Survivors – A Novel of the Coming Collapse

QSO: Ham radio shorthand for a“contact (conversation).”

QSY: Ham radio shorthand for“Change frequency.”

QTH: Ham radio shorthand for“location.”

R: Ham radio shorthand for “Iheard everything you said and don’t need you to repeat anything.”

ROTC: Reserve Officers’ TrainingCorps.

RPG: Rocket-propelled grenade.

SADF: South African DefenseForce.

SBI: Special backgroundinvestigation.

SCI: Sensitive compartmentedinformation.

SIG: Schweizerische IndustrieGesellschaft. The Swiss gun maker.

SK: Ham radio shorthand for“silent key.”

SOCOM: Special OperationsCommand.

SOP: Standard operatingprocedure(s).

SSB: Single sideband (an operatingmode for CB and amateur radio gear).

SSPARS: Solid-state phased-arrayradar system.

Steyr AUG: The Austrian army’s5.56-mm “bullpup” infantry carbine. Also issued by the Australian Army as theirreplacement for the L1A1.

S amp;W: Smith and Wesson.

SWAT: Special weapons and tactics.(SWAT originally stood for “special weapons assault team” until that was deemedpolitically incorrect.)

TA-1 and TA-312: U.S. militaryhardwire field telephones.

TAD: Temporary assigned duty.

TARPS: Tactical aerialreconnaissance pod system.

TDY: Temporary duty.

Thermite: A mixture of aluminumpowder and iron rust powder that, when ignited, causes a vigorous exothermicreaction. Used primarily for welding. Also used by military units as anincendiary for destroying equipment.

TK: Tom Kennedy.

TNX: Ham radio shorthand for“Thanks.”

TS: Top secret.

TU: Ham radio shorthand for “ThankYou.”

UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle.

UR: Ham radio shorthand for “your”or “you’re,” depending on context.

USAEUR: U.S. Army, Europe. Spoken“Use-ah-Urr.”

USAFE: U.S. Air Force, Europe.Spoken “You-Safe-ee.”

VAC: Volts, alternatingcurrent.

Valmet: The Finnish conglomeratethat formerly made several types of firearms.

VDC: Volts, direct current.

Viper: The popular nickname forthe F-16 fighter. (Its official moniker is the “Fighting Falcon,” which mostF-16 pilots detest.)

VW: Volkswagen.

VY: Ham radio shorthand for“very.”

WD-1: U.S. military-issuetwo-conductor insulated field telephone wire.

YL: Ham radio shorthand for “younglady.” All females regardless of age are designated YLs in the ham world.