CIRCUIT DISCIPLINE

Sound-powered telephone talkers are essential to the operation of a ship at sea because the ship must have a reliable interior communicating system. Imagine the difficulties the captain would have without means of communication with the engine room, with gunnery stations during battle, or with all the other spaces that help run the ship. GENERAL TELEPHONE TALKING PROCEDURES Here are some tips on how to be a telephone talker. Because all the power for the phones is generated by your voice, you must speak loudly and clearly if your message is to get through. However, do not shout unnecessarily. Do not run your words together; make every part of your message stand out clearly. Repeat all messages word for word to the intended receiving station; if you try to paraphrase a message, its meaning may be changed. Never have gum or food in your mouth while you are using the phones. Talk from the front of your mouth, never from the corners. Remember, you must project your voice to every station on the circuit. You gain nothing by talking too rapidly; a message spoken slowly, so that it is understood the first time, is better than a message spoken so rapidly that it must be repeated. During an emergency, remember that it is doubly important to get the message through. By talking slowly, some of your own excitement will subside. If you are calm and sure of yourself, you will influence other talkers on the circuit to behave in the same way. Nearly everyone has a manner of speech that reveals to others what part of the country they are from. On occasion, you may have found it difficult to understand the speech of a person from a different part of the country. With this thought in mind, try to speak without local accents. CIRCUIT DISCIPLINE The sound-powered system resembles a party line—everyone can talk and listen at once. For that reason, strict circuit discipline must be maintained. Otherwise, the circuit will become clogged with private conversation just when someone is trying to transmit an important message. The rules for circuit discipline are as follows: 1. Transmit only official messages. 2. Keep the button in the OFF position except when actually transmitting. 3. Use only standard words and phrases. Don’t use slang or profanity on the phones. Use correct nautical terms. If naval terminology is new and unfamiliar to you, make it your business to learn the correct terms. You, as a phone talker, are a very important link in the interior communication chain; that chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Unauthorized talking means there are at least two weak links in the chain. Be efficient. If someone else on your circuit persists in useless talking, remind the person that the line must be kept clear at all times. Circuit discipline also means you must never show impatience, anger, or excitement. You must talk slowly, clearly, and precisely. Circuit discipline means self-discipline. STANDARD TELEPHONE TALKING PROCEDURES Most messages are divided into the following parts: 1. Name of the station called 2. Name of the station calling 3. The message You call the station for which you have a message, identify yourself, and send the message without waiting for the receiving station to answer. When a message is received, it must be acknowledged (receipted for) as soon as it is understood. You acknowledge a message by identifying your station and saying “Aye.” 4-6 Student Notes: