A battle telephone circuit is a simple party line phone system. Since battle telephones are the primary means of internal communication under battle conditions, it is of utmost importance that these phones are used properly and intelligently.
All men aboard ship must understand and comply with the following rules regarding use of battle telephones.
- When manning the phones, always make sure plug is seated in jack box,
and that retaining cap on plug is screwed tight. This is necessary to
avoid poor connections.
- To transmit a message, push small button on microphone, and speak
directly into microphone. The transmitter should be held about two inches
from your mouth.
- Do not push transmitter button except while transmitting a message.
Otherwise you may miss an incoming message, and you may make circuit
unnecessarily noise.
- Speak clearly and distinctly in a normal tone of voice.
- Always transmit and repeat messages exactly as given you. A
small change in wording of a message may change its meaning greatly, and
lead to serious mistakes.
- If the phones do not function properly, exchange them for another
set if possible. Turn defective phones in at fire control workshop for
repair immediately after that drill is completed.
- In case of failure of battle telephones, shift immediately to standby
system such as sound power phones, or voice tubes.
- The following procedure must be followed at all times:
- Connect telephone properly seeing plug screwed in tightly, headset
adjusted and no kinks in leads.
- Click button once or twice to see if circuit is alive.
- After plugging in listen for a few seconds to be sure no one is talking,
then call the master station of the circuit and report, for example "Conn,
Central testing" which should be acknowledged with "Conn, aye, aye."
- In talking DO NOT call a station and then wait for him to acknowledge
before talking the message. On battle telephone circuits it is correct to
assume that ALL stations are listening ALL THE TIME. Repeat message until
it is answered, or you make certain phones are out of commission.
- Be on the alert at all times.
- When orders to secure are given, report your station going off the line before securing. The key station on each circuit must wait until all others on that circuit are off the line before securing.
- The talker at the key station on each circuit is responsible that communication procedure and discipline is maintained on that circuit. Experienced talkers should help instruct others on their circuit.
- If you do not already understand clearly what stations are on your circuit, and what call should be used, ask an officer for that information. Ask about anything else you do not understand about the use of battle telephones.
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John E. Brockmann, June 9th, 2004
