Communications Specialist Course Module 3 Unit 2: Nets, Frequency Issues and Interoperability

Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to develop Nets, use Communications Plans, and determine methods of overcoming interoperability issues

Enabling Objectives Understand the US&R UHF Radio Plan Identify the frequencies that are currently allocated and describe what they may and may not be used for Explain how additional frequencies are obtained for use while deployed to an operational site, or for training

Did everyone get the message?!

Comm Unit’s Goals Intra Squad Communications Intra Task Force Communications Command Net Access Support Net Access

Radio “Nick Names” UHF Radio (“Uniform”) VHF Radio (“Victor”) Satellite Radio (“SatComm” & “SatRadio”) Satellite Phone (“SatPhone”)

Color Coding of Radios US&R Standard Black US&R - UHF or “Uniform” White – UHF “Smart Zone” Orange - VHF Blue - 800 MHz Red - Special Yellow - SatComm White - Aviation VHF (also a Victor)

Why Color Code? Quick User Identification Match Radios to Antennas What to Color Code? Antennas, Feedlines and Bases All Radios Use 1/2” Band of Shrink Tube on Antenna

What Channel When?

DHS US&R Zones and Channels UHF Portable Radios 19 Zones (Alpha – Zulu / No Hotel – Lima) 16 Channels per Zone Zone/Channel Written as B/7 Spoken as “Bravo Seven”

US&R UHF Radio Zones Zones A - L are FEMA DHS Zones Zones M – N are Med Zones Zone O is UCall/Tac Zone P is IR Zone Q is Law Enforcement Zones R – V Zones Y – Z are Field Programable

US&R Zones Generally US&R is assigned to Zones Bravo and Charlie B/1 and C/1 are Reserved for FEMA USE, NOT US&R

Channel Groups Duplex Channels The Output and Input of Repeater Pairs are both now programmed into the UHF radios In Bravo and Charlie Zones the repeater channels are 2, 5, 8, 11 & 14 Bravo 2 Repeater Bravo 3 Output Frequency Bravo 4 Input Frequency

This gives you Flexibility You will only get one Repeater Pair You have to decide how to best use it Always think Simplex 1st, this gives you 2 channels

Only FEMA can APPROVE the Use of Federal Radios; Regardless of the Band, Channel or Frequency.

Networks “Nets” Channels should not change during the event! Tactical Net’s Command Net Support Net Air/Ground Net

Tactical Net’s (2 Channels, 1 Net) Established and Maintained by the Task Force Comm Unit Provides Communication Path between the TFL and Task Force Operations Covers entire Area of Operation (Work) Area BoO may also Use Simplex as Work Channel, if not Interfering with Tactical Operations. Use Simplex to Cover Area of Operation if Able Each Task Force has a Tactical Net Channel Name “Texas Tactical”

Each Tactical Net Covers a Task Force’s Area of Operation Each Task Force Manages their Own Tactical Net Tactical Net Coverage HI 1 AO

Support Channel Coverage Each Task Force also Maintains a “Support” Channel in their BoO Unless the Incident Area of Operation and BoO are in Very Close Proximity the Support Channel is a non-repeated “Tactical” Channel Tactical Net Coverage Support Channel Coverage HI 1 AO HI 1 BoO

Tactical Net Coverage WY 2 AO Each Task Force has their own Tactical Net HI 1 AO DE 3 AO

Tactical Net Coverage WY 2 AO HI 1 AO The IST has a “IST Support” Channel; similar to a Tactical Net IST AO DE 3 AO

Command Net (Only 1) Established and Maintained by the IST Comm Unit Provides Communication Path between the IST and Task Force Operations SatRadio Talk Group “US&R-1” is the Command Net Channel unless Changed by the IST Comm Unit Leader For IST Ops and Task Force Leadership

WY 2 LDR HI 1 LDR IST LDR The IST Manages the Command Net The Command Net Links the Field Unit Leaders to the IST DE 3 LDR

Support Net Established and Maintained by the IST Comm Unit Provides Communication Path for all “non-Tactical” operations… Logistics, Comm etc… Has the largest Coverage Area and may be SatRadio, Simplex Radio or Repeater Initially SatRadio Talk Group “US&R-1” also is used for these activities Intended for ALL Task Forces to Use

TF BoO’s WY 2 LDR HI 1 LDR IST LDR EOC DE 3 LDR Wall Mart

Air/Ground Net Established and Maintained by the IST and Task Force Comm Unit Provides Communication Path between the IST and Aircraft and TF and Aircraft No Planned Channel Each Task Force is a Participant in the Air/Ground Net

Task Force AO’s IST Coordinates Aircraft Requests Task Forces Communicates with Aircraft in AO IST

Standard ICS 205 Considerations Is there an IST Comm Unit assigned? IF NO IST Assigned… Request Channels from MERS & Develop a Comm Plan (not likely to happen) Predetermined Basic Band Plan Are you the only TF responding? How many more are involved? Who within my TF needs their own channel? Logistics? Medical? Multiple Tactical – can Ops assign? Remember FEMA may have extra frequencies, but don’t over-request!

Standard Frequency Action Format (SFAF) See Handout Current version changes often without notice Enter as “TEXT” only in an email Do not attach document

National Interoperability FOG (IFOG) Source for InterOp Frequencies IST Comm will Coordinate InterOp

ICS 205

Changes to the Plan Changes should only occur with a new Operational Period and Briefing All radio programming is done no later than 2 hours before the next operational period starts

Satellite Communications Most Dependable US&R Comm

Role of SatComm Telephone other than Cellular or Landline Inter  Task Force Comm Intra  Task Force Comm IST  Task Force Comm

US&R Net ID# Sensitive Information! US&R 1 US&R 2 US&R 3 US&R 4 US&R99 (USMART)

Unit Summary Understand the US&R UHF Radio Plan Identify the frequencies that are currently allocated and describe what they may and may not be used for Explain how additional frequencies are obtained for use while deployed to an operational site, or for training

Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit