1. CAP Communications Orientation Class
Voice of Command
Developed by:
LTC Bruce Bream
Ohio Wing/Eagle Squadron
February 2006
Note:
This presentation does NOT contain any For Official Use Only (FOUO) information.
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

2. Basic Communications Course Overview
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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

3. CAP Radio Operator Licensing
TWO Levels of Operator Licensing:
National Headquarters
Civil Air Patrol
Maxwell AFB AL
RADIO OPERATOR AUTHORIZATION
Name and address of operator:
JOHN E. DOE
CHARTER SER-AL-001
ISSUED:
Card No.:
AL-00123
Expiration:
ON MEMBERSHIP
Communications Orientation
2-3 Hour Class on:
Standard Operating Procedures
Local Operating Procedures
Entitles CAP member to operate a CAP Radio
Issued a Radio Operator Authorization (ROA) by Ohio Wing
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
The regulation for all CAP Communications is CAPR 100-1
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

4. CAP Radio Station Licensing
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Licenses Public radio stations
TV, FM, AM commercial broadcasters
Amateur Radio, FRS, Citizens band
Licenses Federal agencies
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Civil Air Patrol
FEMA, NASA, EPA, USPS, Etc.
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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

5. Types of Stations & Tactical Call Signs
Ohio Wing Call Sign Examples
GROUND & MOBILE
AIRMOBILE
CAPFLIGHT 3421
Columbus 104
Columbus 401
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 CAPFLIGHT except,
CAPFLIGHT RESCUE used only during actual missions
Member-owned aircraft
Use assigned CAPFLIGHT for reimbursable missions
Otherwise, use tail number
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

6. CAP Communications Systems
CAP Frequencies
HF - Long-range ( miles)
FAA Aeronautical Frequencies
Uses FAA frequencies
Communicate with all radio equipped aircraft
Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS)
Used for digital imaging
Data relayed through satellite
Range determined by time of day, frequency, and sunspot cycle
Capabilities
VHF - Short-range (5-50 miles)
Extra files for buttons to work:
Capabilities: CAPabilities.wmv from National HQ website
Sounds: From
ISR (Intra Squad Radios)
Short range (2-3 miles)
Similar to FRS radios
Range determined by “radio horizon”
HF Static
Voice is the primary means of communication
Sounds
HF SSB
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

7. Your radio switches to Frequency 2 when you press the PTT switch
Voice Operating Modes
Single Frequency - One Station at a Time
SIMPLEX F1 F1
REPEATER
Two Frequencies - One Station at a Time F2 F1
Frequency 1
Frequency 2
Input
Output R T
Your radio switches to Frequency 2 when you press the PTT switch
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

8. Repeater Operational Advantage
Output
Input
Repeaters increase the range of mobile
stations due to the high profile location
typically covering a mile radius
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

9. Inside the Repeater
Repeater retransmits if it hears one of two sub-audible tones:
1) Universal Access Tone or
2) Repeater site specific tone
Output Channel
Voice
Input Channel
Voice
Voice
Receiver
Transmitter
+ Repeater
Sub-audible Tone
+ Sub-audible Tone
PTT
Tone Decoder
“Mike Button”
Tone Decoder “listens” for either the universal or site specific tone on the incoming signal
Tone Decoder “presses” the Push To Talk (PTT) button to turn on the repeater’s transmitter
Radio must be set to the correct
1) transmit channel, and
2) sub-audible tone
to use the desired repeater
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

10. Ohio Wing Voice Repeaters Operating on CAP VHF-FM
Repeater Locations:
Cambridge
Carey
Cincinnati
Columbus
Dayton
Jackson
Lafayette
Lancaster
Lima
New Philadelphia
Thompson
Wauseon
If you are not sure which repeater to select:
Use the Universal Access Tone
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

11. Airmobile use of Repeaters
Primary mode of operation should be simplex
Repeaters can be used if simplex not possible
Selectively use a repeater through use of its assigned sub-audible access tone
Use of universal tone is prohibited since this will bring up multiple repeaters
The key is to limit use to a single repeater
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

12. 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 assigned by geographical location
“THIS IS Lost Nation Base OVER”
ELTs - Training & Actual
MHz Training transmitters
121.5 MHz Actual ELTs
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

13. 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
Don’t 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 don’t interfere with other traffic prior to pushing the PTT
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

14. Basic Radio Station Components
Antenna
Frequency sets relative size
VHF-FM
Magnetic Mount
Fixed vertical
HF-SSB
50 foot Dipole
Bumper mount vertical
Power Sources
120VAC Power Supply
12VDC
Generator
Batteries
Power
Supply 1
120 VAC
Outlet V S C
Radio Transceiver
Designed for a single or multiple frequency band and modes
CAP VHF-FM
CAP HF-SSB
FAA VHF-AM
Antenna Coax
Special cable that connects radio to antenna
Ground
Required for Electrical Safety
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

15. Radios you will see in CAP
CAP VHF-FM
NAT NPX-138
Tait 2020II
E.F. Johnson 5317 “Stealth” mobile
E.F. Johnson 5112 portable
Neutec SM-1645
CAP HF-SSB
FAA Aircraft VHF-AM
Icom IC-4008M
Intra Squad Radio (ISR)
Motorola Micom-2
Tait T196
ICOM A-22
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

