Basic Communications Users Training B.C.U.T. Orientation Class

1. Basic Communications Users Training (B.C.U.T.) Orientation Class 1 04 July 2008

2. 04 July 2008 2 Based On CAPR 100-1 28 August 2009 Note: Previous Editions of 100-1 are obsolete CAPR 100-3 3 November 2006

3. 04 July 2008 3 Why Communications? Command and Control Is Ineffective Without COMMUNICATIONS

4. 04 July 2008 4 Purpose of CAP Communications Primary Purpose – To provide effective communications capabilities; to provide commanders with the means to accomplish the mission Additional Purpose – To provide the commander at each echelon the ability to communicate with personnel providing services and resources

5. 04 July 2008 5 Mission of CAP Communications The mission of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Communications Program is to provide the Incident Command System internal and external communication systems This is accomplished by strong planning and maintenance of reliable, integrated, point-to-point, air-to-ground, and ground mobile radio and computer systems

6. 04 July 2008 6 Communications Operating Locations Communications refers to CC or ICS staff exchanging information concerning an incident or CAP activity Communication equipment or modes may refer to the following: Radios Telephones (Land-line and cellular) Internet Postage mail or runners Therefore, communications equipment must be close to the people managing or applying or using the information Remove the “human” repeater or messenger when ever possible by putting the radio in the hands of the decision maker

7. 04 July 2008 7 Communications Operating Location Examples

8. 04 July 2008 8 BCUT Outline Calling and answering Use of call signs Operating the radio Basic prowords Prohibitions NHQ communications programs

9. 04 July 2008 9 CAP Communications Systems

10. 04 July 2008 10 Types of Stations &Tactical Call Signs There is a need to align CAP terms with NTIA usage. NTIA and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) use station class based on HOW the equipment is being used, NOT on its operating band, operating function, or service. Ground Station. A ground station normally operates from a stationary, fixed, or permanent location and utilizes antennas that are permanently mounted. Mobile Station. A mobile station normally operates in motion or during halts at unspecified locations. Mobile stations include hand held's, ground vehicles, waterborne vehicles, and aircraftThere is a need to align CAP terms with NTIA usage. NTIA and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) use station class based on HOW the equipment is being used, NOT on its operating band, operating function, or service. Ground Station. A ground station normally operates from a stationary, fixed, or permanent location and utilizes antennas that are permanently mounted. Mobile Station. A mobile station normally operates in motion or during halts at unspecified locations. Mobile stations include hand held's, ground vehicles, waterborne vehicles, and aircraft

11. 04 July 2008 11 Calling Another Station To Establish Contact “Ship Rock 80 THIS IS Ship Rock 8404 OVER” Response “Ship Rock 8404 THIS IS Ship Rock 80 OVER” No need to use call signs again until communications are complete On Closing the Contact “Ship Rock 8404 OUT” Classroom Hands On Training To establish communications, identify the station you wish to communicate with, followed by “this is” and your tactical call sign. The CAP assigned tactical call must be used to identify the station. Example: Abenaki 85, this is Abenaki 15, over. The response is normally: This is Abenaki 85, over. The alternate response : Abenaki 85, over. May also be used Hands On Use: (Supervised by the instructor) Each person in the class should use the radio and speak to either the instructor or another student. This should include use of spelling with phonetics and figures. Use handheld or mobile radios on low power. Use simplex frequencies only. Classroom Hands On Training To establish communications, identify the station you wish to communicate with, followed by “this is” and your tactical call sign. The CAP assigned tactical call must be used to identify the station. Example: Abenaki 85, this is Abenaki 15, over. The response is normally: This is Abenaki 85, over. The alternate response : Abenaki 85, over. May also be used Hands On Use: (Supervised by the instructor) Each person in the class should use the radio and speak to either the instructor or another student. This should include use of spelling with phonetics and figures. Use handheld or mobile radios on low power. Use simplex frequencies only.

