Plain Language Radio Checks

A plain-language radio check is the means of requesting and giving a signal strength and readability report for radiotelephony (voice) communications, and is the direct equivalent to the QSA and QRK code used to give the same report in radiotelegraph (Morse code) communications.
Radio check procedure
RADIO CHECKWhat is my signal strength and readability; how do you hear me? Can you hear me?
ROGERI have received your last transmission satisfactorily.
NOTHING HEARDTo be used when no reply is received from a called station. 
Signal strength prowords
LOUDYour signal is very strong. 
GOODYour signal strength is good. 
WEAKYour signal strength is weak. 
VERY WEAKYour signal strength is very weak.
FADINGAt times your signal strength fades to such an extent that continuous reception cannot be relied upon.
Readability prowords
CLEARThe quality of your transmission is excellent. 
READABLEThe quality of your transmission is satisfactory. 
UNREADABLEThe quality of your transmission is so bad that I cannot read you. 
DISTORTEDHaving trouble reading you due to interference. 
WITH INTERFERENCEHaving trouble reading you due to interference.  
INTERMITTENTHaving trouble reading you because your signal is intermittent.
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    Examples of usage 

LOUD AND CLEARExcellent copy with no noise
LOUD BUT DISTORTEDThe signal strength is very strong but the audio is distorted
GOOD AND READABLEGood copy with slight noise.
FAIR BUT READABLEFair copy, occasional fills are needed
WEAK BUT READABLEWeak copy, frequent fills are needed
WEAK WITH INTERFERENCEThe signal strength is weak and there is also interference from another signal.
WEAK AND UNREADABLEUnable to copy, a relay is required

One of these reports, "LOUD AND CLEAR", is commonly used in television shows, movies, literature, and by radio operators, commonly without knowing the source or the rest of the standard reports (hence the much-reduced frequency with which the other combinations are used).
The omission of comment on signal strength and readability, by responding only with the proword "ROGER", is understood to mean that reception is "LOUD AND CLEAR". If reception is other than loud and clear, it must be described with the appropriate prowords.
Reports such as “five by five,” “four by four,” etc., should not be used to indicate strength and quality of reception, primarily as it has no meaning!

Updated 12 April 2022.