VHF Communications for Pilots

1. 1 VHF Communicationsfor Pilots The communications mission of CAP is to organize and maintain a reliable, nationwide, point-to-point, air-to-ground, and ground mobile radio capability for use in emergencies and for training communications personnel. The primary purpose of any CAP communications facility is to provide the commander with the means for controlling his/her units and their activities. Provides the commander at each echelon the ability to communicate with superior and subordinate commanders. The communications mission of CAP is to organize and maintain a reliable, nationwide, point-to-point, air-to-ground, and ground mobile radio capability for use in emergencies and for training communications personnel. The primary purpose of any CAP communications facility is to provide the commander with the means for controlling his/her units and their activities. Provides the commander at each echelon the ability to communicate with superior and subordinate commanders.

2. VHF Communications Review of CAP VHF Comm regulations and capabilities Air-band AM radios vs. CAP FM radios Protocols and proper operation of aircraft VHF resources Repeaters � uses and pitfalls New information on Altitude and frequency restrictions Encryption 2

3. Air-band vs. CAP RadiosWhat�s different Authorization Air-band Radios are licensed by the FCC through the FAA Pilots operate under a radio certificate tied to tail number CAP mission base has a blanket authorization to operate CAP Radios are licensed by the NTIC through the Air Force CAP Radio Stations must be under the direct supervision of a properly authorized Civil Air Patrol radio operator [i.e. have had BCUT as a minimum] Modulation Air-band: AM CAP: FM CAP radio transmissions may also be digital [P25] and encripted Frequencies Air-band: open and disclosed to public CAP: designated �For Official Use Only� � Cannot be publically disclosed, should not say �on the air� Not available through the Freedom of Information Act 3

4. Radio BasicsAM vs. FM 4

5. Amplitude ModulationAM 5

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7. CAP Radio Equipmentand Operation 7

8. Types of radios EJ Johnson Base Radio Mobile Radio Portable Motorola HF ALE ICOM ISR Aircraft Radios Aircraft use two types: AM � used mostly by pilots to communicate with Air Traffic Control, etc. FM � used primarily by Mission Observer to communicate with Mission Base 8

9. Technisonic Model TDFM-136 Aircraft VHF FM Radio

10. National Airborne Technologies - NPX-138 1 - On / Off 2 � Channel Up / Down � (Toggle Left or Right) 3 � Squelch (Press In) 4 � Screen Brightness 5 - Always Leave on (ID)

11. Repeaters 11

12. Simplex vs. Duplex Repeaters � Duplex mode Used to extend coverage and get over obstacles 12

13. NHWG VHF Communications NH Wing maintains 7 VHF repeaters Locations were chosen such that all squadrons have access to at least one Derry, Laconia, Ascutney, Lebanon, Littleton, Keene, and Portsmouth [location of the Portable repeater] In addition we have: �Portable� repeater based in Portsmouth Highbird repeater * � utilized by aircrafts assigned by the IC VHF Frequencies [Channels] are programmed to show the repeater location [Tag], not the frequency Frequencies are FOUO � do not speak frequencies on the air 13

14. NER REPEATER LOCATIONS There are 64 NBFM Compliant Repeaters In the CAP North East RegionThere are 64 NBFM Compliant Repeaters In the CAP North East Region

15. Aircraft use of Repeaters Primary mode of operation should be simplex Only use the repeater if simplex is not possible Within 75 miles of the Canadian border special altitude and frequency restrictions apply 15

16. Geographically Defined Restrictions Altitudes and Frequencies Because of the international agreements between Canada and the U.S., CAP must restrict its operations on certain frequencies when within 75 nm miles of the international border. Operators entering those areas should make themselves aware of any restrictions in effect. Aircraft Operations on CAP assigned frequencies are restricted to channels Air 1 or CAPGUARD ONLY and are limited to 3,000 ft AGL. We are permitted to fly up to 12.5KFT ONLY WITH USAF MISSION AUTHORIZATION

17. NH Wing Communications 17

18. Aircraft VHF-FM Radio Channel Plan * 18 Note: Aircraft Radios do not use Zones

19. Search and RescueAircraft Communications Air-Ground Communications on aircraft frequencies Aeronautical Search And Rescue Stations (SAR) Operate on two Aircraft Frequencies 122.9 MHz - TRAINING Only 123.1 MHz - ACTUAL Missions Only 121.5 MHZ � ELT and Emergency 121.75 MHZ � Training 19

20. Operating Procedures 20

21. Identifying Which Radio You Are On When calling a station on the CAP Assigned FM frequencies, use the Channel Designator in your initial call-up �Abenaki Base this is CAP 2860 on Air 1, over.� DO NOT use �VHF, FM, Foxtrot Mike� to identify the radio equipment you are using This avoids confusion at Mission Base which may be monitoring different frequencies on several different radios When calling on the Air-band radio, use normal pilot protocol or announce the frequency Abenaki Base this is CAP 2860 on 122.9.� 21

22. PROWORDS THIS IS Preface to your call sign ROGER Last transmission received OK OVER I�m done, go ahead OUT I�m done, bye WAIT I will be back in a few seconds SAY AGAIN Say that again CORRECTION Oops! I really meant to say WILCO ROGER and I will comply AFFIRMATIVE Yes 22 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.

23. I SPELL / FIGURES / INITIALS Use �I SPELL� for pronounceable words Example: LODI �I SPELL LODI LIMA OSCAR DELTA INDIA LODI� Use �FIGURE(S)� AND �INITIAL(S)� for non-words Example: N46 26.15 �INITIAL NOVEMBER FIGURES FOUR-SIX, TWO-SIX DECIMAL ONE FIVE � Corrections Use proword �correction� Example: �� Turn right at next corner � CORRECTION Turn left at next corner�� 23

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