ASTM F1583-95(2012)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Communications Procedures—Phonetics
Standard Practice for Communications Procedures—Phonetics
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Communications Errors and Delays—Communications systems, including their procedures and channels, are subject to errors due to noise, interference, weak signals, mistakes, and other causes. They are also subject to delays due to the necessity to detect and correct these errors. There may also be errors and delays due to the lack of trained and experienced operators.
Error Control— Phonetics enables the control of errors through error detection, and usually prompt correction, for words and characters in speech and printed text. It employs an error correcting system of symbols and procedures that are standardized and easily recognized under adverse or high error communications conditions.
Symbol Characteristics—The phonetic alphabet is an error detecting and correcting code composed of phonetic symbols that are carefully selected to have distinctive sounds or appearances (or other unique characteristics) that improve detection under adverse conditions (such as severe noise or high errors) and enhance differentiation from each other.
Phonetics are inherently language-dependent. For English text letters, there are 26 phonetic alphabet symbols, that correspond to the 26 letters (from A to Z) that may be used to compose the words in a message. Additional symbols are used for numerals and punctuations.
Phonetic symbols (including an alphabet, numerals, and punctuation) must have unique characteristics as mentioned above, and they should not be restricted to only one communications media.
Procedures for Error Detection and Correction:
Phonetic communications procedures are used to minimize or eliminate information errors and to facilitate the correct transmission of messages using trained operators.
The phonetic procedures are carefully structured to enable symbol differentiation and error detection based on simple examination of the received data. Using forward error correction (FEC), in most cases the symbols can be identified, and the errors can be correc...
SCOPE
1.1 Establishment of Phonetics—This practice covers the establishment of phonetics (including an alphabet, numerals, and punctuations), and the procedures for their use, in communications.
1.2 Performance— This practice is intended to facilitate the performance of communications personnel and systems under adverse communications conditions. This objective is achieved by employing easily recognized and used symbols and procedures that are highly resistant to errors. This system may be used with speech, print, or other media.
1.3 Interoperability— This practice is intended to facilitate the interoperability of communications personnel and systems among different organizations, especially if they use different internal practices. This system is also recommended for use within any organization for improved internal communications and uniformity of operations.
1.4 English as Common Language—This practice is intended for use with English. English has been designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and others as a common interoperability language that is widely used in search and rescue, emergency, and international operations such as aviation, maritime, and military.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F1583 − 95 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Practice for
Communications Procedures—Phonetics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1583; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope station. The transmitting station then retransmits the message
until it is either correctly received or the error persists beyond
1.1 Establishment of Phonetics—This practice covers the
a predetermined number of transmittals.
establishment of phonetics (including an alphabet, numerals,
2.3 error correcting code—a code in which each symbol
and punctuations), and the procedures for their use, in com-
conforms to specific rules of construction so that departures
munications.
from this construction in the received signals can generally be
1.2 Performance— This practice is intended to facilitate the
automatically detected and corrected. If the number of errors is
performance of communications personnel and systems under
not greater than the maximum correctable threshold of the
adverse communications conditions.This objective is achieved
code, all errors are corrected.
by employing easily recognized and used symbols and proce-
2.4 error correcting system—in information transmission, a
dures that are highly resistant to errors. This system may be
system employing either forward error correction or automatic
used with speech, print, or other media.
repeat-request techniques or both, such that most transmission
1.3 Interoperability— This practice is intended to facilitate
errors are automatically removed from the data prior to
the interoperability of communications personnel and systems
delivery to the user.
among different organizations, especially if they use different
2.5 forward error correction (FEC)—a system of error
internal practices. This system is also recommended for use
control for information transmission wherein the receiving
within any organization for improved internal communications
station has the capability to detect and correct any character or
and uniformity of operations.
message that contains fewer than a predetermined number of
1.4 English as Common Language—This practice is in-
symbols in error.
tended for use with English. English has been designated by
2.6 interoperability—the condition achieved among com-
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and
munications stations or personnel when information can be
others as a common interoperability language that is widely
exchanged directly and satisfactorily between them or their
used in search and rescue, emergency, and international opera-
users or both. It is desirable that the exchanges are error free,
tions such as aviation, maritime, and military.
rapid, and automatic.
2. Terminology 2.7 phonetics—a system of symbols and procedures that is
used to control errors in communications, validate selected
2.1 The terminology used in this practice is derived from
2,3
parts of messages, and enhance the interoperability and perfor-
references (1-10).
mance of communications personnel and systems.
2.2 automatic repeat-request (ARQ)—a system of error
2.8 phonetic alphabet—a selected set of phonetic symbols
control for information transmission in which the receiving
that has a one-to-one correspondence to the set of individual
station is arranged to detect a transmission error and automati-
letters in a language. Also, any of various systems of code
cally transmit a repeat-request signal to the transmitting
words for identifying letters in voice communications.
2.9 phonetic punctuation—a selected set of phonetic sym-
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F32 on Search and
bols that has a one-to-one correspondence to the set of
RescueandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF32.02onManagementand
individual punctuation in a language.
