National Response Directorate

2016 Telecommunications
Workshop
 Welcome

This workshop has been developed to:

• Review existing policies and procedures
• Overview current communications
programs and missions
• Preview, soon to be announced (TBA)
programs and missions
Note: Although this is an optional workshop, it can be
“required” at the local level for all Telecommunications
Operators (TCO)
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 Ground Rules

• This workshop should be interactive,

NOT a Lecture
Ask Questions
Answer Questions
Share Experiences
Share Insights
• Participate – Participate - Participate

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Qualified Auxiliarists may only activate Auxiliary
fixed land, land mobile, and RDF facilities under
one or more of the following conditions:
• For a mission ordered or scheduled by the Coast
Guard
• When necessary to handle valid distress traffic
• While conducting technical tests to determine a
facility’s capability (e.g., facility inspection)
• When necessary to contact a Coast Guard unit to
determine if Auxiliary help is required
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• When conducting net drills
• For assisting in time of disasters or national
emergencies
• When necessary to conduct authorized Auxiliary
activities as assigned by appropriate Auxiliary
Operational Commanders or Staff officers

Reference: Operations Policy Manual, Annex 4.C.4

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 Radio Basics

• In all radio communications, we are to act

as professionals
• At no time shall we make reference to
ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation
or religious affiliation in radio transmissions
• This is a zero tolerance policy and must be
strictly adhered to

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 Radio Basics (con’t)

• It is often not what you say, but how you say it

that demonstrates your professionalism
• Brevity and accuracy supports mission success
and safety
• Remember, the public and other agencies “hear”
you as the voice of the U.S. Coast Guard
• Practice and use proper radio procedures to
achieve success, safety, and professionalism

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 VHF Communications

• 7 Marine channels 1/25 watts

• 7 LMR narrow band frequencies, 50 watts
• Others by CG Spectrum Management approval
only
• 46 Repeaters allowed on LMR frequencies with
CG Spectrum Management approval. AUX
Repeater Policy (TBA 2016)
• Only Part 80 Marine or Part 90 narrow band
radios

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 VHF Communications (con’t)

• RDF station authorized

• No encryption allowed on AUX radios
• No power amplifiers allowed
• VHF Policy (Pending)
• APRS is not authorized
• MMSI numbers are not authorized for Auxiliary
aircraft

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VHF REPEATERS

10
 HF Communications
• Serves as a platform for other missions
– Auxiliary Monitoring Mission (AUXMON) - A quality
control program for the Coast Guard
– SHARES – A Radio Program that coordinates a
voluntary network of government, industry, and
disaster response agency HF radio stations used for
emergency communications
– Augmentation Communications Mission (AUGCOM
TBA 2016) – GMDSS distress monitoring in support
of Coast Guard Communications Command
(COMMCOM)

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 HF Communications (con’t)

• Maximum power output 1000 watts

• Usable for AUXNETS
• 41 frequencies 2-23 MHz Radios must be able
to transmit outside of Amateur bands
• Accommodates digital modes
• Supports CG contingencies

Reference:
http://rdept.cgaux.org/documents/BeQualified/Becoming
QualifiedAuxiliaryHighFrequencyProgram.pdf
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 Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary
13
Copyright ©2004 Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. 13
 Station Radio Watchstanding

• Administered by each CG station.

• Please see: Communications Watchstander
Qualification Guide, COMDTINST M16120.79series)
• AUXCOM or TCO/PQS not required for CG station
watchstander, but helpful
• If station is only Auxiliary manned, TCO/PQS after
Aug. 2008 or AUXCOM before Aug. 2008 is required.
Some districts may have extra requirements
• A radio watch requires that the station is actively
manned and the operator is ready for intervention

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 SHARES

• This program provides the Federal emergency

response community with a single interagency
emergency message handling and frequency
spectrum management system
• SHARES promotes interoperability between HF
radio systems used by Federal departments and
agencies and monitors applicable regulatory,
procedural, and technical issues
• 62 Auxiliary HF facilities have applied to SHARES
• Never send SHARES documents via open e-mail
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 SHARES (con’t)

• Only use the Auxiliary furnished application, Form

1, available only from DVC-RT
• Do not use SHARES furnished application
• Use Auxiliary HF call sign when logging into a
SHARES net
• The DVC-RT acts as only a facilitator of the
application process
• See: http://www.dhs.gov/shares

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 AUXMON

• 50 Stations enrolled in program, 36 in LANT, 14

in PAC
• Must possess an HF facility with Auxiliary call
sign
• Quality control by monitoring CG HF
broadcasts.
• Requires time commitment
• For application, please see:
http://rdept.cgaux.org/documents/Comms/AUX
MONApplicationrs.pdf
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2016 Telecommunications Workshop 18
 COMMCOM
Note: The content of this slide and the following three slides are taken from a letter sent
from A.T. Campen, CDR, CG CAMSLANT on 3 March, 2015 to Auxiliary DIR-Rd

