Voice of Command

Developed by:
Bruce Bream, Lt Col, CAP
Ohio Wing/Eagle Squadron
September 2013
Note:
This presentation does NOT contain any For
Official Use Only (FOUO) information.
CAP Communications
Introductory Communications User Training (ICUT)
Supplementary Information
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Licensing
Operators and Radio Stations
Call Signs
Radio Communications Systems
Equipment Familiarization
Use of Repeaters
Radiotelephone Operating Procedures
Timekeeping and Date-Time Groups
Prowords
Phonetic Alphabet
Radio Nets
Message Forms
Distress and Emergency Communications
Radio Communication Practice
Local Operating Procedures
Basic Communications Course Overview
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
CAP Radio Operator Licensing
Communications Orientation
2-3 Hour Class on:
Standard Operating Procedures
Local Operating Procedures
Entitles CAP member to operate a CAP Radio
Ohio Wing issues a Radio Operator Authorization (ROA) (CAPF 76)
TWO Levels of Operator Licensing:
The regulations for CAP Communications are CAPR 100-1 & CAPR 100-3
Advanced Communications User Training
4-5 Hour Class
Pass the Advanced Communications User Test, CAPF 119
Entitles CAP member to be assigned a call sign for their radio
Required as part of the Communications Specialty Track
National Headquarters
Civil Air Patrol
Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6332
RADIO OPERATOR AUTHORIZATION
Name and address of operator:
JOHN E. DOE
CHARTER SER-AL-001
ISSUED: 05-03-95
Card No.:
AL-00123
Expiration:
ON MEMBERSHIP
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC)
Licenses Public radio stations
TV, FM, AM commercial
broadcasters
Amateur Radio, FRS, Citizens
band
CAP Radio Station Licensing
CAP is a considered a federal agency for radio licensing
Federal agencies are not allowed to use services allocated
exclusively to the public sector for their business
Amateur Radio and Citizens Band cannot be used for CAP
business
Family Radio Service (FRS)
On ES missions: limited to communication with victims to expedite a
rescue
May be used for all non-ES mission activities on a non-interference
basis
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA)
Licenses Federal agencies
Department of Defense (DOD)
Department of Homeland Security
FEMA, NASA, EPA, USPS, Etc.
Civil Air Patrol
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Types of Stations & Tactical Call Signs
GROUND & MOBILE AIRMOBILE
Columbus 104
CAP 3421
Columbus 401
Ohio Wing Call Sign Examples
First two digits
are Wing number
Ground & Mobile Reserved Call signs
Last digit assigned to command staff:
..1 Commander (C 101)
..2 Deputy (C 302)
..3 Chief of Staff (C 1003)
..4 Communications (C 4)
..5 Chaplain (C 705)
Airmobile Call Signs
CAP Corporate Aircraft are always
CAPnnnn except,

Member-owned aircraft:
Use assigned CAP number for
reimbursable missions
Otherwise, use tail number
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
CAP Communications Systems
CAP Frequencies
HF - Long-range (50-1000+ miles)
Voice is the primary means of communication
FAA Aeronautical Frequencies
ISR (Intra Squad Radios)
Short range (2-3 miles)
Similar to FRS radios
Satellite Digital Imaging System
(SDIS)
Used for digital imaging
Data relayed through satellite
Uses FAA frequencies
Communicate with all
radio equipped aircraft
VHF - Short-range (5-50 miles)
Range determined by
time of day, frequency,
and sunspot cycle
Range determined by
radio horizon
HF Static
Capabilities
HF SSB Net
Sounds
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CAP Radio Operating Modes
Analog Modulation
AM Amplitude modulation
SSB Single Sideband
FM Frequency Modulation

