COMM setup

• F/A-18C Hornet – COMMs and Preset Button Usage
• Understanding UHF, VHF, AM, and FM in the F/A-18C Hornet
• MIDS Voice COMMs in the F/A-18C Hornet
• Guard Frequency in the F/A-18C Hornet

F/A-18C Hornet – COMMs and Preset Button Usage

In the F/A-18C Hornet, communication is managed through two ARC-210 radios: COMM 1 and COMM 2, each with 20 programmable preset channels, known as “buttons.” These presets are configured prior to a mission and allow the pilot to quickly access the correct frequency for ATC, AWACS, tanker, strike coordination, and flight communications without manually tuning frequencies in-flight.

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Example COMMs Preset Layout

Below is an example preset configuration for a carrier-based mission in the Syria theater, used by a multi-element Hornet squadron:

 

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COMM 1 – ARC-210 (ATC, AWACS, Tankers)

• Buttons 1 & 3 are both ATC-related; Button 3 adds ICLS and TACAN info for carrier recovery.

• Buttons 4–5 cover AWACS callsigns for picture and broadcast.

• Buttons 6 & 11 are tankers, with TACAN channels for AAR navigation.

• Buttons 7–8 provide regional tower freqs for Damascus and Ramat David in case of divert or transit ops.

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COMM 2 – ARC-210 (Flight COMMs)

• COMM 2 is reserved for intra-flight communication.

• Flight refers to all 4 jets in the element; Element refers to each 2-ship pair.

• This division helps keep comms concise during tactical execution.

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How to Switch Preset Channels

To switch between presets in the F/A-18C:

1. Use the UFC (Up Front Controller):

   • Press the COM 1 or COM 2 button on the UFC.

   • Rotate the channel select knob just below the UFC screen to cycle through presets (1–20).

   • The currently selected button will appear in the top left of the UFC window.

2. Monitor and Talk:

   • Ensure the desired radio (COMM 1 or COMM 2) is selected for transmission by checking the transmit selector knob on the Audio Control Panel.

   • A small dot will appear next to the active radio on the HUD or DDI when transmitting.

3. Manual Override (if needed):

   • You can manually input a frequency via the UFC if a preset is unavailable, but preset switching is faster and less workload-intensive.

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Tactical Tips

• Use COMM 1 for ATC, AWACS, tankers, and base frequencies.

• Use COMM 2 for tactical intra-flight communication.

• Maintain discipline: only speak when necessary and always identify yourself (e.g., “Phobetor 1-2, tally two bandits, 240, 15 miles”).

Understanding UHF, VHF, AM, and FM in the F/A-18C Hornet

Effective radio communication in the F/A-18C Hornet depends not only on proper frequency presets but also on understanding the radio bands and modulation types used: UHF, VHF, AM, and FM. These terms describe how and where a signal is transmitted and received.

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📡 Radio Bands: UHF and VHF

• The ARC-210 radios in the F/A-18C can operate in both UHF and VHF bands. Frequencies are manually entered or selected via preset channels.

• Most airborne assets (AWACS, tankers, flights) will use UHF.

• Ground-based assets (JTAC, civilian ATC, regional towers) may use VHF.

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🎚️ Modulation Types: AM and FM

• AM is default and is used for nearly all aviation communications in DCS.

• FM is used when talking to JTACs or ground units via VHF (e.g., 30.00–76.00 MHz). The ARC-210 supports this, and DCS will auto-modulate based on frequency.

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🛠️ How to Know What You're Using

• When tuning radios in DCS, you don’t explicitly select AM or FM—the modulation is determined by the frequency entered.

• Example:

  • 251.000 → UHF AM

  • 30.000 → VHF FM

  • 127.500 → VHF AM

• As a rule:

  • Above 108 MHz = AM

  • Below 88 MHz = FM

  • Between 108–174 MHz = AM unless specifically in FM JTAC band

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✅ Quick Comms Summary

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🧠 In Practice (DCS Tips)

• Use AM for all aircraft/airfield comms unless you're talking to JTAC or infantry units.

• If using SRS (Simple Radio Standalone), make sure your SRS settings allow auto modulation switching based on frequency.

• The Hornet’s radios do not allow manually selecting modulation type—it’s automatic based on freq.

MIDS Voice COMMs in the F/A-18C Hornet

The MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) in the F/A-18C Hornet isn’t just for Link-16 data—it also supports encrypted voice communication over two digital voice channels: VOCA and VOCB.

These can be used as additional comm channels for secure, low-latency coordination between flights, elements, or mission commanders—especially useful when normal UHF/VHF radios are saturated or compromised.

