Communication Guide
Master voice channels, callouts, NATO phonetics, and coordinate reporting
Communication Guide
©
Thanks to Joystick for the original guide
Based on the Steam Community Guide
Good communication wins games. Period. A well-coordinated team will destroy a disorganized one, regardless of individual skill. This guide covers everything you need to communicate effectively.
Voice Channels
Squad has four communication layers. Knowing when to use each is crucial.
| Key | Channel | Who Hears | Color | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Local | Nearby players | Blue | Immediate threats, local coordination |
| B | Squad | Your squad only | Green | Squad tactics, orders, requests |
| G | Command | All Squad Leaders | White | Inter-squad coordination, strategy |
| Numpad 1-9 | Direct | Specific SL | White | Private SL-to-SL communication |
Best Practices
- Local (V): Use for quick callouts to nearby friendlies. “Contact north!” or “Enemy behind the wall!”
- Squad (B): Your primary channel. Report contacts, request orders, coordinate movement.
- Command (G): Squad Leaders only. Keep it brief and tactical. Don’t spam.
- Numpad: Press the number matching the squad you want to reach (Squad 1 = Numpad 1).
Common Terminology
Learn these terms - you’ll hear them constantly.
Spawns & Logistics
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Radio | The deployable that creates a Forward Operating Base (FOB) |
| HAB | Spawn bunker built on a FOB |
| Rally | Portable spawn point placed by Squad Leader |
| Logi | Logistics truck (supplies & construction) |
| Main | Main base / uncappable spawn |
Tactical Callouts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Contact | Enemy spotted |
| Proxied | FOB/HAB disabled by nearby enemies |
| Push | Advance aggressively |
| Hold | Maintain current position |
| Fall back | Retreat to previous position |
| Oscar Mike | On the move |
Responses
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Roger | Message received and understood |
| Wilco | Will comply (I’ll do it) |
| Copy | I heard you |
| Negative | No / Cannot comply |
| Affirm | Yes / Confirmed |
Military Acronyms
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SL | Squad Leader |
| FTL | Fire Team Leader |
| FOB | Forward Operating Base |
| HAB | Habitation (spawn bunker) |
| LAT | Light Anti-Tank |
| HAT | Heavy Anti-Tank |
| MBT | Main Battle Tank |
| IFV | Infantry Fighting Vehicle |
| APC | Armored Personnel Carrier |
| CAS | Close Air Support |
| CASEVAC | Casualty Evacuation |
| KIA | Killed In Action |
| MIA | Missing In Action |
| RPG | Rocket Propelled Grenade |
| HE | High Explosive |
| AP | Armor Piercing |
| HEAT | High Explosive Anti-Tank |
NATO Phonetic Alphabet
Use this when spelling out grid references or unclear callouts.
A - Alpha
B - Bravo
C - Charlie
D - Delta
E - Echo
F - Foxtrot
G - Golf
H - Hotel
I - India
J - Juliet
K - Kilo
L - Lima
M - Mike
N - November
O - Oscar
P - Papa
Q - Quebec
R - Romeo
S - Sierra
T - Tango
U - Uniform
V - Victor
W - Whiskey
X - X-ray
Y - Yankee
Z - Zulu
Grid Coordinate System
The map is divided into grid squares labeled with letters (columns) and numbers (rows). Each main grid is subdivided using a numpad layout.
Numpad Overlay
7 | 8 | 9
---------
4 | 5 | 6
---------
1 | 2 | 3How to Report Coordinates
- Main Grid: Letter + Number (e.g., “B2”)
- Sub-Grid: Add keypad number (e.g., “B2-5” for center)
- Precise: Add another keypad (e.g., “B2-5-3” for center-right)
Example Callout:
“Enemy FOB at Bravo 2, keypad 5, keypad 3”
This pinpoints the location with ~30m accuracy.
Callout Guidelines
On Foot (Cardinal Directions)
Use compass directions when infantry is spread out:
- “Contact North!”
- “Enemy MG, Southwest, 150 meters”
- “Friendly squad moving East”
In Vehicles (Bearings)
Use numeric bearings for precision:
- “Gunner, target bearing 270, 400 meters”
- “Infantry 045, treeline”
- “Tank 180, hull down behind the hill”
Distance Estimation
| Reference | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|
| Binocular scale “1” | ~100m |
| Binocular scale “2” | ~200m |
| Binocular scale “4” | ~400m |
| Rifle zeroing | Match your zero to target |
Map Markers
Squad Leaders and Fire Team Leaders can place markers. Use them effectively.
| Marker | Use For |
|---|---|
| Move | Waypoint for squad movement |
| Attack | Offensive target |
| Defend | Position to hold |
| Build | FOB/fortification location |
| Observe | Recon/overwatch position |
| Enemy Infantry | Spotted foot mobiles |
| Enemy Vehicle | Spotted armor/transport |
| Enemy FOB | Confirmed spawn location |
Marker Etiquette
- Remove old markers when no longer relevant
- Don’t spam the map
- Update enemy positions as they move
- SLs: coordinate markers in command chat
Quick Reference Card
Voice Keys:
V= Local (nearby)B= SquadG= Command (SL only)Numpad= Direct to squad #
Essential Callout Format:
“[What] [Where] [Distance]”
Examples:
- “Contact, North, 100 meters”
- “Enemy BTR, bearing 045, 300”
- “HAB at Charlie 4, keypad 7”
Remember:
- Be brief
- Be accurate
- Use correct channel
- Confirm with “Roger” or “Copy”
Pro Tips
- Don’t talk over others - Wait for a break in comms
- Prioritize info - Immediate threats first, details later
- Use local for quick stuff - Don’t clog squad chat with “reloading”
- SLs: Keep command chat clean - Other SLs are trying to coordinate too
- Describe what you see - “Two infantry” is better than “enemies”
- Include threat level - “BTR” is more urgent than “transport truck”
- Confirm kills - “BTR down” tells your team the threat is neutralized