Phonetic correspondence of the letters
Phonetic Alphabets in Amateur Radio: International and National Spelling Standards
Phonetic spelling (using standardized words for each letter) ensures 100% copy accuracy when communicating callsigns, names, grid locators, or critical technical details under severe interference (QRM/QRN) or weak signal conditions.
1. International Phonetic Alphabet (ICAO / ITU / NATO)
This is the universally mandated phonetic alphabet for all international voice transmissions (SSB / FM / AM):
| Letter | Phonetic Word | Pronunciation | Letter | Phonetic Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Alpha | AL-fah | N | November | no-VEM-ber |
| B | Bravo | BRAH-voh | O | Oscar | OSS-cah |
| C | Charlie | CHAR-lee | P | Papa | pah-PAH |
| D | Delta | DELL-tah | Q | Quebec | keh-BECK |
| E | Echo | ECK-oh | R | Romeo | ROW-me-oh |
| F | Foxtrot | FOKS-trot | S | Sierra | see-AIR-rah |
| G | Golf | GOLF | T | Tango | TANG-go |
| H | Hotel | hoh-TELL | U | Uniform | YOU-nee-form |
| I | India | IN-dee-ah | V | Victor | VIK-tah |
| J | Juliett | JEW-lee-ETT | W | Whiskey | WISS-key |
| K | Kilo | KEY-loh | X | X-ray | ECKS-ray |
| L | Lima | LEE-mah | Y | Yankee | YANG-key |
| M | Mike | MIKE | Z | Zulu | ZOO-loo |
2. Bulgarian Phonetic Alphabet (Local Use Only)
Important Operating Practice: Bulgarian phonetic words are used strictly for local domestic contacts conducted in the Bulgarian language (e.g., VHF repeaters or domestic HF nets). Using domestic Bulgarian phonetics during international DX contacts is improper operating practice.
| Cyrillic | Latin Eq. | Bulgarian Phonetic Word | Cyrillic | Latin Eq. | Bulgarian Phonetic Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| А | A | Anton | П | P | Petar |
| Б | B / V | Boris | Р | R | Rumen |
| В | W | Vasil | С | S | Stefan |
| Г | G | Georgi | Т | T | Todor |
| Д | D | Dimitar | У | U | Ulyana |
| Е | E | Elena | Ф | F | Filip |
| Ж | V | Zhivko | Х | H | Hristo |
| З | Z | Zahari | Ц | C | Tsvetan |
| И | I | Ivan | Ч | Ö (CW: –.) | Chavdar |
| Й | J | Yordan | Ш | CH (CW: –-) | Shipka |
| К | K | Kiril | Щ | Q (CW: –.-) | Shteryu |
| Л | L | Lyudmil | Ъ | X (CW: -..-) | Er-Golyam |
| М | M | Mariya | Ь | Y (CW: -.–) | Er-Malak |
| Н | N | Nikolay | Ю | Ü (CW: ..–) | Yuliya |
| О | O | Ognyan | Я | Ä (CW: .-.-) | Yavor |
