Status of CAP Communications?

[Senior]

In another thread, maybe over in CadetStuff, someone stated that CAP
communications was diminishing.  I was curious what is the state of
radio communication in CAP?  I assume that Wings still have nightly nets.

As a cadet, the first real class that I took was the FCC Restricted Radio Operator License Test, I still have the card.  Sometime later in my cadet
career that card was no longer required, I think.

[RiverAux]

Considering that the AF has pumped many millions of dollars into getting us thousands of new radios, I think it would be hard to say it is going down in general. 

Radio nets on the other hand....haven't heard of one in years.  Never thought they were a terribly efficient use of time. 

[Eclipse]

CAP communications for ES are anything but diminishing, as stated, the USAF has given us lots and lots of radios.

In ES they are a critical, irreplaceable component that does not get the attention they need.

As far as the nets, the communications channel they used to be has largely been replaced by cel phone, email, and the web.

My wing still runs them in areas that have repeater coverage, but only a small percentage of members participate.  The majority of members with issued or personal equipment never participate.

[stillamarine]

We do a weekly Group wide net. Don't know much about it as I don't have a radio and don't participate, I just know that our CC and DCS go out during our meetings.

[RiverAux]

I think that the nets were probably mostly destroyed by the radio changeovers.  All the personal radios that were their backbone are no longer used, so to do a net you're going to have to go in to the unit and use the radio there.  I suppose if all the units in your group or wing met on the same evenings you could do it there, but that probably isn't the case in many places. 

[_]

Md wing still has a VHF net each week.  It honestly doesn't serve a lot of purpose other than giving people some practice on the radio.  Email has replaced the need for a net.  Before email a net was very useful to disseminate info quickly.  Even now on missions cell phones are often more useful than radio comms.  Radios are still important though primarily in ES.  There are those times when cell phones just don't work but that high bird is up there and can hear you.

Comms as a separate entity is going away but comms in a supporting role to ES is still very much alive and well.

[Eclipse]

I think that the nets were probably mostly destroyed by the radio changeovers.  All the personal radios that were their backbone are no longer used, so to do a net you're going to have to go in to the unit and use the radio there.  I suppose if all the units in your group or wing met on the same evenings you could do it there, but that probably isn't the case in many places. 

We haven't changed to narrow-band yet, so any wide-bade equipment in use is still legal.

For better or worse we've still got plenty of people on Nu-Tecs, Taits, and V-150, etc. 

[SDF_Specialist]

I really can't say that I know how everything works in other Regions, but in GLR, we have nightly nets except on the weekends. Comms isn't dying, there just aren't as many interested people as there used to be. I've been trying to come up with ways to make sure that everyone gets the training, but enjoys it as they learn it.

[ZigZag911]

Nets were terrific WIWAC, long before email....really efficient way of getting information down the chain, from region wing to and through the units.

Nets are still a very effective training tool for radio operators.

[baronet68]

I think that the nets were probably mostly destroyed by the radio changeovers.  All the personal radios that were their backbone are no longer used, so to do a net you're going to have to go in to the unit and use the radio there.  I suppose if all the units in your group or wing met on the same evenings you could do it there, but that probably isn't the case in many places. 

We haven't changed to narrow-band yet, so any wide-bade equipment in use is still legal.

For better or worse we've still got plenty of people on Nu-Tecs, Taits, and V-150, etc. 

Wide-band equipment can be used but the kicker is that it has to be 'type accepted' by the FCC for the bands being operated. 

Years ago, type-acceptance wasn't necessary so it was easy (and relatively cheap) to become a CAP radio operator.  Lots of decent ham radio gear was available at good prices and a lot of CAP communicators were hams too. 

I got my ham ticket because I was able to get twice the mileage from my personal radio purchase.  Alinco made several radios that only required a simple modification to operate on CAP frequencies.  Add a low-tech TNC to a 'dumb terminal' and you were running packet operations in the pre-email days - I really miss that golden age of CAP radio.

[_]

Alinco made several radios that only required a simple modification to operate on CAP frequencies.

I still have my DJ-190. Those were nice because you could get them for about $100.  Those were the days.