Definition
A remote speaking system is a ground-based facility that allows a controller or flight service specialist located elsewhere to transmit voice messages over a radio frequency at a remote site. The transmitter sits at the remote location while the person speaking is connected to it by landline or other communications link.
Plain English
It's a setup that lets a controller in one place talk to pilots through a radio antenna in a different place. The voice you hear on the frequency comes from someone who isn't physically at that radio site.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA acronym lists, facility information, and notices about ground radio communication equipment.
Derivation
Remote here means 'at a distance,' from Latin remotus (moved away). The term simply describes a speaking (voice) system whose operator is remote from the transmitter — useful when one specialist needs to cover several radio sites spread across a wide area.
Why Pilots Care
Allows controllers or staff to make necessary transmissions without being physically present at the primary workstation, maintaining continuous communication during shift changes or equipment issues.
Intuition Check
Do not read “remote” as meaning the pilot is remote. Here, the ground person is using radio equipment located somewhere else.
Example Sentence 1
The flight service station uses an RSS to broadcast advisories on the airport's CTAF even though the specialist is hundreds of miles away.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians tested the RSS connection to confirm remote announcements reached all ramp areas.