5 by

Short for "5 by 5" meaning "loud and clear." Also used to mean "I'm okay" per Faith (Eliza Dusku), the dark slayer on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

"I hear you five-by-five."

"I'm five-by-five with that."

by rich brown August 13, 2004

5 by

"5 by" is short for "5 by 5". This is a measure on the scale of 1 to 5 of loudness and clarity of voice transmission. "5 by 5" means "loud and clear".

"I read you 5 by."

by Chrys in Houston March 13, 2004

5 by 5

Respective rating used to report ballpark signal strength and clarity of a transmission. So a 5 by 1 means a strong signal is present, but what is saying cannot be understood. 1 by 5 means you can understand them, but a signal is barely coming in. 5 by 5 is ideal for both counts.

Can also be used nowadays to mean one is doing well.

Ex. A) – command to alpha2IC, do you read?
-command this is alpha2IC, I got you 5 by 5.

b) How’s it going?
I’m 5 by 5.

by vodka June 2, 2004

5 by 9

RS report in ham radio. 5 means strong signal and 9 means good audio quality. Equivalent to "I can hear you loud and clear".

... roger roger, I can hear you 5 by 9. Good luck in the contest and 73.

by OK9NJA January 20, 2020

5 by 5

This is an old aeronautical radio term. Radio signal strength and clarity were measured on a scale of 1 to 5. Today the term "Loud and Clear" is preferred to "5 by 5".

In slang use "5 by 5" means things are well, good, or as expected.

by balrog May 16, 2003

5 by 5

To be in a content state of being. To be fine

Hey how are you? 5 by 5.

by Xander October 29, 2003

5 by 5

Also refers to level of orientation in a neurological/psychiatric exam. Five by five means that you are oriented to (your)name, place (where you are), time, day/date, and year/current President. A way of saying that you're alright, everything's cool.

Dood- are you allright, that was one ugly wreck.

It's cool, I'm five by five.

by anoynymous April 23, 2004