CAP Talk

Operations => Emergency Services & Operations => Topic started by: MikeS on May 09, 2010, 05:30:40 PM

Title: Radio Comms
Post by: MikeS on May 09, 2010, 05:30:40 PM
Hello,

I have been a member for a while now, but havent posted anything so here is my first question.  I currently have the BCUT rating.  How exactly do you get more ratings?  Do you have to go through classes with your squadron, or is it online somewhere?  Because I am really want to do everything I can here in CAP.  Also, where can I find this information on Communication ratings?


Thanks
Cadet/ Senior Airman Stein
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: arajca on May 09, 2010, 05:36:24 PM
Your best bet is to contact your unit Communications Officer. They'll have the information you seek and more.


Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 05:47:29 PM
Quote from: arajca on May 09, 2010, 05:36:24 PM
Your best bet is to contact your unit Communications Officer. They'll have the information you seek and more.

That's a good way to tell them there's more, OP there's also the ACUT you should speak to your comms officer about studying for the ACUT and taking the test that is associated with the ACUT.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.

Err it is not? Pretty sure I saw several members in my past unit get the ACUT via self study materials.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: RADIOMAN015 on May 09, 2010, 08:54:21 PM
Quote from: MStein on May 09, 2010, 05:30:40 PM
Hello,

I have been a member for a while now, but havent posted anything so here is my first question.  I currently have the BCUT rating.  How exactly do you get more ratings?  Do you have to go through classes with your squadron, or is it online somewhere?  Because I am really want to do everything I can here in CAP.  Also, where can I find this information on Communication ratings?


Thanks
Cadet/ Senior Airman Stein
Well you need to work on the ES side getting your Mission Radio Operator (MRO) status.   Unless your squadron has a HF/SSB setup or you are going to buy your own radio you really don't need the A cut at this point.

Work on getting your radio proficiency up to be the very best with what radios are availalbe to you.

RM
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: MikeS on May 09, 2010, 09:14:47 PM
Thanks guys, but the thing is my squadron is extremely small.  I am almost positive I dont have a Communications Officer... should I talk to my commander about it?
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 09:19:33 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.

Err it is not? Pretty sure I saw several members in my past unit get the ACUT via self study materials.

Then they're doing it wrong. I've been in Comm Training for almost ten years now, and have never seen a provision for individual-paced ACUT instruction. That just seems link laziness on the part of the area leadership. I would be very doubtful of the qualifications of "graduates" of this "training".

What wing are you in?
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: Eclipse on May 09, 2010, 09:20:38 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.

Err it is not? Pretty sure I saw several members in my past unit get the ACUT via self study materials.

No one can speak for your hallucinations, but to my knowledge A-Cut is still an in-face class with practical tests at the end.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: vento on May 09, 2010, 10:09:38 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.

Err it is not? Pretty sure I saw several members in my past unit get the ACUT via self study materials.

Not true for the CAWG that I am in. Perhaps people in NorCal do things very differently? I really doubt self study will get you an ACUT  :o
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 10:41:46 PM
Definitely not an option here in CAWG. I'm on the training staff, and have never seen self-study authorized for the ACUT.

There was a CD-based BCUT presentation that was available for supervised self-study, but the current method is mostly local unit based, instructor lead courses.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: Brad on May 10, 2010, 12:11:11 AM
That or some squadrons are testbeds for the new ICUT program that's coming. This summer from what I've heard.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: SarDragon on May 10, 2010, 12:29:59 AM
If it's in CAWG, I haven't heard about it from our DC. Nor has our Comm Training guy, who I spoke with earlier this afternoon.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: lordmonar on May 10, 2010, 01:15:03 AM
Quote from: MStein on May 09, 2010, 09:14:47 PM
Thanks guys, but the thing is my squadron is extremely small.  I am almost positive I dont have a Communications Officer... should I talk to my commander about it?

Yes....your commander is a good point of contact for all sorts of CAP training.

At your stage in the program I would not worry too much about outside rateings and things.

Focus on getting promoted and moving up through the cadet program.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: JoeTomasone on May 10, 2010, 02:38:21 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.

Err it is not? Pretty sure I saw several members in my past unit get the ACUT via self study materials.


You must attend a class currently until ICUT is released.

