VHF CommunicationsVHF Communicationsfor Pilots & Crew Membersfor Pilots & Crew Members

Delaware Wing Delaware Wing

Civil Air PatrolCivil Air Patrol

Capt. Gary Emeigh, CAP

Dover Composite Sq.

VHF CommunicationsVHF Communications

Review of CAP VHF Communications, Review of CAP VHF Communications, regulations and capabilitiesregulations and capabilities

Air-band AM radios vs. CAP FM radiosAir-band AM radios vs. CAP FM radios Protocols and proper operation of aircraft VHF Protocols and proper operation of aircraft VHF

resourcesresources Repeaters – uses and pitfalls Repeaters – uses and pitfalls New information onNew information on

Altitude and frequency restrictionsAltitude and frequency restrictions EncryptionEncryption

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Air-band vs. CAP RadiosAir-band vs. CAP RadiosWhat’s differentWhat’s different

AuthorizationAuthorization Air-band Radios are licensed by the FCC through the FAAAir-band Radios are licensed by the FCC through the FAA

Pilots operate under a radio certificate tied to tail numberPilots operate under a radio certificate tied to tail number CAP mission base has a blanket authorization to operateCAP mission base has a blanket authorization to operate

CAP Radios are licensed by the NTIC through the Air ForceCAP Radios are licensed by the NTIC through the Air Force CAP Radio Stations must be under the direct supervision of a CAP Radio Stations must be under the direct supervision of a properly authorizedproperly authorized Civil Civil

Air Patrol radio operator [i.e. have had BCUT as a minimum]Air Patrol radio operator [i.e. have had BCUT as a minimum]

ModulationModulation Air-band: AMAir-band: AM CAP: FMCAP: FM

CAP radio transmissions may also be digital [P25] and encryptedCAP radio transmissions may also be digital [P25] and encrypted

FrequenciesFrequencies Air-band: open to the publicAir-band: open to the public CAP Frequencies designated “For Official Use Only” – CAP Frequencies designated “For Official Use Only” –

Actual frequencies cannot be disclosed to anyone or broadcastActual frequencies cannot be disclosed to anyone or broadcast Not available through the Freedom of Information ActNot available through the Freedom of Information Act

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Radio BasicsRadio BasicsAM vs. FMAM vs. FM

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Amplitude ModulationAmplitude ModulationAMAM

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• Worldwide standard for aircraft communicationWorldwide standard for aircraft communication

• Very old type of modulation first used in early Very old type of modulation first used in early development of radiodevelopment of radio

• Tends to be noisy, easily interfered with. Allows lots of Tends to be noisy, easily interfered with. Allows lots of static and ignition noise. Bad feature.static and ignition noise. Bad feature.

• Allows two stations to be heard over one another – i.e. no Allows two stations to be heard over one another – i.e. no capture effect as with FM.capture effect as with FM.

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FM is used by CAP for VHF radios in vehicles, aircraft, FM is used by CAP for VHF radios in vehicles, aircraft, walkie-talkies and base stations. Short range.walkie-talkies and base stations. Short range.

The advantage is less static from ignition systems in The advantage is less static from ignition systems in vehicles, and excellent audio quality. vehicles, and excellent audio quality.

FM also has a FM also has a “capture effect” “capture effect” where the strongest where the strongest

station comes in over a weaker station. station comes in over a weaker station.

CAP also uses FM in the ISR UHF radios.CAP also uses FM in the ISR UHF radios.

Frequency ModulationFrequency ModulationFMFM

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CAP Radio EquipmentCAP Radio Equipmentand Operationand Operation

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Types of radiosTypes of radios EJ JohnsonEJ Johnson

Base RadioBase Radio Mobile RadioMobile Radio PortablePortable

MotorolaMotorola HFHF 800 Mhz 800 Mhz

ICOMICOM ISRISR

Aircraft RadiosAircraft Radios Aircraft use two types:Aircraft use two types:

AM – used mostly by AM – used mostly by pilots to communicate pilots to communicate with Air Traffic Control.with Air Traffic Control.

FM – used primarily by FM – used primarily by Mission Observer to Mission Observer to communicate with communicate with Mission BaseMission Base

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Delaware Wing has the added complication of an 800 mhz radio installed in aircraft for communication with state agencies.