12. 04 July 2008 12 CAP Southwest Region Call Signs SOUTWEST REGION CAP West Arizona Red Rock Arkansas Wild Wood Louisiana Louisiana CAP New Mexico Ship Rock Oklahoma Oil Well Texas Texas CAP Colorado Blue Mesa Utah Uncle Mike Within CAP, each region and wing is assigned a unit tactical call sign. The tactical call sign plus a serially assigned number comprise the complete CAP tactical call sign. Serially assigned numbers will not exceed four digits. Tactical call signs one through five in each region/wing will change with changes in staffing. (1) Region/wing commander (2) Region/wing vice commander (3) Region/wing chief of staff (4) Region/wing director of communications (5) Region/wing chaplain During actual/practice search and rescue missions and special events, temporary functional call signs may be assigned. the authority to use this option: The wing DC, the mission commander, or the special events commander have Within CAP, each region and wing is assigned a unit tactical call sign. The tactical call sign plus a serially assigned number comprise the complete CAP tactical call sign. Serially assigned numbers will not exceed four digits. Tactical call signs one through five in each region/wing will change with changes in staffing. (1) Region/wing commander (2) Region/wing vice commander (3) Region/wing chief of staff (4) Region/wing director of communications (5) Region/wing chaplain During actual/practice search and rescue missions and special events, temporary functional call signs may be assigned. the authority to use this option: The wing DC, the mission commander, or the special events commander have

13. 04 July 2008 13 Aircraft Call Signs CAP corporate aircraft use “CAP” (pronounced “CAP” as in “Baseball CAP”) at all times Member-owned aircraft may also use the CAP call sign when on reimbursable missions Flight Plans The three-letter identifier “CAP” is used within the FAA computer system just like the spoken word “CAP” “CAP_####_____” will be used in place of the aircraft tail number on flight plans In the remarks section, the voice identifier “CAP __####______” must be included as well as the tail number of the aircraft

14. 04 July 2008 14 Search and Rescue Call signs – Aircraft On VHF-AM FAA frequencies, CAP aircraft involved in a rescue operation may insert “RESCUE” into their call sign For Example: “CAP Rescue 3055”

15. 04 July 2008 15 Functional Designators Like a call sign, designators may be used in support of a real-world incident or CAP activity mission Examples: “Flight Line” “Incident Base” “Ground Team One” “Air Ops” “Ground Ops” “ Encampment Base”

16. 04 July 2008 16 “Whose Frequencies?” N.T.I.A. manages our frequencies, not the FCC. CAP is allowed use of these via U.S.A.F. They are to be kept Confidential or FOUO We are not allowed to divulge specific frequencies or tones to anyone outside of CAP operations and activities Use a “Frequency Designator” to specify the operating frequency in the Incident Action Plan or other CAP written documents Never use the “Frequency Designator” on the air, for example, “Ground Team One” on “the frequency designator” to which it applies; this will compromise the designator with the use of that frequency Be PROFESSIONAL and SOUND professional

17. 04 July 2008 17 CAP Assigned Radio Frequencies HF-SSB ( 1 to 30 MHz band) Region and Wing organized National and Worldwide Communications possible VHF Aircraft-AM (108 MHz to 137 MHz) - Aircraft Use, FAA controlled – used by all civilian aircraft VHF-FM (138 MHz to 178 MHz) Repeater Inputs Repeater Outputs Simplex Frequencies UHF - ISR - Low Watt very short range radios – frequencies shared with all F.E.M.A. organizations For Official Use Only – Do not divulge outside of CAP

18. 04 July 2008 18 National Standard Frequency and Tone Encode Assignment All corporate VHF-FM radios are mandated to have the same frequencies and tones assigned to channels 1 – 6: Channel 1, CC1, simplex (Command and Control) Channel 2, CC2, simplex (Command and Control) Channel 3, Air 1, simplex (Air to Ground) Channel 4, Air 2, simplex (Air to Ground) Channel 5, GUARD, simplex (Aircraft monitor at all times) Channel 6, TAC 1, simplex (Ground Team Use) Note: Use Ch 5, Guard for initial calling channel if no other channel has been assigned by the ICS staff

