Radio Communication

[andywin]

Why do we say 'Roger' when using a two way radio, and where does it originate from?

[mellyJ]

In radio speak 'Roger' means message received and understood, but also used to mean yes or affirmative.

[andy hughes]

'Roger' is the designated word for the letter 'R', as in 'Received', so the original phrase, which started during the Second World War was 'Roger Wilco' (you find yourself putting on a Biggles accent if you say it out loud!) which stands for 'Received - will comply'. The radio letter - word connection is used so that bad transmission does not result in misunderstood messages - each word is uncommon enough to avoid misinterperetation, even over a crackly radio receiver.