Communications Flashcards
When shall a JSIR be submitted?
When spectrum dependent systems experience harmful interference
Where are the DVL and R21 System recording equipment required?
At all USCG units (except stations and boats under 65 feet) to record telephone or radio communications where such communications may relate to the safety of life and property, including air safety, maritime safety and SAR and CG Tactical communication operations
How is harmful interference handled?
Report all cases of harmful interference regardless of type, frequency and soucre.
What is a Joint Spectrum Interference Report?
It is a Report of Radio Interference.
Units experiencing radio interference shall use all available resources such as…. what?
The local FCC office, military departments, C4ITSC, district spectrum managers or ESU to determine the source of the interference.
What is CG-2861A?
Report of Violation of the Radio Regulations or Communications Instructions.
How are radio violation reports submitted?
They are submitted as per CH.4 of the Spectrum Management Policy and Procedures, COMDTINST M2400.1 for violation of national or international radio regulations.
DVL and R21 systems are required at all USCG units (except stations and boats
telephone; radio
life; property
What is this media?
Any type of media format used to record official information that has been _________, _________ or _________.
transmitted, received or written down
For violations committed by CG units, what do we do?
Submit the original copy of the CG-2861A to the violating unit, a copy to the violating unit’s area and district commander, a copy to the reporting unit’s district commander and retain a file copy.
What shall units equipped with R21 include in their SAR case documentation?
Units equipped with R21 shall include all line of bearing, digital selective calling and caller detail information.
How do CG units handle SAR communication records?
CG units shall maintain communications documentation for situations in which resources coordinate or render assistance regardless of position or location of the incident.
What is a complete communications log?
A paper, electronic or recorded log that contains all communication data a unit sends or receives.
What two type of communication logs are maintained?
Abbreviated log and a complete log
How should a unit respond to a recorder casualty?
The unit shall maintain a complete log to capture all transmissions pertaining to that unit.
What is an abbreviated log?
A manually maintained paper or electronic log that uses abbreviations and knows acronyms for all communication data sent or received that pertains to the unit.
What minimal information shall be included in communication logs?
Unit (identified by PLA) Call sign Date and time Frequency and channel Communication information Communication equipment status
Who requires daily communication logs and who are the exceptions?
Radio equipped units, deployable communications assets, enhanced Mobile Incident Command Post, Transportable Communications Central.
The exceptions are:
Vessels over 65 ft in length and not equipped with a recorder or a dedicated communication watch are exempt from log requirements
Vessels under 65 ft in length
Aircraft, except when acting as OSC.
Unit vehicles and shore units that maintain some type of comms guard but are not equipped with recorders.
Are signatures required on logs?
Signatures are only required if the computer software on a computer generated log cannot permanently lock the data in a file as “read only” at the conclusion of the watch or the log. Authenticity of computer generated logs must be maintained.
What are manual logs?
Manual logs are handwritten, typed or kept on a CG computer or other equipment such as electronic radio logs software (RADLOGS)
If not typewritten, all entries shall be handwritten in blue or black ink.
Recorded logs must have a label to each recorded log disk that indicates:
- Unit name and call sign
- Date and period recorded UTC
- What frequencies and phone lines recorded.
What are recorded logs?
Logs recorded on electronic media. Units with recorded logging capability shall maintain abbreviated logs as a backup in case the recorder fails.
How long are violation reports, CG-2861A retained?
3 years from date of incident
How long shall audio files be retained?
30 days
How long are communication logs retained?
Cutters retain for 90 days and shore units retain for 6 months.
How long are visitor logs retained?
Retain for 2 years after final entry or 2 years after the date of document.
How often shall area, district and sector commanders inspect their subordinate radio communication equipped units?
Biennially
How long are reports, records or logs for incidents of National Significance retained?
Permanent retention. Communication records qualifying for permanent retention shall be maintained at the unit that prosecuted the case or incident for 3 years and then transferred to a Federal Records Center.
What shall each CAMS and COMMSTA Kodiak broadcast?
Weather, hydrographic information, storm warnings and NTMs.
When area, district and sector commanders inspect their subordinate radio communication equipped units, how long do the units have to complete and report corrective actions?
90 days
What does GMDSS guard?
- MF and HF DSC
2. GMDSS voice frequency guard
What broadcast modes are conducted by the CAMS and COMMSTA Kodiak?
