911 Operator Test Radio Communication Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a unit transmits 'Signal 1000' or a similar emergency alert tone, what should all other units on the channel do?
- Continue transmitting normally
- Cease all transmissions immediately and stand by (Correct answer)
- Switch to an alternate channel
- Increase transmitter power
Correct answer: Cease all transmissions immediately and stand by
Emergency alert tones require all other units to immediately clear the channel so the emergency traffic can proceed without interference.
Question 2: Which NATO phonetic alphabet word represents the letter 'M'?
- Metro
- Mike (Correct answer)
- Mary
- March
Correct answer: Mike
Mike is the NATO phonetic alphabet designation for the letter 'M', standardized for clear voice communication.
Question 3: A dispatcher receives a transmission that is partially unintelligible. What is the correct response?
- Assume the full message and dispatch accordingly
- Ask the unit to 'repeat all after' the last understood word (Correct answer)
- Ignore the transmission and wait for the next
- Switch channels and hope the unit follows
Correct answer: Ask the unit to 'repeat all after' the last understood word
'Repeat all after [last understood word]' is standard protocol to retrieve only the missed portion of a garbled transmission.
Question 4: What does the term 'radio discipline' mean in public safety communications?
- Punishment for unauthorized transmissions
- Following established protocols to keep radio traffic efficient and professional (Correct answer)
- Monitoring all channels simultaneously
- Using encryption on all transmissions
Correct answer: Following established protocols to keep radio traffic efficient and professional
Radio discipline refers to the practice of following protocols, keeping transmissions brief, and maintaining professional conduct on the radio.
Question 5: When assigning a radio channel to a field unit, which information should the dispatcher confirm first?
- The unit's personal radio serial number
- That the unit is monitoring and acknowledges the assigned channel (Correct answer)
- The battery level of the unit's radio
- Whether the unit's vehicle has a mobile radio
Correct answer: That the unit is monitoring and acknowledges the assigned channel
Confirmation that the unit is monitoring the assigned channel ensures communications will not be missed during the assignment.
Question 6: The term 'talkgroup' in a trunked radio system refers to what?
- A physical cluster of radio towers
- A logical group of radios that share a common communication path (Correct answer)
- The maximum number of simultaneous callers on a frequency
- A encryption key shared among dispatchers
Correct answer: A logical group of radios that share a common communication path
A talkgroup is a logical grouping in a trunked radio system that allows specific users to communicate on a shared infrastructure without a dedicated frequency.
Question 7: What does 'radio check' mean when transmitted over the air?
- A request to verify the receiving unit's inventory
- A test transmission to confirm the radio is working and being received (Correct answer)
- An order to check the scene for suspects
- A signal that the channel is being recorded
Correct answer: A test transmission to confirm the radio is working and being received
A radio check is a brief test transmission used to verify that the sending radio is functioning and being received clearly by the intended station.
911 Operator Test Radio Communication Protocols 2
When a unit transmits 'Signal 1000' or a similar emergency alert tone, what should all other units on the channel do?