Transcript CAP Communications Orientation Class

ALABAMA WING
Communications
TRAINING
Basic Communications User Training
Section 1
ALWG 2011
Introduction
In this section we will discuss the following:
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Rules and Regulations
Radio Frequency Security – OPSEC / FOUO
Radio Frequency Authorization / NTIA
Radio Operator Authorization
SAFETY
CAP Communications Systems
Radio Operations
Radio Procedures
Rules and Regulations
All CAP Radio Operators shall be familiar with
and comply with all applicable CAP Rules and
Regulations. The primary CAP Regulations are:
 CAPR 100-1, “CAP Communications”
 CAPR 100-3, “Radiotelephone Operations”
For Mission Radio Operators, also refer to the
appropriate Specialty Qualification Training
Records (SQTR).
Operational Security
• No CAP member may attend CAP radio operator training without
first completing on-line CAP Operational Security (OPSEC)
Training and having agreed to the on-line non-disclosure
agreement.
Within CAP, some items that may commonly need to be secured are:
• Personal information (addresses, phone numbers, etc.)
- for both CAP members and others
• Mission status - due to the potential interest by the news media
• Identification of personnel
• Communications information including frequencies and location of
facilities
• The relationship between the designators and frequencies
• Official phone numbers (mission base, etc,)
• Other agency participation
CAP Radio Frequency Security
• CAP has instituted a strict Operations
Security Program based on requirements by
the USAF
• The frequencies used by CAP are frequencies
that have been assigned to the USAF by the
NTIA. They are not “CAP” frequencies, they
are USAF frequencies loaned to us.
• The USAF has declared the frequencies we
use as “Unclassified – For Official Use Only”
• A CAP member does not have to possess a
security clearance to know the frequencies.
• HOWEVER……..
OPSEC AND FOUO
• A CAP member is required to agree not to
disclose frequency and use information to the
public, other agencies (local, state, or
federal), or anyone including other CAP
members who do not have a “need to know”.
• Because of the mandate to use “channels”
and the use of frequency designators, most
CAP members who use a radio do not have a
“need to know” the actual frequency being
used.
CAP Radio Frequency Authorization
• CAP is a considered a federal agency, thus its
Radio Stations are authorized by the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA)
• Public stations are licensed by the FCC
• Federal agencies are not allowed to use
services allocated exclusively to the public
sector for their business.
• This excludes the use of Amateur Radio and
Citizens Band for CAP business.
The regulation for CAP Communications is CAPR 100-1
CAP Radio Operator Authorization
• Communications Orientation Class Requirements
– Class must address:
» Standard Operating Procedures
» Local Operating Procedures
– Prepares a CAP member to operate a CAP Radio
– May allow issuance of a CAPF 76, Radio Operator’s Permit by
Wing or higher headquarters, discretion of the Wing DC
• Advanced Communications User Training
– May be held together or as a separate class.
– Includes the Advanced Communications User Training
Questionnaire
– Required for a CAP member to be assigned a call sign for their
radio
– Required as part of the Communications Specialty Track
A new program is being developed that will replace these
classes. Everyone who uses a radio will be required to complete
the new program.
Why am I here?
The primary purpose of CAP communications is to
provide internal communications capabilities; to
provide commanders with the means to conduct the
missions of CAP both during normal conditions and
when commercial infrastructure is unavailable or
unsuitable. The system provides a continuity of
operations capability when commercial infrastructure
fails, such as allowing commanders, at each echelon,
the ability to communicate with superior and
subordinate commanders. In addition, the system may
also provide third-party support to “customer”
agencies where it does not conflict with the primary
purpose. All message traffic must be of, or pertaining
to, the business of Civil Air Patrol or it’s customer
agencies.
What do I do?
Communications facilities of CAP are used in support of
many operations including:
 Emergencies
 Flying
 Administration
 Training
 Support to Federal, State, and Local Agencies
SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY
Each CAP radio station will establish and adhere to the
following minimum safety standard operating
procedures.