Make certain you have switched the necessary COMM 3 select from 800 mhz (or UHF) to Normal (or VHF) before trying to use the CAP radio.

CAP utilizes one of the two following types of radios installed in aircraft.

Technisonic Model TDFM-136 Technisonic Model TDFM-136 Aircraft VHF CAP RadioAircraft VHF CAP Radio

Main and Guard knobs for volume. Use 4 and 6 buttons to select desired CAP channel. 2 and 8 for display brightness. Three switches at bottom left are normally kept up.

Main: On / Off – Main volume Guard: Guard channel volumeSquelch: Push for open squelch MN/GD: Transmit channel selectG1/G2: Sets Guard ChannelHi/Lo: Power – 1 or 10 watts.

1: N/A2: Display brighter3: N/A4: Channel scroll down5: N/A6: Channel scroll up7: N/A8: Display dimmer9: N/A

1, 3, #, 0, 7, 9: USED FOR PROGRAMMING RADIO!

NPX-138 NPX-138

MN Knob: On / Off and Volume for main channelMN Knob: On / Off and Volume for main channel

GD Knob: Guard Channel Volume in Norm positionGD Knob: Guard Channel Volume in Norm position

Scan/Norm/GdTX: Keep in Norm positionScan/Norm/GdTX: Keep in Norm position

GD1/GD2: Guard Channel 1 or 2 select. Usually kept in GD1 positionGD1/GD2: Guard Channel 1 or 2 select. Usually kept in GD1 position

DISP: - Always Leave on (ID) displayDISP: - Always Leave on (ID) display

CHAN: Toggle left/right to scroll main channelCHAN: Toggle left/right to scroll main channel

BRIGHT: Display brightness up or down. BRIGHT: Display brightness up or down.

EDIT: For EDIT: For PROGRAMMING!PROGRAMMING! (Leave in center position) (Leave in center position)

SQ: Press for open squelchSQ: Press for open squelch

BASE STATIONS and MOBILESPUSH TO CHANGE

POWER SETTING.

Keep on HIGH.

On/Off Volume

Display now shows: Command Control 1, Zone 2, and channel 1

TO CHANGE ZONE

Press SELECT knob to move cursor above Zone as shown. Turn knob to desired zone.

TO CHANGE CHANNEL:

Press SELECT knob to move cursor above channel. Turn knob to desired channel.

ALL DEWG CHANNELS ARE IN ZONE 2

Channel description changes when you change channel

Radio is now in SCAN mode which is a configuration not normally used during SARs.

Press SCAN button to scan all channels, or to stop scanning.

This icon shows radio is scanning

RepeatersRepeaters

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Simplex vs. DuplexSimplex vs. Duplex

Repeaters – Duplex modeRepeaters – Duplex mode Used to extend coverage and Used to extend coverage and

get over obstaclesget over obstacles

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R T

Single Frequency - One Station at a

Time

Two Frequencies - One Station at a Time

Repeater increases the range of mobilestations due to its high profile location

SimplexSimplex Transmit and receive on Transmit and receive on the same frequencythe same frequency Line of sight – Buildings Line of sight – Buildings and terrain block signals.and terrain block signals.

DuplexDuplexTransmit on one Transmit on one frequency and receive on frequency and receive on anotheranother

DEWG VHF CommunicationsDEWG VHF Communications

Delaware Wing maintains 3 VHF repeatersDelaware Wing maintains 3 VHF repeaters Locations were chosen to give statewide coverageLocations were chosen to give statewide coverage

Bethel - Northern DelawareBethel - Northern Delaware Woodside - Central DelawareWoodside - Central Delaware Rehoboth - Southern DelawareRehoboth - Southern Delaware

Highbird Repeater *Highbird Repeater * – Utilized by aircraft as – Utilized by aircraft as assigned by the IC. Requires ACUT operatorassigned by the IC. Requires ACUT operator

VHF Frequencies [Channels] are programmed to show VHF Frequencies [Channels] are programmed to show the repeater location [Tag], not the frequencythe repeater location [Tag], not the frequency Frequencies are FOUOFrequencies are FOUO – do not say frequencies on the air – do not say frequencies on the air

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Aircraft use of RepeatersAircraft use of Repeaters Primary mode of operation should be Primary mode of operation should be

simplexsimplex

Only use the repeater if simplex is not Only use the repeater if simplex is not possiblepossible