19. 04 July 2008 19 Radio Operation Summary Adhere to the following two basic rules of operating procedures: Listen before transmitting, ALWAYS. Cooperate. Be prepared to offer assistance. Safety First Always check that equipment, not in motion, is adequately grounded at all times. 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. Radio operators, maintenance personnel, and other personnel normally located in the vicinity of the radio station should be familiar with first aid procedures. Equipment Adjustments Radio operators will only make routine adjustments. Removal of chassis will not be permitted by radio operator. Adhere to the following two basic rules of operating procedures: Listen before transmitting, ALWAYS. Cooperate. Be prepared to offer assistance. Safety First Always check that equipment, not in motion, is adequately grounded at all times. 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. Radio operators, maintenance personnel, and other personnel normally located in the vicinity of the radio station should be familiar with first aid procedures. Equipment Adjustments Radio operators will only make routine adjustments. Removal of chassis will not be permitted by radio operator.

20. 04 July 2008 20 Radio Operation - Basic Power On Set channel Set Volume (and Squelch if settable) Before Transmitting – LISTEN THINK about what you are going to say To Transmit – Press push-to-talk on microphone Hold microphone about 1” from mouth Speak normally into microphone Release push-to-talk to listen

21. 04 July 2008 21 Voice Operating Modes Simplex Operation. Simplex is operating on the same transmit and receive frequency. Duplex Operation. Duplex is operating on different transmit and receive frequencies. It is commonly used with repeaters.Simplex Operation. Simplex is operating on the same transmit and receive frequency. Duplex Operation. Duplex is operating on different transmit and receive frequencies. It is commonly used with repeaters.

22. 04 July 2008 22 Repeater Operation Repeater. A repeater is an interconnected receiver and transmitter system, that automatically retransmits, on the output frequency, what is heard on the input frequency. Repeaters and/or their associated antennas are placed in higher locations to extend the range of fixed and mobile stations. Repeater. A repeater is an interconnected receiver and transmitter system, that automatically retransmits, on the output frequency, what is heard on the input frequency. Repeaters and/or their associated antennas are placed in higher locations to extend the range of fixed and mobile stations.

23. 04 July 2008 23 Inside the Repeater

24. 04 July 2008 24 “Talkaround” “Talkaround” is a professional radio term for Simplex operation on the Output Channel of a Repeater CAP DOES NOT allow “Talkaround” on repeater channels Most CAP radios are no longer programmed for this type of operation

25. 04 July 2008 25 Digital Operating Mode Most CAP VHF radios are capable of Digital (as opposed to Analog) voice transmission. Heard on an analog radio, digital sounds like a Buzzing Noise CAP utilizes the Project-25 (P25) mode. This is simply an agreed upon digital coding and decoding software protocol in radio programming

26. 04 July 2008 26 Using P25 Refer to the IAP or OPLan for P25 use Ensure all radios involved in the net have P25 capability Not all CAP Aircraft have P25 capability Note: range and clarity improve with Digital mode

27. 04 July 2008 27 Primary mode of operation should be simplex Repeaters can be used if simplex is not viable Aircraft use of Repeaters

28. 04 July 2008 28 CAP Repeater Sites

29. 04 July 2008 29 NTC provides the Motorola Quantar series and Anderson DB-224 antenna Repeater, Fixed Base

30. 04 July 2008 30 NTC provides the Motorola PDR-3500 Quantar series Power is DC or AC Antenna is N-type Repeater, Mobile

31. 04 July 2008 31 VHF-FM Radios The primary VHF-FM Radio is the EF Johnson RS-5300 series

32. 04 July 2008 32 VHF-FM Radios You may also use the Tait T202 series

33. 04 July 2008 33 VHF-FM Radios You may also use the EF Johnson 5100 Portable

34. 04 July 2008 34 Aircraft VHF-FM Radio Use The primary A/C radio is a panel mounted VHF-FM TDFM-136 series or TFM-138 series

