My family has radios. We use them to talk to each other when we are in different places. Talking on the radio can help me feel close to my family.
Type your details below. The story fills in by itself. Then print it.
My family has radios. We use them to talk to each other when we are in different places. Talking on the radio can help me feel close to my family.
To turn my radio on, I turn the knob. I hear a small click. Now my radio is on. The same knob makes the sound louder or softer. I turn it a little until the sound feels just right for me — not too loud. A grown-up can help me find a good sound level.
My radio has one channel for me. It is Channel __. First, I turn my radio to Channel __. Now my radio is ready.
Sometimes my radio is quiet. Sometimes it beeps. Sometimes it makes a soft “shhhh” sound. That sound is called static. The beeps and the static are okay. They do not mean anything is wrong. If my radio is too loud, I can turn it down. A grown-up can help me.
To talk, I press the button and hold it. While I hold the button, I talk. When I finish talking, I let the button go. When the button is up, I can hear other people. I talk, or I listen. I do one at a time.
On the radio, one person talks at a time. When someone else is talking, I wait and listen. When they are done, it is my turn. Waiting is part of using the radio. I can wait.
When I want to talk to someone, I press the button and say:
“This is (call sign). (name) calling name.”Then I let the button go and I listen.
Every little while, I say my call sign again. My call sign is (call sign). Saying it is a rule that helps everyone know who is talking. A grown-up can remind me. That is okay.
When I want to listen and wait, I press the button and say:
“This is (call sign). (name), and I’ll be on the side.”This means I am still here. I am listening, but I am not talking right now.
When I am all done, I press the button and say:
“This is (call sign). (name), and I’ll be clear.”This means I am finished talking. Then I can put my radio down.
Sometimes I call and no one answers right away. That is okay. I can wait and try again later. Sometimes I say the words in a different order. That is okay too. I can try again. I am learning.
I know how to use my radio. I press the button to talk. I let go to listen. I wait for my turn. My radio helps me stay close to my family. I can do this.