Basic Communications User Training(BCUT)New Hampshire Wing, CAPVersion 1-2May 26, 20101Lt Tony ImmorlicaCommunications Training OfficerNew Hampshire Wing

What is Communications?Hand signalsWhistlesLight signalsTelephoneTextingFacebookTwitterEmailRadios*

So, what is communications?The meaningful transfer of information*

What is this course?Basic Communications User TrainingAuthorizes the member to operate CAP radiosHow to talk the CAP wayHow to operate CAP radiosIntroduce the other communications coursesCompletion qualifies the student for a Radio Operator Authorization (ROA) CAPF 76*

Who is this course for?Cadets Must have Curry AwardSeniors Must have Level 1All Must have OpSec*

What is CAP Communications?Provide the commander with a reliable means of commanding their troops and to communicate with upper and lower echelons.Provide a reliable point-to-point and air-to-ground communications network.*

Who regulates CAP communications?National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Authorizes Federal Agencies [including CAP] to use specific frequenciesCAP Regulations are promulgated byUnited States Air ForceCAP National, Region and WingPublic stations are licensed by the FCCFederal agencies [inc. CAP] are not allowed to use services allocated exclusively to the public sectorThis excludes the use of Amateur Radio and Citizens Band for CAP business.

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CAP Communications RegulationsCAPR 100-1 Primary rules and proceduresCAPR 100-3 Radio Telephone OperationsCAPR 174-1 Property Management and Accountability*

Frequencies are all FOUOFor Official Use OnlyWhat is FOUOA designation that there is sensitive informationUsed when frequency documentation is needed in the documentWhat FOUO isntClassificationFor use on every single document*

CAP Radio Operator AuthorizationBasic Communications User Training - BCUT 3-4 Hour Class on:Standard Operating ProceduresLocal Operating ProceduresEntitles CAP member to operate a CAP RadioIssued a CAPF 76, Radio Operator Authorization by Wing or higher headquartersAdvanced Communications User Training - ACUT4-5 Hour ClassPass the Advanced Communications User Test, CAPF 119Entitles CAP member to be assigned a call signRequired as part of the Communications Specialty TrackAuthorization is currently done in two phases:*NOTE: BCUT and ACUT will soon be replaced by a new Introductory Communications Users Training [ICUT] course; release date is pending

Who can talk on CAP radios?Anyone with a Radio Operator Authorization [ROA]Anyone who has completed appropriate training AND is listed on a Wing or higher Headquarters roster Anyone who is supervised by someone with an ROA or appropriate authorization

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Communication Basics

How to use CommunicationsListenListenListen

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Im listening, when can I talk?Be ready to respond, but dont transmit unless you need toWhen you do transmit, use discretion - remember that there are other people listeningScanning enthusiastsNews MediaOther Federal agenciesNo code words or jargon, use prowordsBe professional

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What are prowords?A word or phrase intended to provide clarityConservation of speechCAPR 100-3Over Im done, youre turn to talkOut Im done with this conversationRoger UnderstoodWilco Will complyAffirmative YesNegative NoWait standby, will be right backBreak Header done, body of message follows*

What letter was that?AlphaBravoCharlieDeltaEchoFoxtrotGulfHotelIndiaJulietKiloLimaMikeNovemberOscarPapaQuebecRomeoSierraTangoUniformVictorWhiskeyX-rayYankeeZulu*

What number was that?1 one2 two3 three4 four5 five

6 six7 seven8 eight9 niner0 zero (not oh)

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How to say thingsAnnunciateSpell out words using the international alphabetNumbers: Use Prowords FIGURES, DECIMAL, TIME, INITIALSLess than 4 digits: say the numbers one at a timeCAPSTONE 43 - pronounced CAPSTONE FOUR THREE4 digits: either group by 2 or say thousandCHARTER OAK 3000 pronounced CHARTER OAK THREE THOUSANDCAP 9317 pronounced CAP NINTY-THREE SEVENTEEN

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I SPELL / FIGURES /INITIALSUse I SPELL for pronounceable wordsPIZZAI SPELL PIZZA PAPA INDIA ZULU ZULU ALPHA PIZZAUse FIGURE(S) AND INITIAL(S) for non-wordsN516FINITIAL NOVEMBER FIGURES FIVE ONE SIX INTIAL FOXTROT

CORRECTIONS Use proword CORRECTION to correct a mistakeExample: Turn right at next corner CORRECTION Turn left at next corner*

SENDING NUMBERSUse Prowords FIGURES, DECIMAL, TIME, INITIALS

3-AFIGURE THREE DASH INITIAL ALPHA*

Call Signs*New HampshireAbenakiMassachusettsPatriotMaineDown EastVermontVermont CAPRhode IslandNarragansett ConnecticutCharter Oak New JerseyRed DragonNew YorkWhite PeakPennsylvaniaPenn CAPNortheast Region CAP StoneNational HQ CAPHEADCAP

Call SignsSingle digits1 Commander2 Vice Commander3 Chief of staff4 Director of Communications5 Chaplin

The Call Signs 1 thru 20 are Issued to Wing Directors.