35. 04 July 2008 35 VHF-FM Coverage Radio coverage varies based on: Power output Antenna gain Antenna height (note: height is important) To improve coverage ensure you: Have line of sight Minimize attenuation Operate from highest available terrain

36. 04 July 2008 36 Aircraft VHF-AM Radio Use Regulated by the FCC not NTIA VHF-AM frequencies may be used for Air to Air Air to Ground Never Ground to Ground, use VHF-FM or ISR for ground teams

37. 04 July 2008 37 Aircraft VHF-AM Radio Use Aeronautical Search And Rescue Stations (SAR) are managed by the FAA (not exclusive to CAP and not FOUO) 122.9 MHz – Primary SAR Training (shared by many FAA users) 123.1 MHz – Primary SAR Incident (local, national, and international) 123.025 MHz – Helo air-to-air tactical Base Call Signs assigned by geographical location “THIS IS CAP ______ Incident Base OVER”

38. 04 July 2008 38 Aircraft VHF-AM Radio The primary A/C radio is the ICOM IC-110 series

39. 04 July 2008 39 Aircraft VHF-AM Radio The primary portable A/C radio is the Vertex Yaesu VXA-120

40. 04 July 2008 40 INTRA-SQUAD RADIOS – “ISR” Assigned by FEMA for interoperability May be used on any real-world incident or CAP mission activity UHF-FM for local area (< 3 miles) use Icom IC-4008M portable radio Uses 3 “AA” batteries Airborne use prohibited

41. 04 July 2008 41 Family Radio Service (FRS) The use of FRS radios is authorized for all CAP activities except for or missions assigned an ES incident number such as: Real-world SAR SAR training Disaster response 100-1, Chap 9-12 provides one exception to the ES restriction

42. 04 July 2008 42 Limited E.S. use of FRS FRS is allowed on real-world incidents when attempting to contact victims who may have and are using a FRS radio Suggested “Wilderness FRS” is channel One with No CTCSS tone

43. 04 July 2008 43 Permissible FRS Use by CAP Aerospace Education Air Shows Model Rocketry Cadet Programs Encampments Fund Raisers Conferences & Meetings Note: Use of ISR is preferred

44. 04 July 2008 44 HF- SSB Coverage HF is used to communicate over very long distances, such as across the nation or around the world Radio coverage varies based on: Power output and mode Antenna gain, height, & length Ionosphere F-layers and propagation

45. 04 July 2008 45 HF- SSB Radio NTC provides the Motorola MiCom 3E CAP uses Automatic Linking Equipment ALE technology switches between all CAP HF frequencies measuring the signal strength over a specified period of time, cycles often ALE channel plan requires each HF radio to have its unique ALE identification code ALE antennas must be broad-band

46. 04 July 2008 46 HF- SSB Radio The Motorola MiCom 3E

47. 04 July 2008 47 HF- SSB Radio Antenna HF-SSB antennas often consist of long wires or di-poles up to 90 feet long

48. 04 July 2008 48 PROWORDS In order to create a standard terminology for CAP communicators, a set or prowords has been defined which are to be used whenever they are appropriate. In order to create a standard terminology for CAP communicators, a set or prowords has been defined which are to be used whenever they are appropriate.