CAPR 100-1, Para 5-1 (b):

Quote
Pending introduction of the ICUT class, application for certification may be made after attending a communications orientation class, referred to as Basic Communications User training (BCUT). At wing level and below, this class is conducted under the oversight of the wing director of communications who will designate qualified trainers within the wing.


CAPR 100-1, Para 5-3:

Quote
Advanced Communications User Training. Pending introduction of the ICUT course, members requiring advanced training take the Advanced Communications User Training (ACUT) course. Specifically, those individuals who operate their own radio station on CAP frequencies, who want to pursue the Communications Officer Specialty Training, or who assume staff positions requiring they be issued a corporate radio asset require advance training. This training will be conducted under the oversight of the wing director of communications who will designate qualified trainers within the wing.


Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: mynetdude on May 10, 2010, 06:15:55 PM
Quote from: JoeTomasone on May 10, 2010, 02:38:21 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on May 09, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 09, 2010, 07:45:36 PM
ACUT is not a self-study rating. You need to attend a class, and take the test. I just taught a class yesterday. There's more to the rating than just what's on the test.

Err it is not? Pretty sure I saw several members in my past unit get the ACUT via self study materials.


You must attend a class currently until ICUT is released.

CAPR 100-1, Para 5-1 (b):

Quote
Pending introduction of the ICUT class, application for certification may be made after attending a communications orientation class, referred to as Basic Communications User training (BCUT). At wing level and below, this class is conducted under the oversight of the wing director of communications who will designate qualified trainers within the wing.


CAPR 100-1, Para 5-3:

Quote
Advanced Communications User Training. Pending introduction of the ICUT course, members requiring advanced training take the Advanced Communications User Training (ACUT) course. Specifically, those individuals who operate their own radio station on CAP frequencies, who want to pursue the Communications Officer Specialty Training, or who assume staff positions requiring they be issued a corporate radio asset require advance training. This training will be conducted under the oversight of the wing director of communications who will designate qualified trainers within the wing.

I may be hallucinating and I am sure I have seen what I saw but nonetheless I have done the BCUT self study (supervised by a qualified person) I had to do it while there were people present ;) I recently re-certified my BCUT and I was in class :)
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: cap235629 on May 10, 2010, 06:50:32 PM
how/why do you re-certify BCUT?
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: SarDragon on May 10, 2010, 07:12:12 PM
In my wing (CAWG), BCUT is only good for two years. Then you have to take it again. ACUT never expires.

Netdude, you seem to be changing your story. Above you discussed getting ACUT via self-study. In your latest post, it was BCUT. Which is it? What wing are you in?
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: cap235629 on May 10, 2010, 08:26:06 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 10, 2010, 07:12:12 PM
In my wing (CAWG), BCUT is only good for two years. Then you have to take it again. ACUT never expires.

Netdude, you seem to be changing your story. Above you discussed getting ACUT via self-study. In your latest post, it was BCUT. Which is it? What wing are you in?

That seems a bit ridicul......errrrrrr backwards.  BCUT skills are used much more readily than ACUT skills and don't suffer near the "rust" from lack of use.  I can see retaking ACUT every 3 years or so, but BCUT??? REALLY??  ???
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: Eclipse on May 10, 2010, 08:32:32 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on May 10, 2010, 07:12:12 PM
In my wing (CAWG), BCUT is only good for two years. Then you have to take it again. ACUT never expires.

+1 with mine on B - A is membership +2 years.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: SarDragon on May 10, 2010, 08:54:48 PM
They must have their reasons. I just salute and execute.
Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: JoeTomasone on May 10, 2010, 09:01:37 PM
Quote from: mynetdude on May 10, 2010, 06:15:55 PM
I may be hallucinating and I am sure I have seen what I saw but nonetheless I have done the BCUT self study (supervised by a qualified person) I had to do it while there were people present ;) I recently re-certified my BCUT and I was in class :)

Just because it occurred does make it the proper thing to do.   The regulations call for TRAINERS, not supervisors.   If someone is training you, by definition you are NOT self-studying.

Title: Re: Radio Comms
Post by: Short Field on May 10, 2010, 10:31:58 PM
Hope there were no incidents of lead poisoning when that pencil whipped pass.....

Most stuff in CAP is not rocket science so we should never support pushing the bar even lower.