US R/T - Why Standby '1'?

[Select Zone Five]

Just wondered if there's a technical explanation for the phrase "Standby 1"? Seem to hear it a lot in the US whereas "Standby" seems to suffice in the UK :confused:

[oxford blue]

It's supposed to be short for "Standby one second", ie, I won't keep you waiting very long.

But most people only say it because they think it makes them sound cool..................

[saudipc-9]

Means "Standby for one minute" rather like the UK term
"Ang on a minute!" said with a heavy cockney accent:D

[BlueEagle]

I believe it means 'standby one moment ' - a moment being an undefined period of time but, hopefully, short!:)

[Mad (Flt) Scientist]

FWIW, the UK army uses (used?) "wait one" in an entirely similar context.

[Mode Charlie]

I thought standby 1 meant 'standy, you are the next to be dealt with'. on a very busy frequency I've heard controller respond standby 1 to one callsign and then standby 2 to another.

[Spitoon]

That's an interesting way or doing it Mode C. My technique in that situation is simply tho shout standby and let the pitch of my voice indicate where you are in the queue - the higher my voice the further down the list you are! :)

[Tinstaafl]

"Standby 1" is most likely to be phraseology transferred & adapted from military r/t.

The Oz army r/t phraseology uses "Wait 1" or "...2" or "...3" or whatever. The numeral denotes minutes of expected delay.

For a shorter period the word 'Wait' was used on its own & gave you about 5 or 10 seconds (I think. Can't remember, it was 20 years ago). If you needed a bit more time you could say the word again while remaining transmitting eg "Wait... 5 sec silence.....wait...5 sec silence....wait......"


If only military r/t relay procedures were also brought across. It's so frustrating & annoying to hear a a simple relay get muddled...

[Tom the Tenor]

Saudipic 9, Cockneys would say 'Ang on a mo!' Have just been watching Eastenders!:D

[Hippy]

Nah, it's just the Americans way of trying to sound all proper & posh by using the third person.
'Standy One' - short for "One must standby, don't you know, old chap"

[Squawk7777]

be careful Hippy. Next time you make yourself known (US) ATC might just say...

"Standby one, errr, radar service terminated, Squawk 1200"

7 7 7 7

[jungly]

Tinstaafl is correct.

In Army parlance the term is "Wait". In aviation parlance we use "Standby."

The number, in theory, indicates the minutes of expected delay. "Wait", "Wait 1"...etc . If the delay is expected to be long or is uncertain the "Wait out" is used.

The Army used radios well before aviation. The reason for deviation from Wait to Standby is unclear.