Comms Class help

[maverik]

Alright well my wing (it may be other wings) is implementing new designators for repeaters and I have to give a class on repeaters and what they are (easy);what the designators mean and the direction CAP is going comm wise. I need help on the new designators which is like: for ground town zone x and channel a---P68  I need help on what it means as I'm not to sure how to put it in words.  Also what direction is CAP going comm wise as I'm not to sure.

[JoeTomasone]

With the narrowband transition upon us (repeaters are in transit, so sayeth the Wing/DC), anything you do with the currently available info will be outdated in a few months.   Best to wait until the dust settles with the new equipment/frequencies/designators, etc.

[arajca]

As a wing DC, I can pass on the following:
R## = analog narrowband repeater channel
R##P = digital narrowband repeater channel
P## = wide band repeater channel
As for which channels go to which town, contact YOUR wing DC.

As for the direction Comm in general is going - digital. Appearently, there's an AFI that says CAP should be using P25 + encryption for all SAR/DR/CD operations NOW. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS AFI MYSELF NOR DO I HAVE THE NUMBER. REQUESTS TO NATIONAL (WHO TOLD ME ABOUT IT) HAVE YIELDED NO RESULTS!

One significant change is the primary purpose of the CAP radio system is no longer to enable commanders to talk to subordinate units. It is now to support operations, which is why commanders are not authorized handhelds in the Table of Allowances.

[jimmydeanno]

which is why commanders are not authorized handhelds in the Table of Allowances.

and ironically doesn't put radios into the hands of in the field individuals...

[arajca]

If followed, the ToA will put radios in the hands of ground teams.

[maverik]

GTLs can recieve them if it hasn't been changed.

[arajca]

GTLs can recieve them if it hasn't been changed.

Only if they are part of a unit with a ground team. The radios are allocated to ground TEAMS, not GTL's.

[RoninUTA]

First off, I'm very new to CAP (joined 11 March 09) and CAPtalk. I am very interested in radio operation and have competed all the level 1 materials and completed ROA.

I know I will also need to spend some good time in learning and checking into the nets here. I guess my next question is, what next? How do I study for the ACUT? I know it's a test I will have to take at some point, but I am interested in learning more about general radio operation.

Also - what should I do to really grasp radio concepts. I am not a HAM or GROL, but would either of these help me in general understanding?

TIA,
Chris

[arajca]

First off, I'm very new to CAP (joined 11 March 09) and CAPtalk. I am very interested in radio operation and have competed all the level 1 materials and completed ROA.

I know I will also need to spend some good time in learning and checking into the nets here. I guess my next question is, what next? How do I study for the ACUT? I know it's a test I will have to take at some point, but I am interested in learning more about general radio operation.

Also - what should I do to really grasp radio concepts. I am not a HAM or GROL, but would either of these help me in general understanding?

TIA,
Chris

A-CUT is a four hour class that concludes with a test. It is not a self study course.

Communications in CAP is geared more toward a casual user than a technical user. There are a number of informational sources, most of which are in the ham community. ARRL has some good books. A ham license will help, but there are some significant differences between ham and CAP operations.

Contact your unit communications officer, who should be able to point you in the right direction for how CAP communications operates in your wing.

[ThorntonOL]

Well if the radios are being handed out to ground teams it would be neccessary to give them to squadrons with GTLs, because you can have a squadron with all GT1,GT2, GT3 and no GTL.
But in reality that also wouldn't make sense either from a training standpoint.
So the allocation process is still gonna be confusing even though it shouldn't.

[arajca]

You can also have a squadron with a GTL and no GTM's. Or a squadron with a bunch of GTL's. There are not enough radios available to give every GTL one.