COMMS 101

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COMMS 101

• An Introduction to the Communications Discipline
  and Opportunities to Serve

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US COAST GUARD Communications

• Safety of Life at Sea

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Purpose of the Presentation

• General Outline of US Coast Guard Comms
• The role of the Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Cooperative efforts between CGAUX, CAP, US Navy
  MARS, USAF Mars, and others.

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United States Coast Guard

• The lead military agency of the Department of
  Homeland Security (not DoD)
• A multi-mission agency
• Law Enforcement
• Safety of Navigation SAR
• Military Operations
• Environmental Protection
• Extensive Sea-borne and Air-borne Assets

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Coast Guard Communications

• CG utilizes a full range of comms
• From Medium Frequency through UHF from 2
  Megahertz through 800 Megahertz
• CG utilizes a full range of modes
• Voice
• Digital Data transmission
• Images

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UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICIn all of its roles, but
especially in maritime safety, the CG operates as
part of a world wide community, so many of the
traits of communications in the CG are driven by
international rules and regulations. Two
organizations, the International Maritime
Organization and the International
Telecommunications Union set many of our rules.
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GMDSS the KEY

• In 1999, a whole new concept in maritime comms
  was put into place.called Global Maritime
  Distress and Safety System

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GMDSS Components

• HF Weather Safety Broadcasts
• COSPAS Satellite based SAR services
• VHF Radio
• Digital Selective Calling
• Automatic Identification System

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VHF RADIO

• Most commonly used service in coastal areas
• Used by commercial and recreational vessels alike
• Focused on Safety
• CG monitors Channel 16 24/7
• Other channels used for command and control

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Digital Selective Calling

• Grew out of excessive channel loading
• System involves the assignment of a unique number
  to each vessel or asset (shore stations) Number
  identifies characteristics of the vessel
• Possible to address one (and only one) vessel
  with a message (page).
• Position polling is also possible

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DSC, Part 2

• System operates on HF and VHF with worldwide
  coverage
• DSC can not only page a specific vessel but also
  automatically switch that vessels voice radio to
  a specific channel
• DSC can page vessels in a particular area or in a
  pre-defined Group

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RESCUE 21

• New project presently being implemented around
  the US
• Enhanced VHF comms
• Incorporates DSC for VHF
• Adds AIS (Automatic Identification System)
• Eventually will allow data transmission

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RESCUE 21, Part 2

• Is presently being implemented in the Seattle
  area and other areas on East and Gulf Coasts
• Will be implemented in Southern California in
  2006
• Single biggest change in CG Comms since the
  introduction of FM VHF radio

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Automatic Identification System

• AIS is a transponder based system using UHF
  radios.
• Vessels will automatically transmit a variety of
  information periodically
• Supplements coastal radar coverage (Vessel
  Traffic System) with detailed information
• Implemented now on large vessels

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Coast Guard Auxiliary Roles

• Fundamentally a force multiplier for the USCG
• Many different missions
• Public Education
• Safety Patrols (Ocean and Lakes/Rivers)
• Vessel Inspection
• Operational Support
• SAR
• Harbor Security Patrols

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PACAREA COMMS

• CAMSPAC Communications Area Master
  Station-Pacific
• Support of Command and Control
• Utilize All Modes and All Frequencies as needed
• Support of Maritime Domain Awareness programs
• Support Disaster Response

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CGAUX Comms - 1

• Varies by CG District
• Primarily VHF Voice (now)
• Used for Operational Support of the CG and for
  command and control of Auxiliary assets
• Provides mechanism for radio guard for both
  AUX and gold side assets

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CGAUX Comms - 2

• In the Eleventh Coast Guard District, Southern
  Region, there are some 300 radio facilities
  (ACUs)
• Most of these are hand held or mobile radios
• Presently there are about 50 fixed land
  stations including several which are CGAUX
  properties, as opposed to privately owned.
• Currently four stations are manned each weekend

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CGAUX Comms - 3

• Many changes are coming up
• Increasing use of DSC for both safety guard
  purposes and command and control
• More and more participation in disaster (natural
  and unnatural) response
• Increasing use of data (rather than voice) comms
• Greater integration with the Rescue 21 project

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How do YOU Participate?

• Become AUXCOM qualified first
• Acquire and register an ACU (Auxiliary
  Communications Unit)
• Regularly participate in weekly nets
• Join special projects
• Be a team member for drills and exercises either
  ashore, afloat or airborne

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CM Department Organization
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ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES

• DSO-CM
• Oversight of comms program and assets
• Interface with national, Area, and other
  Districts
• Plan and manage overall programs

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ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES

• ADSO-CMs
• Cognizance of all comms activities in specific
  geographic AORs
• Lead development of multi-level comms networks
  throughout the District
• Develop and implement specific programs as
  prototypes for District
• Represent DSO-CM in District

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ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES

• SO-CMs
• Provide key link to membership and Division
  Bridges
• Channel concerns and accomplishments from
  members to DSO-CM and to District Bridge
• Direct and Oversee the implementation of local
  networks

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ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES

• FSO-CM
• Where the rubber meets the road
• Direct link to members
• Source of accurate, complete information to
  membership
• Source of expertise in comms procedures,
  programs and equipment.

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PROGRAMS ACTIVITIES

• HF Communications
• DSC Comms and Monitoring
• PE and PA Activities
• Emergency Communications
• Enhanced Training and Education
• Participation in Multi-agency Activities

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Interagency Cooperation

• The future, we believe, is in multi-agency
  activities
• Benefits include sharing knowledge, tools,
  assets, and most important, SPECTRUM
• There are many agencies attempting comms,
  especially in times of unrest or domestic threat
• Few, if any have the comms assets we represent,
  for example a 10 KW HF station able to transmit
  fax data by radio.

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Interagency, Part 2

• However, no matter how strong each individual
  agencys assets are there is always a force
  multiplier available from cooperation.

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So, Who are the Agencies?

• On a National and International Basis
• Civil Air Patrol
• Coast Guard Auxiliary
• US Navy Military Affiliate Radio System
• USAF Military Affiliate Radio System
• US Army Military Affiliate Radio System
• Each brings strengths and unique assets