- HF radio, FAX and International Ice Patrol Fax
- HF voice, MF voice
- Navigational Telex (NAVTEX)
- HF Simplex Teletype Over Radio (SITOR)
If small boat stations are equipped with MF/HF capability, what shall they monitor?
2182 kHz
What areas are sectors responsible for?
Sectors are primarily responsible for communications with sea area A1 and A2
Generator capacity shall be adequate to permit operation of essential communication related equipment and must be capable of operating for how long?
Minimum of 72 hours without refueling
Why shall emergency power and uninterruptable power supply be installed?
To operate mission essential equipment (CGOne, servers, hubs, routers and radio equipment) in the event of commercial power failures at all units ashore.
The uninterruptable power suppyly (UPS) shall provide power for how long?
30 minutes minimum
The emergency power supply at all CG shore telecommunications facilities shall be capable of what?
Capable of automatic operation within 60 seconds after failure of commercial power.
When shall cutters submit a COMMSHIFT?
Cutters shall submit a COMMSHIFT prior to transferring their telecommunication guards and record message delivery responsibilities from one communication facility to another.
What is the Bridge -to-Bridge frequency?
VHF - FM Ch. 13 (156.650 MHz)
Why shall COMSPOT reports be submitted?
COMSPOT reports shall be submitted by all cutters whenever unusual communication difficulties are encountered.
A cutter shifting its guard to a USN unit shall submit what?
A COMMSHIFT record message
What does an operations status report contain?
Current position, operational status, and significant changes in weather, wind and sea conditions.
How often are underway boats required to provide an operations status report?
Every 30 minutes for small boats and 4 hours for all other boats.
When are boats/cutters exempt from OPS normal reports?
- When they are communicating with the OSC due to a SAR mission. The boat/cutter will make OPS normal reports to the OSC.
- When instructed by proper authority to maintain radio silence.
Shore stations losing contact with a boat must attempt to reestablish communication directly with the boat or through another station. If no communication is established, what happens?
If no communication is established, a lost communication record message shall be initiated.
The aeronautical station accepting the guar for the aircraft shall be responsible for maintaining the communication for the aircraft until when…?
Until the aircraft lands or until another station has established communication and has accepted communication guard responsibility for the aircraft.
When shall a CG aircraft establish comms?
CG aircraft shall establish a communication guard with an aeronautical facility within 5 minutes after takeoff.
While in flight and operations permitting, all CG aircraft shall guard what?
A. 121.5 MHz
B. VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.800 MHz)
C 243.0 MHz
What will the CG unit provide to the aircraft?
The CG unit accepting the guard will provide primary and secondary frequencies, the next schedule communication checks and scheduled comms checks.
What is the comms schedule for a rotary aircraft?
Flight operations status report ever 15 minutes and a position report every 30 minutes
What is the comms schedule for a fixed-wing aircraft?
Flight operations status report every 30 minutes and a position report every hour.
For a CG aircraft, when is the requirement to maintain a communication schedule with a aeronautical unit waived?
When the aircraft has been instructed by proper authority to maintain radio silence.
What will each position report for a CG aircraft contain?
Course, altitude and speed.
When the aircraft’s mission is complete or when the communication guard is transferred to another unit, what does the a/c commander do?
The a/c commander notifies the losing unit to secure the guard.
If an aeronautical station loses contact with an aircraft, whose responsibility is it to initiate the necessary actions to re-establish communication or initiate an alert?
It is the responsibility of the guard station to initiate the necessary actions to re-establish communication with the aircraft directly or through another unit, or to initiate an alert.
What should the guard unit do if the a/c commander fails to check in on the primary or secondary frequencies within 5 minutes of the communication schedule? And if the a/c is not located?
The guard unit shall initiate the alert, notify the a/c parent command followed by the cognizant district CC. If the a/c is not located, an immediate precedence record message shall be sent.
What shall a CG aircraft do in receipt of a DSC alert?
Immediately acknowledge the alert and relay pertinent information to their operational commander via the most expeditious means available.
What is VHF-FM Channel 83?
157.175 MHz
What happens when communications are reestablished with the a/c?
An immediate precedence record message will be sent to all addressees listed in the lost communications report with notification that comms has been restore and the reason for lost comms.
When operating above 1000 feet, aircraft shall not transmit on what frequencies?
Aircraft operating above 1000 feet shall not transmit on VHF-FM maritime channels, (frequency range 156-162 MHz)
What shall aircraft use to maintain reliable comms?
Aircraft shall use the lowest power output required to maintain reliable comms.