Communications specialty track

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

Hello everybody,

I want to take the Communications specialty track technician rating. As I am a ham radio operator I also want to  do radio communications with the cadets in our unit.

But I find nowhere information about which material, forms and publications I need to study before taking the test......

When I go to e-services and select online test then I only get to the questions and the test itself but I get no information about the study material........

Does anyone know  which regs I need to study ??

[fltopsguy]

Start by reviewing CAPP 214, the Specialty Track Pamphlet for Communications Officer.

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

Thank you sir for the information.

[MIKE]

Specific to your situation.

e. Transmitting radio frequencies will not be authorized. However, there is no objection to simulator training if the equipment and an instructor are available.

Edit: See also:

11-2. Use of Amateur Radio Service by CAP. The use of frequencies in the amateur radio service to conduct CAP business including SAR/DR operations is prohibited by law. CAP members with amateur radio licenses may only use CAP frequencies for CAP operations.

[Eclipse]

See also, CAPR 100-1,-2,-3

http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5285

And the NTC site: https://ntc.cap.af.mil/

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

Quote from: CAPR 35-4
e. Transmitting radio frequencies will not be authorized. However, there is no objection to simulator training if the equipment and an instructor are available.

I know that the frequencies are different over here but as I am a ham radio operator ( LX1MG) I can use my personal equipment and use the ham radio frequencies over here (144MHz-146MHz) to teach the cadets how to operate a radio............

[MIKE]

I wouldn't even touch the HAM gear.  See above edit.

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

I just saw it now...........

But if I read that we can't use CAP frequencies over here and CAP is not allowed to use HAM radio stuff, that means for us here overseas that we can't do any type of communications at all.........

[arajca]

That does appear to be correct, however, I would contact Lt Col Mik Marek (michael@themareks.com) for clarification and more information. He's the leader of the Communications Team at National.

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

Thank you for that information.   I will send him an e-mail to ask about that and what type of activity we could do with the cadets over here.

[MIKE]

Since you are on Spangdahlem, it might be possible to arrange something with the USAF through the appropriate channels... as CAPR 35-4 appears to allude to.

[NHQ-OS-126 Frank]

We could ask the communication Sq. commander.......His sons are cadets in our sq.

[JoeTomasone]

I agree, best to check with the USAF Comm Squadron and the NTC for guidance. 

If they have anything akin to the Family Radio Service over in Germany, that may be an acceptable substitute for training purposes as it is here.

[♠SARKID♠]

After some quick research, it looks like you should be able to use the Citizens Band service (its not just an American venture).  Defenitely check with your USAF comm geeks, but that might be a good option for training.

[caprr275]

if you want to get a ton of info you might want to join the CAP COMM yahoo group. there is a ton of information on there along with alot  of discussion about communications

[wuzafuzz]

Bump....

Regarding the Communications specialty track: the technician rating requires the completion of a variety of tasks including "participation in one communications exercise sanctioned by the Wing Director of Communications."  What kind of exercise counts?  Does participation at a SAREX in a Comm only role qualify (MRO, CUL)?  Participation in a mission is also listed, so my guess is that SAREX's would count as missions, not "communications exercises."

I'm within spitting distance of qualifying for my Comm tech rating.  My only remaining task is the communications exercise.  Unfortunately my wing hasn't held any formal communications exercises for some time, at least not that I'm aware of.

[arajca]

Contact your wing DC to request a waiver of the exercise requirement if the wing hasn't held any exercises. Comm participation at a Sarex or incident does not count toward the exercise requirement.

[jimmydeanno]

Contact your wing DC to request a waiver of the exercise requirement if the wing hasn't held any exercises. Comm participation at a Sarex or incident does not count toward the exercise requirement.

So, you'd accept a "waiver" for not doing anything as opposed to someone participating in comm during a SAREX?  Weird.

[wuzafuzz]

Contact your wing DC to request a waiver of the exercise requirement if the wing hasn't held any exercises. Comm participation at a Sarex or incident does not count toward the exercise requirement.

Thanks for the information!

[arajca]

Contact your wing DC to request a waiver of the exercise requirement if the wing hasn't held any exercises. Comm participation at a Sarex or incident does not count toward the exercise requirement.

So, you'd accept a "waiver" for not doing anything as opposed to someone participating in comm during a SAREX?  Weird.

Participation in a communications function at a mission is covered under another requirement. Some wings regularly hold communications exercises, other do not.