Why mistakes matter
The phonetic alphabet only works when both people can predict what they’ll hear. If you say “B for Bob” and the other person expects “Bravo”, you’ve already introduced uncertainty. In noisy conditions, uncertainty turns into errors.
Use these fixes to make your spelling clearer on calls, radio, and live conversations.
Mistake 1: Making up your own words
“B for Bob”, “C for Cat”, and “E for Edward” feel intuitive — but they aren’t reliable. Many everyday words overlap in sound, and different people choose different “obvious” examples.
- Better: “B — Bravo”, “C — Charlie”, “E — Echo”.
- Tip: say the letter and the code word together: “B, Bravo”.
Mistake 2: Mixing alphabets
Some professions historically used different word lists. If you mix systems (“Able Baker” on one letter, NATO on the next), the listener has to guess which list you’re using — and that defeats the point.
Fix: choose one standard (NATO) and use it consistently.
Mistake 3: Speaking too fast (or too quietly)
Speed and volume matter. Rushing causes code words to blur together; speaking too quietly invites mishearing.
- Pause slightly between letters.
- Keep a steady pace.
- If the listener repeats back, let them finish — then confirm.
Mistake 4: Not confirming the full string
For booking references, registration plates, and serial numbers, it’s easy to miss one character in the middle.
Fix: after spelling, repeat the entire string once more at normal speed. For example: “That’s A‑Bravo, 7, K‑Kilo, 3 — AB7K3.”