1. Communications Specialist Course
Module 3 Unit 2:
Nets, Frequency Issues and Interoperability

2. Unit Objective
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to develop Nets, use Communications Plans, and determine methods of overcoming interoperability issues

3. Enabling Objectives Understand the US&R UHF Radio Plan
Identify the frequencies that are currently allocated and describe what they may and may not be used for
Explain how additional frequencies are obtained for use while deployed to an operational site, or for training

4. Did everyone get the message?!

5. Comm Unit’s Goals Intra Squad Communications
Intra Task Force Communications
Command Net Access
Support Net Access

6. Radio “Nick Names” UHF Radio (“Uniform”) VHF Radio (“Victor”)
Satellite Radio (“SatComm” & “SatRadio”)
Satellite Phone (“SatPhone”)

7. Color Coding of Radios US&R Standard Black US&R - UHF or “Uniform”
White – UHF “Smart Zone”
Orange - VHF
Blue MHz
Red - Special
Yellow - SatComm
White - Aviation VHF (also a Victor)

8. Why Color Code? Quick User Identification Match Radios to Antennas
What to Color Code?
Antennas, Feedlines and Bases
All Radios
Use 1/2” Band of Shrink Tube on Antenna

9. What Channel When?

10. DHS US&R Zones and Channels
UHF Portable Radios
19 Zones (Alpha – Zulu / No Hotel – Lima)
16 Channels per Zone
Zone/Channel Written as B/7
Spoken as “Bravo Seven”

11. US&R UHF Radio Zones Zones A - L are FEMA DHS Zones
Zones M – N are Med Zones
Zone O is UCall/Tac
Zone P is IR
Zone Q is Law Enforcement
Zones R – V
Zones Y – Z are Field Programable

12. US&R Zones Generally US&R is assigned to Zones Bravo and Charlie
B/1 and C/1 are Reserved for FEMA USE, NOT US&R

13. Channel Groups Duplex Channels
The Output and Input of Repeater Pairs are both now programmed into the UHF radios
In Bravo and Charlie Zones the repeater channels are 2, 5, 8, 11 & 14
Bravo 2 Repeater
Bravo 3 Output Frequency
Bravo 4 Input Frequency

14. This gives you Flexibility
You will only get one Repeater Pair
You have to decide how to best use it
Always think Simplex 1st, this gives you 2 channels

15. Only FEMA can APPROVE the Use of Federal Radios; Regardless of the Band, Channel or Frequency.

16. Networks “Nets” Channels should not change during the event!
Tactical Net’s
Command Net
Support Net
Air/Ground Net

17. Tactical Net’s (2 Channels, 1 Net)
Established and Maintained by the Task Force Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path between the TFL and Task Force Operations
Covers entire Area of Operation (Work) Area
BoO may also Use Simplex as Work Channel, if not Interfering with Tactical Operations.
Use Simplex to Cover Area of Operation if Able
Each Task Force has a Tactical Net
Channel Name “Texas Tactical”

18. Each Tactical Net Covers a Task Force’s Area of Operation
Each Task Force Manages their Own Tactical Net
Tactical Net Coverage
HI 1 AO

19. Support Channel Coverage
Each Task Force also Maintains a “Support” Channel in their BoO
Unless the Incident Area of Operation and BoO are in Very Close Proximity the Support Channel is a non-repeated “Tactical” Channel
Tactical Net Coverage
Support Channel Coverage
HI 1 AO
HI 1 BoO

20. Tactical Net Coverage
WY 2 AO
Each Task Force has their own Tactical Net
HI 1 AO
DE 3 AO

21. Tactical Net Coverage
WY 2 AO
HI 1 AO
The IST has a “IST Support” Channel; similar to a Tactical Net
IST AO
DE 3 AO

22. Command Net (Only 1) Established and Maintained by the IST Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path between the IST and Task Force Operations
SatRadio Talk Group “US&R-1” is the Command Net Channel unless Changed by the IST Comm Unit Leader
For IST Ops and Task Force Leadership

23. WY 2 LDR
HI 1 LDR
IST LDR
The IST Manages the Command Net
The Command Net Links the Field Unit Leaders to the IST
DE 3 LDR

24. Support Net Established and Maintained by the IST Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path for all “non-Tactical” operations… Logistics, Comm etc…
Has the largest Coverage Area and may be SatRadio, Simplex Radio or Repeater
Initially SatRadio Talk Group “US&R-1” also is used for these activities
Intended for ALL Task Forces to Use

25. TF BoO’s
WY 2 LDR
HI 1 LDR
IST LDR
EOC
DE 3 LDR
Wall Mart

26. Air/Ground Net
Established and Maintained by the IST and Task Force Comm Unit
Provides Communication Path between the IST and Aircraft and TF and Aircraft
No Planned Channel
Each Task Force is a Participant in the Air/Ground Net

27. Task Force AO’s
IST Coordinates Aircraft Requests
Task Forces Communicates with Aircraft in AO
IST

28. Standard ICS 205 Considerations
Is there an IST Comm Unit assigned?
IF NO IST Assigned… Request Channels from MERS & Develop a Comm Plan (not likely to happen)
Predetermined Basic Band Plan
Are you the only TF responding?
How many more are involved?
Who within my TF needs their own channel?
Logistics?
Medical?
Multiple Tactical – can Ops assign?
Remember FEMA may have extra frequencies, but don’t over-request!

29. Standard Frequency Action Format (SFAF)
See Handout
Current version changes often without notice
Enter as “TEXT” only in an
Do not attach document

30. National Interoperability FOG (IFOG)
Source for InterOp Frequencies
IST Comm will Coordinate InterOp

31. ICS 205

32. Changes to the Plan
Changes should only occur with a new Operational Period and Briefing
All radio programming is done no later than 2 hours before the next operational period starts

33. Satellite Communications
Most Dependable US&R Comm

34. Role of SatComm Telephone other than Cellular or Landline
Inter  Task Force Comm
Intra  Task Force Comm
IST  Task Force Comm

35. US&R Net ID# Sensitive Information! US&R 1 US&R 2 US&R 3 US&R 4
US&R99 (USMART)

36. Unit Summary Understand the US&R UHF Radio Plan
Identify the frequencies that are currently allocated and describe what they may and may not be used for
Explain how additional frequencies are obtained for use while deployed to an operational site, or for training

37. Unit Evaluation
Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit