Authored by South Fort Worth Composite Squadron 02-Mar-2004 Version 2.3

1. Authored by South Fort Worth Composite Squadron 02-Mar-2004 Version 2.3 Modified by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell TX-129th Fort Worth Senior Squadron For Local Training Rev 6.0 04-Jan-2014

2. This Training Slide Show is a project undertaken by Lt Colonel Fred Blundell of the TX-129 Fort Worth Senior Squadron, Fort Worth, TX for local use to assist those CAP Members interested in advancing their skills. The information contained herein is for CAP Member’s personal use and is not intended to replace or be a substitute for any of the CAP National Training Programs. Users should review the presentation’s Revision Number at the end of each file name to ensure that they have the most current publication.

3. What is ALE • Four S’s Smart radio Suite of frequencies Sounding other stations in the net Selecting the best frequency for transmitting to the desired station • Improved operational capability without requiring specialized knowledge of propagation

4. Smart Radio • MICOM 3 radio is ALE capable • Maintains single channel capability • Requires broad band antenna or an antenna tuner • Each radio is designated a unique call sign • Examples: 0290TXCAP – TX Wing Group II Headquarters 6124TXCAP – TX Wing Vehicle 42124 (TC6124)

5. MICOM-3 HF-SSBRadio Features • Digital Signal Processing (DSP) • Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) • RF power indications • 200 channel capacity, simplex or half-duplex • Channel scan or Automatic Link Establishment (ALE)

6. MICOM-3 HF-SSBRadio Features(Continued) • MIL-STD-188-141B/FED-STD-1045 • MultiNet function for seamless integration of different HF • Radio networks in one network • Automatic IF shift

7. MICOM-3 HF-SSBRadio Features(Continued) • Clarifier • Voice-activated digital squelch • Excellent transmitter and receiver performance • High frequency stability option • DSP software can be upgraded to incorporate future options and new technologies

8. Frequency Suite • Suite - Specially designated frequencies specifically for ALE operation • Sounding – Transmission on each frequency in the suite and listening for other net stations to reply • Maintaining a log of which net stations were heard, and signal quality on each frequency

9. Selecting The Best Frequency • Use digital call sign for station to be contacted • Radio selects the best frequency on which the called station was last heard • Radio establishes contact with the called station then notifies the operator the called station is available • Selection of the frequency is not dependent on the operator

10. Set Up Sequence • Ensure Transceiver is “OFF” • Position Tuner and connect ground and coax • Connect Antenna to Tuner • Connect Ground to Transceiver • Attach Antenna to Transceiver • Attach Microphone • Attach Power Cord • The sound of a fan in the transceiver should be heard

11. Control Panel Operation

12. Display Functions

13. Display Functions(Continued)

14. Other Indicators

15. RF Level Indicators

16. Menu Options

17. Power On Sequence • ON/OFF Volume clockwise and set volume level • “MENU” Select mode of operation • Channel • Frequency • ALE • BIT • Press “F” key to select • Press “MORE” key for additional features • Press “ENTER” to save selection • Press “P/ESC” to go back without saving

18. Button Pushing Help • Entering commands can be complex and requires a step by step process. If you hit the wrong key, press [P/ESC] and then [MENU] • In this presentation, when you see a key with brackets: [ ] this is one of the four keys on the right side of the control panel • Keys with brackets { } are the up/down or back/ forward arrow keys. The {MORE>} key is the one that points to the display > • Commands without any brackets are found on the display

19. Change / Verify Tuner Status • Using tuner and wire antenna requires tuner be set in the “TUNER” position • Verify setting • [MENU] > { MORE>} > PROG > RAD > OPTS > ACC > TUNE > [ENTER] > [P/ESC] > [MENU] • Using a broad band antenna requires the radio be set to “NONE” • [MENU] > {MORE>} > PROG > RAD > OPTS > ACC > NONE > [ENTER] > [P/ESC] > [MENU]

20. Verifying A Call Sign • Each ALE station has a unique call sign • Call sign format has 9 characters • First characters will be numeric • Second group is 2 or 3 characters of the Wing or Region • The last 3 characters will be “CAP” • Examples: 100SWRCAP or 6124TXCAP

21. Self Call Sign Entry • Access call sign entry: [MENU] > { MORE>} > PROG > ALE > NET > NAME > SELF > • If call sign is correct: [ENTER] > [P/ESC] > [MENU] > Select Mode desired • To change call sign: [EDIT] > Enter corrected call sign SAVE > [ENTER] > [P/ESC] > [MENU]

22. Adding A Call Sign To The List • [MENU] > { MORE>} > PROG > ALE > DIR > ADD > • Type in the new call sign using the keypad. Then: [SAVE] > [ENTER] > [P/ESC]> STORE? >YES

23. Erasing Call Signs From A List • To clear the entire list: [MENU] > { MORE>} > PROG > ALE > DIR > ERAS > ALL > [ENTER] > [P/ESC] > YES > [MENU] • To clear a selected call sign from the list: [MENU] > { MORE>} > PROG > ALE > DIR > ERAS > NO > {USE UP OR DOWN KEY TO SELECT CALLSIGN} > ERAS > YES > [ENTER] > [P/ESC] > YES > [MENU]

24. Calling A Station • From ALE Mode of operation: CALL > Select station from list by using up/down arrows, or Enter call sign of desired station SEND > Radio rings when called station responds • To end call: STOP >

25. Questions? Always Think Safety!