• Equipment Adjustments. Operators will not make
adjustments to equipment other than normal
operating practices. (changing channels, connections)
• Equipment Grounding. All equipment not in motion
will be adequately grounded at all times.
• Fuses. Replacement fuses should be of the proper
capacity per the equipment manufacturer. The use of
tin foil, solder, or any other unauthorized material is
forbidden.
SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY
• Main Power Switches. All personnel having access to
the radio station should be familiar with the location of
the main power switch and properly instructed in the
disconnect procedures.
• Antenna. The primary power sources should be
removed from all transmitters during antenna
maintenance. Lightning arrestors or grounding
switches should be installed on all antennas. Special
safety precautions should be taken when erecting
antennas in the vicinity of electric power lines.
• First Aid. Radio operators and personnel normally
located in the vicinity of the radio station should be
familiar with first aid procedures, including treatment
for electrical shock and administering artificial
respiration and CPR
SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY
• First Aid Equipment. It is recommended that a First
Aid Kit meeting the ANSI Z308.1-2003 standard be
available at all base stations. It may contain
additional items including but not limited to a
flashlight, safety rope, a protective barrier for rescue
breathing and CPR, and a blanket.
• Emergency Electrical Power. For stations equipped
with an emergency electrical power source, all
operators will be trained in the following:
 Location of power unit and how to gain access.
 If a generator, how to refuel, check oil, and start and
stop the engine.
 Ground safety rules concerning operation and
hazards, and the location of a suitable fire
extinguisher.
Civil Air Patrol Communication Systems
Short Range Communications
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF)
Inter-Squad Radios (ISR)
Medium Range Communications
Very-High Frequency (VHF)
Hand-Held VHF-FM Radio
Hand-Held VHF-AM Radio
Mobile VHF-FM Radio
Mobile VHF-AM Radio
Airborne VHF-FM radio
Airborne VHF-AM Radio
Long Range Communications
Very-High Frequency (VHF)
High Frequency (HF)
VHF-FM Airmobile
VHF-FM Repeaters
HF-SSB (Single Side Band)
CAP Communications also includes:
• Telephones - Landline and cellular telephones
can be used in addition to radio
communications.
• INTERNET - E-mail communications,
information web pages, internet phone and
other methods of communication over the
internet.
• GOAL - To have a readily available and
comprehensive communications network
using a variety of assets.
Radio Operation
Specific Radio Information will come later.
Common Controls:
Power / Volume
Squelch (May or may not be adjustable)
Channel Selector
Mike with Push to Talk Switch (Release to Listen)
Radio Setup
Radio Transceiver (VHF-FM, HF-SSB, SAR)
Power Supply (110 VAC or 12 Volt DC, 24 volt in aircraft)
Antenna (Vertical, Magnetic Mount, Dipole)
1
Power
Supply
V
S
Radio Operation
Before turning the radio on, the operator should know the
answer to the following questions.
What is the Communications Plan?
Why am I using this radio?
Where am I supposed to be? (Channel and Location)
Who am I supposed to be talking to?
How do I establish and reestablish communications?
Voice Operating Modes
SIMPLEX
Single Frequency - One Station at a Time
Channels 1,2,3,4,5,6
REPEATER
Channel 10
Two Frequencies - One Station at a Time
R
T
Channel 10
Channel 10
A “Channel” consist of a transmit frequency, a receive frequency,
and sub-audible tones that are not normally heard.
Repeater Operation
A repeater increases the range of land stations due
to its high profile location.
Airborne repeaters function the same way.
Inside the Repeater
Repeater will only turn on its transmitter if it hears one of two tones:
1) Universal access tone (NO LONGER MANDATORY) or
2) Repeater site specific tone
Transmit
Frequency
Subaudible
Tone
Receiver
Voice
PTT
Tone Decoder
The Tone Decoder “listens”
for either of the two tones on
the incoming signal
Receive
Frequency
Transmitter
“Mike Button”
The Tone Decoder “presses”
the Push To Talk (PTT) button
to turn on the transmitter.
