BASIC SIGNAL
COMMUNICATION
MILITARY SCIENCE (MS-1)
Name of Presenter
SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
Introduction
Identify the five (5) means of basic
signal communication.
Demonstrate the standard arm and
hands signal.
Demonstrate signals for combat
formations and battle drills.
Explain radio communication
procedures.
INTRODUCTION
Signals are used to transmit commands or
information when radio and other means of
communication are not available or during
instances when silence must be maintained.
The use of signals is particularly useful during
conduct of patrols or during the thick of firefight
where verbal commands are difficult to
understand.
The use of signals are generally embodied in a
unit ‘s Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) and
all members are expected to know them by heart.
DEFINITION
A. Five (5) Means of Communication
1. WHISTLE
The whistle is an excellent signal
device used by small unit leaders.
It has, however, some
disadvantages. The sound of
whistles from adjacent units may
confuse the men and its effectivity
as a means of communication may
be adversely affected by normal
noise that exists in the battle field.
DEFINITION
Nevertheless, the whistle may
be an effective means of
transmitting instant messages to
a large group of men. Remember
when you intend to use a whistle
as a signal, be sure that it is pre-
arranged and that all the men
understand what every whistle
sound means.
DEFINITION
2. SEMAPHORE
Semaphore flag signaling
is rarely used today except in
the Navy where such method
of communication is still
being used as a back-up
communication means
between ships at sea.
DEFINITION
3. MORSE CODE
Morse Code is an
internationally known
communication code used as an
alternate to voice-radio
communication. Transmission is
much slower than voice-radio
communication, but it is as
reliable.
Morse code messages may be
relayed through dots and dashes
on the telephone or through short
and long flashes on signal lights.
DEFINITION
4. SPECIAL SIGNAL
Special signals consist of all special
methods and devices used to transmit
commands or information. These may
take the form of taps on the helmet or
rifle stock to signal “halt”, “danger”,
“move forward” or “assemble here”.
Necessity and common sense usually
dictate the appropriate special signal to
be used in communicating with the
men. Nevertheless, these signals
must be clearly understood and
properly rehearsed by the unit before
they are used.
DEFINITION
4. SPECIAL SIGNAL
Various pyrotechnic and
smoke signals may also be
effective to signal the time to
attack, to withdraw or to
commence performing a specific
task, such as to cease or shift
supporting fires.
AVY DEFINITION
2020 STRONG AND CREDIBE
5. ARM AND HAND SIGNAL
Arm and hand signal are often
made a part of a unit’s SOP and it
may vary from one unit to another.
This silent means of relaying
commands to the men are usually
used during patrols or infiltration
missions when silence is extremely
important. Following are the standard
arm and hand signals. However, you
may device your own for your unit,
but be sure your men understand
their meanings before you use them.
DEFINITION
B. STANDARD ARM AND HAND SIGNAL
Decrease Speed. Extend your arm
horizontally sideward with your palm to the
front. Then wave your arm downward
several times keeping your arm straight. Do
not move your arm above the horizontal.
Increase Speed or Double Time.
Carry your hand to your shoulder with your
fist closed. Rapidly thrust your fist upward
vertically to the full extent of your arm and
back to your shoulder for several times.
DEFINITION
Change Direction or Column
(Right or Left). Extend your left or
right arm horizontally to the side with
palm facing to the front.
Enemy in Sight. Hold your
rifle horizontally with the butt in your
shoulder and the muzzle pointing in
the direction of the enemy.
DEFINITION
Commence Firing.
Extend your arm in front of
your body, hip high with your
palm down. Move it through
a wide horizontal arc
several times.
Commence fire. Extend the arm in
front of the body, hip high, palm
down
DEFINITION
Fire Faster. Execute
rapidly the signal “Commence
Firing”. For the machine
gunner, this signal means
change to a higher rate of fire.
Fire Faster - execute the
Commences Fire signal
rapidly.
DEFINITION
Fire Slower.
Execute slowly the signal
“Commence Firing”. For the
machine gunner, this signal means
to slow-down rate of fire.
To slow the rate of fire, move
the arm slower.
DEFINITION
Cease Firing. Raise your hand in
front of the forehead with your palm
facing to the front. Then swing your
hand and forearm up and down several
times in front of your face.
Assemble. Raise your hand
vertically to the full extent of your arm
with your fingers extended and joined
with palm facing to the front. Then
wave in large horizontal circles with your
arm and hand.