• How the Coast Guard manages and operates its radio

stations has changed. Last summer that relationship and
associated responsibilities changed
• The change was implemented under a Coast Guard
Headquarters COMMSYS reorganization project called the
Communications Command (COMMCOM)
• Neither our relationship nor monitoring/QA efforts with the
Auxiliary will change with the migration to COMMCOM
• Nor will any of our radio broadcasts or operations that the
COMMSYS currently performs

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 COMMCOM (con’t)

• The COMMCOM, which is the new name of CAMSLANT

in Chesapeake, VA (NMN), will be the only command in
the COMMSYS
• The Coast Guard decommissioned CAMSPAC (NMC),
Kodiak (NOJ), Honolulu (NMO), New Orleans (NMG),
Miami (NMA), and Boston (NMF) last summer
• All radio systems and operations from all of these
stations will continue as before.
• All the facilities (with the exception of NOJ) are no longer
manned.
• NOJ will still maintain a live radio watch in Kodiak

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 COMMCOM (con’t)
• Kodiak lost their support staff, become a subordinate unit
to the COMMCOM (NMN), and will be referred to as
COMMS Det Kodiak
• CAMSPAC also lost the majority of its staff and will no
longer have a live radio watch. All of their radio
operations, in addition to NOJ will be remoted to
COMMCOM
• NMC will keep approximately 23 people to support their
contingency and training mission
• They will be referred to as Mobile Contingency
Communications (MCC) West and will be a subordinate
unit to COMMCOM
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 Impact to the Auxiliary

• In the end, the Coast Guard will continue to

carry out all radio broadcasts and GMDSS alert
and monitoring as normal. NOJ will do this for
the D17 AOR, and COMMCOM (NMN) will do it
for the rest of the Coast Guard’s AOR, including
NMO.
• For Auxiliary in the LANT AOR, nothing should
change for your reporting, tasking or POCs
• Auxiliary in HONO or PACAREA (minus D17), your POC
and reporting has changed to COMMCOM

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 Impact to the Auxiliary (con’t)

• There will still be a Chief Warrant Officer at

COMMS Det West, whom you are encouraged
to keep in touch and work with
• Expect an increase in requests for AUXMON
support, due to the un-manning of these radio
stations and expected increased delay for
repairs

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 CHANGE AGENTS

• Technology – voice to digital communications

• Wide band VHF shifting to LMR narrowband and NTIA
compliant
• GMDSS replaces traditional SSB MF/HF distress
messaging
• August 1, 2013 - Coast Guard halts monitoring of 2182
SSB for distress calls and 2670 VOBRA
• Rescue 21 implemented for Sea Area 1, VHF
• COMMCOM Email July 2015
http://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/R-DEPT/COMMCOM_MEMO_SMLL_SIZE.pdf

• Concept of Operations (TBA 2016)

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 CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

• CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS – CONOPS (TBA 2016)

for Auxiliary Communications is intended to provide a
foundation for the growth and development of current
Auxiliary communications capabilities while conveying to
the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX) and the US
Coast Guard (CG), the role, assets, activities,
operations and overall policies of the Auxiliary
Communication System (ACS)
• Communication officers at all levels, will be responsible
for maintaining a radio communications resource
availability list. (See: ICS Form 217A CG)

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 CONOPS (con’t)

• Require every DCO to participate in quarterly

communication drills conducted by their DSO-CM
• DSO-CM’s and ADSO-CM’s are encouraged to
participate in sponsored TELECONS with the national
telecommunications staff, when held
• CM officers are encouraged to share the annual
“Communications Workshop” with all unit members
possessing an approved Auxiliary radio facility

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 AUXILIARY COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEM - 2016 & Beyond

VHF MF/HF Station Watch

Communications Communications Standing

AUXMON SHARES AUGCOM

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 AUGCOM MISSION
• Specifics of AUGCOM mission TBA 2016
• Directly supports the CG COMMCOM, Sectors
and other CG Commands
• Aids response to GMDSS HF maritime services
for sea area A2, A3 and A4
• Participants are a select group of qualified
Auxiliary HF facilities and designated as
AUGCOMSTA
http://rdept.cgaux.org/documents/Comms/AUGCOM%20Recruiting%20Statement.pdf

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 AUGCOMSTA
REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to receive, decode, record, and transmit
digital messages via SEATTY or comparable
software
• Transmitter power output no less than (TBD)
watts
• Receiver meeting NTIA standards
• Well tuned and matched antennas covering the
GMDSS, DSC frequencies between 4 to 17 MHz
• Long term emergency power
• Presently fixed land only
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 Making an Application to
Become a AUGCOMSTA