Radio Operation
In Simplex Operation, the transmit and receive frequencies on the
channel are the same. The radio transmits on xxx.xxxx MHz and
receives on xxx.xxxx MHz. This is also the way the aviation
channels work on the “Air-Band” radios. When you transmit on
the radio, everyone on that channel hears you on the frequency
you are transmitting on.
In Repeater Operation, the transmit and receive frequencies on
the channel are different. The radio transmits on xxx.xxxx MHz
but receives on yyy.yyyy MHz. When you transmit on the radio,
everyone on the channel hears you on a different frequency than
the one you are transmitting on. Therefore they must hear the
repeater, not your radio.
Why does that matter? If the other station can not hear the
repeater, they can not hear you, even if you are just a few feet
away!
Radio Operation
CAP once had a system where the common Simplex
channels used the same frequency as the repeater
output frequency. This is no longer the case. Our
Simplex Channels and our Repeater Channels are no
longer the same. Therefore we no longer have access
to a “talk-around” channel.
Because of the differences between the radio systems,
and the number of simplex and repeater channels that
we now have, it is vital that a communications plan is
established for each operation and that every radio
operator becomes familiar with the plan.
Radio Operation
The CAP radio system uses both Analog and Digital modes.
They sound differently and have different characteristics.
Many radios are limited to Analog only. It is vital to know
what is going to be used when making communications
plans.
Digital modes allow for the use of “encryption”. This allows
sensitive information to be passed more securely and limits
the number of people who can receive the information.
The Director of Communications or the mission’s
Communications Unit Leader will determine what mode is to
be used.
Radio Operation
CAP has 6 simplex VHF-FM channels:
CC-1 (Command Channel)
CC-2
Air 1
Air 2
Guard1 or “Guard”
TAC 1 or Tactical
The “Guard” channel must not be confused with 121.5
MHz (AM) which is often referred to as “Guard” by pilots.
This is CAP’s “Guard” channel and is mandatory in all our
FM radios. It is designed for temporary use only for
contact and channel coordination.
Radio Operation
CAP has several VHF-FM repeater channels:
These channels have different frequency and tone
combinations that provide us with 68 repeater channels.
We have repeaters located across the country as well as
repeaters that can be used from aircraft and portable
locations
These channels are found in the FM radios such as the
EF Johnson, Tait 2020, and the aircraft FM radios
(Technisonic and NAT)
Radio Operation
CAP has several UHF-FM simplex channels:
These channels are on designated DOD frequencies and
are not compatible with any other radio system.
They are for short range tactical and operations support
as well as training. The same rules and procedures for
the VHF and HF channels apply to these also. They can
be used as geographical extenders for ground teams,
allowing teams to spread out farther.
These channels are only found in the ICOM ISR radios.
There is no repeater capability and they may not be used
for air to ground communications.
Radio Operation
CAP has several HF-SSB (Single Side Band) channels:
These channels are used for medium to long range
(Region Wide) communications and are found in radios
such as the Motorola Micom. They can be used from
base, mobile, or portable setups.
The Basic Operation is same for all the radios:
Know the Comm Plan.
Make sure power and antenna connections are correct.
Turn on the radio.
Select the correct channel.
Press the Mic button to talk.
Release the Mic button to listen.
Radio Operation
• CAP Radio Frequencies are For Official Use
Only (FOUO).
• Channels are designated by letter/number
groups. Frequencies may not be given out over
the air, designators may be used.
• Due to ongoing changing of equipment during
the narrowband transition, it is likely that you
may encounter radios with different channel
configurations.
ACTUAL CHANNEL NUMBERS MAY VARY!
CHECK BEFORE DEPLOYING!