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🔊 VOCA and VOCB – What They Are

• VOCA (Voice Channel A) and VOCB (Voice Channel B) are two digital voice channels built into the MIDS terminal.

• They do not use traditional UHF/VHF frequencies—instead, they ride on Link-16 waveforms, piggybacking off the tactical data link infrastructure.

• Voice transmission is digital, secure, and line-of-sight (LOS) only.

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⚙️ How MIDS Voice Works in the F/A-18C

1. Channel Selection:

   • VOCA and VOCB are each assigned a MIDS Voice Channel between 1 and 126.

   • These channels must be set identically across all aircraft intending to communicate on the same VOCA or VOCB net.

   • Channel 127 is a special case—selecting channel 127 disables MIDS voice on that channel entirely.

2. Radio Binding:

   • Once set, you can transmit over VOCA/VOCB just like a normal radio.

   • Voice activity over VOCA/VOCB is not displayed in the normal ARC-210 frequency windows but can be monitored using the AUDIO PANEL toggles.

    

3. Setup in DCS:

   • MIDS channels are typically set via the D/L (Data Link) page on the UFC or MIDS Control Panel.

   • Ensure VOCA/VOCB are on assigned, matching channels across aircraft.

   • Toggle VOCA or VOCB transmit via the Audio Panel’s rotary selector behind your left hip

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✅ Advantages of MIDS Voice

• ✅ Encrypted and secure – immune to most jamming and eavesdropping in DCS.

• ✅ Frees up UHF/VHF radios for other roles (e.g., AWACS, tower, package net).

• ✅ Integrated with Link-16, so all participants on the network have voice and data link automatically aligned.

• ✅ Very low latency, ideal for tactical comms between close-range cooperating flights.

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❌ Limitations / Caveats

• ❌ Line-of-sight only – no ground station relays; if terrain blocks LOS, comms will drop.

• ❌ No feedback on frequency or signal strength like UHF/VHF radios.

• ❌ Can be hard to manage if your team isn’t disciplined about VOCA vs. VOCB roles.
  

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📋 Quick Setup Checklist (DCS)

1. On the D/L UFC page:

   • Set MIDS A Voice Channel to e.g., 10

   • Set MIDS B Voice Channel to e.g., 20

2. On the Audio Control Panel:

   • Rotate COMM selector knob to VOCA or VOCB

   • Toggle transmit switch ON for that channel

3. Transmit like any other radio using the assigned COMM switch (usually HOTAS bound)

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🛠️ SRS Note (if using Simple Radio Standalone)

• MIDS voice isn’t supported directly in SRS.

• However, VOCA/VOCB behavior can be simulated by binding a separate SRS channel (e.g., SRS Radio 3 and 4) and assigning it to your VOCA/VOCB function for training or realism purposes.

Guard Frequency in the F/A-18C Hornet

The Guard frequency is a critical part of your communications setup in any aircraft—and the F/A-18C is no exception. In both real-world and DCS operations, monitoring Guard is essential for safety, coordination, and emergency response.

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🆘 What Is Guard?

The Guard frequency is a set of two international emergency channels that are always monitored by military and civilian aircraft:

• UHF Guard: 243.000 MHz – used primarily by military aircraft

• VHF Guard: 121.500 MHz – used by civilian aircraft, but also monitored by many military units

These frequencies are used for:

• Distress calls (MAYDAY / PAN PAN)

• Airspace deconfliction

• Lost comm procedures

• Emergency coordination

In DCS, UHF Guard (243.000) is the most relevant.

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🔧 How the Hornet Handles Guard

The F/A-18C automatically monitors UHF Guard in the background, regardless of which frequency you're actively tuned to—as long as Guard is enabled on your Audio Control Panel.

You can listen to and transmit on Guard using the following controls:

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📟 Guard Monitoring Controls

🔉 Listening to Guard

1. Look at the Audio Control Panel (left console, below the left DDI).

2. The COMM 1 and COMM 2 knobs include a setting labeled G for Guard.

3. Rotate the selector knob to G to monitor Guard frequency audio.

4. Adjust volume using the corresponding COMM volume knob.

Note: You can monitor Guard alongside any other active frequency, making it great for picking up emergency calls without missing your flight comms.

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🗣️ Transmitting on Guard

If you need to transmit on Guard (rare but possible in emergencies):

1. Set COMM 1 or COMM 2 to manual mode

2. Dial in 243.000 MHz

3. Transmit as usual using your assigned COMM switch

💡 Most Hornet squadrons monitor Guard passively but do not transmit on it unless instructed or in an emergency.