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Delaware WingDelaware WingCommunicationsCommunications

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Aircraft VHF-FM Radio Channel Plan *Aircraft VHF-FM Radio Channel Plan *

1919* Subject to change Current as of 30 Jan 2010 for Technisonic TDFM 136 Radio

CC1CC1 CC2CC2 AIR1AIR1 AIR2AIR2 GuardGuard TAC1TAC1

R67R67 R68R68 R69R69 R70R70 R63R63 R64R64 ALT R65ALT R65 ALT R66ALT R66

WoodsideWoodside RehobothRehoboth BethelBethel SalisburySalisbury EastonEaston HarfordHarford LakehurstLakehurst HammontonHammonton

SIMPLEX

REPEATERS[DUPLEX]

REPEATERS[DUPLEX]

Note: Aircraft Note: Aircraft RadiosRadios do not use Zones do not use Zones

CAPGUARD is restricted to use ONLY for initial contactCAPGUARD is restricted to use ONLY for initial contactAircraft should monitor CAPGUARD to maximum extent possibleAircraft should monitor CAPGUARD to maximum extent possible

Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures

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Identifying Which Radio You Are Identifying Which Radio You Are OnOn

When calling a station on the CAP Assigned FM When calling a station on the CAP Assigned FM frequencies, frequencies, use the Channel Designatoruse the Channel Designator in your initial in your initial call-upcall-up ““Dover Base this is CAP Seven Twenty-Two on Air 1, over.”Dover Base this is CAP Seven Twenty-Two on Air 1, over.”

DO NOT use “VHF, FM, Foxtrot Mike” to identify the radio DO NOT use “VHF, FM, Foxtrot Mike” to identify the radio equipment you are usingequipment you are using This avoids confusion at Mission Base which may be monitoring This avoids confusion at Mission Base which may be monitoring

different frequencies on several different radiosdifferent frequencies on several different radios

When calling on the Air-band radio, use normal pilot When calling on the Air-band radio, use normal pilot protocol or announce the frequency protocol or announce the frequency Dover base this is CAP Seven Twenty-two on 122.9.”Dover base this is CAP Seven Twenty-two on 122.9.”

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PROWORDSPROWORDS

THIS ISTHIS IS Preface to your call signPreface to your call sign ROGERROGER Last transmission received OKLast transmission received OK OVEROVER I’m done, go aheadI’m done, go ahead OUTOUT I’m done, byeI’m done, bye WAITWAIT I will be back in a few secondsI will be back in a few seconds SAY AGAINSAY AGAIN Say that againSay that again CORRECTIONCORRECTION Oops! I really meant to sayOops! I really meant to say WILCOWILCO ROGER ROGER andand I will comply I will comply AFFIRMATIVEAFFIRMATIVE YesYes

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Prowords are a special set of words used for clarity and brevity in communications.

Some of the most commonly used prowords are:

CAPF 100-1 dictates use of pro-words on CAP FrequenciesCAPF 100-1 dictates use of pro-words on CAP Frequencies

I SPELL / FIGURES / INITIALSI SPELL / FIGURES / INITIALS

Use “I SPELL” to clarify words or when signals are weakUse “I SPELL” to clarify words or when signals are weak Example: LODIExample: LODI

““I SPELL LODI LIMA OSCAR DELTA INDIA LODI”I SPELL LODI LIMA OSCAR DELTA INDIA LODI”

Use “FIGURE(S)” AND “INITIAL(S)” for non-wordsUse “FIGURE(S)” AND “INITIAL(S)” for non-words Example: N46 26.15Example: N46 26.15

““INITIAL NOVEMBER FIGURES FOUR-SIX, TWO-SIX DECIMAL ONE FIVE ”INITIAL NOVEMBER FIGURES FOUR-SIX, TWO-SIX DECIMAL ONE FIVE ”

CorrectionsCorrections Use proword “correction”Use proword “correction” Example:Example:

“… “… Turn right at next corner … CORRECTION Turn left at next corner…”Turn right at next corner … CORRECTION Turn left at next corner…”

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Questions?

QUESTIONS?

Lt. Bill Mervine during Form 5 in

Dover Squadron’s new Highbird