Radio Procedures
CAP CALL SIGNS: Tactical Call Signs
Each CAP Wing, Region, and National Level station is
assigned a unit tactical call sign
Tactical Call Signs are issued based on:
Duty or responsibility (CAPR 100-1).
Authorization of the specific radio (not radio operator).
Example, the tactical call sign for the Alabama Wing is
Goldenrod. The Wing Commander is “Goldenrod 1”
Tactical Call Signs are issued by Wing and higher
Communications Directors.
Radio Procedures
All aircraft use the tactical call sign “CAP” (pronounced
like the baseball cap) and up to 4 digits.
The first two designate what Wing or Region the aircraft
is from (proceeding 0’s omitted), the last two designate
which aircraft it is.
Example, and Alabama Wing aircraft would have the
tactical call sign “CAP1XX” (instead of “CAP01XX).
Types of Tactical Call Signs
ALABAMA WING CALL SIGN EXAMPLES
AIRMOBILE
GROUND
Goldenrod 265
MOBILE
Goldenrod 715
CAP 124
(May be said as
one twenty four)
Radio Procedures
CAP CALL SIGNS: Functional Call Signs
Functional Call Signs are issued based on:
Task or Mission (CAPR 100-3).
Geographical Location.
Specific Needs
Functional Call Signs are issued by Wing Director of
Communications, Incident Commanders, or mission
Communications Unit Leaders.
They are temporary and for specific use for rapid
identification of function or responsibility.
Not for day to day operations.
Types of Functional Call Signs
 MISSION
BASE.
Alabama Mission Base, Bessemer Mission Base, etc.
Ground Team 1, UDF Team 1, etc.
Flight Line
IC, Safety, Operations, Com, Medical, etc
HIGHBIRD
Radio Procedures
RADIO OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• LISTEN
• Be Prepared to Assist
• Do NOT Transmit Unless You Have Something to Offer
or Contact is Requested
• Be prepared to make a correct and complete copy of
what the other station said.
• Know the correct forms to use.
• Use lowest power required to conduct effective
communications.
Radio Procedures
5 Habits of a Good Radio Operator
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•
•
•
•
Speak clearly
Annunciate your words.
Speak slowly
Remain calm no matter what happens - Never Panic
THINK - “Use Your Head”
Radio Procedures
Calling another station:
• To Establish Contact
– “Goldenrod 40 THIS IS Cap 122 OVER”
• Response from the Ground Station
– “Cap 122 THIS IS Goldenrod 40 OVER”
• No need to use call signs until communications are
complete
• On Closing the Contact
– “… Cap 122 OUT”
Radio Procedures
• On HF always end a transmission with OVER or OUT NOT BOTH!
• May not be necessary on VHF, but may reduce confusion.
• Do not use “Roger Wilco” instead of Wilco. “Roger
Wilco” means “Last transmission received OK last
transmission received OK and I will comply.”
Radio Procedures
Radio Signal Reports:
LOUD and or WEAK and
CLEAR
BROKEN
READABLE
UNREADABLE
“ROGER” SIGNIFIES
“READABLE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY”
Examples: “Goldenrod 595, This Is CAP 110, Radio Check, Over.”
“CAP 110, This Is Goldenrod 595, Roger, Out” or
“CAP 110, This Is Goldenrod 595, I have you WEAK but CLEAR,
How Me Over?”
“I have you WEAK and Broken. CAP 110 OUT.”
Radio Procedures
Radio Signal Reports, Considerations.
When using a repeater, remember you are
reporting how you hear the repeater, not
necessarily how well the signal from the other
station is getting to the repeater.
If you hear the repeater well and other stations
are clear, you may be able to tell the other
station how their signal is to the repeater.
Reference: 100-3
PROWORDS
Prowords are a special set of words used for
clarity and brevity in communications.
Some of the most commonly used prowords are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
THIS IS
ROGER
OVER
OUT
WAIT
SAY AGAIN
CORRECTION
WILCO
AFFIRMATIVE
Preface to your call sign
Last transmission received OK
I’m done, go ahead
I’m done, bye
I will be back in a few seconds
Say that again
Oops! I really meant to say
ROGER and I will comply
Yes
Phonetic Alphabet
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliet
Kilo
Lima
Mike
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
November
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-Ray
Yankee
Zulu
Numbers
Pronunciation
1
WUN
2
TOO
3
TREE
4
FO-WER
5
FIFE
6
SIX
7
SEVEN
8
ATE
9
NINER
0
ZERO
When writing the numbers,
do not write them down
the way they are
pronounced.
For example, do not write
“one” as “wun” or “five”
as “fife.” Write them as
“one” and “five.”
I SPELL / FIGURES / INITIALS
• Use “I SPELL” for pronounceable words
--- PIZZA “I SPELL PIZZA PAPA INDIA ZULU ZULU
ALPHA PIZZA”
• Use “FIGURE(S)” AND “INITIAL(S)” for non-words
--- N516F “INITIAL NOVEMBER FIGURES FIVE ONE
SIX INTIAL FOXTROT”
CORRECTION
 Use proword “CORRECTION” to correct a mistake
Example:
“… Turn right at next corner … CORRECTION Turn left
at next corner…”
SENDING NUMBERS
• Prowords “FIGURES”, “DECIMAL”, “TIME”, “INITIALS”
Digit-by-Digit Not
750
“Seven Fifty”
“FIGURES SEVEN FIVE ZERO”
Niner
Not Nine
849
“FIGURES EIGHT FOUR NINER”
Decimal
Point
Z Time
14.5
“FIGURES ONE FOUR DECIMAL FIVE”
1635Z “TIME ONE SIX THREE FIVE ZULU”
Initial And
Figures
E21
“INITIAL ECHO FIGURES TWO ONE”
One Figure
and Initial
3-A
“FIGURE THREE DASH INITIAL ALPHA”
ZULU Time
• AKA Greenwich Mean Time or Universal Coordinated
Time.
• Refers to the current time in Greenwich, United
Kingdom.
• Zulu time is a system of timekeeping that refers to
the same time, no matter what time zone you are in.
Date-Time Group
16 0218Z APR 97
Date
Time
Month
Date and Time in ZULU
Year
Message Construction
• MESSAGE HEADING
– The Originator (From)
– The Addressee (To)
– Precedence (Urgency)
– Date and Time Group
• TEXT
– Information being sent.
– Separated from the heading and ending by the
proword “BREAK” (may not be part of the text being
passed)
• ENDING
– Reserved for the Radio Operator’s Notes
Levels of Precedence
• FLASH - Not used in CAP Messages
– HIGHEST PRIORITY
– HANDLED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, AHEAD OF OTHER
MESSAGES
• IMMEDIATE (Often said “Emergency”)
– MESSAGES RELATED TO SITUATIONS GRAVELY
AFFECTING THE SECURITY OF THE NATION.
– REQUIRES IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
• PRIORITY
– USED FOR MESSAGES WHERE “ROUTINE” ISN’T FAST
ENOUGH
– PROCESSED AHEAD OF ROUTINE MESSAGES
• ROUTINE
– MOST USED. DELIVERED IN ORDER RECEIVED.
