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FM/G165 · Radio Communications

Transactional communications

Passages: 5
Reading time: 2 mins
Views: 85
Owned by: Unit Command
Platforms: Every platform
Role cards: 41 cards
Published: 23 Sep 2026

On this page

Understanding transactional networks FM/BG-1135
Types of transactional networks FM/BP-1284
Join a transactional network FM/BS-838
Initiate a conversation on a transactional network FM/BS-822
End a conversation on a transactional network FM/BS-824

Understanding transactional networks

A transactional radio network is a network based on a transaction: a back and forth set of messages between a defined set of participants. It is bases on the following principles:

Radio handshake: Every transaction (conversation) begins with a handshake that defines who will participate in the transaction. The handshake is initiated by the sending party and acknowledges by the receiving parties. This way, all parties are confident all other parties are ready to transmit and receive information. See Initiate a conversation on a transactional network FM/BS-822 for how to perform the handshake.
Convey meaning through standardised words: To maximise understanding and minimise mixups, standardised words are used to convey a defined meaning. These words are choses so they cannot easily be confused with other words, especially when interacting with non-native English users.
Transaction end: Every transaction should be ended according to End a conversation on a transactional network FM/BS-824. This ensures everyone on the radio network is aware the transaction is over, and that another transaction may be started.

Types of transactional networks

In transactional nets callsigns must first identify with one another and once ident has been completed, a series of tranmissions may take place, and then the transaction is ended with the proword "OUT".

When a transaction is taking place between two callsigns, only those callsigns can use the net, other callsigns on the net must remain silent until they hear "OUT" which indicates that the transaction is completed.
UNITAF does not use the pro-word "OVER".
If a callsign who is not part of the ongoing transaction has urgent information to send, they can use the proword "BREAK BREAK BREAK" to break into a transaction.
Once a series of transmissions in a transaction are underway, IDENT does not need to happen for each message, just at the start and end of the transaction.

The below table shows the types of nets and their usage of IDENT and transactional communication procedures.

Activity	Fireteam	Squad	Platoon	Company	Direct/Special
IDENT	Use names or buddy team colours	Short callsigns	Full callsigns	Full callsigns	Full callsigns
TRANSACTIONAL	NO	YES	YES	YES	YES

Join a transactional network

Join a transactional network by saying:

[your full callsign], checking into the net

or shortened as:

[your full callsign], checking in

Initiate a conversation on a transactional network

When starting a conversation on a transactional network, state:

[reciever callsign(s)],
(this is) [sender callsign],
(priority)

The other party(ies) respond, in order of their callsign, with:

[sender callsign],
(this is) [reciever callsign]

Proword	Meaning
THIS IS	May (but is not required to) be ommitted if there is only a single reciever, or when responding.
PRIORITY	The message has urgency over normal messages