From: LWRCLMR@strathost.stratcom.af.mil (LWRCLMR)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: CAP Offset
Date: 27 Aug 1992 08:11:33 -0700
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu

From:	WINS%"<scxc3@tincan-sawyer.af.mil>" 27-AUG-1992 10:04:45.33
To:	LWRCLMR
CC:	
Subj:	CAP Offset

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From: MSgt Michael A. Barnes <scxc3@tincan-sawyer.af.mil>
Message-Id: <9208271501.AA21660@tincan-sawyer.af.mil>
Subject: CAP Offset
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu (Info-Hams)
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 92 8:09:44 EDT
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       Civil  Air  Patrol  normally  uses  148.150  MHz  for  VHF  local 
       communications.   In  some areas, this is a repeater output.  The 
       standard input is 143.900.  Usually, the repeaters are *supposed* 
       to  have  a  real  short  squelch  tail  to allow operations with 
       simplex stations, especially aircraft, which are not supposed  to 
       use    the    repeater.    The   alternate   repeater   pair   is 
       143.750/149.925.  149.925 is also used quite a bit for packet.

       CAP VHF use varies quite a bit from area to  area.   Some  places 
       have extensive repeater networks, some use predominately simplex.  
       It's all very political.

       The original concept of CAP communications was to use HF (4  MHZ) 
       for  long  range (state-wide) type communications, and VHF-FM for 
       local comm.  For example,  a  search  and  rescue  (SAR)  mission 
       control  would  be located at an airport where CAP had facilities 
       to use.  Ground teams would be sent  out  to  target  areas  from 
       there  which  may  be  a  considerable distance away.  They would 
       communicate with mission control via mobile HF.   In  the  target 
       area,  they  would  set up a field camp to send ground foot teams 
       out.  The foot teams would use FM to coordinate with  each  other 
       and  their  field  camp.  Ideally, the field camp would also have 
       VHF-AM (123.1 actual, 122.9 practice) to talk  to  the  aircraft.  
       As  portable/mobile  VHF-AM  equipment was expensive, many places 
       have found it  easier  and  cheaper  to  install  VHF-FM  in  the 
       aircraft.

       CAP   usually   uses   amateur   equipment,   but   have  several 
       restrictions.  The equipment must be  crystal  controlled.  (Ever 
       try  to  find  a crystal controlled HF rig any more?)  Some areas 
       allow certain synthesized rigs on HF, depending on whether it  is 
       a  crystal  locked  PLl  or the display reads a certain number of 
       digits.  Some CAP units  even  require  annual  certification  of 
       equipment by an FCC licensed technician!

       CAP is in need of good communicators.  Track down your local unit 
       and get involved.  It can be a lot of fun as well as  a  valuable 
       public service.

       If  you just want more info, contact CAP National Headquarters at 
       Maxwell AFB, Alabama.  If you can get in touch with the bookstore 
       there,  order CAP Manual 100-1.   That will tell you all you want 
       to know about CAP communications.

       Michael

       -- 
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       Michael A. Barnes                      Land Mobile Radio and
       scxc3@TINCAN-SAWYER.AF.MIL             Frequency  Management  
       Phone: (906)346-2811                        410 SG/SCX       
              DSN: 472-2811                   240 D AVE Suite 231-A
              FAX: ext-2474                    K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI
                                                   49843-4070        

       Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous
       life.    Proverbs 16:31
              ... or by having teenagers!  Michael 1992     
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