Your TN Wing Communications Staff . . .

Director of Communications - Capt David Stoner  (Tennessee CAP 4)
Assisstant Director of Communications - LtCol Randy Stripling  (Tennessee CAP 44)
Licensing Officer - Col Herb Snapp  (SouthEast CAP 44)
Monitoring Officer - Maj Gordon "Jack" Hennon  (Tennessee CAP 41)
ORMS Manager (formerly CEMS) - 1stLt Brian Kinner

The Mission of the CAP Communications Program is . . .  

. . . to meet the validated communications requirements of internal and external customers.  This is accomplished by strong planning to organize and maintain a reliable, integrated, point-to-point, air-to-ground, and ground mobile capability in support of the missions of CAP.

The Primary Purpose of CAP Communications . . .  

. . . is to provide internal communications capabilities; to provide commanders with the means to conduct the missions of CAP both during normal conditions and when commercial infrastructure is unavailable or unsuitable.  It provides the commanders at each echelon the ability to communicate with superior and subordinate commanders.  In addition, the CAP communications system may also provide third-party support to "customer" agencies where it does not conflict with the primary purpose.

The Basic Principles of CAP Communications . . .  

1.  Scalability - Standardized procedures allows small or large missions to function the same.
        2.  Intra-Operability - Missions across Wings/Regions work better with common equipment standards.
                3.  Inter-Operability - The ability to work with outside Agencies.
                        4.  Survivability - Distributing equipment in ways that do not jeopardize mission readiness.
                                5.  Security - The ability to pass traffic & communicate (Internal & External) securely.

CAP Communications Facilities are used in support of many operations . . .

CAP VHF Narrowband Transition - New Frequencies and Repeaters  new

The long talked about transition of CAP VHF frequencies from Wideband to Narrowband is currently happening throughout the country.  This is the largest Communications project that CAP has ever undertaken.  Our Wideband VHF frequencies have been changed to NEW Narrowband Frequencies, including P25 Digital with encryption capabilities.

The Old Wideband VHF repeaters in the Wing have now been replaced with Dual Mode (Analog & Digital) Narrowband repeaters and (2) new locations will hopefully be brought on-line soon.   Also, along with changing out the repeaters, ALL VHF Mobiles, Bases and Handhelds, including Vehicle & Aircraft radios, are now being reprogrammed throughout the Wing to accomodate the new frequencies.  This reprogramming will require the utmost cooperation of all Groups and Squadrons.

The Wing has also received New Tactical Repeaters and New HF radios with ALE capability.  These new assets, along with our enhanced VHF radio system, will give us greater communications flexibilty and capabilities.

>> The OLD Wideband frequencies are NO LONGER AUTHORIZED for use by CAP. <<

FOUO // For Official Use Only . . .

Since CAP has transitioned to completely new frequencies, National HQ and NTC has determined that our radio frequencies shall only be released to individuals, including outside agencies, when a written authorization from NHQ/NTC has been received with a specific persons name listed.  Therefore, in keeping with this policy, none of the New Narrowband frequencies will be released to any CAP member, unless they are entrusted with programming radios.  The National programming "Code Plugs" will only display channel information on the radios, so most member do not need to know the actual frequency.  This will be adhered to and monitored in the TN Wing.

ALL personally owned radios that are not completely NTIA Compliant, must now be removed from service for ALL Emergency Services missions.  They can still be used for Non-Mission roles as long as they can suppress actual frequencies from being displayed while in use.  Any programming of personnally owned radios SHALL BE Approved and Coordinated through the Wing Director of Communications.

Group 3 and Other TN Wing Nets . . .  updated

Currently, the Group3 VHF Net is held on Monday night at 8:30pm on R25 or R25P. This Net is being called by the St. Edwards Squadron (TN-185).  Everyone within range with a CAP radio is encouraged to participate.  There are plans to expand the Net to incorporate other Squadron's meeting times & days so that more members will have communications opportunities.

Group 3 VHF Nets
NET Name NCS Day/Time (Local) Channel
Group 3 VHF Net TN-005 Thursday R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-056 Sunday R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-133 Saturday R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-153 ??? R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-160 Sunday R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-162 Tuesday R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-185 Monday / 8:30pm (Central) R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-191 Tuesday R25P (Alt. R25)
Group 3 VHF Net TN-193 Thursday R25P (Alt. R25)


Other Tennessee Wing VHF Nets
NET Name NCS Day/Time (Local) Channel
Group 1 VHF Net TN-148 Thursday / 8:30pm (Eastern) R01P (Alt. R01)
Group 1 VHF Net TN-019 Monday / 7:30pm (Eastern) R01P (Alt. R01)
Group 2 VHF Net TN-017 Tuesday / 7:00pm (Eastern) R18P (Alt. R18)
R
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Tennessee Wing HF Nets
NET Name NCS Day/Time (Local) Channel
TN Wing HF Net TN CAP 41 Tue, Thu, Sat / 8:00pm (Central) SA
TN Wing HF Net TN-128 Saturday / 12:15pm (Eastern) SA
TN Wing HF Net TN-128 Saturday / 12:30pm (Eastern) AD
TN Wing HF Net TN-128 Saturday / 12:45pm (Eastern) AE

A Personal Objective . . .

As an active mission qualified (MRO/CUL) CAP member and a licensed "Ham Radio" operator, it is my intention to share my knowledge and interest in radio communications to those of you that are interested in learning different aspects of communications.  This sharing of information will be primarily focused on CAP radio communications, but will also include other areas as well.

With everyone today using email and cell phones, you might think "why is radio communication important anymore?" The answer is that the Mission Base staff needs to be able to communicate with Air & Ground assets during a mission, since email is not practical and cell phones can't be used in the aircraft.  Also, during a Disaster situation such as Hurricane Katrina or any other wide area event, normal communication methods may not be available over a large area and for a long period of time.  2-way radio communication assets can be set up anywhere, at any time.

Remember This . . .

We are using U.S. Air Force (DOD) radio frequencies, so it is imperative that we conduct ourselves in a professional manor when using our radios. This includes the proper use of ISR radios. ALL CAP radio operation MUST BE In Accordance With (IAW)  CAPR100-1 & 100-3.  There is always somebody listening on scanners, including the news media.

In accordance with ICS/NIMS procedures and CAPR 100-3 (1-7a), "Code Words" are NOT authorized, however, during a Real mission, please use discretion transmitting details of a FIND; as family members could be listening.

Basic Radiotelephone Procedures . . .

The following are procedures that EVERY Mission Radio Operator, Ground Team member, Individual operator and even Pilots/Observers need to adhere to when using CAP frequencies and radios.

Radio Operator's Responsibility . . .

Radio Operators involved under any conditions of Emergency or Distress communications will adhere to the following THREE basic rules of operating procedures.

  1. Listen BEFORE transmitting, ALWAYS.
  2. COOPERATE.  Be prepared to offer assistance.  However, remain off the air unless it is clearly determined that your stations services are needed.
  3. See Rule 1.

What does an ELT sound like?
ELT 1 | ELT 2 | ELT 3

Additional Communications Resources
Comm Page 1 | Comm Page 2 | Comm Page 3 | Comm Page 4 | Comm Page 5
Communications Links  |  Communications Forms & Documents

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