16. Tait T2000II CAP VHF-FM
Direct channel number entry possible with keypad and enter key
Up / Down buttons change the channel
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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

17. E.F. Johnson 5317 “Stealth” CAP VHF-FM
Channel / Group Knob
Toggles its function each time you press it in
Turn to select channels or groups
There are 16 memory groups with 10 channels per group
Groups and channels are labeled with text names
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

18. E.F. Johnson 5112 Portable CAP VHF-FM
On-Off-Volume
and Squelch
PTT
Channel Selector
Microphone
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

19. Check channel card attached to top of radio
Neutec SM CAP VHF-FM
Selects one of 16 numbered channels
It is important to note whether the PRI light is on or off
Check channel card attached to top of radio
Pressing the PRI button gets to a second bank of 16 channels - It is NOT a priority button
The display only shows a number, so you must have a list or card of how it is programmed
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

20. NAT NPX-138 Radio Operation CAP VHF-FM
Features:
FAA accepted for aircraft use
100 pre-programmed channels
Same channels in all aircraft
Operates from MHz
“Guard” channel monitor
Use with CAP as well as Coast Guard, State Highway Patrol, and local Police
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 Don’t 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

21. 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

22. Intra Squad Radio (ISR)
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
Won’t talk with CAP VHF-FM radio system
NHQ furnished radios and cases, but no batteries
Cost of ni-cad battery and charger almost equal to cost of radio itself
Ni-cads available run 10 hours before needing recharge
Alkaline AA batteries last 30 hours max before requiring replacement
Commanders, and ES Officers should plan for readily available batteries
Incident Commanders and Mission Coordinators should anticipate battery expenses for actual and practice missions
ISR battery costs are reimbursable on CAPF108 if mission/SAREX is reimbursed (with receipts, complete forms, etc.)
Project Officers for encampments and training activities should anticipate and plan for battery costs
Flight-line supervisor should use VHF-FM (Ch4) to marshal pilots in aircraft
ISR frequencies are shared with other DOD agencies
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

23. 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

24. CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

25. ZULU - Means that time is UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Date-Time Group
Z APR 01
Date
Time
Month
Year
Date and Time in ZULU
ZULU - Means that time is UTC
(Coordinated Universal Time)
Don’t forget to account for change in day, month or year
A DTG specifies one minute in a century
Z = EST + 5 hours Z = EDT + 4 hours
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

26. Date-Time Group Practice
Practice making a DTG for the following times/events:
Right Now
July 7, :07 am
Apollo 11 Moon Landing, 7/20/1969, 4:17 EDT
April 15, :18 pm
ELT Heard: Feb 28, :21 pm
What local date/time is Z JAN 05?
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

27. Clarity and Brevity in communications
PROWORDS
Special words used for
Clarity and Brevity in communications
Most commonly used 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

28. 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
Niner
0 Zero
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

29. Contacting Another Station
To Establish Contact
“Columbus THIS IS CAPFLIGHT OVER”
Response from the Ground Station
“CAPFLIGHT THIS IS Columbus OVER”
No need to use call signs until communications are complete
Say “OVER” before releasing PTT on mike
On Closing the Contact
“… CAPFLIGHT 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.”
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

30. A Formal Net controls flow of traffic on a single radio channel
Radio Net Operation
A Formal Net controls flow of traffic on a single radio channel
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"
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

31. Radio Nets - Contacting another Station
“Columbus 10,
THIS IS Columbus 401 with traffic for Columbus 404 OVER”
C 10
NCS
“Columbus 401,
Contact Columbus 404 with your traffic, OUT”
2nd
1st
“Columbus 404,
THIS IS Columbus 401, OVER”
C 401
C 404
3rd
All transmissions must receive permission from the Net Control Station (NCS)
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

32. 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…”
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

33. Prowords: “FIGURES”, “DECIMAL”, “TIME”, “INITIALS”
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”
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

34. 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

35. Message Precedence PRIORITY (P) ROUTINE (R) FLASH IMMEDIATE (O)
Other Precedence you may hear but not used by CAP. Both are handled before Priority or Routine Traffic.
FLASH
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
PRIORITY (P)
Used For Messages Where “Routine” Isn’t 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

36. Distress and Emergency Signals}
MAYDAY Distress
PAN Urgency
SECURITE Safety
Supercedes all
Priority or
Routine Traffic
Operator Responsibility
#1 LISTEN
#2 Be Prepared to Assist
Do NOT Transmit
unless your services are needed
or contact is requested
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

37. 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 discouraged practices
Use of 10 codes or Amateur Radio Q Signals
Transmitting radio frequency info over the air (FOUO)
Use of Amateur Radio or Citizens Band frequencies for CAP business
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

38. Good Radio Operator Habits
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 -- “Don’t Panic”
THINK -- “Use Your Head”
Read the message as written
If you don’t understand it, ask the Originator
ONLY the Originator can change the message
Keep your traffic short and succinct
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

39. Radio Signal Reports Signal Strength Readability
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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)

40. 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
CAP Basic Communications Orientation Course (Feb 2006)