Messkit Series: Get-MKPhonetic
Introduction
Have you ever had to communicate a complex password or security code over the phone, only to struggle with distinguishing between similar-sounding characters like “B” and “P” or “M” and “N”? The NATO phonetic alphabet was created specifically to solve this problem, providing clear, unambiguous ways to communicate letters and numbers.
Today, we’ll explore the Get-MKPhonetic function—a PowerShell tool that converts any string into its NATO phonetic equivalent. This function is particularly useful for security professionals, system administrators, and anyone who needs to clearly communicate passwords, GUIDs, or other sensitive information verbally.
What is Get-MKPhonetic?
Get-MKPhonetic is a PowerShell function that translates strings into NATO phonetic alphabet representations. It goes beyond the standard NATO alphabet by including mappings for numbers and special characters commonly found on computer keyboards. The function offers multiple output formats including text lists, JSON, raw objects, and even text-to-speech audio output.
Key features include:
- NATO phonetic alphabet for all letters (both upper and lowercase)
- Phonetic representations for numbers 0-9
- Mappings for common special characters and symbols
- Multiple output formats (List, Audio, JSON, Raw)
- Customizable text-to-speech options
- Pipeline support for integration with other PowerShell functions
Why Use NATO Phonetics in IT?
- Clarity: Eliminates confusion when communicating alphanumeric codes
- Security: Reduces errors when sharing passwords or access codes
- Accessibility: Provides audio output for visually impaired users
- Standardization: Uses internationally recognized phonetic standards
- Documentation: Creates clear, unambiguous records of communicated information
Getting Started: Basic Usage
Let’s start with the simplest use case—converting a string to phonetic representation:
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# Convert a simple password to phonetic spelling
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "P@ssw0rd!"
This command will output something like:
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P = upper case P as in Papa
@ = at sign
s = lower case s as in sierra
s = lower case s as in sierra
w = lower case w as in whiskey
0 = number Zero
r = lower case r as in romeo
d = lower case d as in delta
! = exclamation
Pro Tip: Use with password generators for immediate phonetic output:
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New-MKPassword -PwdLength 12 | Get-MKPhonetic
Understanding the Parameters
Strings (-Strings)
The input string(s) to convert to phonetic spelling. Accepts pipeline input:
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# Single string
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "ABC123"
# Multiple strings
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "Password1", "SecretKey2"
# Pipeline input
"Hello World" | Get-MKPhonetic
Output Formats (-Output)
Choose how you want the phonetic information presented:
- List (default): Text output showing each character and its phonetic equivalent
- Audio: Speaks the phonetic spelling using text-to-speech
- JSON: Returns a JSON representation
- Raw: Returns the raw PowerShell object
Audio Parameters
When using -Output Audio, you can customize the speech:
-VoiceRate: Speech speed (-10 to 10, default: 0)-VoiceName: Voice selection (David or Zira, default: David)-VoiceVolume: Volume level (0 to 100, default: 50)
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Scenario 1: Communicating Passwords Over Phone
When you need to share a password with a colleague over the phone:
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# Generate and get phonetic representation
New-MKPassword -PwdLength 16 | Get-MKPhonetic
Scenario 2: Audio Password Reading
For accessibility or hands-free scenarios:
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# Have the computer read the password aloud
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "1l0O5S8BqG" -Output Audio -VoiceName Zira -VoiceRate 2 -VoiceVolume 80
Scenario 3: Documentation and Logging
Create clear documentation of communicated codes:
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# Generate JSON output for documentation
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "ServerKey2024" -Output Json | Out-File "password_phonetic.json"
Scenario 4: GUID Communication
When sharing system-generated identifiers:
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# Convert a GUID to phonetic spelling
New-GUID | Get-MKPhonetic
Scenario 5: Batch Processing
Process multiple passwords or codes:
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# Process multiple strings with detailed output
$FormatEnumerationLimit = -1
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "Admin2024!", "UserPass123" -Output Raw | Out-GridView
Advanced Features and Integration
Pipeline Integration
The function works seamlessly with other PowerShell cmdlets:
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# Chain with password generation
New-MKPassword -PwdLength 20 | Get-MKPhonetic -Output Audio
# Process from file
Get-Content "passwords.txt" | Get-MKPhonetic
# Export results
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "ComplexPassword123!" -Output Raw | Export-Csv "phonetic_output.csv"
Custom Voice Settings
Fine-tune the audio output for different scenarios:
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# Slow, quiet reading for note-taking
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "1l0O5S8BqG9Z2sL7oQwX" -Output Audio -VoiceRate -5 -VoiceVolume 30
# Fast, loud reading for noisy environments
Get-MKPhonetic -Strings "00:01:d7:aa:bb:cc" -Output Audio -VoiceRate 5 -VoiceVolume 90
Understanding the Character Mappings
The function includes comprehensive character mappings:
Letters
- Lowercase: “a as in alpha”, “b as in bravo”, etc.
