Calling out range - phraseology.

[M. Sarsfield]

Is it true that if you were calling out a 4 or 5 digit number (say 10,800) that you would say the first two numbers and then the last three numbers? In this case it would be "ten, eight hundred".

Those of you that have read the books could probably confirm this.

[tater]

Proper number phrasing (from the USN sub manual):
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/sonar/img/fig47a.jpg


Call letters in orders and reports

In giving orders, the conning officer avoids confusion by addressing each sonar operator according to the gear he is on. For example, if you happen to be stationed at the QB gear he will call you "QB." The same goes for JP. However, if you are on the JK/QC gear, he will call you simply "JK" -even if you happen to be using the QC side at the moment. In acknowledging orders and in giving reports, you always start with your call letters. Then the conning officer will know instantly what gear the information is coming from.

Bearings and turn counts

Always report a bearing or turn count as three separate numerals. If necessary, add zeroes at the beginning. For example:

"QB, bearing ze-ro ze-ro six."

"JP, turn count is ze-ro eight fo-wer."

Unless specifically ordered to do otherwise, you will always report relative bearings. Therefore you leave out the word "relative" from such bearing reports. But if you are instructed to give true bearings, you must add the word "true" after the numerals. For example: "JK, bearing one two nines, TRUE."

Ranges

In reporting a range, use "oh" and "double oh", instead of zero and zero zero. For example:

"QB, range one thuh-ree double oh."

"QB, range two oh double oh."

So each number is pronounced individually, except double zeros. Presumably the same pattern might go for triple zeros though the manual isn't explicit.

"Range one thuh-ree six double oh" for 13,600

[M. Sarsfield]

The "oh" and "double oh" is probably what I heard, now that I think about it. A few times I thought I heard one of the guys say something like "ten, two, double oh".

[Sailor Steve]

"QB, range one thuh-see double oh."
:o

Is there a typo in the official manual? Horrors!

[tater]

Yeah, I noticed that, too (and corrected it, lol)

Sonar Manual:

http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/sonar/index.htm