Digital Modulation
P25 (Project 25 Standard)
P added to channel name
Digital Encrypted
Only with CAP HQ permission & assigned digital key
CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Assume any transmission can be heard by non-CAP personnel
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Voice Operating Modes
SIMPLEX
REPEATER
Single Frequency - One Station at a Time
R T Input Output
Two Frequencies - One Station at a Time
Your radio switches to Frequency 2
when you press the PTT switch
Frequency 1
Frequency 2
VHF Channel Name:
CCnn or AIRnn
(e.g., CC1, CC2, AIR1)
VHF Channel Name:
Rnn
(e.g., R33, R56)
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
VHF-FM Repeater Operational Advantage
Input
Output
Repeaters increase the range of mobile
stations due to the high profile location
typically covering a 20-50 mile radius
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Primary mode of operation should be Simplex
(CCnn or AIRnn)
Select closest Repeater when simplex not possible
(Rnn)
VHF-FM Airmobile use of Repeaters
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VHF-FM Channelization
Frequencies are FOUO and not to be released outside CAP

Unique identifiers used for each channel


Ohio Wing VHF-FM Channels
Ground simplex channels CC1 & CC2
Ground-based Repeaters Rnn
Airmobile Repeaters Rnn AIR & Rnn AIR
Air to Ground simplex channels AIRn

Guard channel GUARD1
Simultaneously monitored by second receive channel in radio
Note:
You may be listening to two channels
Be sure to know which one you transmit on
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
FAA Aeronautical SAR Stations
Air-Ground Communications on FAA aircraft frequencies
Aeronautical Search And Rescue (SAR) ground stations operate on
two Aircraft Frequencies:
122.9 MHz - TRAINING Only
123.1 MHz - ACTUAL Missions Only

Ground Station Call Signs use geographical location
THIS IS Lost Nation Base OVER
ELTs - Training & Actual
121.775 MHz Training transmitters
121.5 MHz Actual ELTs
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
V S C
CC1
Power
Supply
Basic Radio Station Components
Power Sources
120VAC Power Supply
12VDC
Generator
Batteries
Radio Transceiver
Designed for a single or
multiple frequency band
and modes, such as:
CAP VHF-FM
CAP HF-SSB
FAA VHF-AM
Antenna
Frequency sets
relative size
VHF-FM
Magnetic Mount
Fixed vertical
HF-SSB
50 foot Dipole
Fixed vertical
Bumper mount
vertical
Antenna Coax
Special cable that
connects radio to
antenna
120 VAC
Outlet
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Basic Radio Station Operation Summary
Power (On/Off)
Usually part of Volume control
Battery powered radios should be turned off when not being used to conserve the batteries
Volume
Set to easily hear stations but not annoyingly loud
On portable radios the higher the volume, the more battery power is used and the sooner the battery
runs out
Squelch
Adjusts the point where audio and noise (hiss) are suppressed (quiet)
Adjust until noise is heard and then back off to just past the point where the noise stops
Some newer radios do not have a squelch knob
Channel Selector
Selects both receive and transmit frequencies
Unless it is a corporate radio, there is no assurance that the frequencies are set the same on the
channel selector. Know the frequencies in use and how your radio is set up or programmed
Consult the person who furnished the radio for the specific settings for the radio
Microphone
Speak into the microphone using a normal speech level
Dont yell or whisper; Shouting does not increase intelligibility or range
Push to Talk (PTT) Switch
Press the PTT when talking; Release PTT to listen
Monitor the channel for a few seconds before you transmit to ensure that you dont interfere with other
traffic prior to pushing the PTT
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Radios you will see in CAP
CAP VHF-FM
FAA Aircraft VHF-AM
E.F. Johnson
5112 portable
E.F. Johnson 5317
Stealth mobile
Tait 2020II
Technisonic TDFM-136
NAT NPX-138
Motorola Micom-2
CAP HF-SSB
Icom IC-4008M
Intra Squad
Radio (ISR)
ICOM A-22
Tait T196
Note: Only authorized
maintenance personnel may
make adjustments that
require removal of
panels/chassis.
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Tait T2000II
CAP VHF-FM
Direct channel
number entry
possible with keypad
and enter key
Note:
These Tait 2020 radios are factory-modified for CAP
A standard Tait 2020 purchased on your own from other than
CAPMart will not be NTIA compliant
Up / Down buttons
change the channel
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
E.F. Johnson 5317 Stealth
CAP VHF-FM
Channel / Group Knob
Toggles changing
channel or group
each time you press
Turn to select
channels or groups
There are 16 memory
groups with 10
channels per group
Groups and channels
are labeled with text
names
Note: Refer to channel guide or
knowledgeable operator for what
channel numbers to use.
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
E.F. Johnson 5112 Portable
CAP VHF-FM
On-Off-Volume
and Squelch
Channel Selector
Microphone
PTT
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Technisonic TDFM-136
CAP VHF-FM
Select Channel:
1/CHAN, #, # Enter