Distress and Emergency
Signals
MAYDAY
PAN
SECURITE
Distress
Urgency
Safety
}
Repeat each word 3 times:
“PAN PAN PAN this is …”
Supercedes all
Priority or
Routine Traffic
Radio Net Operation
• A Formal Net is established to control the
flow of traffic on a single radio channel
• The Net Control Station (NCS) maintains net
discipline by controlling who is talking
• Break Ins to the Net should be done only if
you have emergency traffic
• The NCS must be contacted first for
permission to contact another station
• Sample Net Check-in (GR10 is the NCS):
– “Goldenrod 10, THIS IS Goldenrod 404 with no traffic,
over”
NET STATION CHECK IN AND
OPERATING EXAMPLES
• Checking into a Net with no traffic during roll call:
“This is <YOUR CALL SIGN> with no traffic OVER"
• Requesting permission from NCS to send a
message:
" <NCS CALL SIGN> this is <YOUR CALL SIGN> with a
<PRIORITY> message for <ADDRESSEE CALL SIGN> OVER"
• Acknowledging readiness to receive traffic:
"This is <ADDRESSEE CALL SIGN>, go ahead with your traffic
OVER"
• Acknowledging receipt of a message:
"This is <ADDRESSEE CALL SIGN>, roger your message
OUT"
Radio Nets –
Contacting another Station
GR 10
NCS
1
2
GR 401
3
GR404
• All transmissions must receive permission from
the Net Control Station (NCS)
1 - “Goldenrod 10, THIS IS Goldenrod 401 with traffic for Goldenrod 404 OVER”
2 - “Goldenrod 401, Contact Goldenrod 404 with your traffic, OUT”
3 - “Goldenrod 404, THIS IS Goldenrod 401, OVER”
Airborne operators:
• Before transmitting, make sure you are on the
correct channel.
• Verify whether you are on manual or guard
channel.
• Check the power setting (if able).
• Make sure tones are on.
• Before leaving the aircraft at the close of a
flight, check 121.5 and make sure your ELT is
not going off.
Airmobile use of Ground Repeaters
• Primary mode of operation should be simplex.
• Only use the repeater if simplex is not possible.
• Selectively use a repeater through use of its
assigned access tone.
• Use of Common Access Tone is prohibited
since this will bring up multiple repeaters
• The key is to limit use to a single repeater.
Aeronautical SAR Stations
Aeronautical Search And Rescue Stations
(SAR) operate on two Aircraft (AM) Frequencies
• 123.1 MHz actual SAR missions ONLY.
• 122.9 MHz may be used for training. Standard multicom.
• These are the ONLY air-band frequencies we are
authorized to use. Maximum power is 10 watts. They may
not be used for ground to ground communications.
• They are primarily to allow CAP to communicate with
Non-CAP participating aircraft. They are not to be used
for CAP business. CAP to CAP communications should
be on CAP FM radios
Radio Procedures
RADIO LOG
Radio logs are to be maintained by the Net Control
Station on all Directed radio nets, nets in support of actual or
training missions, any nets where CAP regulations require
maintenance of records, or on any net where formal traffic is
passed.
See CAPR 100-3 for requirements.
Radio Procedures
FORMS
 CAP Form 110, “Air/Ground or Point to Point Log”
 CAP Form 105, “CAP Radio Message Form”
 ICS 213, “General Message Form”
CAP Form 110
CAP Form 105
ICS Form 213
Prohibited Operating Practices
•
•
•
•
•
•
Violation of Radio Silence
Personal Conversation
Transmitting in a Net without permission of NCS
Lack of identifying call sign
Excessive tuning and testing
Use of Amateur Radio or Citizens Band
frequencies for CAP business, and Vice-Versa.
• Use of 10 codes or Amateur Radio Q Signals
• Use of individual’s names or release of personal
identification information
ALWG CAP Repeater Channels
Standard ALWG repeater channels are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
R-27
R-26
R-11
R-49
R-61
R-48
R-44
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 9
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 10
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 11
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 12
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 13
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 14
ZONE 2 CHANNEL 15
Birmingham (Oak Mtn)
Cheaha Mtn.
Montgomery
Huntsville
Shoals (Crooked Oak)
Phillips (Tuscaloosa)
Daphne
ACTUAL CHANNEL NUMBERS MAY VARY!
CHECK BEFORE DEPLOYING!
ALABAMA WING
Communications
TRAINING
Basic Communications User Training
Section 2 contains radio specific operation
information for ground radios.
Section 3 contains radio specific operation
information for aircraft radios.
Communications Training is ONGOING and
must include frequent “hands-on” experience.
ALWG 2011