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Call SignsNHWGCAP aircraft have the call sign CAP xxxxFirst two digits are Wing NumberSecond two digits are last two digits of aircraft tail numberCAP 2800N99100CAP 2813N913CPCAP 2827N827CP CAP 2830N9930ECAP 2860N360CPCAP 2869N169CP*

When calling a stationSay the station you are calling, then your stationAbenaki 45, this is Abenaki 4 overWait a bit and try a second timeIf there still isnt a response, say Nothing Heard*

Nobody Hears Me!Choose a Good Communications Site.High ground (the higher the antenna, the better).VHF is line of site. Stay away from interference generatorsHigh power linesPower TransformersUnderground CablesComputers (even in the field)Other radios on different frequencies

Nobody Hears Me, STILL!Common Problems & SolutionsOperator Failure! (This is the most common cause!)Make sure you are following normal procedures and briefings.Check the radioIs the radio turned on, correct channel, and volume up?Is the battery good? (Replace with a charged battery)Switch to a repeater, if availableAsk for a relay (from aircraft if available)Move to higher ground or another locationIf all else fails, find a telephone that works.

When answering a callSay the station who is calling, then say your stationAbenaki 4, this is Abenaki 45 over

Once communications are established, you do not need to keep saying your call sign*

Always end a transmission with OVER or OUT - NOT BOTH!

Do not use Roger Wilco instead of Wilco. Roger Wilco means Last transmission received OK last transmission received OK and I will comply.

On Closing the Contact Abenaki 45 OUT

When ending a call*

5 Habits of a Good Radio OperatorSpeak clearlyAnnunciate your words.Speak slowly Remain calm no matter what happens - Never PanicTHINK - Use Your Head

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Prohibited Operating PracticesViolation of Radio SilencePersonal ConversationTransmitting in a Net without permission of NCSLack of identifying call signExcessive tuning and testingUse of Amateur Radio or Citizens Band frequencies for CAP business, and Vice-Versa.FRS/GMRS may be used on missions only if search subject may have such radiosUse of 10 codes or Amateur Radio Q Signals*

Radio Basics

Basics of Radio: PropagationThe path radio waves take dependent on frequency

VHF Very High Frequency - is only capable of line-of-site communicationsBuildings, mountains, leaves may interfereHigher an aircraft, the wider coverage2500 AGL has an effective radius of 50 MilesHF - High Frequency - is capable of world wide communicationStrongly dependent on frequency, antenna, time of day *

*Basics of Radio: Modes The type of modulationTo send a signal via radio, you modulate or superimpose voice on a carrier of radio frequency energy. AM, FM and SSB are just ways of sending voice information.CAP uses AM amplitude modulationFM - frequency modulation, andSSB single sideband along with some P25 digital modes.Normally, we use:AM on Aircraft BandsSSB on HFFM on VHF and UHF

*FM is used by CAP for VHF radios in vehicles, aircraft, walkie-talkies and base stations, for short range comms.The advantage is less static from ignition systems in vehicles, and excellent audio quality. FM also has a capture effect where the strongest station comes in over a weaker station. That is good and bad.CAP also uses FM in the ISR UHF radios.Basics of Radio: FMFrequency Modulation

*CAP uses SSB on HFSSB uses a very small bandwidth, compared to AM and FM modesUsed for L O N G Distance CommsHF Operation is specialized, but very useful because it is very efficientSeek Special Training in HF, not included in this course. Ask your Comm. OfficerBasics of Radio: SSBSingle Sideband

Used in aircraft radios to communicate with ATC, tower, other aircraft, airport operations, etc. Worldwide standard for aircraft communicationVery old type of modulation first used in early development of radioTends to be noisy, easily interfered with. Allows lots of static and ignition noise. Bad feature.Allows two stations to be heard over one another i.e. no capture effect as with FM. Good feature.Both AM and FM are used on VHF in CAP