Scroll Channels:
4 Down
6 Up

Brightness:
2 Up / 8 Down

Scan:
5 On / Off
Two simultaneous receive channels (Main & Guard)
Current standard CAP Aircraft CAP VHF-FM radio
MAIN Power on/off
& Main channel
volume
GUARD Guard
channel volume
SQUELCH Push to
open Squelch
MN/GD - Selects active channel for transmit
G1/G1 - Selects active Guard channel G1 or G2
HI/LO - Selects Hi (10w) or low (1w) transmit power
Note: Do not use the other keypad keys
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
NAT NPX-138 Radio Operation
CAP VHF-FM
Controls:
MN Main Volume & On/Off - (Channel activity light to right of MN knob)
GD Guard Channel Volume (Leave CCW)
SCAN/NORM/GDTX Leave in NORM
GD1/GD2 Guard Channel Select GD1=Repeater (Ch 1) GD2=Air/Ground (Ch 4)
DISP ID=Channel Name, RX=Receive frequency, TX=Transmit Frequency
CHAN +/- Step up/down through programmed channels
BRIGHT +/- Change display brightness
EDIT Dont move this switch!
SQ Push to open squelch to check volume and weak signals

Operation:
Powers up with other radios as shown above
Turn on (if necessary), Set Channel, Adjust Volume, Check Squelch, Set Audio Panel
Features:
FAA accepted for aircraft use
100 pre-programmed channels
Same channels in all aircraft
Operates from 138-174 MHz
Guard channel monitor
Use with CAP as well as Coast
Guard, State Highway Patrol,
and local Police
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Motorola MICOM-2
CAP HF SSB Radio
Channels are switched via the up/down buttons
Function button toggles between various displays including
the frequency and the channel number
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Similar to FRS radios but on shared-use federal
government frequencies
Designed for ground team use and large functions like
encampments and schools
Not issued to individuals - issued in deployable packages
Wont talk with CAP VHF-FM radio system
Commanders, and ES Officers should plan for readily
available batteries
AA Battery life: Ni-cads about10 hours, Alkaline about 30
hours
ISR battery costs are reimbursable on CAPF108 if
mission/SAREX is reimbursed (with receipts, complete
forms, etc.)
Flight-line supervisor should use VHF-FM (Ch4) to marshal
pilots in aircraft
Intra Squad Radio (ISR)
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Zulu Time is Standard Time
Known as Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) based on an accurate
atomic clock
Similar to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - based on mean earth rotation
Zulu time is the same,
no matter what time
zone you are in
Standard Time Zones:
EST Eastern +5 = Z
CST Central +6 = Z
MST Mountain +7 = Z
PST Pacific +8 = Z
1 hour less for
Daylight Saving Time
EDT +4 = Z
WWV Time Broadcast
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Date-Time Group
16 0218Z APR 11
Date Time Month Year
Date and Time in ZULU
ZULU - Means that time is UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time)
Z = EST + 5 hours Z = EDT + 4 hours
A DTG
specifies one
minute in a
century
Dont forget to
account for
change in day,
month or year
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Date-Time Group Practice
Practice making a DTG for the following times/events:

