Here are 10 tips on proper radio etiquette from the people in charge of the 3 largest radio channels in the off-road world on race day. Weatherman (Bob Steinberger), BFG Relay (Wild Bill), and BITD radio operator Keith.
- Know Your Radio. Better yet, know your friends radio too. Learn how to use it properly and have it connected to a good power source. Be mindful of your voltage, some radios will stick in transmit if the voltage is low. That and you want to be able to start your vehicle when it’s time to go. – Wild Bill
- Listen, Listen, Listen Before Transmitting. Take the time to figure out whether frequency is in use. Relays typically are sitting high on mountain tops and might be taking traffic that you can’t hear. This is especially important if there is an emergency being handled. – Wild Bill
- Have an ID. Chase 1 to chase 2 or Joe to Bill doesn’t get it. What is correct is to use the vehicle number, your specific duty and your name. Examples – TT 77 chase 3 Bill to whomever. Or Race 1032 to Weatherman, or Baja Pit 3 to Weatherman. These ID’s leave no doubt and shorten the amount of airtime used. – Weatherman
- Reception. If you can’t receive or can’t be heard sometimes moving 10-20 feet may make your signal useable. – Keith
- Stuck Microphone. Telling someone their mic is stuck is useless till they stop transmitting. They can’t hear til they release. That’s the time to ream them out. -Weatherman
- Don’t be a Richard Cranium. Unplug your mic if you don’t have a proper mic hang-up. Never put your mic on the seat, in your drink holder, or between your legs. If your mic cord is frayed or stretched, replace it. Don’t ever leave your radio unattended with children in the vehicle. Don’t ever walk around with a handheld in your pocket, use a belt clip or holster. – Weatherman
- Frequency. Know your frequency, channel 6 does not mean much and is not useable. That would be like ordering a pizza for the first time having it delivered and saying bring it to my house, with no address. – Keith
- Mind the Wind. If you’re in area and the wind is howling be sure to face into it. When the wind is at your back or sideways all we hear is the noise from it. – Wild Bill
- When someone does not answer. Don’t keep calling and calling – state your message and assume they are hearing, wait five minutes and re state the message or ask for a relay. DON’T waste airtime. – Weatherman
- CODE RED.When the channel is CODE RED and you need help, go to a pit club, BFG Relay or the PCI Customer Relay Channel if you are using a PCI Radio. – Weatherman