More repeaters than your CHIRP file. Probably.
The NATO/ICAO phonetic alphabet is the standard way to spell out letters over radio when clarity matters. On GMRS, you'll use it primarily when identifying your callsign, spelling out names, or communicating any information where individual letters could be misheard.
Letters like B, D, E, and P sound nearly identical over radio, especially with static or weak signals. Saying "Bravo" instead of "B" eliminates ambiguity. Using the standard NATO alphabet means everyone — not just your regular contacts — understands you immediately.
| Letter | Phonetic | Letter | Phonetic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alpha | N | November | |
| B | Bravo | O | Oscar | |
| C | Charlie | P | Papa | |
| D | Delta | Q | Quebec | |
| E | Echo | R | Romeo | |
| F | Foxtrot | S | Sierra | |
| G | Golf | T | Tango | |
| H | Hotel | U | Uniform | |
| I | India | V | Victor | |
| J | Juliet | W | Whiskey | |
| K | Kilo | X | X-ray | |
| L | Lima | Y | Yankee | |
| M | Mike | Z | Zulu |
Numbers are generally spoken as individual digits. Some operators use specific pronunciations for clarity:
| Digit | Spoken as | Digit | Spoken as | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Zero | 5 | Five (or "Fife") | |
| 1 | One (or "Wun") | 6 | Six | |
| 2 | Two | 7 | Seven | |
| 3 | Three (or "Tree") | 8 | Eight (or "Ait") | |
| 4 | Four (or "Fower") | 9 | Nine (or "Niner") |
Callsign WRYZ123 would be spoken as:
"Whiskey Romeo Yankee Zulu One Two Three"
You don't need to say "phonetic" or announce that you're using the phonetic alphabet. Just use it naturally: "This is Whiskey Romeo Yankee Zulu One Two Three, radio check." Most GMRS operators use phonetics for their first identification in a conversation and may switch to just the letters for subsequent IDs once contact is established.