Right Now

July 7, 1997 3:07 am

Apollo 11 Moon Landing, 7/20/1969, 4:17 EDT

April 15, 2001 9:18 pm

ELT Heard: Feb 28, 2005 7:21 pm

What local date/time is 010459Z JAN 05?
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
PROWORDS
THIS IS Preface to your call sign
ROGER Last transmission received OK
OVER Im done, go ahead
OUT Im done, bye
WILCO ROGER and I will comply
WAIT I will be back in a few seconds
AFFIRMATIVE Yes
NEGATIVE No or not received
Special words used for
Clarity and Brevity in communications

Most commonly used prowords:
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PROWORDS
CLOSE DOWN Stations are to close down operation
EXERCISE Practice communication
NO PLAY This actual, not an exercise
SPEAK SLOWER Talk slower
UNKNOWN STATION Use in place of a call sign
SAY AGAIN Say that again
CORRECTION Oops! I really meant to say


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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Phonetic Alphabet & Numbers
A Alpha (Al fah)
B Bravo (Brah voh)
C Charlie (Char lee)
D Delta (Dell tah)
E Echo (Eck-oh)
F Foxtrot (Foks trot)
G Golf (Golf)
H Hotel (Hoh tell)
I India (In dee ah)
J Juliet (Ju lee ett)
K Kilo (Kee loh)
L Lima (Lee mah)
M Mike (Mike)
N November (No vem ber)
O Oscar (Oss cah)
P Papa (Pah pah)
Q Quebec (Keh beck)
R Romeo (Row me oh)
S Sierra (See air rah)
T Tango (Tang go)
U Uniform (U nee form)
V Victor (Vik tah)
W Whiskey (Wiss kee)
X X-Ray (Ecks ray)
Y Yankee (Yang kee)
Z Zulu (Zoo loo)
Pronunciation
of Numbers

1 Wun
2 Too
3 Tree
4 Fo-wer
5 Fife
6 Six
7 Seven
8 Ate
9 Niner
0 Zero
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Contacting Another Station
To Establish Contact
Columbus 40 THIS IS CAP 3421 OVER

Response from the Ground Station
CAP 3421 THIS IS Columbus 40 OVER

No need to use call signs until communications are
complete
Say OVER before releasing PTT on mike

On Closing the Contact
CAP 3421 OUT
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.
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Radio Net Operation
Net Control Station (NCS)
Maintains net discipline by controlling who is talking
Must be contacted first for permission to contact another station:
Columbus 10 THIS IS Columbus 404 with a Priority message for
Columbus 710 OVER

Sample Net Check-in (C10 is the NCS):
Columbus 10, THIS IS Columbus 404 with no traffic, OVER

Acknowledging readiness to receive traffic:
"THIS IS Columbus 710, GO AHEAD with your traffic OVER"
Acknowledging receipt of a message:
"THIS IS Columbus 710, ROGER your message OUT"
A Formal Net controls flow of traffic on a single radio channel
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
All transmissions must receive permission
from the Net Control Station (NCS)
Radio Nets - Contacting another Station
C 401
C 10
NCS
C 404
3rd
Columbus 401,
Contact Columbus 404
with your traffic, OUT

Columbus 10,
THIS IS Columbus 401
with traffic for
Columbus 404 OVER

Columbus 404,
THIS IS Columbus 401,
OVER

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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
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: N516F
INITIAL NOVEMBER FIGURES FIVE ONE SIX INTIAL FOXTROT
CORRECTIONS
Use proword CORRECTION

