Prepared by Laura and Mark Sullivan Radio Protocol & Techniques

Prepared by Laura and Mark Sullivan

Radio Protocol & Radio Protocol & Techniques Techniques

Radio Protocol & Techniques

Radios are crucial instruments important for communication and control during a ski race.

Successful use will enhance the event, providing a more productive and secure environment.

Misuse can create delays, cause confusion and frustration for all.


There currently is no accepted standard radio protocol for all ski races as there is for aviators and emergency personnel.

Each ski resort typically has their own protocol which may deviate slightly or greatly from other ski resorts.

Reviewing, discussing and establishing standard radio protocol for the event will enable the event to operate more efficiently and professionally.

Who gets a radio at a ski race?

1. Radios must be provided to all Jury members plus Start and Finish Referees. These radios must function on a single reserved frequency and be free of interference (601.4.8).

2. Communication MUST be available to and from patrol and/or medical personal, often this is by radio. Review with the Jury the exact protocol for requesting medical assistance.

Who gets a radio at a ski race?

3. The Course Crew should have a separate radio channel. Request from the Jury to the Course Crew should be made through the Chief of Race.

4. Others that may benefit the race by having a radio are Spotters (Eyes of the Jury), the Connection Coach, Timing and the Race Administrator.

Radio Protocol & Techniques Before the Event:

1. Review the standard radio protocol with all race officials receiving radios. Clarity of speech and meaning is imperative for the Jury. Distribution of a written protocol is helpful.

2. Practice (Start Stops and Course Clear) sequences so those unfamiliar with these routine radio calls know what to expect.


3. Perform radio checks; it is your responsibility to ascertain that your radio is operating properly. Check to see if the radio both transmits and receives messages successfully.a. Is the radio turned on?b. Does the “PTT” (Push To Talk) button work?c. Check that the radio is assigned channel.d. Make sure that radio contact is available to and from medical

personal.e. Check volume


Perform radio checks (cont.)

f. Is antenna attached correctly and operational?

g. Is the battery fully charged?

h. Are there spare batteries? (Especially for the start referee, or if you are in a remote location) Keep spare batteries warm

i. Are there any known “dead” spots on the course or ski resort?

Radio Operating Techniques

1. Hold transmit button down for at least one second before you begin your message, this will insure that the first part of your communication is not cut off. (If the resort uses a repeater system you may have to hold the “PTT” button slightly longer to avoid having the start of your transmission cut off.)

2. Remember to release the “PTT” button after speaking.

Radio Operating Techniques

3. It is good practice to hold the face of the radio at 45 degree angle to your face when speaking. Place radio opening roughly 2-3 inches from your mouth.

4. Volume control; having the volume at the maximum capacity will drain the battery.

5. Battery life can be extended if the radio can be kept warm.

General Rules for Radio Use

1. Do not use obscenities.

2. Never transmit personal or confidential information. Be aware there are many ears listening.

3. Brevity is important! Speak only when you have to and keep chatter to minimum. Five seconds is a good target.


3. Brevity is important! (cont.)

a. Gather your thoughts before you speak

b. Use plain language.

c. Speak slowly and give every word equal force to carry through weak or static signals

d. Pause after logical phrases

e. Remember that miscommunication can result in dangerous situations


4. Listen

5. Raising your voice in the microphone will not improve the clarity of the transmission on the receiving end.

6. Only one person can speak at a time. Do not try and break in and “step on” another radio user.

7. Stay on your assigned channel


8. Identify yourself and who you want to communicate with at the beginning of a transmission. The recipient should respond to the communication.

Example: Transmitter - “TD to Chief of Race”. Recipient - “Go for Chief of Race”.

9. Acknowledge instructions if they are understood with “copy”, “received” or “acknowledge”. If instructions are not understood reply with “repeat”.


10. Let the recipients know when you are done with your transmission. “Out” is appropriate.

11. A course hold should only be released by the person who requested the course hold!

12. Volume - Keep volume at level appropriate to hear but to not disturb others. Volume control is especially important at the start area. Radio communication can sometimes present unfair advantages or cause an athlete distress.

