What to say on the radio
Plain words. Your name first, then who you are calling. Catch your breath before you key up.
Calls on the community channel
Check-in at the trailhead
This is Jamie with a party of three, checking in at Rubicon trailhead on the community channel.
Sharing a hazard
We see the weak layer down 10 centimeters on Jake's north trees at 8,000 feet.
Entering complex terrain
We are about to enter Emerald Chute. Is anyone below?
Clear of a line
We are clear of Emerald Chute. There was a sluff on skier's right, halfway down.
Keeping the channel clear
This is a backcountry community channel. Please move to your group channel.
Emergency
Make a distress call for help. If your party has no cell service, ask another group to call 911.
Community channel and group channel
Community channel
The zone's shared channel, with privacy code 30. Hazards, check-ins, "is anyone below", emergencies. Keep it short.
Group channel
Any channel but the community channel. For talk inside your party. Two groups that need a longer conversation move to one too. The privacy code does not matter here.
Tips
Radio check with your beacon check. Make sure everyone in your party can send and receive.
Decide what to say first. Plain language. Catch your breath.
Key the mic, pause, then talk. Your name, then who you are calling: "Jamie calling Chris."
Carry it where people can see it. A radio on your pack strap starts conversations at the trailhead.
More reading: Tips for using your backcountry radio like a pro (The High Route) and community channel guidelines (Rocky Talkie).