Operations.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. Originally
2.10 phonetic numerals—a selected set of phonetic symbols
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F1583 – 95 (2006).
that has a one-to-one correspondence to the set of individual
DOI: 10.1520/F1583-95R12.
numerals in a language.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
this practice.
2.11 phonetic symbol—a unique word or combination of
This practice is based on an extensive survey of multiple organizations. Their
letters that is used as a substitute for, or an addition to, a
communications documents were consulted to determine or verify compliance and
specific letter, numeral, or punctuation in a language. It has the
interoperability among their many known and accepted phonetic systems. These
documents are hereby referenced. characteristics of an error correcting code.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1583 − 95 (2012)
3. Summary of Practice conditions, it is possible to detect errors even though they may
not be correctable (at the moment).
3.1 Interoperability and Performance—A set of easily rec-
4.5 Procedures for Retransmission—In most cases, prompt
ognized and used symbols and procedures are established.
They are used to control the errors that may be encountered in error detection and correction is achievable through FEC. If
this is not possible or acceptable, manual or automatic repeat-
messages, to validate selected parts of messages, and to
enhance the interoperability and performance of communica- request (ARQ) is employed. The process of error detection can
be used to initiate theARQ and therefore the retransmission of
tions personnel and systems. This phonetic system is intended
to be directly interoperable with the majority of standard the information, such as an additional copy (or copies). The
copy(ies) may be received error free or with correctable errors
phonetic systems presently employed, both internationally and
within the United States. (especially when compared with previous copy(ies)).
4.6 Use of Non-standard Systems—This phonetic system is
3.2 Error Control— Error control is accomplished by de-
notintendedtoprohibittheuseofnon-standardbrevityorerror
tection of the errors and either prompt correction (based on the
control systems that are used only internally within any single
available information) or a request for another copy (if the
organization. It also does not preclude the use of additional
information is inadequate for error correction).
methods for clarity.
4. Significance and Use
4.7 Use of Standard Systems—This phonetic system is
intended to be directly interoperable with the majority of
4.1 Communications Errors and Delays—Communications
standard phonetic systems presently employed, both interna-
systems,includingtheirproceduresandchannels,aresubjectto
tionally and within the United States, as noted in references
errors due to noise, interference, weak signals, mistakes, and
(1-9). These standard systems actually exhibit many variations
other causes. They are also subject to delays due to the
among themselves. Some provide no procedures, and none
necessity to detect and correct these errors. There may also be
include all of the symbols presented herein. Of all these known
errors and delays due to the lack of trained and experienced
documents, this practice is the only one that presents an
operators.
explanation of the phonetic system in terms of modern com-
4.2 Error Control— Phonetics enables the control of errors
munications technology. To achieve interoperability and per-
through error detection, and usually prompt correction, for
formance through bona fide standardization, system adminis-
words and characters in speech and printed text. It employs an
trators should consider this comprehensive practice for
error correcting system of symbols and procedures that are
superseding, or revising, these other standard systems.
standardized and easily recognized under adverse or high error
communications conditions.
5. Procedure
4.3 Symbol Characteristics—The phonetic alphabet is an
5.1 Phonetic Alphabet:
error detecting and correcting code composed of phonetic
5.1.1 Phonetic Alphabet and Pronunciations—Table 1 pres-
symbols that are carefully selected to have distinctive sounds
or appearances (or other unique characteristics) that improve
TABLE 1 Phonetic Alphabet and Pronunciations
detection under adverse conditions (such as severe noise or
A
Letter Symbol Pronunciation
high errors) and enhance differentiation from each other.
A ALFA “AL-fah”
4.3.1 Phonetics are inherently language-dependent. For
B BRAVO “BRAH-voh”
English text letters, there are 26 phonetic alphabet symbols, C CHARLIE “CHAR-lee”
D DELTA “DELL-tah”
that correspond to the 26 letters (fromAto Z) that may be used
E ECHO “ECK-oh”
to compose the words in a message. Additional symbols are
F FOXTROT “FOKS-trot”
G GOLF “GOLF”
used for numerals and punctuations.
H HOTEL “hoh-TELL”
4.3.2 Phonetic symbols (including an alphabet, numerals,
I INDIA “IN-dee-ah”
and punctuation) must have unique characteristics as men-
J JULIET “JEW-lee-ETT”
K KILO “KEY-loh”
tioned above, and they should not be restricted to only one
L LIMA “LEE-mah”
communications media.
M MIKE “MIKE”
N NOVEMBER “no-VEM-ber”
4.4 Procedures for Error Detection and Correction:
O OSCAR “OSS-cah”
4.4.1 Phonetic communications procedures are used to
P PAPA “pah-PAH”
Q QUEBEC “keh-BECK”
minimize or eliminate information errors and to facilitate the
R ROMEO “ROW-me-oh”
correct transmission of messages using trained operators.
S SIERRA “see-AIR-rah”
4.4.2 The phonetic procedures are carefully structured to T TANGO “TANG-go”
U UNIFORM “YOU-nee-form”
enable symbol differentiation and error detection based on
V VICTOR “VIK-tah”
simple examination of the received data. Using forward error
W WHISKEY “WISS-key”
correction (FEC), in most cases the symbols can be identified, X XRAY “ECKS-ray”
Y YANKEE “YANG-key”
and the errors can be corrected promptly with no additional
Z ZULU “ZOO-loo”
information.