Radio Protocol Suggestions

If an area does not have an established radio protocol, here are some suggestions:

Radio Protocol SuggestionsStart Stop (Slalom event, no yellow flag)

• TD – “Start Stop”, • SR – “ “Copy, Start Stop confirmed, number 33 on course,

number 34 at the start””• TD –“ This is the TD, Racer 33 is a DNF, equipment

blocking the course”• SR – “Copy”• TD – “Course clear, Start Start ( or resume Start) Clear to

send #34, out”• SR –“ Copy, Start Start, racer 34 in gate• SR – “Racer 34 on course, Out”


• It is not necessary to have the Start Referee announce each bib number in the gate unless the there is a change to the running order such as a re-run insertion.

• Refer to the USSA Competition Official-Alpine (705.5) Commands - for “Start Stop”, procedures in speed events.


Course Clear • TD - “TD to the eyes of the Jury, clear the hill from the bottom

up.”• FR - “Finish Referee, clear”• RF – “Referee on coaches’ knoll, clear”• SR - “Start Referee, Clear”• TD – “TD to Start and Timing, course is clear, send the first

forerunner (or next racer on next interval if this was a long hold). Out”

Note: At some resorts a “Course Clear” is controlled by the Chief of Race or Start Referee. This often depends on the level of experience these officials may or may not have.

Radio Protocol Suggestions The following suggestions were prepared by Ted Savage FID TD (CAN) #473 • Suggested Radio Terminology

There is a big difference in the meaning of “GO” and “NO” but not much of a phonetic difference. You choice of words could be confusing and cause a problem. Here are a few suggestions in terminology that will help avoid misunderstanding.

Radio Protocol SuggestionsWORD or PHRASES INSTEAD OF MEANING

NEGATIVE Nope NO

THAT IS CORRECT Yup Yes, Confirm

AFFIRMATIVE As above As above

ROGER As above As above

ACKNOWLEDGE Eh? (CAN) Confirm you understand

SAY AGAIN Hunh? (USA) Repeat last message

GO AHEAD Yeah what Listen, proceed w/message

CORRECTION Oops….. I made a mistake-correct version

DO YOU READ Are ya there? Called you once or more, reply

STAND-BY Wait a sec will ya Busy, please pause for a moment

Radio Protocol SuggestionsWORD or PHRASES INSTEAD OF MEANING

HOLD Oh GOD…stop… Hold further racers at start

CLEAR TO SEND Let ‘em rip Start or Restart the race

WILCO Okey Dokey Message understood, please comply

OUT Message ended, no reply expected

OVER Huh, Eh Message completed, reply expected

CHECK Got it Understood

CONTACT I see ‘em Visual contact at this position

CONFIRM Is that right eh? My version…It that correct?

VERIFY Who Says? Check info with the source

READ BACK Get it? Repeat this message back to me

WORKS TWICE …….. Send every phrase twice

Ah, Ummmmmm I have nothing of value to say

• TD: Finish Referee from TD, over• FR: TD, this is Finish Referee, go ahead• TD: Tom, I’m about six gates from the finish and see what looks to

be course workers spreading spruce needles just above you, confirm please.

• FR: Roger that is correct.• TD: Please tell them to stop. Advise them to wait for a jury decision

on that. The sun is going to help us out on this one.• FR: Roger that, I’ll tell them to stop. Please say time and location of

the jury meeting.• TD: Stand by, Tom…..Jury will meet at 08:45 your location, over.• FR: Roger, thank you, Finish Ref out.• TD: Thanks, Tom, and stop calling me Roger. TD out.

Radio Transmission Example


Strict radio procedure is only a necessity when transmission conditions are difficult.

In most cases when contact is established and you have developed a rapport with your Jury member, you can dispense with the “over’s” and “do you read’s”.

It is however prudent to use specific, and pre-determined terminology in order to avoid any misunderstanding and to end all contacts with “out” so that others on the channel know you are finished.


“Thank you, OUT”

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Prepared by Laura and Mark Sullivan Radio Protocol & Techniques