49. 04 July 2008 49 AFFIRMATIVE You are correct, OR, what you have transmitted is correct. Yes

50. 04 July 2008 50 FIGURES A group of one or more characters, the first of which is a numeral, follows For example: “Figures, one, niner, two, four”

51. 04 July 2008 51 I SAY AGAIN I am repeating the transmission, or the portion you need repeated For Example: “I say again, meet CAP 3055, at Socorro Airport”

52. 04 July 2008 52 I SPELL I will spell the next word phonetically For Example: “I spell – Kingston; Kilo, India, November, Golf, Sierra, Tango, Oscar, November”

53. 04 July 2008 53 NEGATIVE Not received. No

54. 04 July 2008 54 NOTHING HEARD To be used when no reply is received from a call For Example: “Ship Rock 8404 this is Ship Rock 80, over” (pause) “Nothing Heard, Ship Rock 80, Out”

55. 04 July 2008 55 OUT This is the end of my transmission to you and no answer or reply is required or expected For Example: “Bob, will meet helicopter at Socorro Airport ramp, Ship Rock 8404 OUT”

56. 04 July 2008 56 OVER This is the end of my transmission to you and an answer is required or expected For Example: “Incident Base, this is Ship Rock 3033, OVER”

57. 04 July 2008 57 ROGER I receive and understand your last message (Does NOT mean yes or permission granted)

58. 04 July 2008 58 SAY AGAIN Repeat the portions of your last transmission I am indicating For Example: “Say Again all after ‘Socorro’ ”

59. 04 July 2008 59 THIS IS This transmission is from the station whose call-sign immediately follows For Example: “Ship Rock 8404, this is Ship Rock 80, over”

60. 04 July 2008 60 WAIT I must pause for a few seconds. Standby Do not transmit. Wait for me to continue with my transmission (the proword OUT is not used) For Example: “Ship Rock 8404, this is Ship Rock 80, wait” (pause) “Return to incident base, over”

61. 04 July 2008 61 WAIT OUT I must pause for more than a few seconds. This contact is terminated until I call you again. The net can continue For Example: “Ship Rock 46, this is Ship Rock 80, report position of…, WAIT OUT”

62. 04 July 2008 62 WILCO I receive, understand, and will now comply (Note: Since the meaning of the proword ROGER is included, the two prowords are not used together) For Example: “WILCO, CAP3055, out”

63. 04 July 2008 63 Over and Out If you ever hear anyone say what’s in this example on a CAP radio, they are wrong This combo is only used on TV or in the movies! Example: “Roger, WILCO, Over, and Out”

64. 04 July 2008 64 Phonetic Alphabet & Numbers Spelling of Words and Initials When it becomes necessary to spell difficult words or groups, or to identify any letter of the alphabet, the standard phonetic alphabet will be used. The word or group to be spelled will be preceded by the proword “ISPELL.” If the operator can pronounce the word to be spelled, he/she will do so before and after spelling to identify the word. Single letters will be identified phonetically by the proword “INITIAL (S).” Pronunciation of Numbers In order to distinguish between numerals and words which are pronounced similarly, the proword “FIGURE(S)” must proceed such numbers. Numbers will be transmitted digit by digit except that exact multiples of hundreds and thousands may be spoken as such. The proword “FIGURE(S)” shall be used whenever numerals are to be transmitted except in conjunction with the words “NUMBER” or “TIME.” Spelling of Words and Initials When it becomes necessary to spell difficult words or groups, or to identify any letter of the alphabet, the standard phonetic alphabet will be used. The word or group to be spelled will be preceded by the proword “ISPELL.” If the operator can pronounce the word to be spelled, he/she will do so before and after spelling to identify the word. Single letters will be identified phonetically by the proword “INITIAL (S).” Pronunciation of Numbers In order to distinguish between numerals and words which are pronounced similarly, the proword “FIGURE(S)” must proceed such numbers. Numbers will be transmitted digit by digit except that exact multiples of hundreds and thousands may be spoken as such. The proword “FIGURE(S)” shall be used whenever numerals are to be transmitted except in conjunction with the words “NUMBER” or “TIME.”

