Selective calling
When you have a lot of people talking on a radio, it can be really hard to know when someone is talking to you or not. So, to make things easier, radios can use something called selective calling.
Selective calling is like giving each person on the radio their own secret code. This secret code is called a "call sign," and it's like a special name that only that person knows. When you want to talk to someone specific, you say their call sign first, and then start talking.
For example, let's say your call sign is "Alpha," and you want to talk to someone whose call sign is "Bravo." You would say "Bravo, this is Alpha," and then wait for Bravo to respond. That way, only Bravo knows that you are talking to them, and they won't get confused if someone else is talking at the same time.
People can have different call signs, and they can even change them if they want. And, just like with real names, call signs can be used to tell who is talking and who is listening, which makes it easier for everyone to communicate on the radio.
Selective calling is like giving each person on the radio their own secret code. This secret code is called a "call sign," and it's like a special name that only that person knows. When you want to talk to someone specific, you say their call sign first, and then start talking.
For example, let's say your call sign is "Alpha," and you want to talk to someone whose call sign is "Bravo." You would say "Bravo, this is Alpha," and then wait for Bravo to respond. That way, only Bravo knows that you are talking to them, and they won't get confused if someone else is talking at the same time.
People can have different call signs, and they can even change them if they want. And, just like with real names, call signs can be used to tell who is talking and who is listening, which makes it easier for everyone to communicate on the radio.