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.”
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