DEFINITION
Form into Column.
Raise either of your arm to the
vertical position. Drop your arm to
the rear, describing complete circles
in a vertical plane, parallel to your
body. This signal may be used to
form troop or vehicular columns.
DEFINITION
Form into Echelon (Right or
Left).
Face the unit being signaled and
extend one arm 45 degrees above
and your other arm 45 degrees below
the horizontal with your palm facing to
the front. Your lower arm shall
indicate the direction of the echelon.
Supplementary commands may be
given to ensure prompt and proper
execution.
DEFINITION
Form into Skirmishers (Fire
Team).
Raise your both arms laterally until
they are horizontal. Keep your arms
and hands extended with the palms
down. If it is necessary to indicate a
direction, move in the desired direction
at the same time you execute the
signal. This signal is also used to
command a squad to form into a line
formation.
DEFINITION
Form into Wedge.
Extend your both arms downward
and to your side at an angle of 45
degrees below the horizontal with your
palms facing to the front.
DEFINITION
Form into Vee. Extend your
arms at an angle of 45 degrees
above the horizontal and form the
letter “V” with your arms and torso.
DEFINITION
Platoon.
Extend both arms forward with
your palms down towards the leader
or the unit whom your signal is
intended. Then describe large
vertical circles with your hands.
DEFINITION
Squad.
Extend your hand and arm with your
palm down, towards the squad leader of
the squad you are addressing. Then
distinctly move your hand up and down
several times from the wrist, keeping
your arm steady
DEFINITION
Fire Team.
Bring your right arm
diagonally across your chest.
DEFINITION
Close Up.
Start your signal with your both
arms extended sideward and palms
forward. Then bring your palms
together in front of your body
momentarily. When repetition of this
signal is necessary, bring your arms
back to the starting position by a
movement along the front of your body.
DEFINITION
Open Up or Extend. Start your
signal with your arms extended in front of
your body and palms together. Then bring
arms to the horizontal position of your
sides with palms facing forward. When
repetition of this signal is necessary, return
your arms along the front of your body as
in the starting position. You may repeat
the signal until you are understood.
DEFINITION
Disperse. Extend your either arm
vertically overhead. Wave the hand and arm to
the front, left, right and rear with your palm
facing towards the direction of each
movement.
DEFINITION
Forward, Advance to the Right
(Left).
This signal is always used when
starting from a halt. Face and move
in the desired direction of the march
and at the same time extend your
arm horizontally to the rear. Then
swing it overhead and forward in the
direction of the movement until it is
horizontal with your palms down.
DEFINITION
Halt
Carry your hand to your shoulder
with your palm facing to the front.
Then thrust the hand upward
vertically to the full extent of your
arm and hold it in that position until
the signal is understood.
DEFINITION
Freeze.
Make the signal for “halt” and
clinch your hand into a fist.
DEFINITION
Down and Take Cover. Extend
your arm sideward at an angle of 45
degrees above the horizontal with
your palm down. Then lower your
hand to your side. You may use both
arms in giving this signal. Repeat the
signal until understood.
DEFINITION
Hasty Ambush Right (Left). Raise your
fist to your shoulder level and thrust it several
times in the desired direction.
DEFINITION
Rally Point.
Touch your belt with one hand and
point to desired spot on the ground
you want to designate as your unit’s
rally point.
DEFINITION
C. SIGNALS FOR COMBAT FORMATIONS AND
BATTLE DRILLS
Leaders of dismounted units use arm-and-hand signals to
control the movement of individuals, teams, and squads.
These signals are used by infantry and also by combat
support and combat service support elements organized for
infantry missions.
FIX BAYONET
ASSEMBLE/RALLY FOLLOWE ME, OR
COME FORWARD DOUBLE TIME
DEFINITION
DISPERSE
TAKE COVER
ENEMY IN SIGHT
WEDGE
VEE
LINE ECHELON LEFT ECHELON RIGHT
DEFINITION
PATROLLING ARM-AND-HAND SIGNALS
Patrolling is conducted by many type units. Infantry units patrol
in order to conduct combat operations. Other units patrol for
reconnaissance and security. Successful patrols require clearly
understood communication signals among members of a patrol
MAP CHECK FREEZE OR HALT
HEAD COUNT DANGER AREA
DEFINITION
D. RADIO EQUIPMENT, CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
The radio is widely used in all the
operating units of the Navy. It is flexible
and quite transportable such that it can
go where the individual soldier goes. It
provides the fastest means of
communication that is adaptable to the
varying field conditions.