65. 04 July 2008 65 SENDING NUMBERS Use Prowords “FIGURES”, “DECIMAL”, “TIME”, “INITIALS”

66. 04 July 2008 66 Distress and Emergency Signals It is imperative that CAP Communications personnel be familiar with the international distress and emergency signals: MAYDAY Distress! When this signal is heard, it means that someone is in serious danger and in the need of immediate help. If this signal is heard, the operator must cease transmission immediately and monitor carefully to be able to provide assistance. Stations must not transmit if there is any possibility of interfering with the distress traffic. Any station in a position to render assistance will do so and all other stations will continue to monitor until the situation is rectified and the frequency is released for normal use. PAN Urgent Condition! This is the international urgency signal. If this signal is heard, all communications then occurring on the calling frequency are silenced. This signal’s priority is second only to MAYDAY. SECURITE Pronounced as “SEH-KUR-EEH-TAY”, this is the international radiotelephone safety signal. Takes priority over all other traffic except the distress and urgency signals. It is imperative that CAP Communications personnel be familiar with the international distress and emergency signals: MAYDAY Distress! When this signal is heard, it means that someone is in serious danger and in the need of immediate help. If this signal is heard, the operator must cease transmission immediately and monitor carefully to be able to provide assistance. Stations must not transmit if there is any possibility of interfering with the distress traffic. Any station in a position to render assistance will do so and all other stations will continue to monitor until the situation is rectified and the frequency is released for normal use. PAN Urgent Condition! This is the international urgency signal. If this signal is heard, all communications then occurring on the calling frequency are silenced. This signal’s priority is second only to MAYDAY. SECURITE Pronounced as “SEH-KUR-EEH-TAY”, this is the international radiotelephone safety signal. Takes priority over all other traffic except the distress and urgency signals.

67. 04 July 2008 67 CAP Radio Station Licensing CAP is a considered a Federal agency. CAP Radio Stations are licensed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and assigned by USAF Federal agencies are not allowed to use services allocated exclusively to the public sector for their business This excludes the use of Amateur Radio, Citizens Band, GMRS, MURS, etc for CAP business CAPR 100-1 and 100-3 manage CAP communications procedures CAP radio stations are authorized by the Federal Government through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for emergency, training, and operational activities.CAP radio stations are authorized by the Federal Government through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for emergency, training, and operational activities.

68. 04 July 2008 68 PROHIBITED Operating Practices Violation of Radio Silence Personal Conversation Transmitting in a Net without permission of Net Control Station (NCS) Lack of identifying call sign Excessive tuning and testing Use of Amateur Radio or FCC frequencies by CAP for CAP business Operational Violations. Unauthorized communications, poor radiotelephone procedure of a grievous nature, or unauthorized subject matter. False or Fraudulent Signals No person within the jurisdiction of the United States shall knowingly utter or transmit, or cause to be transmitted, any false or fraudulent signals of distress. Poor Operating Practices Personal conversation of any type Use of given names or nicknames in place of authorized call signs Transmitting in a directed net without permission of the Net Control Station Excessive tuning and testing Profane, indecent, or obscene language Technical Violations. Off frequency operations, improper modulation, unauthorized emission Use Of Amateur Radio The use of frequencies in the amateur radio service to conduct CAP business including SAR/DR operations is prohibited. Members with amateur radio licenses may only use CAP frequencies for CAP operations. CAP radios may be used on the amateur frequencies only for recreational use, by a licensed amateur radio operator acting as control operator as governed by appropriate FCC Regulations Operational Violations. Unauthorized communications, poor radiotelephone procedure of a grievous nature, or unauthorized subject matter. False or Fraudulent Signals No person within the jurisdiction of the United States shall knowingly utter or transmit, or cause to be transmitted, any false or fraudulent signals of distress. Poor Operating Practices Personal conversation of any type Use of given names or nicknames in place of authorized call signs Transmitting in a directed net without permission of the Net Control Station Excessive tuning and testing Profane, indecent, or obscene language Technical Violations. Off frequency operations, improper modulation, unauthorized emission Use Of Amateur Radio The use of frequencies in the amateur radio service to conduct CAP business including SAR/DR operations is prohibited. Members with amateur radio licenses may only use CAP frequencies for CAP operations. CAP radios may be used on the amateur frequencies only for recreational use, by a licensed amateur radio operator acting as control operator as governed by appropriate FCC Regulations

