situations. The safest habit is to pull over safely before a long radio conversation.

Lesson 6: Sample calls and radio etiquette

A routine call

Speaker	Message
Patrol 2	Control, this is Patrol 2. Over.
Control	Patrol 2, go ahead. Over.
Patrol 2	Site 14 checked. All doors secure. Leaving for Site 9. Over.
Control	Roger, Patrol 2. Out.

Spelling a plate

For a plate reading BVK 245, say: “Bravo Victor Kilo, two four five.” Add the province, the colour and the make of the vehicle if you can see them.

An emergency call

“Control, this is Desk 1, emergency. Smoke on floor 3, east hallway. No one hurt so far. Calling 911 now. Start the fire plan. Over.” The message is short and gives what, where, who is hurt and what help is needed.

Radio etiquette

Assume every call can be heard by others and may be recorded. Stay professional.
No personal chat, jokes or swearing on the channel.
Use an earpiece in public areas so visitors do not hear private calls.
Do not leave your radio where someone could pick it up and use it.
Keep the radio dry and warm in winter; cold weather drains batteries faster, so carry a spare.
If your radio fails, tell control by phone right away so they know you cannot be reached by radio.