A
The pronunciations are in quotes and CAPITAL letters to indicate the verbal
4.4.3 FEC is based on the error detection system, which is
emphasis.
usually the more robust of the two. Essentially, in certain poor
F1583 − 95 (2012)
ents the phonetic alphabet and the pronunciations used in this 5.1.2.5 Phonetic Alphabet in Print, Examples: (1)As an
practice. example, the phrase
(. land medevac at Jim and Bob Sts. for .)
5.1.2 Usage of Phonetic Alphabet—Phonetic alphabet sym-
would be printed as follows:
bols are inserted in text that may be spoken, printed, or
“ . land medevac at Jim (JULIET INDIA MIKE) and Bob
otherwise communicated.
(BRAVO OSCAR BRAVO) Streets for .”
NOTE 1—Examples of the usage of the phonetic alphabet in spoken and
In this example, the symbols enable validation or correction
printedtextareprovidedinthesectionsbelow.Theword(s)tobevalidated
of the text, even if they are slightly garbled themselves. (Was
are in bold for clarity. Phonetic pronunciations are included for speech,
it Jim or Gem or Jem? Was it Bob or Rob or Hob?)
with a “pause” as indicated:
(2) As a continued example, the phrase might have been
5.1.2.1 Phonetic Alphabet in Speech—For speech, the pho-
received as follows (with errors “ + ”):
netic alphabet symbols are placed adjacent to the word(s) that
“.1+ndmed+v+cat+i+(JUL+E+ + NDIA M + KE)
are spelled, as follows: a+d+ob(BR+VO+ SCAR B + AVO) S + reets fo + .”
(1) Use the word(s) to be spelled; Examination of the capitalized phonetic symbols that were
(2) Add“ISPELL”(whichindicatesthestartofphonetics); received (even with errors) enable error correction of the
essential words.
(3) Spell the word(s) using the phonetic alphabet symbols
(with a pause between spelled word(s));
5.2 Phonetic Numerals:
(4) Again use the word(s) that were spelled (which
5.2.1 Phonetic Numerals and Pronunciations—Table 2
indicates the end of phonetics);
presents the phonetic numerals and the pronunciations that
(5) Return to normal words for the spoken text that
shall be used in this practice.
follows.
5.2.2 Modified Numbers and Sequences—Certain specific
numbers or combinations that are easily misunderstood, such
5.1.2.2 For single letters in speech, such as initials in a
name, the phonetic alphabet symbols replace the letter(s) that as those ending with “teen” and “ty”, shall not be used. They
shallbemodifiedforclarityandshallbe“spelledout”asdigits,
are spelled, as follows:
as presented in Table 3.
(1) Note and replace (but do not use) the letter(s);
5.2.3 Usage of Phonetic Numerals—Phonetic numeral sym-
(2) Add “INITIALS” (which indicates the start of phonet-
bols are inserted in text that may be spoken, printed, or
ics);
otherwise,andtheymaybemixedwithlettersandpunctuation.
(3) Spell the replaced letter(s) using the phonetic alphabet
Examples of the usage of the phonetic numerals in spoken and
symbols (with a pause between spelled letter(s));
printed text are provided in the sections below. The number(s)
(4) Return to normal name or words (which indicates the
to be clarified or validated are in bold for clarity. Phonetic
end of phonetics) and continue with the spoken text that
pronunciations are included for speech, with a “pause”as
follows.
indicated:
5.1.2.3 Phonetic Alphabet in Speech, Examples: (1)Asan
5.2.3.1 Phonetic Numerals in Speech—For speech, the pho-
example, the phrase
netic numeral symbols replace the number(s) that are clarified
(. respond emergency to Xylon St. for a .)
or validated, as follows:
would be spoken as follows:
(1) Note and replace (but do not use) the number(s);
“. respond emergency to Xylon pause I SPELL pause
(2) Add “FIGURES” (which indicates the start of phonet-
ECKS-ray, YANG-key, LEE-mah, OSS-cah, no-VEM-ber
ics);
pause Xylon pause
(3) “Spell” the replaced number(s) using individual pho-
Street for a .”
netic numeral symbols (with a pause between “spelled” num-
(2) As an additional example, the phrase
ber(s));
(. reported sight of D.B. Cooper near .)
would be spoken as follows:
“.reportedsightof pauseINITIALSDELL-tah pauseBRAH-
TABLE 2 Phonetic Numerals and Pronunciations
voh pause Cooper near .”
A
Letter Symbol Pronunciation
5.1.2.4 Phonetic Alphabet in Print—For print, the phonetic
0 ZERO “ZEE-roh”
alphabet symbols are placed (as capital letters) within paren-
1 ONE “WUN”
2 TWO “TOO”
theses adjacent to the word(s) that are spelled, as follows:
3 THREE “TREE”
(1) Use the word(s) to be spelled;
4 FOUR “FO-wer”
(2) Addtheleftparenthesis“(”(wh
...
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