Example:
Turn right at next corner CORRECTION Turn left at next
corner
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
SENDING NUMBERS
Prowords: FIGURES, DECIMAL, TIME, INITIALS
Digit-by-Digit Not
Seven Fifty
750 FIGURES SEVEN FIVE ZERO
Niner
Not Nine
849 FIGURES EIGHT FOUR NINER
Decimal
Point
14.5 FIGURES ONE FOUR DECIMAL FIVE
Z Time 1635Z TIME ONE SIX THREE FIVE ZULU
Initial And
Figures
E21 INITIAL ECHO FIGURES TWO ONE
One Figure
and Initial
3-A FIGURE THREE DASH INITIAL ALPHA
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
CAP RADIO MESSAGE FORMAT (CAPF 105)
Message Heading
Precedence (Urgency)
Date-Time Group (DTG)
From (Originator)
To (Addressee)
Info (Other Addressees)
Message Text
When read, separate from
heading and end by the
proword BREAK
Receipt Block
FROM or TO Call Sign
DTG received or sent
Initials of radio operator
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
PRIORITY (P)
Used For Messages Where Routine
Isnt Fast Enough
Processed Ahead Of Routine
Messages, not to exceed 6 hours

ROUTINE (R)
Most Used; Delivered In Order
Received, no later than beginning of
next duty day
Message Precedence
Other Precedence you may
hear but not used by CAP.
Both are handled before
Priority or Routine Traffic.

FLASH (Z)
Highest Priority
Handled as fast as possible,
ahead of All other messages

IMMEDIATE (O)
Messages related to situations
gravely affecting the security
of the Nation
Requires immediate delivery
not to exceed 60 minutes
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ICS Form 213-OS
Message form used when
working with other agencies
using the Incident Command
System

Similar content to CAPF 105
with some additions:
Incident Name
DTG
To
From
Subject
Message
Reply
Reply / Date
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Distress and Emergency Signals
MAYDAY Distress
PAN Urgency
SECURITE Safety
Operator Responsibility

#1 LISTEN
#2 Be Prepared to Assist
Do NOT Transmit
unless your services are needed
or contact is requested
}
Supercedes all
Priority or
Routine Traffic
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
PROHIBITED Operating Practices
Violation of Radio Silence
Personal Conversation
Use of given names or nicknames in place of call sign
Excessive tuning and testing
Profane, indecent, or obscene language
Interruption of scheduled net activities in progress
Transmitting in a Net without permission of NCS
Leaving a directed net without the permission of the NCS, except in
emergency situations or equipment failure

Other prohibited practices
Use of 10 codes or Amateur Radio Q Signals
Transmitting radio frequency info over the air (FOUO restriction)
Use of Amateur Radio or Citizens Band frequencies for CAP
business
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Always listen before transmitting
Listen for your callsign; Other stations may have traffic for
you
Speak clearly and slowly
Annunciate your words
Speak clearly and in a normal voice when transmitting
Remain calm no matter what happens -- Dont Panic
Read the message as written
If you dont understand it, ask the Originator
ONLY the Originator can change the message
Keep your traffic short and succinct
Good Radio Operator Habits
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Radio Signal Reports
Signal Strength
LOUD Your signal is very strong
GOOD Your signal strength is good
WEAK Your signal strength is weak
VERY WEAK Your signal strength is very weak
FADING At times your signal strength fades to such an extent that continuous
reception cannot be relied on
Readability
CLEAR The quality of your transmission is excellent
READABLE The quality of your transmission is satisfactory
UNREADABLE The quality of your transmission is so bad that I cannot understand you
DISTORTED Having trouble understanding you because your signal is distorted
WITH INTERFERENCE Having trouble understanding you due to interference
INTERMITTENT Having trouble understanding you because your signal is intermittent

Example: Loud and Clear, Over

Reports such as:
Four By Four
Five By Five
20 Over S9
will NOT be used
Roger indicates you hear the station
No need for a signal report
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CAP ICUT Supplement (Sep 2013)
Radio Operation Practice Messages
Mission sortie assignment
Mission status report
Radio signal report
Ground Team position report
Takeoff / Landing time and airport report
Reporting a clue or find
Passing information or directions
Request relay to regain communications
"I am often asked how radio works. Well, you see, wire telegraphy is like a very long cat.
You yank his tail in New York and he meows in Los Angeles. Do you understand this?
Now, radio is exactly the same, except that there is no cat.
Attributed to Albert Einstein
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