.
DEFINITION
D. RADIO EQUIPMENT, CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
The major disadvantage of the use of radio
is that it is the least secured means of
communication. Since the radio operates on
the principle of transmitting electromagnetic
waves. The enemy with his own radio set and a
little knowledge of the types of radio
government forces use, could easily intercept
our transmissions.
It is on this regard that you should observe
radio discipline at all times. You should
therefore, always assume that the enemy is
listening whenever you use the radio.
DEFINITION
1. Guidelines For Radio Transmission:
Always plan or write down your message
before transmitting.
Always listen before starting to talk so as not to
interrupt other conversations. When about to talk,
press down the button on the side of the hand set
and do not talk until the hissing sound ceases.
Speak distinctly and enunciate each word in
normal tone. If the receiving operator must write
down your transmission, allow him time for
copying.
DEFINITION
1. Guidelines For Radio Transmission:
Follow the standard voice-radio procedures
when transmitting.
Release the push-to-talk button
immediately after the completion of your
transmission.
Camouflage your radio set when carrying it
on you back. Bend the whip antennae slightly
downward and to the rear to make it
inconspicuous to the enemy. Several radio
men became casualties because they failed to
take this measure.
DEFINITION
2. Radio Telephone Procedures
Radio Telephone procedures refer to the
system of transmission through the use of voice
and formalized language to simplify radio
communications.
Included in this system are a call signs
authorized to be used by radio stations and short
procedure words (prowords) and phrases that a
radio operator uses to establish communication
with another station.
The rationale behind the use of prowords is
to prevent misunderstanding between radio
operators and repetition of transmissions.
DEFINITION
To preclude the possibility of committing errors
in the transmission of messages thereby giving
rise to confusion between radio operators, the
phonetic alphabet, which is of universal
applications is used.
Since words have similar sounds, confusion
may develop and this can be eliminated by the use
of the phonetic alphabet.
DEFINITION
Procedure words or phrases that have
been assigned meanings are used as
substitutes for long sentences for the
purpose of expediting message handling.
This is one way of keeping voice
transmission as short and clear as possible.
For instance, the prowords “out” means
“This is the end of my transmission to you
and no answer is required or expected”.
DEFINITION
This brings us to the purposes behind the
use of phonetic alphabet which are as follows:
a. To prevent the radio operator from getting
confused when confronted with words having
similar sounds.
b. To spell out words that are difficult to
pronounce.
Call signs are used to identify each station within
a radio net. This is one security aspect of radio
communication that prevents the entry of an
unauthorized entity into the net. The improper use of
call signs may signify that a violation is already
committed
DEFINITION
PROWORDS EXPLANATION/MEANING
OVER My transmission is ended and I expect a response
from you.
OUT My transmission is ended and I expect no response
from you.
ROGER I have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
DEFINITION
PROWORDS EXPLANATION/MEANING
WILCO I will comply to your instruction.
QUERRY These are prowords used before a
/INTERROGATIVE question.
Example: INTERROGATIVE MY SIGNAL –How do you receive
my transmission?
DEFINITION
PROWORDS EXPLANATION/MEANING
LIMA CHARLIE I received your message Loud
(LIMA) and Clear (CHARLIE)
SAY AGAIN I did not understand your transmission.
Request repeat your transmission
I SAY AGAIN I am repeating the transmission or
portion thereof as indicated
DEFINITION
PROWORDS EXPLANATION/MEANING
REPEAT ALL AFTER Request repeat all your transmission
after the word.
WAIT ONE Request that you wait for about one
minute.
BREAK . . BREAK Emergency, stop your conversation
and allow me to use this net for a very urgent
transmission
DEFINITION
THE PHONETIC ALPHABET
A Alpha 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 Juliet W Whiskey
K Kilo X X-ray
L Lima Y Yankee
M Mike Z Zulu
DEFINITION
NUMERAL PRONUNCIATION
0 Zero
1 Wun
2 Too
3 Thu-ree
4 Fower
5 Fiv-er
6 Six
7 Sevun
8 Ate
9 Niner
10 Wun-Zero
END OF LECTURE
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