While some people who are purchasing satellite push-to-talk and related satellite communication products will already be experienced with their use, many are also first-timers who have never utilized these devices before. Such individuals may have a number of questions about these products, and some of these tend to revolve around simple use and utilization tips.
At International Satellite Services, we’re proud to offer industry-leading satellite push-to-talk (PTT) products, including the MSATe, MSAT-G2 and several others. From a very general standpoint, what are some simple tips we often provide to clients on how to use these products properly? This two-part blog series will go over several basic areas to keep in mind when using these and related forms of two-way communication.
Knowing Basic Terminology
One of the first and most important tips we can give is to make sure you understand the basic terminology associated with these products. Here are just a few key terms and their definitions that you should know:
- “Over”: This is a message that is sent to confirm to someone that you’ve finished speaking.
- “Say again”: This is a message requesting the other person to repeat what they just said.
- “Copy”: This is a message indicating that you’ve understood what the other person has said. The term “Roger” is also often used here.
- “Stand by”: This indicates that you’re not ready to talk at the moment, but will be soon.
- “Go ahead”: This message indicates that it’s now your turn to speak.
- “Break”: This is used to indicate a pause in the conversation, usually for just a few seconds.
- “Out”: This is used to indicate the end of the conversation.
There are other terms you may come across as well, but these are some of the most commonly used. It’s important to understand these before using satellite PTT products, as misunderstandings can easily occur if the wrong term is used.
Preparation Before Use
Before using any PTT device, it’s important to take a few minutes to prepare for the call. This includes ensuring that the device is fully charged, as you don’t want your call to be cut off due to a dead battery. You should also make sure you’re in an area that’s covered within your talkgroup.
You should also have an idea of what you want to say before beginning the call, as trying to think of things on the fly can often lead to pauses and awkwardness in the conversation. Finally, prepare for the mechanics of the call itself: PTT systems are one-at-a-time communication systems, so when your button is pressed to speak, no one else will be heard. Be sure to keep this in mind during all conversations.
In part two of our series, we’ll go over some in-conversation areas to be aware of as you utilize your satellite push-to-talk solutions. For more on this, or to learn about the MSAT-G2, the MSATe or any of our other quality PTT and other satellite products, speak to the team at International Satellite Services today.