• Submit the AUGCOMSTA application to the BC-

RTC
• You must prove that you have capability of
receiving and decoding a GMDSS transmission
and include it with your application
• Once approved, you will be notified by the DVC-
RT

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 AUGCOMOP (Operator)
REQUIREMENTS
• Must be both AUXCOM and TCO qualified
• Only those operators qualifying as AUGCOMOP may be
the lead operator at any time at an AUGCOM facility or
operation
• Applicant shall possess an understanding of HF/MF
GMDSS/DSC and its significance within the SOLAS Treaty
• Are owners of an approved USCGAUX HF radio facility
which is properly equipped to monitor and report HF
GMDSS/DSC, GMDSS and other forms of communications
deemed suitable
• Are specifically approved by the USCG Communications
Area Master Station
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 FIXED LAND RECEIVER

• Selectivity - The passband shall be no greater than the

authorized bandwidth of emission and the slope of the
selectivity characteristic outside the passband shall be
100 dB/kHz
• Tunability - The equipment shall be capable of
operation on any frequency within its tuning range.
• Where a synthesizer is employed as the frequency
controlling element, the receiver shall be capable of
operation on any frequency which is an integral multiple
of 0.1 kHz
NTIA Redbook 2013, 5.3.1.2
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/redbook/2014-05/5_14_5.pdf

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 FIXED LAND TRANSMITTER

• Frequency tolerance:
All, except SSB 10 Hz/SSB radiotelephone 20 Hz

NTIA Redbook, May 2014 rev., May 2013 ed., 5.3.1.1

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/redbook/2014-05/5_14_5.pdf

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 FIXED LAND
Antenna Standards
• Directive antennas are not required below 4 MHz
• Directive antennas shall be employed above 4 MHz
unless in specific cases where they are shown to be
impracticable
• Minimum forward power gain over an isotropic radiator
located at the same height over the same earth as
directive antenna shall be 10 dB in the range 4 to 10
MHz and 15 dB in the range 10 to 30 MHz
• The antenna gain in the desired direction over that of a
lobe in any other direction shall be greater than 6 dB.
NTIA Redbook, May 2014 rev., May 2013 ed., 5.3.1.3
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/redbook/2014-05/5_14_5.pdf

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 AOM Considerations
• When Land Mobile and Transportable Facilities are
required to move/change location they should request
orders via AOM (AUXDATA Order Management) rather
than using Form 7030.Per the Operations Policy Manual,
mission orders must be submitted within 30 days after
completion of the mission
• Meals may be reimbursable, at CG subsistence rate, for
Land Mobile and Transportable Facilities if the facility is
required to move/change location
• Mileage may be claimed for Land Mobile and
Transportable Facilities that are required to
move/change location

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 AOM (con‘t)

• FINCEN does not pay for water, soda,

snacks, etc.
• If you receive fuel or meals from the Coast
Guard at no cost, check “Government
Provided” box
• Orders through AOM are all electronically
requested and submitted
• Entry into AUXDATA is automatic – no
separate 7030 required
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 AOM Permission Changes
• All OIA functions are restricted to E-6/GS-7
or above, to include:
Create DIRAUX or OIA Add active duty users
Create users/owners Manage user permissions
Request open orders Approve patrol requests
Deny patrol requests Reactivate orders
Approve crew overrides Submit without SAMA
Submit orders to FINCEN Manage patrol areas
View district/location reports Allocate district funds
Add/update district accounting codes
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 Additional Reminders

• Any other special requirements from your

local DIRAUX
• How about your Order Issuing Authority
(OIA)

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 To Learn More

For current information on any

communications activities, members are
asked to refer to Telecommunications under
the National Response Directorate website
at:
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=R-DEPT.

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 Contact Information

Contingency Communications Program Integration

John Holmes Don Wellons
john.holmes@cgauxnet.us donald.wellons@cgauxnet.us
707-683-8971 912-266-4041

Qualification and Training Coast Guard Support

Joe O’Hagan Denis Rossiter
joe.ohagan@cgauxnet.us denis.rossiter@cgauxnet.us
760-822-1938 717-249-9047

Chief, Telecommunication Branch

Gary G. Young PhD.
gary.young@uscgnet.us
781-581-6659

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 Bravo Zulu!

Thank you for your participation!

We seek your feedback on the
content of this presentation.
Send your comments to:
Chief, Operations Projects and
Educational Outreach Division
Bruce.Pugh@cgauxnet.us

Bruce Pugh, DVC-RE

Gary Young, DVC-RT
John J Slattery, DIR-Rd
COMO Gary A Taylor, DIR-R

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