PHONETIC ALPHABET

ITU phonetics with the correct pronunciation:

A--Alfa “AL-FAH”

B--Bravo “BRAH-VOH”

C--Charlie “CHAR-LEE” or “SHAR-LEE”

D--Delta “DELL-TAH”

E--Echo “ECK-OH”

F--Foxtrot “FOKS-TROT”

G--Golf “GOLF”

H--Hotel “HOH-TELL”

I--India “IN-DEE-AH”

J--Juliett “JEW-LEE-ETT”

K--Kilo “KEE-LOH”

L--Lima “LEE-MAH”

M--Mike “MIKE”

N--November “NO-VEM-BER”

O--Oscar “OSS-CAH”

P--Papa “PAH-PAH”

Q--Quebec “KEH-BECK”

R--Romeo “ROW-ME-OH”

S--Sierra “SEE-AIR-RAH”

T--Tango “TANG-GO”

U--Uniform “YOU-NEE-FORM” or “OO-NEE-FORM”

V--Victor “VIK-TAH”

W--Whiskey “WISS-KEY”

X--X-ray “ECKS-RAY”

Y--Yankee “YANG-KEY”

Z--Zulu “ZOO-LOO”

Numbers pronunciation:

0 - “ZEE-RO”

1 - “WUN”

2 - “TOO”

3 - “TH-UH-REE” or “TREE”

4 - “FOW-ER”

5 - “FI-IV” or “FIFE”

6 - “SIX”

7 - “SEV-EN”

8 - “ATE” or “A-IT”

9 - “NIN-ER”

DECIMAL = “DAY-SEE-MAL”

ANOMALIES and IDIOSYNCRASIES:

1 - To distinguish “Z” from “C” on phone, it is common practice to say “zed” (an old British phonetic) for “Z”, especially when saying a call sign. “Zed” is shorter (one syllable vs. two for “zulu”.) However, in formal traffic, the ITU: “ZULU” is more correct and proper.

2 - “ROGER” (an early phonetic) is still used for “received” (equivalent of sending “R” in Morse) - It does NOT mean “yes” or “affirmative”. It only means: “I have received your message completely.”