Royal Flying Doctor Service

Phonetic Alphabet

During times of difficult communication the Phonetic Alphabet is of great use.  “S” and “F” can sound the same, as can “D” and “B”. Spelling of names is sometimes required.  For example, “Smith” is transmitted as Sierra Mike India Tango Hotel using the phonetic alphabet.  The table below provides details of the phonetic alphabet for those who are unfamiliar with it.

LETTER PHONETIC SPOKEN AS
A ALPHA AL FAH
B BRAVO BRAH VO
C CHARLIE CHAR LEE
D DELTA DELLTA
E ECHO ECK OH
F FOXTROT FOKS TROT
G GOLF GOLF
H HOTEL HOH TEL
I INDIA IN DEE AH
J JULIET JEW LEE ETT
K KILO KEY LOH
L LIMA LEE MAH
M MIKE MIKE
N NOVEMBER NO VEMBER
O OSCAR OSS CAH
P PAPA PAH PAH
Q QUEBEC KEH BECK
R ROMEO ROH ME OH
S SIERRA SEE AIR RAH
T TANGO TANG GO
U UNIFORM YOU NEE FORM
V VICTOR VICK TAH
W WHISKEY WISS KEY
X XRAY ECKS RAY
Y YANKEE YANG KEY
Z ZULU ZOO LOO

Last Updated: 22/08/2007