*Basics of Radio: AMAmplitude Modulation

Types of radiosEJ JohnsonBase RadioMobile RadioPortableMotorolaHFALEICOMISRAircraft RadiosAircraft use two types:AM used mostly by pilots to communicate with Air Traffic ControlFM used primarily by Mission Observer to communicate with Mission Base*Ask for and receive specific instructions for each type of radio you will operate

Simplex vs. Duplex

Repeaters Duplex modeUsed to extend coverage and get over obstacles

*Single Frequency - One Station at a TimeTwo Frequencies - One Station at a TimeRepeater increases the range of mobilestations due to its high profile locationSimplex Transmit and receive on the same frequency Buildings, terrain, altitudeDuplexTransmit on one frequency and receive on another

Inside the Repeater ToneRepeater will turn on its transmitter only if the Tone Decoder hears a repeater specific toneTransmit FrequencyRepeaterReceiverTone DecoderRepeaterTransmitterMike ButtonVoiceReceiveFrequencyPTTThe Tone Decoder listens for tones on the incoming signalThe Tone Decoder presses the Push To Talk (PTT) button to turn on the transmitter. *

NHWG Communications

NHWG VHF CommunicationsNH Wing maintains 6 VHF repeaters at fixed locations plus two portable unitsLocation of the fixed repeaters were chosen such that all squadrons have access to at least oneDerry, Laconia, Ascutney, Lebanon, Littleton, Keene, In addition we have: Portable repeater currently based in Portsmouth Highbird utilized by aircraft assigned by the IC*VHF Frequencies [Channels] are programmed to show the repeater location [Tag], not the frequency

* Requires an ACUT qualification *

CAP VHF Radio FrequenciesCAP Frequencies are FOUOThus, CAP radios are programmed to display the specific designator for each programmed channel, for exampleDesignator:Function/Usage:CC-1Command/Control 1CC-2Command/Control 2AIR-1Air/Ground 1AIR-2Air Ops 2CAPGUARDCalling ChannelTAC-1Tactical 1When communicating, use designators, not a channel number ex. This is Abenaki 45 on TAC-1

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NHWG VHF Channels / ZonesEF Johnson RS5300 Radios operates on 16 Zones, each having a 16 Channel capabilityNHWG uses Zones 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7Remaining zones are used nationallyUse of Zones:Zone 2 primary analog channelsZone 6 duplicate of Zone 2 in a digital mode [more secure]Zone 3 Northeast Region repeatersZone 4 NH ForestryZone 7 - Coast Guard and Weather ChannelsZones/Channels to be used for a specific mission will be assigned by the Incident Commander*

NHWG VHF Channel PlanVHF Channel Plans vary with different radio models

Aircraft Radios do not use Zones channels are numbered sequentially from 1 to ~256You must become familiar with the Channel Plan in the radio you are operating! *The following example is for : EF Johnson series RS5300 radios. Each Zone has 16 channels and the radio has 16 zones for a total of 256 channels!:

Primary mode of operation should be simplex. Only use the repeater if simplex is not possible.Within 75 miles of the Canadian borderUse of CAP VHF assigned frequencies prohibited above 3000 ft. AGLAircraft use of CAP VHF Frequencies and Repeaters*

Aircraft VHF-FM Radio Channel Plan **CC1CC2AIR1AIR2TAC1

R67R68R69R70R63R64ALT R65ALT R66DERRYLACONIAASCUTNEYLEBANONLITTLETONKEENEPORT PR1PORT SECF&G CTCCAPGUARDWALTHANWORSTRSANFORDEQUINOXMANSFLD* Subject to change Current as of 30 Jan 2010 for Technisonic TDFM 136 Radio SIMPLEXSIMPLEXREPEATERS[DUPLEX]REPEATERS[DUPLEX]Note: Aircraft Radios do not use Zones

CAP HF Channel PlanAll operations are simplex, SSB, lower sidebandFrequencies are designated by two alpha charactersFirst letter denotes primary usageA = National N = Northeast RegionNE Region frequenciesNA, NB and NCFrequencies can be found on-linePassword protected, FOUO

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Communications ExerciseMay occur with a days notice, or lessGoal is see where the weaknesses areDo not need to be formal pass traffic instead of just checking*

QUESTIONS?*

**The Repeater will only turn on its transmitter if it hears a site specific sub audible tone. This tone is already programmed into your CAP radio. This is why so many channels are required within CAP. We have three pairs of repeater frequencies and many tones, used to make sure one radio only brings up only one repeater at a time.

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