- Uppercase: “upper case A as in Alpha”, “upper case B as in Bravo”, etc.
Numbers
- 0-9: “number Zero”, “number One”, through “number Nine”
Common Symbols
The function maps many keyboard symbols:
@= “at sign”!= “exclamation”#= “pound”$= “dollar”%= “percent”&= “ampersand”*= “asterisk”- And many more…
JSON Output Structure
When using -Output Json, the function returns structured data:
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{
"String": "P@ss123",
"Length": 7,
"Phonetic": [
"P = upper case P as in Papa",
"@ = at sign",
"s = lower case s as in sierra",
"s = lower case s as in sierra",
"1 = number One",
"2 = number Two",
"3 = number Three"
]
}
Best Practices and Use Cases
Security Communications
- Use when sharing temporary passwords over unsecured channels
- Ideal for emergency access codes that must be communicated verbally
- Helpful during security incidents when digital communication may be compromised
Accessibility Features
- Provides audio output for visually impaired users
- Offers clear pronunciation for users with hearing difficulties
- Creates text-based phonetic output for reference
Documentation
- Generate clear records of verbally communicated information
- Create audit trails for password sharing
- Provide unambiguous specifications for manual data entry
Integration with Other MessKit Functions
The Get-MKPhonetic function pairs perfectly with other MessKit functions:
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# Generate password and immediately get phonetic output
New-MKPassword -PwdLength 18 | Get-MKPhonetic -Output Audio
# Create secure PIN with phonetic representation
New-MKPassword -PwdLength 6 -NumCount 6 | Get-MKPhonetic
Troubleshooting Common Issues
No Audio Output
If audio isn’t working:
- Ensure your system has text-to-speech voices installed
- Check volume settings and system audio
- Verify the voice name (David or Zira) is available
Unmapped Characters
If you encounter “No mapping found”:
- The function includes most common keyboard characters
- Special Unicode characters may not have mappings
- Consider preprocessing input to replace unmapped characters
Performance with Large Strings
For very long strings:
- Consider breaking them into smaller chunks
- Use the Raw output format for programmatic processing
- Be mindful of audio output duration for very long strings
Conclusion
The Get-MKPhonetic function bridges the gap between digital password generation and clear verbal communication. Whether you’re communicating sensitive information over the phone, creating accessible password systems, or documenting security procedures, this function provides the clarity and standardization you need.
The NATO phonetic alphabet has been trusted by military, aviation, and emergency services for decades. Now you can bring that same level of clarity to your PowerShell security workflows.
Next Steps
- Try the function with different output formats to see which works best for your needs
- Experiment with the audio settings to find your preferred voice and speed
- Integrate it into your existing security scripts and password management workflows
- Consider creating wrapper functions for specific organizational phonetic requirements
This post is part of my PowerShell MessKit module series. Stay tuned for more articles as I help to break down some of the various functions included in this module.