Top definition
In voice procedure (the techniques used to facilitate spoken communication over two-way radios) a station may request a report on the quality and strength of signal they are broadcasting. In the military of the NATO countries, and other organizations, the signal quality is reported on two scales; the first is for signal strength, and the second for signal clarity. Both these scales range from one to five, where one is the worst and five is the best. The listening station reports these numbers separated with the word "by". Five by five therefore means a signal that has excellent strength and perfect clarity -- the most understandable signal possible.
Five by five by extension has come to mean "I understand you perfectly" in situations other than radio communication, the way Loud and Clear entered slang, post-WW2.
It is sometimes used as slang term to mean "everything is good". The character "Faith" from the "Buffy The Vampire" TV series used it this way.
Sometimes also used in athletic training.
Five by five by extension has come to mean "I understand you perfectly" in situations other than radio communication, the way Loud and Clear entered slang, post-WW2.
It is sometimes used as slang term to mean "everything is good". The character "Faith" from the "Buffy The Vampire" TV series used it this way.
Sometimes also used in athletic training.
A radio operator would ask: "Radio check -- how am I coming in?" A responder could say; "You are coming in 5 x 5 (5 by 5)". (This means that your signal strength and clarity are both 5 out of a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the best strength and clarity.)
Or, as slang:
A person would ask; "How are you doing?" The responder could say; "I'm 5 x 5." (5 by 5, meaning I'm doing/feeling great.)
Or, as slang:
A person would ask; "How are you doing?" The responder could say; "I'm 5 x 5." (5 by 5, meaning I'm doing/feeling great.)
by phreich May 01, 2010
Jul 26 Word of the Day
Noun: a friend who is usually only called upon by a friend when a more primary/prominent friend is unavailable.
Taken from the term “second string” in an athletic competition situation. In football, if the star quarterback gets injured during a play, the second string is called off the bench to replace him/her. A “Second String Friend” is essentially benched until needed, if ever.
Synonyms: Plan B, Second Choice, Secondary Friend, Benched Until Needed
Taken from the term “second string” in an athletic competition situation. In football, if the star quarterback gets injured during a play, the second string is called off the bench to replace him/her. A “Second String Friend” is essentially benched until needed, if ever.
Synonyms: Plan B, Second Choice, Secondary Friend, Benched Until Needed
I got a call from X the other night. She had an extra ticket to a concert she bought for a friend, but they couldn’t make it so she called me to ask if I wanted to go because I am her Second String Friend.
by Deus-ex-machina August 26, 2020
4
It's a radio term. It means I hear you with adequate signal strength and adequate clarity. The scale of each of these was 1 through 10, with ten the strongest. Technically, a 10x10 would be the best. But anything down to 5x5, like a 6x8 or a 5x7, would be understandable and adequate. It has taken on many new meanings, but all seem to be positive, or OK. Even though what it's based on would mean 5x5 was mediocre at best.
In two way radio, a call would be, "how do you receive me?", to which if the signal was acceptable, the answer would be, "I read you 5x5."
by teardropper December 16, 2009
5
On track, on course, going where you want to; it also refers to the central point in a targeting scope - five over and five up.
by J Fieth February 23, 2008