What is a 'hot mic' and how should it be handled?

• A. An audible squeal on the mic caused by interference; report it.
• B. An unintended transmission that reveals sensitive information; immediately acknowledge and prevent further disclosure, switching channels if needed.
• C. A ceremonial moment; document it.
• D. An overheard casual remark; ignore it.

Answer: (B)

Hot mic refers to an unintended live transmission from a unit’s radio that captures conversations not meant for broadcast. It can reveal sensitive information, operational details, or locations, creating a security risk and potentially compromising the mission.

The proper response is to acknowledge immediately that the mic is live and take steps to stop further disclosure. This usually means stopping speaking on the open channel, muting the microphone, or switching to a secure or private channel if available. If the situation allows, shift to a different channel to prevent leakage on the same frequency and ensure other units are advised to minimize sensitive talk on the current channel. After the incident, log what happened and review procedures to prevent recurrence.

Why other options don’t fit: a squeal from interference is a hardware issue, not the informational risk of an open mic; a ceremonial moment is irrelevant to operational security; an overheard casual remark should not be ignored because it could reveal sensitive details or positions.