69. 04 July 2008 69 Communicating with Other Agencies Normally, CAP stations operating on non-CAP frequencies must have written authorization from the licensed agency A copy of the Agency FCC license or the Federal authorization must also be obtained Documentation of the authorization must be of file with communication managers

70. 04 July 2008 70 Communicating with HLS Interoperability Frequencies Use of the HLS interoperability frequencies suite is the preferred option during unified or inter-agency incidents The national interoperability suite is authorized for all agencies assigned or authorized to participate in the incident It provides neutral or common frequency use without congesting any one agency’s internal C3i

71. 04 July 2008 71 Part 2 – Local Operating Procedures Location and use of local repeaters Local operating practices Special local procedures Local net schedules Region, wing and local policies

72. 04 July 2008 72 Local Operating Practices - NMWG All net control and alternate control stations will maintain operational capability on HF – Designators, “WA” and “WB” USB and all VHF-FM frequencies Frequency priority will be given when required to support an emergency incident Airborne stations will be given communications priority at all times

73. 04 July 2008 73 Auxiliary Power All land stations should maintain an auxiliary power capability. Each net will conduct at least one net session each year with all stations using an emergency power source. Appropriate entries will be made in station logs to reflect such operation Note: Training for formal message sending is covered in the Advanced Communications User Training Course -ACUT

74. 04 July 2008 74 NMWG Unit Call Signs Units receive a block of 99 call signs. The first 2 digits are the charter number Typical assignment: 00 Unit radio 01 Commander 02 Dep Cmdr for Seniors 04 Communications Officer Remainder assigned within unit

75. 04 July 2008 75 Wing Alert Plan Primary, Wing Alert ES Roster Alternate, Unit call-down phone list Another alternate is use of CAP VHF-FM radio network

76. 04 July 2008 76 Local Net Schedules - NMWG FOUO – For Official Use Only – Do not release outside of CAP SWR Primary HF-SSB, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1900L Primary VHF-FM Repeaters, Formal Net, Every Night 1830 Local (6:30 pm) All Stations are encouraged to check into Nets as much as possible Especially Comm and ES officers

77. 04 July 2008 77 CAP Radio Operator CertificationAccomplished in two phases---FIRST PHASE Communications Orientation Class Also known as Basic Communications User Training -BCUT 2 Hour Class on: Standard Operating Procedures Local Operating Procedures Member may be issued a CAPF 76, Radio Operator Authorization (ROA) by Wing Allows CAP member to operate a CAP Radio

78. 04 July 2008 78 CAP Radio Operator CertificationAccomplished in two phases--- SECOND PHASE Advanced Communications User Training 4 Hour Class – known as ACUT Pass the Advanced Communications User Test, CAPF 119 (open book test) Allows CAP member to be assigned a call sign for their radio Required as part of the Communications Specialty Track 214

79. 04 July 2008 79 Communicator Badge Awarded to any CAP member completing CAPP 214 Tech, Senior, or Master ratings NOT awarded for BCUT or MRO alone

80. 04 July 2008 80 Communicator Badge Cadets are encouraged to pursue each level of the senior member communicator specialty track, CAPP 214

81. 04 July 2008 81 Mission Radio Operator - MRO Additional training is required, after this BCUT course, to receive the MRO rating MRO training has it’s own CAP Form 101 SQTR documentation See your ES Officer for training Part of National ES Curriculum

82. 04 July 2008 82 What makes a good Radio Operator? 1. Read CAPR 100-1, & CAPR 100-3 2. Practice – desktop exercise 3. Practice – with real radios 4. Check into Nets 5. Listen before you transmit

83. 83 “The End, Out” Thank you for starting the journey of becoming a CAP Communicator! Consider taking the ACUT and ES MRO courses Please sign the Personnel Register before leaving, to get credit for this course Your suggestions and comments for welcome Forward to your unit Comm or Training Officer 04 July 2008